PFBC nets steelhead in Erie County’s Trout Run for hatchery use
PFBC officials and a group of volunteers spent Monday morning in an Erie County nursery water netting steelhead to be used for spawning in a hatchery.
Jeff Kirik, Erie Times-News
Pennsylvania’s Lake Erie shale-bottom shallow tributaries are known for rapid changes in water volume and water clarity when it rains in the watershed. With the unusually high number of rain events during this year’s steelhead season, stream levels have been fluctuating constantly thereby challenging anglers to adapt quickly. Those who don’t adjust presentations when flow changes may not hook a single fish.
“I just got off Elk,” said Bill at Tudor Hook-N-Nook. “Flow was good, but the floating leaves became too much of a problem. This weekend will likely be a different story. Short of a total blow-out, good fly-fishermen should still be able to catch fish. When water is dirty and high, it’s time to break out bigger and brighter streamers, and add enough weight … but not too much. There is a saying among fly-fishermen – the difference between a good angler and a novice can be measured in one split shot.”
Dan at Elk Creek Sports explained the streams were low, clear and fishable, but changes are likely on the way for this weekend – depending on how much precipitation comes down and in which form. “There are steelhead the entire length of Elk. At the present time, anglers fishing the upper section of Elk are doing better than lower in the stream.”
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Junior at Poor Richard’s recommends skein, egg sacks, nightcrawlers and Power Bait for dingy water. “Although the wind forecast doesn’t look good for the lakeshore this weekend, on calm days this past week, anglers were still catching steelhead at the mouth of Trout Run.”
Kirk at East End Angler reported steelhead are spread through the entire length of Twenty Mile Creek. “You will find 3 to 4 fish in every pocket of holding water, but when the stream goes low and clear, the steelhead move into the shallow, fast water.”
“I am hearing of lake trout being caught in shallow water, but it’s not looking good for boats to be out on the lake this weekend,” continued Kirk. “Perch are all over Presque Isle Bay – north and south piers, city side docks and walls, Head of the Bay, and probably around the docks in the State Park Marina on the peninsula, too.”
Smallmouth bass on the Allegheny River are on their fall feed with fish located in slower and deeper water, explained Dale at Gamma Fishing. “I’ve been out several times this week; we caught and released good numbers of bass which hit tube jigs and suspending jerkbaits. With water temperature in the mid-40s, larger size walleyes are also making their presence known.”
According to Dave at Richter’s Tackle, musky fishermen are doing very well at Pymatuning, catching fish by trolling and casting. “With water temperature just now hitting 50 degrees, larger walleyes should be showing up. But I’m amazed at the number keeper-size perch being caught.”
Contributors:
East End Angler, 4702 East Lake Road; 814-898-3474
FishUSA Pro Shop, 6960 W. Ridge Rd., Fairview; 800-922-1219
Poor Richard’s Bait & Tackle, 6821 West Lake Road, Lake City; 814-474-5623
Elk Creek Sports, 10543 Old Lake Road, Lake City; 814-774-8755
Tudor Hook-N-Nook, 10079 Cross Station Ext., Girard; 814-323-5886
Richter’s Bait & Tackle, 2936 Williamsfield Road, Jamestown, PA; 724-932-5372
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