CLEVELAND, Ohio — The big winds and rain have finally settled down around northern Ohio, and they were the perfect storms for fishermen waiting impatiently for the fall fishing to finally blossom.
The walleye fishing is starting to warm up again in the deeper waters of Lake Erie and following last week’s Steelhead Expo, the steelhead trout runs have begun, thanks to the cooler waters and a big rush of current in the northeast Ohio rivers and streams.
The anglers casting for steelhead from piers and break walls as the trout stage around the river mouths before beginning their spawning efforts in the rivers are being rewarded, hooking what are being described as feisty, very healthy fish.
“We’ve been sampling the trout in the Rocky River, and not only are they fat and sassy, there are more early steelhead coming up the rivers than I’ve seen before,” said fisheries supervisor Mike Durkalec of the Cleveland Metroparks. Durkalec suggested targeting the river waters from the first riffle down to Lake Erie, and reported that successful anglers are pitching casting spoons, in-line spinners and small diving plugs.
River anglers are using spinning tackle and suspending a marabou jig, preferable with black, brown or olive feathers or hair, under a stick float. Adding a couple of maggots or a single waxworm to the jig will be a confidence builder. Morning and evenings are prime time for hooking a big trout.
Steelhead trout especially feisty this time of year: Elizabeth Durkalec has caught a number of steelhead trout from the Rocky River, but this week’s big buck tried to dazzle her and get away. As she fought the trophy trout, it jumped a number of times and once even landed in the boat before jumping again to continue the battle in the water.
The trout didn’t win, but was quickly released after being netted and having its photograph taken. (See above).
Time to transition from bass to steelhead: Dan Pribanic at Chagrin River Outfitters in Chagrin Falls says it is time to for fly rod fishermen to switch from late summer smallmouth bass fly patterns to flies attracting incoming steelhead trout, and to learn to tie the new flies that tempt big trout.
Bigger is often better when the steelhead trout run begins in the Northeast Ohio rivers and streams. Trout appetites increase at that time, and they’ll chase a big fly. Pribanic is offering the Intro to Tying Steelhead Flies at his shop on Saturday, Oct. 2 from 8-11 a.m. for $25. Call 440-247-7110. Space is limited.
Pribanic reports there are already fair numbers of trout in the rivers, as well as catchable numbers of trout around Lake Erie shorelines, piers, break walls and river mouths. Early morning river fishing while swinging flies or stripping streamers are top ways to connect with a silver bullet.
Double the walleye fun in fall derbies: The Blaster Walleye Fall Brawl will return to Lake Erie for its popular walleye fishing derby, but with a change in the weigh-in site to Cabela’s store in Avon.
Erie Outfitters will continue its fall walleye derby weigh-ins with the creation of the new Walleye Slam. The Walleye Slam is hosted by the National Fishing Expos, which has outdoor shows in Columbus, Cincinnati and Kansas City.
If you haven’t entered one — or both — of the Lake Erie walleye derbies, don’t wait. The entry deadline is Monday, Oct. 11 for both the Blaster Walleye Fall Brawl and the Walleye Slam. Both run through Sunday, Nov. 28.
The top prize in the Walleye Slam is a fully-rigged Warrior 238 fishing boat. The Walleye Fall Brawl’s big prize is a fully-rigged Ranger 621. The Walleye Fall Brawl sign-up gatherings are at Cabela’s, 35685 Chester Rd., Avon on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 2-3, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For entry or details, visit lakeeriefishingderby.com.
The Walleye Slam sign-up party is is Saturday, Oct. 9 from 1-3 p.m. at Erie Outfitters, 5404 Lake Rd., Sheffield Lake. Walleye Slam info is available at nationalfishingexpos.com.
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