This is the best technique vid for Lake Erie trib steelhead I've seen. Great history lesson as well as explanation of how and why to use a variety of bait. A shoulder injury has put a hamper on my fly rod but after watching this I will give the noodling rod a go. Thx
Awesome video & advice , my brothers & cousin use to fish Elk & Walnut Creek’s in the early & late 70’s for coho & chinook . Haven’t been back since because moved to AZ & CO. Thx for sharing . 👍🎣⚾️
Brings back memories for old man. Salmon fishing was first for him as a kid and me a semi old man. We used to blow up big giant nite crawlers and toss them out on the bottom..we fished a place called the cage at trout run in Erie pa. It had about 20 pillars in it from old boat docks. When these big giant salmon were hooked they would try to wrap the line around these plllers. Fun challenge to try and land them. Those were the days!!
Went to elk and walnut last week, going back up this weekend I'm addicted, my uncle has came to eerie for the last 40 years and the only thing he has ever had luck with is nightcrawlers
Nightcrawlers are still a great bait to use. There are plenty of imitation that work really well in higher water too. Steelhead fishing is the most addicting ever!
Those are some great tips brother. You know that isn't far from where I'm located and I've never done it. I tried Cold Creek in Ohio near Cleveland once. Tight lines from Rick
That's what I said before trying it! Bass fishing still ranks really high for me too, but there was a time when I fished exclusively for bass then tried the steel and got hooked on it. Did that for about 10 years when I lived in PA. Now living in Northern MI I fish for everything but there's still nothing better than a big smallie on the end of the line!
Great video! I miss the days of a #14 treble and four wax worms...lol. One other key difference is also in the watershed, especially on Walnut... Peach jam really removed a lot of the feeder streams ability to slowly release rainfall making Walnut more of a runoff stream. Back in the 80s we would have a couple of stained days after a silted stream... Its seems much less these days...
Thank you! I've been fishing the Erie Streams for 35 years and they certainly have changed. I remember those days fondly. And you're right about walnut. It runs off so quickly now that the fish have a hard time "running the gauntlet" so to speak and getting very far up. They still do but usually not until much later in the season. And with the record breaking crowds it's important to adapt and develop new techniques. Appreciate you taking the time to comment!
I really like your trout fishing techniques. I think spots are also important. Do you mind to tell me where the hot spots are for elk and Walnut Creek? It will be very grateful!!!
xiaoxu ji the Manchester hole in walnut is right up the stream after the bridge. It’s really popular though so a lot of people fish it and it gets crowded
Like your Steel Head mount in the background, I do fiberglass mounts for some of my Friends, all commodity mounts. I wondered what is your favorite nymph, and size? Thanks Im going uo in march for three days, I live in central PA>
Thanks! Appreciate you tuning in. For steelhead there are countless types of nymphs that work. Having a variety of stone fly, hare's ear, and pheasant tail nymphs is a good place to start. Then start experimenting with less common nymphs. All you have to do is find something the fish haven't seen before. As for size, the water level/clarity dictates this. I've gone down to size 18 in crystal clear water with 14 and 12 for higher conditions. Good luck!
Yeah, I've done that too. But I like the 6 pound XT for higher water conditions. And it's much more abrasion resistant. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Great video pal. Love the fish mount on the table, how big was that? Thanks for the tips, they will help a lot not only for those Erie tributaries but for all Great Lakes tribs. Love your channel, keep it up. Cheers from Ontario.
Thanks a lot! That fish was right around 12 pounds. We used to catch them big "back in the day" on Elk and Walunt. You can still get the occasional fish over 10 pounds but it's not as often anymore. Take care!
Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment! That is a noodle rod used with very light line . The flimsy rod prevents break offs. We use mostly st Croix 10' 6", but I also use an old g Loomis 11'6".
Nice! We've been using 1/32 jigs in various colors for 30 years. The minifoo has been around for a long time and still catches a lot of fish. It's a good hair jig. Lately, it's been maribou that gets the majority of fish. It's good to switch often, especially colors when it comes to steelhead. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
I've done well on spoons early season at the mouths of streams. Have to have perfect conditions though! It's a blast when they are on; the strikes are vicious! Good luck to ya...
Thanks for tuning in! For Erie tribs which run low and clear a majority of the time I go with 4X, but it's usually a good idea to have a few different sizes with you. Going with a bit lighter can get you more bites but also more lost fish. It gets tough if you go lower than 4X, but that's where a good noodle rod comes in handy.
Appreciate you watching! I just purchase my single eggs but I know a lot of guys who cure their own. Brown trout eggs can be especially hot at certain times.
We used to use borax. Put single eggs in a big Zip Lock bag and fill with water. Let them sit for 20 min. then drain the water out. Empty onto paper towels and let dry 30 min. Then put back in bag. Cover eggs with light coating of borax (find at grocery store laundry). Shake it up! Divy them up into smaller bags for fishing and freeze. Before you fish rinse thaw them. Then dry again and either tie into bags or use for singles. That's what I remember doing. I just buy them now. Maybe others on here have more ways. If so please share!
Where do you get your bigger Nymps, reds ? I have smaller Lively legs Nymps, but would like some size #4 or #6 Nymps like hares ear stonefly, I currently do not tye flys yet.
You could probably get them at Poor Richards. Otherwise, there are lots of online stores that sell them. The larger ones are definitely better when the water is higher.
@@fish-itis9469 I use lively legs Nymps, but size 10 is the biggest they make in the HD Stonefly, thanks I will look , Oh yea found some, Thanks again and good fishing.
I like to use Blackbirds and Drennan for most conditions. The clearer and lower the water the smaller the float. When it's really clear I use a small Thill.
Don't give up. A lot of it depends on timing and water temperature. All the techniques on this video work but not if the fish aren't there or the water is too warm...
@donald combs I was at that point last year, have made 14 trips since then and caught fish everytime, keep changing colors and rigs up, fish the slow water close to banks and you will hook up.
Thanks for stopping by! Jeters is the best steelhead fisherman on the creek. He's been doing it for 40 years. You can't miss him if you fish the access of Elk...He's the guy catching all the fish! He doesn't guide but probably should. I pointed him out on this video because he constantly evolves with the increase in pressure, coming up with new flies every season. He always finds something the fish have never seen before....
Been that way for decades. The "chutes" above Manchester Hole, combined with low water, keep the bulk of the fish down low, and with it all the anglers. Combat fishing!
Yeah, I used to release them all and still do let most of them go. I do like to eat a chromer once in a while. I actually like the taste of a fresh one.
