John Nagy's New Book the "Steelheader's Journal" is now Available!

Painting by Les Troyer (titled “Steelhead Catch-and-Release”) from the “Steelheader’s Journal”
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John Nagy’s the “Steelheader’s Journal” is designed to help steelheaders in the "steelhead alley" region of Lake Erie, as well as throughout the Great Lakes, efficiently record information related to his or her tributary steelhead fly fishing trips
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This careful observation of details, as well as experiences, will not only make a better steelheader but also make steelhead fishing on the Great Lakes tributaries a much more satisfying and fulfilling experience

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A two page log/journal entry form (a total of 171 entry forms) allows steelheaders to log detailed information in over 25 categories (including various sub-categories) for each steelhead tributary fished that day. Some of these categories include weather, water temperature and flow, catches, technique, tackle, flies, rigging and access points. The “journal” section on the entry form allows steelheaders to write personal experiences and recollections for the day.
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The Steelheader’s Journal (7x10 inches/192 pages/hard back) also has sections on the “do’s and don’ts of steelhead fishing, knot diagrams, a gear “pre-trip” checklist and a steelhead “profile”, as well as ample room for favorite steelhead contacts and misc. notes.
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The “old school” fell of the Steelheader’s Journal invites the steelheader to slow down and reflect carefully and thoughtfully on the days fishing. It is leather bound with low-sheen, natural paper and sepia ink (including a silk ribbon page marker). It is also illustrated nicely by steelheader and artist Les Troyer including two color painting’s titled “Steelhead Catch-and-Release” and “In the Right Spot”.
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Reviews of the "Steelheader’s Journal"
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“John Nagy’s new book the Steelheaders Journal is a beautifully organized and helpful publication which all Great Lakes steelheaders will enjoy and learn from. The quality of the lay out, artwork and John’s carefully worded advice has a “coffee table” look which has to be seen to be appreciated. Some sections are set aside for data entry and recording of data on each fish taken including a diary of special moments which this kind of publication preserves forever”.
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“There are also helpful tips on equipment, knots and pre-trip organization, all of which keep the angler focused, informed and connected to the rivers and streams of the Great Lakes steelhead. The quality and artwork alone more than justify the price , and it may be difficult for the angler to decide just where to keep this book-on the living room coffee table or inside his duffel bag, ready for the next trip.”

Lani Waller (Steelhead legend, guide/lodge owner, author and creator of the classic 3M/Scientific Anglers video series on fly fishing for steelhead. He also wrote the classics “River of Dreams” and “A Steelheader’s Way”).
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“John Nagy is a master of his steelhead alley waters in every way! With his new Steelheaders’s Journal, with magnificant illustrations by Les Troyer, you delve into a world of old fashioned diary keeping. Including sections on the do’s and dont’s of steelhead fishing, a gear pre-trip checklist and knot diagrams, with the Steelheader’s Journal, the steelhead bum will always have a mantra to fall back on!”

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Matt Supinski (Great Lakes steelhead guide/lodge owner, writer and photographer/Muskegon,MI. The 10 year anniversary edition of Matt’s “Steelhead Dreams: The Theory, Method, Science and Madness of Great Lakes Steelhead Fly Fishing” is due to be released in the winter of 2011).
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“John Nagy’s Steelheader’s Journal is a great vehicle for cataloging your Great Lakes steelhead fishing trips. It provides a comprehensive way to record important details when planning future outings or when learning new techniques (which can be a key element to success). The journal also allows one to document the mood of the day and highlights of the experience from the eyes of the angler-personal thoughts that can be reflected upon at another time. Les Troyer’s illustrations and some well selected quotes complete its classic look and appeal.”

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Rick Kustich (Fly fishing author and photographer/Williamsville, NY. His upcoming new book is called “Advanced Fly Fishing for Great Lakes Steelhead” and will be released the fall of 2012. In addition to great writing and photography, Rick's book will feature 6 of John Nagy's Great Lakes tube fly patterns).
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“Every Great Lakes Steelheader should own a copy of John Nagy’s Steelheader’s Journal. It not only provides the angler a means to record valuable information and fishing memories but also has plenty of vital steelhead fishing tips. The journals format and artwork are superb.”

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Joe Morgan (Veteran Great Lakes steelhead fly fisherman/Hamburg, NY).
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“John Nagy is a master of Great Lakes steelhead fly fishing as well as a fine writer and photographer. If you fish for these sometimes difficult fish, purchase his new book the Steelheader’s Journal along with his Steelhead Guide, Fly Fishing Techniques and Strategies for Lake Erie Steelhead; they are a perfect marriage.”

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Joe Ciavaglia (Steelheading enthusiast/ Jim Thorpe, PA).
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The Steelheader’s Journal makes a great companion book to John Nagy’s popular "Steelhead Guide, Fly Fishing Techniques and Strategies for Lake Erie Steelhead" (updated and expanded 4th edition). The Steelhead Guide covers in detail how the techniques, equipment, flies, steelhead behavior, stream conditions and weather all combine to produce a successful Lake Erie steelhead trip. It has also proven to be very valuable to steelheaders in the rest of the Great Lakes region as well.
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John Nagy's Steelheader's Journal is now available!

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Please click on the following link to order the book:

Order the Steelheader's Journal

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Any questions in regards to ordering the Steelheader's Journal please contact John Nagy at (412) 531-5819 or steelheadguide@hotmail.com

The Top 10 Do's and Dont's for Indicating for Steelhead by John Nagy

Steelheader "indicating" on a Lake Erie tributary

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“Indicating” will always be the mainstay technique for steelheaders to consistently catch steelhead on the Lake Erie tributaries as well as most Great Lakes tributaries

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The “right-angle-floating-indicator-technique” or RAFIT is an indicating method that uses a super buoyant floating indicator like a Lil’ Corkie to form a right angle in the leader (at the indicator/leader contact point). The floating indicator allows you to “suspend” the fly, at or just above the stream bottom. Very slow, long and drag-free drifts (along the stream bottom) can be achieved with the RAFIT method

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There are a number of reasons for the popularity of indicating for Great Lakes steelhead. These include the small size and confining nature of most Great Lakes tributaries which makes steelhead “finicky” after entering them. They often key in on small egg patterns and nymphs, dead-drifted precisely along the stream bottom (which indicating is ideal for doing).
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Also, the Great Lakes tributaries generally run cold during the course of a steelhead season (on average 45 degrees F and below) making steelhead somewhat lethargic. Most of the time they will not move much for a fly (particularly during the late fall through early spring) and prefer to hold in slow current areas close to the stream bottom or along a current break like a shale ledge. Dead-drifting flies through these “restricted strike-zones” is deadly for catching drag-conscious steelhead.
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Finally, the small size of most Great Lakes tributaries makes “short-drift” type presentations (like the RAFIT method) the best approach for drifting through tight areas (with extended drifts) like small pools and runs, stream bed depressions, along rock ledges, behind boulders and adjacent to bridge abutments. This presentation also works well in most water depths and current speeds.
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The following is a top 10 list of the Do’s and Don’ts of Indicating for Steelhead:
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1) Do use a “tandem” fly setup when indicating. Try an egg fly (top fly) with a bead-head nymph as the bottom fly. The egg pattern acts as an attractor (particularly especially in stained water) with the nymph as a “teaser”.
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2) Don’t let your floating indicator “get ahead” of your fly when indicating with the RAFIT method. A line mend and periodic “checking” of the buoyant float will keep the float (which is drifting in the faster water surface) in-line with the fly (which is drifting along in the slower stream bottom current). This will prevent fly from being pulled off the bottom and drifting faster than the bottom current.
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3) Do use a long section of knotless tippet material when indicating. This permits for easy floating indicator adjustment on the leader without removing the indicator. Softer/flexible varieties of tippet material also are more conducive for forming the right angle in the leader in the RAFIT method.
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4) Don’t use too short of a leader when using the RAFIT method. The right angle formed in the leader requires the leader to cover more distance (versus bottom-bouncing without a floating indicator).
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5) Do keep split-shot close to the fly when indicating. This placement will get fly down quickly in tight/fast areas (although clear flows though may require you to “back” shot of some to keep from spooking fish).
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6) Don’t make adjustments to the indicator to fly distance irregardless of the water type fished. In the RAFIT method, .indicator adjustments are necessary to compensate for varying water flow depths and ultimately to get the fly down to the steelhead and drifting in front of their face. Winter steelheading often requires very small indicator adjustments. Under these conditions, one or two inches can make all the difference for a hook-up (not only for the indicator adjustment but also where the fly is drifted through) the specific to hook-up with steelehead who seem to have a case a “lock-jaw”.
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7) Do use a more moderate action fly rod when casting indicator rigs with tandem flies and split-shot. Moderate action fly rods allow for larger/slower casting loops and less rigging tangles. Longer fly rods also allow for easier line mending and floating indicator checking.
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8) Don’t pay attention to what the floating indicator is doing on the water surface. Abrupt stops and hang-ups usually mean the float to fly distance is too long (fly/split-shot is hanging up on bottom) and needs adjusted. Small hesitations in the drift of the indicator like a slight bump, stop, dip or slow sinking of the indicator usually means a strike.
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9) Do use the correct size floating indicator for the water conditions (surface water current) being fished. Smaller indicators for low flows (which have slow surface currents) and medium to large-size indicators for medium and high run-off flows (which have faster surface currents).
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10) Don’t recognize when it is time to not use a floating indicator. Extremely shallow, fast runs are best fished bottom-bouncing without a floating indicator (but a small semi-buoyant “strike indicator” may be necessary for strike detection). Also, wide/long gravel runs and pools are more efficiently fished and covered by swinging flies. Indicating large rivers and big sections of water (that do not have any specific structure like a boulder or shale ledge to attract holding steelhead) can often feel like trying to find a needle (or in this case), a steelhead in a hay stack!
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For a more detailed explanation of the "RAFIT" method for catching Great Lakes steelhead (including step-by-step technique drawings) refer to John Nagy’s Steelhead Guide Book.

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The newly released Steelheader’s Journal by John Nagy makes a great companion book to his Steelhead Guide. Please click on the following link to order the Steelheader’s Journal: Order the Steelheader's Journal

2012 Spring Steelhead Report and News by John Nagy

Early spring-run steelhead that took an egg pattern on a Lake Erie tributary

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A record mild winter has kept the tributaries open most of the winter (with Lake Erie ice-free as well). Steelhead fishing has been relatively good with fish spread throughout the entire system. The bigger tribs like Cattaraugus Creek in NY and the Grand River in OH have been fishable at times but the most consistent rivers (in terms of ideal flow/clarity) have been the medium to smaller size tribs.
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Expect spring runs (and spawning) to be earlier this year with steelhead in the tribs into April depending on how cold/wet the spring is. Ohio’s Little Manistee strain steelhead (which are primarily late winter/early spring runners) can stay in the Ohio tribs as long as May depending on the weather. Spring steelhead in NY’s Cattaraugus Creek (which runs colder than the PA and OH tribs in the spring) are known to hang around well into June particularly during a cold spring.
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As of March 3rd, the Lake Erie water temperature (degrees F) off Toledo was 35 degrees, off Cleveland was 34 degrees, off Erie was 36 degrees and off Buffalo was 35 degrees.
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News from around the Lake Erie Region
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In Ohio, Cleveland Metroparks is now requiring fishing guides working on park district land to have a guiding permit which includes having minimum requirements such as liability insurance, first aid training and an annual permit fee of $100. Presently, the state of Ohio has no state wide program for licensing fishing guides. Contact Michael Durkalec at md@clevelandmetroparks.com or (440) 331-8017 for more details on obtaining a permit.
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In Pennsylvania, 63,000 less steelhead smolts will be stocked this spring due to an infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNv) infestation at several Sportsman Club Cooperative Nurseries (including the Roze, Wesleyville, Kendra and Fairview Mission Nurseries). The disease initially spread to the nurseries from domestic brook trout received from the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission’s (PF & BC) Corry State Hatchery. All 63,000 steelhead were euthanized and used by a mink farming business. Earl Meyers, Leader of the PF & BC’s Coop-Nursery Unit said VHS virus concerns precluded them from being used for inland water stocking consideration.
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Chuck Murray, PF & BC biologist, related that this loss is not a major concern since 1 million steelhead will still be stocked this spring in the Pennsylvania tributaries (down 3%). Murray also says that natural variability’s in the Lake Erie watershed from year to year impact seasonal steelhead plantings in similar percentages.
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The IPNv infestation also led to a loss of 27,500 brown trout at the Coop-Nurseries. These browns were expected to be replaced by 57,000 Tylersville Hatchery browns (NY Rome Hatchery strain browns) and to be stocked this May. Last fall, 43,000 Rome strain browns were stocked by PF & BC, making for a total of 100,000 browns for 2012 (meeting the PF & BC’s goal for the Lake Erie near-shore/tributary brown trout fishery).
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In order to prevent future disease problems in the Coop-Nurseries across Pennsylvania (there are a total of 165), Earl Meyers has proposed a “Bio Security Plan” be developed (similar to the PF & BC’s state hatchery facilities plan which is already in place) to be followed by all Pennsylvania Coop-Nurseries. He expects it to be fully implemented within a year.
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In New York, the Seneca Nations of Indians is presently reviewing fishing regulations on Seneca Nation property (Cattaraugus Creek and Clear Creek on the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation would be affected). Proposals include lowering the steelhead limit from 5 to 3 fish, a ban of lead sinkers (including lead split-shot), a new steelhead season from March 1 to December 31 (which would close winter steelheading on the Indian reservation waters), more clearly marked boundary lines between Seneca land and New York State land and possibly renewing guiding on Cattaraugus Creek by non-Indians.

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John Nagy's new book the "Steelheader's Journal" (which makes a great companion book to his popular "Steelhead Guide, Fly Fishing Techniques and Strategies for Lake Erie Steelhead") is now available! Please click on the following link to order the book: Order the Steelheader's Journal

Spring Steelies by John Nagy

Blue bells and spring steelhead fishing on an Ohio steelhead tributary

Fly fishing the Lake Erie tributary streams in the spring is in a lot of ways a paradox of the winter steelhead season. To begin with, stream temperatures are pushed from the frigid low 30’s into the 40 degree F plus range. This causes sluggish steelhead already in the streams to become more active and aggressive.

Rising air temperatures and spring rains melt winter snow cover and stream ice resulting in higher flows. This, in turn, brings fresh runs of steelhead in from Lake Erie. Steelhead begin moving from their winter locations (deep, slow moving pools and eddies) to shallow gravel beds fulfilling their strong spawning urges. This usually occurs in late February and continues through April. Scientists have determined that this spawning behavior is triggered by a combination of two factors: stream temperatures (40 degrees F or above) and increasing "photo periods" or periods of light versus dark.

Locating spawning areas can result in some fantastic (and controversial) steelhead fly fishing during this time of the year. This is not only true for spawning steelhead on their beds but also pre-spawn fish located nearby and spawned out steelies (drop-back fish) heading back to the lake.

Ideal spawning areas are basically riffles, which have large-size diameter gravel, are 1-4 feet deep, and have darker color bottoms. Next to these areas are usually deeper runs, pockets, or pools which harbor pre-spawn and post spawn fish, as well as fish that have been spooked off their beds.

Actual spawning involves a female steelhead moving into a spawning area and digging out a redd. She will do this by turning on her side and making powerful upsweeps of her tail in the gravel. The current washes away loose gravel until a saucer shaped hole has formed which will hold her eggs. Males will be attracted by this activity and begin competing for spawning rights, with the largest and most heavily kyped males winning out. They will use their superior power and large kypes (which are grown for this purpose) to drive inferior males from the redd. After the female drops her eggs, about 20 % of what she is carrying, the dominant male will fertilize them (sometimes one, or possible two, sub-dominant male will also participate), and the female moves immediately upstream to begin making another redd. The displaced gravel from this redd covers the previously fertilized eggs downstream. The female will continue this process until she is spawned out.

When you are fly fishing a spawning bed there are several things to keep in mind. If you don’t notice any spawning activity on the bed itself, blind fish adjacent deep-holding areas. As previously stated, these areas can hold steelies that are not in a spawning mode.

Fishing on the redds themselves has a simple strategy; fish for the males. They will be easy to distinguish from the females since they appear almost black while the females are bright silver. If you catch the female first, the males will quickly scatter. These aggressive males become very territorial and are not actually feeding, but will chase flies to dominate the redd.

Before fishing, position yourself slightly upstream of the redd and cast your fly so it reaches stream bottom as it drifts through. Mend your line to maintain a dead-drift and keep a tight line so you are able to quickly set the hook. Try to visually follow your fly through the redd so that you target the males and react quickly to their takes.

More often than not you won’t be able to see spawning fish very well on the bed. This is usually the result of spring run-off, which causes high, turbid water, or a spawning bed with a dark bottom. The dead giveaway though is the female as she turns on her side; the tail shakes giving flashes of silver, or gold in muddy water. Wearing polarized sunglasses on bright days is a tremendous help in seeing these flashes. Mentally mark this spot in the stream and fish to areas just downstream where the males will be holding.

Effective fly patterns for spring steelhead include yellow, white, and black Wooly Buggers, bright egg patterns (glo-balls, sucker spawns, scrambled eggs and blood dots), various streamer patterns like the Lake Erie Emerald Shiner and Clouser Minnow, Wooly Buggers, Spring Wigglers and bead-head nymphs (prince’s, black stoneflies and green caddis larvae).

Fly rods in the 9 to 10 foot range with medium to medium-fast actions are ideal for fishing egg patterns, nymphs as well as wooly buggers and streamers. Longer 10 ½ foot fly rods (custom made from "noodle" spinning blanks) provide superior line and leader control when trying to achieve drag-free drifts. They also allow for big fish playing capabilities on light tippets due to their soft actions and shock absorbing abilities.

A floating fly line, like the Wulff Triangle Taper, works well on the spawning beds particularly when fly casting at a relatively short distance (30 ft. or less). They have the delicacy of a double taper at short distances, which makes line mending rather easy, and at the same time provide the power of a weight forward to turn over split shot and floating indicators. This is due to their unique triangle taper configuration, which concentrates the bulk of the heavy part of the taper (which can interfere with drag-free drifts) away from the butt of the leader.

Leaders should be kept relatively short (9-10 feet) when fishing the beds. This allows for close in casting in relatively shallow water. In adjacent runs and pools (which are deeper) longer leaders up to 12 to 14 feet work better especially when using a floating indicator. Adding a florescent red section of Sunset Amnesia monofilament to the butt section of the leader is a good way to build a strike indicator into your leader especially when you are not using a float.

Fly fishing steelhead spawning beds seems to have its proponents and detractors. In the Pacific Northwest this practice is strongly discouraged on rivers with wild steelhead feeling it is very detrimental to successful spawning. On the other hand Michigan steelheaders seem to have no problem with fishing on the beds even though 50 % of their fish are known to be naturally reproduced.

The American tributaries of Lake Erie produce a very small number of naturally reproduced steelhead (the runs are primarily based on hatchery raised steelhead smolts and fingerlings) so fishing the beds does not have much of an impact on future steelhead runs. One exception is Cattaraugus Creek in New York which has been documented with 25% naturally reproduced steelhead. Here it is not recommended to fish the beds in the spring to protect a developing wild steelhead fishery (several feeders to Cattaraugus Creek are actually closed to fishing in the spring inorder protect wild steelhead natural reproduction).

The Canadian tributaries of Lake Erie (Ontario Province) are almost entirely based on naturally reproduced steelhead runs with most tributaries closed in the winter and early spring to fishing.

If you do choose to fish spawning beds in the spring (where legal), land and release steelhead quickly, keep fish in water at all times, keep handling to a minimum and be sure not to wade on known spawning gravel.

Many steelheader's who frown on fishing steelhead spawning beds, prefer to target only pre-spawn, post-spawn and drop-back steelhead in order to protect both established and developing wild steelhead fisheries.

More detailed information on spring steelhead fishing can be found in John Nagy’s book “Steelhead Guide, Fly Fishing Techniques and Strategies for Lake Erie Steelhead”.

Winter Steelheading Tips by John Nagy

Lone winter steelheader enjoying solitude on a Lake Erie steelhead tributary

Winter steelhead fishing provides the fly fisher with great opportunities to catch some of the biggest steelhead of the season

Hard-core steelheaders live for this time of the year; but be prepared for lake- effect snow, tributary slush flows and shelf ice, numb fingers with an added bonus of solitude

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-When tributary temperatures drop into the mid to low 30's steelheader's need not hit their favorite steelhead hole at the crack of dawn. Better to sleep in and try from late morning to early afternoon when water temperatures have nudged up enough to activate lethargic steelhead into biting (morning surface slush flows are usually also melted by then). Don't worry about the crowds; solitude is the norm in winter steelheading.

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-Dead-drifting flies like egg patterns and bead-head nymphs as well as small wooly buggers and streamers are deadly in the ice water tributary flows of winter as long as you keep them near the stream bottom (where winter steelhead hold), drifting at or slightly slower than the bottom water current. Incorporating brass, tungsten or glass beads as well as wire ribbing and heavier shanked hooks into these patterns ensures that they stay near the bottom and allows for less shot usage.

-Winter steelhead can be very finicky and fussy and prefer smaller, dead-drifted flies drifted literally into their face. They will rarely move more than a couple of inches for a fly on a dead-drift. With this said, it is extremely important to perform multiple drift presentations and cover the drift completely, whether a run, pool tail-out or back-eddy. The difference of a few inches in your presentation can result in a hook-up that you would have otherwise missed.

-Successful winter steelheading means patience. Multiple presentations covering the entire drift, precise indicator depth adjustment, tippet (length/size) and shot adjustments, fly changes (size/color) are all part of the game to get that perfect drift to steelhead that at times seem to have a severe case of lock-jaw!

-Dress properly for the frigid conditions (knit cap, wool fingerless gloves and mitts, thermal underwear, fleece jacket, windbreaker, chemical hand warmers, neoprene style/boot foot waders) and periodically walk between holes and runs to keep feet and hands warm for the fishing action.

-During a severe winter cold snap, steelhead will forgo overhead cover and hold in slower pools and runs that have moderate depth (4 feet or less) and dark bottoms. These locations (you have to fish them before they freeze over or break the ice and come back later) energize and activate steelhead since sunlight penetration warms the stream bottom as well as the backs of the steelhead. During milder winter periods look for steelhead to hold in more deeper bend pools, pool tail-outs, pool back eddies and runs as well as faster/broken water areas which all provide good cover from predators and direct sunlight without “super-chilling” the steelhead.

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This buck winter steelhead could not resist a bead-head scrambled eggs!

-Accidentally dunking your fly reel in the water is a “no-no” for the winter steelheader. The reel can quickly freeze-up and bind in sub-freezing air temperatures. Your windshield heater blower comes in handy to quickly thaw/dry frozen reels (although a complete drying will be required later to remove all the water in the reel).

-Felt bottom wading boots can quickly build up with snow making hiking along your favorite tributary difficult. Companies like Korkers, Simms and Patagonia offer rubber soled wading boots that are ideal for hiking in the snow without snow buildup. The Korker and Simms models also come studded.

-The tip top on your fly rod is the first guide to freeze over in sub-freezing air temperatures making fly casting, performing techniques and playing fish difficult and at times impossible. Remedies for this include installing an over-size tip top and over-size snake guides on your custom made fly rod (the John Nagy “noodle” fly rod has these built-in/see photo above) and applying Vaseline lip balm or Stanley ice off paste to the tip top and snake guides periodically throughout the day to prevent/slow down freeze-up.

-Fly fishing in the winter is tough on fly lines particularly when you cast them through iced over guides on your fly rod which can damage the exterior coating of the fly line. At some point this is going to happen no matter how diligent you are at keeping ice off the guides. A good strategy is to have a fly line strictly for sub-freezing conditions and keep your good lines for other times (fall and spring).

-Swinging flies in frigid tributary winter flows (30 degree range) can be successful as long as you keep your fly on the bottom (use the fastest sinking leader or sink tip you have without dragging bottom on the swing) and slow down the swimming speed of your fly (by doing multiple upstream mends of your fly line on the swing). Also use fly patterns like zonkers, marabou speys, long winged streamers, wooly buggers and sculpins that incorporate materials like marabou, artic fox tail, rabbit strip fur, temple dog fur, schlappen feathers, etc. that have great movement in the current flow.

Adding beads, cones or using metal tube designs will help keep these flies on the bottom. Adding fluorescent color(s) or a little flash material to the pattern can entice strikes. Swing them through pool tail-outs, eddies and slower/deep runs (of course you will need open water areas!). Jigging the fly or using a strip retrieve at the end of the swing can also be effective. Again, a few degree temperature increase during the day (usually occurring from mid-day to early afternoon) can activate steelhead into taking a fly.

-Run-off from winter snow-melt usually runs clear (typically a slow, steady melt) as long as night time air temperatures stay below the freezing mark. Rain and rising air temperatures though can quickly melt snow cover and result in high/stained tributary conditions.

-A common strategy for winter steelheaders is to break the ice in a pool that is partially iced over (using their feet and/or downed tree branches), letting it rest for awhile and then coming back later to fish it. Surprisingly the steelhead settle down pretty quickly after all the commotion. Dead-drifted flies are particularly effective after this tactic. This is a relatively easy thing to do when the ice cover is thinner (and in pools that can be waded) but with really thick ice it is not advisabe unless your looking for a sprained or even broken ankle!

-It is hard to predict what kind of tributary conditions ice water steelheaders will encounter on the Lake Erie tributaries during the winter. During mild winters, they remain open (including the lake shore) with only nuisance slush and ice flows in the morning.

Severe winters usually mean complete freeze-over (including the lake shore) in January and February. This is not a total loss since steelhead fishing through the ice (at the tributary mouths, marinas and lake shore) can produce some incredible action; albeit not fly fishing style. (It is pretty difficult fly casting your fly into a 8" hole cut through the ice!)

During a more average climatic winter, expect periodic tributary freeze-overs with both a traditional "January" thaw and also a number of "mini-thaws" opening up the tributary flows to fishing.

Note: Often the toughest part of winter steelhead fishing is actually getting to (and traveling back) from the Lake Erie tributaries. Local steelheaders definitely have an advantage here. Anyone considering steelhead fishing this time of the year (and traveling at a distance) should carefully monitor the weather for lake effect snow and ice conditions as they impact the interstates and state routes. No steelhead is worth being stranded on the highway or getting into an accident for. Look for "windows" in the weather for traveling to and from the tribs. If bad weather hits (after a day of winter steelheading) seriously consider spending the night at a local motel to avoid any problems.

More detailed information on winter steelheading can be found in John Nagy's book "Steelhead Guide, Fly Fishing Techniques and Strategies for Lake Erie Steelhead".

Look for John Nagy's new book the "Steelheader's Journal" coming out in February 2012.