John Nagy's New Book: the "Steelheader's Journal"

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 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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The "Steelheader’s Journal" will be available in January 2012. Pricing and ordering information from Great Lakes Publishing will be posted shortly. For pre-ordering information contact John Nagy at (412) 531-5819 or steelheadguide@hotmail.com

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 January 2012.

Step-by-Step Tying Instructions for Blue and White Temple Dog Tube Fly by John Nagy

Lake Erie tributary buck steelhead that took (actually crushed!) a Scandinavian style tube fly on the swing

For step-by-step tying instructions for John Nagy's Scandinavian style Blue and White Temple Dog tube fly (as it appeared in the September/October 2008 issue of Eastern Fly Fishing Magazine) please click on the following link:

http://tubeflies.com/articles/EFFTempleTubeFly.pdf

More detailed information on tying tube flies for Great Lakes steelhead 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 January 2012.

2011 Fall Steelhead Report and News by John Nagy

Lake Erie steelhead like this trophy male or "buck" are being threatened by the rise of invasive sea lamprey populations in the Lake Erie basin

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There is certainly a chill in the air this September! With the autumnal equinox here (the beginning of fall), the days are become shorter, the Lake Erie shoreline is starting to cool down and steelhead are beginning to stage for their fall migratory movements into the tributaries.
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An early September cold snap has moved small numbers of steelhead into the lower reaches of some Lake Erie tributaries. Periods of tributary run-off and colder temperatures in later September have caused more steelhead to trickle in. Expect this trend to continue into October with the peak of the fall run in November. The remnants of a fall hurricane (several days of a soaking rain) is always a bonus for good run-off and runs of fresh steelhead in the fall.
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On November 9, 2011 the Lake Erie water temperature (degrees F) off Toledo was 49, off Cleveland was 52, off Erie was 50 and off Buffalo was 52.
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News Around the Lake Erie Region

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A disturbing trend is occurring in the Lake Erie basin that is even more alarming (and threatening) than the Asian Carp invasion. Invasive sea lamprey populations in Lake Erie, which have been held in check over the last two decades by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USF&WS) are on the rise. In fact they are at the record “pre-treatment” levels of 1985 according to Michael Fodale of the USF&WS. They are also 2 to 3 times higher than acceptable target levels set by the USF&WS.
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For more information on invasive sea lampreys in Lake Erie click on the following article by John Nagy for Fly Fisherman Magazine (Feature Spotlight/Steelhead Alley Fall Forecast) under the News section: http://www.flyfisherman.com/
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In Ohio, the second phase of an angler creel survey by the Ohio Division of Wildlife and Ohio State University was completed in May 2010. The survey was conducted from the fall of 2008 through the spring of 2010 on Ohio’s Lake Erie steelhead tributaries and access points. Survey results showed catch rates had dropped to .354 steelhead per angler hour (which is still comparable to steelhead fisheries in other areas of the Great Lakes) with 89% of steelhead caught by anglers released.
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The survey also showed that 34% of Ohio steelheaders use fly fishing equipment when steelhead fishing and spent an average of $399 on fishing equipment and $407 on travel during the previous 12 months. Overall the survey showed that Ohio steelheaders (versus the average fishing license holder) spent more money fishing, more time fishing, had greater trust in the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODW) and more satisfaction with their fishing experiences. For the complete survey results please go to:
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/tabid/6166/Default.aspx
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The 100 year old Harpersfield Dam on the Grand River in Ohio is undergoing a feasibility study (funded by Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funds). The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) study is part of the Great Lakes Fishery & Ecosystem Restoration (GLFER) program whose goal is the restoration of the fisheries and other critical elements of the Great Lakes ecosystems. The primary focus of GLFER is restoration of fisheries habitat and related ecosystem elements through structural projects.
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According to the the Harpersfield Dam has promoted habitat degradation, altered sediment transport dynamics, and degraded water supply. It has also played a central role in the decline of migratory aquatic species, although sea lamprey prevention (which are at record levels right now) outweighs the negative impact the dam has on fish passage.
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Likely project alternatives include repairing or modifying the existing dam to maintain its current structure (which effectively prevents sea lamprey passage), construction of a sea lamprey trap at the existing dam or construction of a new barrier and trap at a location farther downstream of the dam (which would also include removal of the old dam).
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A public meeting was held on September 22, 2011 by the USACE (at the Harpersfield Community Center) which presented all the options available in the dam feasibility study.
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Dan Pribanic’s Chagrin River Outfitters in Chagrin Falls, OH will be having a Shop Day (Saturday, October 8th) featuring several steelhead experts including Brett McCrea, Jerry Darkes, Jeff Liskay and Greg Senyo. Please visit:
http://chagrinriveroutfitters.com/events.htm for more details.
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In Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PF&BC) has made available a free publication called Lake Erie Fishing Access Areas. It is a detailed/fold-out map showing all public fishing access areas for both the Lake Erie shoreline and also the Pennsylvania steelhead tributaries of Lake Erie. It includes many of the public fishing easements and land acquisitions acquired through the PF&BC’s Lake Erie Access Improvement Program. Ordering info can be found at: http://fishandboat.com/promo/form/pubs_free.htm
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On 4 Mile Creek, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PF&BC) has nearly completed a four foot wide bypass around a waterfall (which is 500 feet above the Lawrence Park Golf Club Dam and fish ladder). Once finished (scheduled to be completed in early October 2011) it will allow steelhead to move upstream and create new steelhead fishing opportunities.
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Public fishing access areas above the bypass include the Lawrence Park Township Napier Park, the Wesleyville Borough Cumberland Park and the Penn State Behrend Campus Area (also known as the Wintergreen Gorge). The PF&BC will be making improvements to parking and trails on the upper sections of 4 Mile Creek and also purchasing public fishing easements through the PF&BC Lake Erie Access Improvement Program.
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With a $30,000 grant, the PF&BC along with Mill Creek Township and volunteers from the Pennsylvania Steelhead Association and the S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie, completed work to improve fish habitat on Walnut Creek. The work was done at Mill Creek Township’s Cassidy Park (located at the intersection of Zimmerly and Love Roads) this past August. The goal of the project was to install stream improvement devices to create new pools and stabilize bank areas in that section of Walnut Creek (which is basically featureless and does not hold many steelhead).
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In New York, the USGS real time water gage for Cattaraugus Creek (http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ny/nwis/uv?04213500) has been updated to show, in addition to water discharge and height, both turbidity and temperature. The water data will also now be updated every hour versus every 4 hours with the old gage. Below 50 FNU units on the turbidity graph is ideal clarity for the Cat.
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The town of Westfield, NY is presently working on a construction easements for the Chautauqua Creek Dam Modification Project (which is a GLFER project). As of September 2011, there are 1 or 2 private landowners (out of a total of 6) that have not agreed to the easement. Because of this delay, construction work for modifying two low level dams on Chautauqua Creek is scheduled for the summer of 2012. Michael Greer of The United State Army Corp. of Engineers (USACE) says that design and funding for this project is complete with construction bidding ready to take place as soon as the easements are finalized.
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Michael Greer also relates that the feasibility study for the Cattaraugus Creek Restoration Project (another GLFER project) is still ongoing. Results of the study will determine whether to remove, modify and/or repair the Springville Dam on Cattaraugus Creek.
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Presently sediment samples are being taken directly below the Springville Dam by the USACE to check for possible contaminants. Specifically, nuclear contaminants deposited from the defunct West Valley Nuclear Reprocessing Facility located 8 miles above the dam (which is now being decommissioned by the Department of Energy). If the dam is removed, any contaminate deposits will have to be removed (prior to dam removal) to prevent them from washing down river. Significant deposits are unlikely but according to the USACE it needs to be checked. Federal funding for the final phase of the feasibility study by the USACE is still up in the air, which may delay completing the study in the future.
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New fishing license fees on the Cattaraugus Creek Indian Reservation are as follows:
Three day license/$25, season license (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31)/$45. Also, the steelhead limit has been lowered from 5 to 3 by the Seneca Nation and guiding by non-Seneca’s is strictly forbidden on the reservation.
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More detailed information on steelhead fishing in the Lake Erie region 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 January 2012.

The Tube Fly Advantage by John Nagy (Fly Fish America Magazine)

Please click on the link below to view the digital version of John Nagy's The Tube Fly Advantage article from the archive of Fly Fish America Magazine. The article appears in the 2010 Annual Gear Guide of Fly Fish America (go to page 68 of this magazine issue using the digital "turn page" viewing feature).

http://www.flyfishamerica.com/i-ot-archive/2010-gear-guide