Fly Fishing

colehatch · Posted: Mon 12/03/07 11:59 pm Post subject: Lake Erie Steelhead Tribs

I'm looking at taking a trip to PA for steel the week before xmas and have never been. I've done alot of research and am planning on hanging out on the Elk. Any do's or don't for a 1st timer in that area...other streams, cheap places to stay, good breakfast??? Is locating decent water pretty straight forward? Thanks!

chromefinder · Location: Southeast PA

Almost every ditch between Cleveland and Buffalo has fish. Finding fish in the area your targeting should not be a problem,. Finding water that's not frozen or too low by then may be your biggest challenge. Exploring off the beaten path can pay off big, buy a DeLorme topo and do some hiking.

Near Elk:
Poor Richards Bait & Tackle for Supplies
Elk Creek Inn for Beer & Bar food
Breakfast - who has time for breakfast when steelhead fishing???
Lodging - too many to list - I90 exit 27 has some good options not too far away from Elk.

Do's
- expect low clear water
- take a 5wt or 6wt IMO, heavier rods are not necessary on these small tribs
- pray for warm air temps, rain, high water or melting snow
- expect to see lots of other anglers
- take your standard stream trout nymph patterns with you
- have plenty of small egg patterns
- use floro tippet in low clear water
- walk far away from parking areas to find unpressured fish
- ask permission first to walk or fish on private land

Don'ts
-stay in one spot all day
-be put off by high water

PM me before you go, I might be in the area the same week and can show you some spots.

colehatch · Posted: Wed 12/05/07 10:44 pm Post subject:

CF,

Thanks a ton for the information. I'll give you a shout if I end up making this trip and maybe we could hook up. I've got 2.5 weeks off around xmas and weather pending I'm going to either do some scouting of local waters I haven't been on or make may way south to PA. Either way I'll be in pursuit of steel.

I'll get in touch with you in a few weeks.

Thanks,

Jeff

Steelie · Location: Erie, PA

Jeff,

Hey, I live just a mile or two from Elk and it would be a good place to start if you come up. There are plenty of fish. I would be glad to help you out wth some nice areas to fish, and some basics. PM me if you'd like.

Mike

colehatch · Posted: Thu 12/06/07 9:07 pm Post subject:

Thanks Mike!

I'm really hoping I can work this out and make it down there. I'll know more this time next week. If I come down it'd be a couple days the week of the 17th.

I'll get ahold of you for sure.

Jeff

twocan · Posted: Sat 12/08/07 5:24 pm Post subject:

John Nagy has a pretty good book about the Erie Tribs..Where to stay, shops, stream run off rates, etc..... worth the 20 bucks IMO.