Steelhead Alley: It’s ON!!!

After a week of high water the Alley dialed in very nice for us last week (March 27- April 1st). Everyone that made the trek down found plenty of players willing to go! Some days were better than other but that’s early spring steelheading.

If your planning on heading down soon you better bring your hiking boots… These fish did not come easily!

During 6 days of fishing we found a number of fresh fish as well as drop back hens on a couple of the eastern Ohio tribs. Looks like all of the usual suspects fished well including the Grand during the past week.

Monday had me on the water with Lisa and TJ. It was the couple’s first time down to the Alley and won’t be their last…

Lisa with a pretty chrome hen that took a clown egg

Tuesday had me chasing steel with Andrew and Matt from the Detroit Athletic Club. Both guys have plenty of experience with a fly rod and it showed. Plenty of BOB DOWNS during the day!

Steve from Ann Arbor filled a late hole in my schedule on Wednesday. He was rewarded with a couple hook ups at first light that kicked our butt! Once we dialed in our game several nice steelhead found there way to hand. Including this dropback pictured below.

SO regulars Bill & Greg hooked up with me for two days of fishing Thursday and Friday. Greg’s friend John from North Carolina was a late welcome addition to our party. The guys put some miles on the boots both days and were rewarded with a good number of hook up’s despite the snow and low temps.

Greg with a tight hen we found poking around below a key gravel

Bill with a solid buck! Matt hooked this same fish on Tuesday but lost the battle.