Steelhead Alley

Northeast Ohio’s Premiere and totally Kick Ass, Bad-to-the-Bone, In-ya-Face, Tell it like it is, Omnipotent Online Steelhead Guide and Blogger! Serving the Grand and Chagrin River Online Since 2001. Come on in and see what’s being caught on Steelhead Alley in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. Plus wherever else I decide to ‘Pop-a-Cast’ and pull them chrome bitches in from! I’ll be on the creep all over the tributaries, telescopically spying, and digitally shooting anything and everything that swims, wades, drifts, catches, rolls or fishes! So come on in and sit right down, hold on to your seat, rod, beer, and bait, cause with me, anything and everything goes! Stay Safe out there on Steelhead Alley and always Fish On....

Monday, December 7, 2009

Steelhead Alley Chagrin River Report Monday 12-07-09

Fresh run Skipper on a bugger!
Ahh the smell of Chrome in the morning!
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Now go home and make some babies!
Can you say here Fishy, Fishy?
Kevin was all smiles with this hen!

Today the Chagrin was right back down to low and clear conditions. Saturday turned out to be the day for me. I went 8 for 12 on the Chagrin early in the day starting with sucker spawn, and prince nymphs under an indicator with the Prince as my point. I got some sweet photo's and Brian even helped me out with some grip and grins of my fish! Thanks dude I really appreciate that!


The only bad part of my Saturday was that while I was shooting a couple other guys fish, I didn't think to put the strap over my head and when I was done clicking I let the camera fall! OMFG what the hell did I just do?? Yes I did! There she was sitting on the bottom of the river looking up at me. So I swallowed my pride and reached in and pulled her drowned ass right out of the drink! So to make a long story short, she's drying out and hopefully when I decide to turn her on, she gets turned on! Ha ha sounds like porn, but my camera is my companion wherever I go, and thankfully I carry insurance just for that sort of thing. But the bummer was losing the pictures and not a $1,000 dollar camera. Hell I can get another one, it's those grip and grin I wanted to share, but at least I still have a back-up digital waterproof one!


At least I'm not carrying that skunk around with me. On my way to another honey hole I ran into Jim again from Fish With Jim Outfitters!? Are you following me, or am I following you Jim? Anyways he was out with some clients in from Pittsburgh, (and just like the Steelers are gonna do it to the Browns), they were smacking the shit out of Chrome!! I mean come on dude it's not fair that you get all the fish, and then leave me to catch only one! Hey man nice job again, and of course next time we run into each other, I'm heading farther up-stream! No need to try and compete with your cured eggs! You gotta share that secret recipe with me one day! I promise I won't tell!


On another note, I'll be out in Fairport Harbor tomorrow at Grand River Tackle hopefully stocking up on some much needed material for my newest breed of flies. Since I have some time to kill I may as well stock my boxes again. If you are looking for a good deal on fishing tackle then you need to be there for the store closing 50% off sale!


Looks like we'll get another dose of rain/sleet/snow in the next day or two, and I don't have to tell you that we really need the rain again to bring some color back in the tribs. I will be out and about in the next few days so keep an eye out for me, and nice meeting you today as well Chris! Next time we'll fish a little longer and tell some lies, and swap some flies!


Stay safe out there, and keep 'em warm, the toes that is.


Fish On!

Friday, December 4, 2009

Friday Fishing Forecast on Steelhead Alley!

Hey my friends it's FRIDAY! I hope you had a great week, and now that we have some flow in all tributaries along Steelhead Alley the fishing should be fantastic! This week-end should see some awesome numbers of fish spread throughout the streams of Northeast Ohio and Pennsylvania.

I will be doing this Friday Forecast from here on in and you can rest assured it'll be about one thing only, Steelhead Fishing. Of course all the smaller feeder creeks and ditches will fish and clear first, so be sure to check them out also. The Grand is still flowing over 2,000cfs and won't fish this week-end at all.

The Chagrin is falling fast, and when I stopped by Daniels Park this afternoon it was still high and muddy. The guage is reading 453cfs which means it'll be fishing tonight and tomorrow. That means good news for all you Steelhead Fanatics me included! Just keep in mind those temps are starting to drop and that means one thing, BRRrrrrr it's getting colder! Make sure you layer more than you need, because you can always remove it, and grabber my coals!

A couple e-mails from anglers on the web (Alan) sent me in some photo's of his recent trip to New York's 18 Mile Creek, (figures! I didn't go this year as I have been working real hard to bring more content and all new video's of Steelhead Alley to Steelheadquarters.com) Man I set the bar high for myself, and without any help from anyone. I'll keep plugging away at it until I get it right, and if you know me, I'm anal that way, or more mildly put, very meticulous in what I do.

Also, my buddy from Cool water fish Adam, sent me this nice picture of a fat little Brownie! Nice fish Adam, what a pig! Did you see that kype? Looks like he's the big dog in that water! Be sure to stop by his website and check it out! Adam is a great angler, and an avid fisherman for multi-species fishing, hell he even caught a 5lb Pacu in the Sandusky River! WHAT A CATCH!!! Keep an eye on this guy, he has a way of catching some unusual fish! Very nice Adam, we have to hook up and fish soon! I wanna catch an alligator in the Hoga!

So that's it for this rant, and just because that picture taking monkey's blog and forum is gone, I guess he's trying to re-invent himself as a photographer now, doesn't mean it's for good! It's a start for now, we'll just have to wait and see what this polemonkey is really up to, and I sure hope you all do the right thing, and shop for a centerpin reel right here in Ohio.

Adam Demarco over at Paine Falls Centerpin makes a damn fine series of reels right here in Northeast Ohio, and all you CP fisherman want to know where to go for forums and other cool centerpin info? Then head on over to Float Fishing Connection for all your float fishing needs, Dominic runs a great site there with loads of cool stuff for the floater in you!

And if you really want a good deal on a centerpin reel, then of course you have to head on over to Erie Outfitters! Craig has all the newest stuff on the market and will help you in any way he can, besides, it's the ONLY shop besides ORVIS (and they don't carry CP'S) any where near the Chagrin River!

Oh yeah, there is another shop on the Chagrin I forgot to mention, Laguna Tackle and Deli on the corner of Hopkins and Lakeshore! Any place else I may have overlooked is involved with that picture monkey, and not worth your trip! Buy any ORVIS HELIOS at ORVIS on Chagrin Blvd. and you'll get a free Battenkill LA Reel! Now that's a sweet deal!

Stay safe out there and as always Fish On!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Another iconic Local business serving Steelhead Alley closing the doors!

Wow! You have to hate this news! As many of you local Steelheaders know, Bruce has been an ongoing inspiration for anglers all accross Ohio for almost a quarter of a century! 25 Years! Holy Moly what a ride though, huh Bruce?

Anyways I will be sad to see that shop close it's doors. It's been fun Bruce and I wish you all the best! I found this on the website Grand River Tackle:

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Dear Valued Customer, Steelheader, Worm Drowner, Big Fish Story-Teller and Friend,

Because of the difficult economic times Grand River Tackle will be closing its doors at the end of 2009. Beginning on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 all in stock merchandise will be 50% off. So come in and stock up on the variety of fishing tackle that we carry. This is a great time to get some fantastic holiday bargains. It has been an honor serving you in the past years but the economy will not support the business. So come in, check out the sale, and bid your friends here at Grand River Tackle farewell. It was an amazing 25 years doing business with you. The coffee will be on through the end of the monthJ

Thank you for your patronage, from all of us at Grand River Tackle.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Forgot the Video! Enjoy

video

Here is the short clip I shot today! Enjoy......

A New Dawn, A New Day! Steelhead Alley Update!

Run little fishy, but you can't hide!
Very defined lateral line!
Nice Buck on the Chagrin!
Matt's all smiles! Hell I would be too!
John's nice cheeky buck!
Jim's one of many fish caught today!

Here on Steelhead Alley you will see a plethora of anglers from all walks of life, and the one thing we all share in common, is a love for the sport of angling. Today is a new day, and I refuse to dwell on Previous Postings so I thank all 926 responses to the previous post, and now that it's over, I'm moving on to what I have been doing for the last 9 years online! That's talking about fishing for Steelhead Right here on the Alley.

Today I headed to a popular spot simply because all the other spots I checked were full? Hmm, everyone off work today? Felt like the weekend, or are there some calls in sick with the swine flu? Ha ha whatever the reason was, it was good to get out there and address my addiction, before the rain set in. Speaking of which, it's been raining pretty good on and off since about 5pm

(Mr. Morse I told you it would rain by 5pm any luck on those gills?).

When I arrived there were people in my spot! Didn't I phone ahead and make reservations? Guess I forgot, or the Steelhead Goddess has simply screwed up and double booked it with Fish With Jim Outfitters! Man that dude can cure some eggs! I mean when I arrived, one of his friends had a fish on, then another and yet another! So I just stood there and shot some pic's. We talked and did some networking, and then they did what you would never expect from a guide!? They invited me in to fish with Jim. Imagine that! I should have taken him up on his offer of spawn sacks! They were into fish the whole time I was there, and it made it a bit tricky for me to fish as I was shooting some pic's and some video, but it was what I consider to be a good day!

Jim, Matt, John and your friend, it was my pleasure meeting you guy's today and I'm sure we'll run into each other again. I never hooked into a fish while they were there, but when they left I went 3 for 4 in about a half hour. Soon after that I called it myself and headed out for that long minute ride home. Hell I could care less about getting into fish, it's my addiction that I'm blaming for this problem, but nonetheless it was nice talking with those who share my passion and my pain.

Now, to answer 67 e-mails about Ben's letter to me. It takes Balls to fess up and write a letter like that, knowing that there is a chance I'll post it, but I do have to say that I thought it was strange for someone to Rag on someone else they don't even know! So after looking back at all those posts from the Blog that has left a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths. I can get a pretty good feel of that writing style and all the bad syntax and morphology along with spelling errors and figure out it was that dumb ass Swatsky after all!

So props to you Ben for stepping up to the plate and writing me that letter! Like I said before, it takes balls to write that apology openly! So I accept it, and hope you have better luck picking your friends, or who to associate with in the future.
John, Sam, Mark, David and Susan your hat's are in the mail tomorrow!

Since the rain has been coming down pretty steady, I'm looking for a real good blow out on most if not all Steelhead Alley tributaries from Ohio to New York! That means only one thing, CHROME! There will be a nice push of fish in the system and very hungry as they drop! Keep your lines wet, your knots tight, and
Fish On!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

DAMAGE CONTROL 101

Damage control 101, never ever POST anything on a Blog, then take it down! That's what the master says, and we all know he's right 99.9% of the time! Huh Swat! So now you're in Damage control, and have removed all other posts pertaining to me? Why?

Are you running scared?

Yes you are!

Who the Hell in their right mind would buy anything from you in the first place is missing a few screws! Keeping it Local? I don't think so monkey brain, not when you consider all the other locals you have burned, bashed and ripped off! Keep your HBE reel, nobody here in Ohio will ever support you or something from Switzerland!

Your true colors are shining through loud and clear! Give a man a rod and a liar is born, give that same Monkey a camera, and you have a picture taking Monkey! Period! Nothings changed, except maybe your pea brain!

The Heart of Steelhead Alley is in Lake City Pennsylvania polemonkey, and not Chagrin Falls! Every Steelheader from the Great Lakes knows this already, and they are laughing at you! I have over 23,980 e-mails to prove that, as well as my supporters who will not step one foot into a shop that far up the creek! Steelhead don't get any farther than that, and by that time, are so beat up, pressured, and full of bling, a cane pole can catch them.

So please help all of us to understand what a really cool guy you are, and why the flyandfloatfishing link on your blog, takes them to some picture taking monkey's website?

How come you were 'Kicked out' of PA? Answer me that Swatsky? Or should I let everyone know the real reasons????!!!!

Go suck on some more licorice monkey brain, and oh wait a minute, can we please see one more post about that stupid ass reel!?



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Sorry to all my fans for this latest rant, but when you run a tight ship like I do, and provide assistance to millions of web visitors, and ask for absolutely nothing in return, then speaking my mind about one local retard is what I'm allowed to do, whenever I want, and wherever I want!
To all the other's who have no clue as to what the hell this is all about, don't sweat it, I've got it all under control. You will never see my sites disappear, never down for maintenance, and NEVER! EVER, will you see a post of mine erased!
That's just how I roll baby!
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UPDATE: 12-01-2009 4:47pm
FlyandFloatfishing is gone!
That's what you get for messin with the BEST!

Winds of Change on Steelhead Alley!

Well it looks as though I was right again! I let it all wash under the bridge and the gutter rats want to bring it back up again, maybe to fester in their own bile? Anyways Ben See sent me this letter, maybe in hopes that I'll accept him into my circle......which will never happen, but I thought it would at least shed some light on what that guy Swat is up to.

I just wonder how long before Dan realizes what a BIG mistake it was to hook up with a snakehead pit viper? WAKE UP DAN!

Enjoy;
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From: Benjamin J See Benjamin.see@sbcglobal.net
To: steelhq@aol.com
Sent Mon, Nov 30, 2009 12:19pm
Subject: WTF was I thinking.

Herb,
I have never met ya, but boy o' boy, were you guys right. I truly wish I had never met the Swatsky, as I am just another soldier in the line of his fire. I have made mistakes in my life, and this is truly a lesson learned. Guilty by association is most likely my lesson learned.

Taken advantage of doesn't even come close to what has happened to me. After speaking with the other fallen soldiers, it sounds like our stories are all the same. Used, abused, and then bashed.

Just as some FYI, if you or anyone else gets emails from ben@fnf. then they didn't come from me. It appears that Swat has changed my email password, but worse than that has used it to send out a mass email to others. I guess he is just showing his true colors at my expense.

I will pick myself up by the bootstraps and move onward.

Herb, like I said I don't know you, but I just want to apologize.

Funny thing is that I didn't use the FNF blog site, and that was Swats bullshit. Though I stood by the past year as he bashed you, never saying anything. I finally stood up, and was mowed down in the process.
My association with Swatsky could be the biggest mistake I have made in a long time.

I wish you continued success with your endeavours.

Ben See