Summer Shore Fishing?

Much of this is coming from years of reading these reports, more than actual experience, so take with a grain of salt.  I rarely see any reports of fish being caught this early.  Not saying they aren't catching, just not reporting.  Usually, around Labor Day, is when a report or two will surface, and usually followed by argument if it is fake, ect.  The earliest that I have ever fished was early/mid September.  I've done mid September a few times.  Each has been about the same.  In early/mid-September some steel head and assume some brown trout will be around, but very limited amount.  I'm not sure if the brown trout stockings are showing the returns that they would have liked, so I would imagine that you will see more steel head.  Almost all will be at the mouth, or within 1/4 mile of the mouth, unless ideal conditions.  You will most likely be fishing with 2-3 times as many anglers as fish.  You need to be on the water before dawn and they are usually back in the lake or lock jawed after the sun is showing itself.  Fishing after the sun is out and during the day, until temps are low and water is up a bit, will likely involve a skunking.  You will see maybe 10 fish, each with 3-4 guys shadowing it, and often a guy or two trying to snag it.  Then you will see a post or two about how guys keeping fish is ruining the fishery, then about how the PFBC needs to stock more.  Next think you know, the circus is back in town!  That was my experience the first couple of early season trips that I took.  And that was back in the "heydays" of the later 90s early 00's...  Check regulations of what creeks you can fish before dawn if you try.  From reports and experience of my earliest trips, most fish are being caught on spoons in the lake or other shiner imitations or live shiners in the creeks.  Those trout worms seemed to work early too.  Egg patterns will probably work too, but I never had success with them early.  
 
Basically, if you live relatively close to the streams, and don't mind an hour window of low probability of catching a fish, give it a shot.  If you have a decent commute (I live in south hills of Pgh), so not worth it to me until fish are spread out, and still not worth it...  This can last into early October if temps stay warm.  If the bottom falls out, and a stretch of unseasonably cold and soggy weather, then it will get fish in the creeks.  My guess is, most of the stream running fish, haven't even started to stage as of yet, with the hot summer we've had (assume Erie is getting almost as hot as Pgh).  

Steelhead and Browns should be starting to congregate along the shorelines within the next few weeks, but until then I focus on traditional summer species. Casting from the beach where my cottage is, I can catch White Bass, White Perch, Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Drum, and Channel Catfish right around sunset casting 1/4-1/2 ounce spoons like daredevles and cleos.

What was already said by the above posters is great info too. But personally I'll be sticking with the 80-140 FOW range for consistent Steelhead from the boat for the next month or so before starting to search the shorelines for them.