The best things about Erie Trib fishing

So many posts about people snagging, crowded conditions, people threatening eachother, etc, etc.  It's a wonder people even fish in Erie.  Seems to aggrivate so many.  It's a rarity to see a post stating how great things are/were today, last weekend... People are afraid to post pics anymore because we have all seen what happens when you do that.  I wanted to post some pics of last Saturday of legit 10 and 12 lb fish that I released but thought better when thinking about follow up posts.  When I contemplated blurring the background so I wouldn't get bashed for possible spot burning that was it.  No pics. 
 
So how about I mention what I love about Erie Trib fishing.  Because I can't think of anything I hate.  I conceed to having the usual gripes now and then, but they mean nothing to me in a day of fishing.  Here they are:
 
Possibly the best steelhead fishing on the planet.  May not be for wild natural steelhead out west or in Alaska, but it is what it is, and people come from far and wide to fish here. 
 
In one day you can catch fish on jigs, flatfish, spoons, spinners, flies of every variety, eggs in many forms, live bait, fake bait, powerbait, and the list goes on.
 
I've met some great people on the streams. 
 
I've learned a ton in 8 years and hopefully have given some good knowledge to others.
 
You can't beat the scenery. 
 
The smell of the grapes in the fall.
 
The post fishing meal on the way home.  It could be hot roadkill****on a bun. 
 
Fishing as many creeks as you want in 1 day. 
 
Standing in one spot all day.
 
Sight fishing.
 
Blind fishing or casting into the lake having no idea when the rod nearly gets jerked out of your hands.
 
Fishing for steelhead from September to April. 
 
Catching 1 fish in August or May.
 
The evolution from a bass rod and minnows to a noodle rod and nothing but what's in the vest.
 
Watching family or friends catch fish.
 
The pictures.
 
Driving 2 hours and fishing in the dark before anyone you know has even had an eye open.
 
That it gives me good days of fishing through the winter.
 
Ice fishing for steelhead....on a big hole in the creeks.
 
Tying something and finding out it works, really good.
 
A 2 fish day in early September is a great day. 
 
The worst day you can have in the early season is at the very least the best walk you have taken all summer. 
 
These fish.  These silver, rainbow, and winter black fish. 
 
Enjoying a moderate amount of fish on the grill, in the smoker, in some fish patties, in a spread, etc.
 
It could go on and on I suppose.  I am thankful that every time I go I do not seem to run into the same problems to whine and bellyache about when I get home.  I have nothing but amazing things to think about to keep me going all week. 
 
Including having trouble going to sleep seeing all those fish inhale whatever was on the end of my line.  I'll have that in my head on my last breath. 

Getting together with buddies I only see once or twice a year.
 
 

I love walking the streams and finding new water.
 
Seeing a bobber go down, simple as it is, thrills me as much now as I think it did when I was 6 years old.
 
Learning new techniques--managed to finally catch my first steelhead on a dry fly this year.  I'm stilly replaying the visions of those incredibly aggressive takes in my head. 
 
The people I fish with.
 
Leaving it all behind on my six hour drive north.
 
The fall colors.
 
Seeing a fish inhale a fly or jig.
 
Bobber eaters when fishing fresh egg sacs to fresh run fish.
 
Seeing a fish chase their tails when they miss a fly and want it really, really bad... then dropping the fly back in the pool and watching them slam it with a vengeance.
 
Catching fish!
 
And on and on and on.  

ORIGINAL: leadmen

i hate the elbo rubbers, i try to fish around as few peeps as i can ,if they did not come with me for get it, less greif and its kinda like deer hunting you shoot the deer you go to track it and next you hear the gun fire go off like a chinas new years party, the guys some times has no respect for the words fish on

 
This thread is about the "good things"

I forgot about the fish that come back to hit a jig, fly, egg, flatfish lure over and over till they get it.  The 12 lb fish last week hit my jig 7-8 times before finally being hooked.  It was like she knew where the hook ended. 

Catching rocket ships fresh from the lake that strip line, make powerful leaps, break you off and your happy about it.

Thanks.  I actually have it on the wall in my office, but without attribution.

ya'll might think this is silly, but after i leave one spot to head for another or home,
 i really enjoy that left over COLD coffee in the cup holder.
Might be a half cup, might only be a couple swallows left, but there's something about it, it just tastes GOOD to me then

.......................................................................

My creek neighbors this morning were a couple fellows from West ByGod Virgina.
4 hour drive for them.

couple "good ole boys" they were. I enjoyed their company.
We had no problems sharing the hole/run.

It was the first time ever steelie fishing for the one duud.
he missed a couple, played and lost one, then finally landed his first!


..L.T.A.

One thing I'm really learning to love is dawn from Rte. 79.  The first time I experienced it I was so stressed because I knew I was gonna miss sun-up on the water.  After seeing how beautiful it was, I was glad I was running late just so I could see it.

For my second trip, I timed it so that I could see it again.

ORIGINAL: tippecanoe

ORIGINAL: anadromous

Route 79 wood...

from the bumps?  the 1st summer i worked for penndot my friend and i talked about that from riding in the dumptrucks and the air ride seats. if thats what you were talking about.  if its not just pretend i never said any of this

  Dude thats just TMI 

Watching peacymike fish

Nice thread. As someone that has never fish for steelhead but getting ready to, it is nice to hear about some of the good stuff and not all the bad. In the short time I been on this message board I heard more bad than good. It nice to have a good thread.

ORIGINAL: Cold

One thing I'm really learning to love is dawn from Rte. 79.  The first time I experienced it I was so stressed because I knew I was gonna miss sun-up on the water.  After seeing how beautiful it was, I was glad I was running late just so I could see it.

For my second trip, I timed it so that I could see it again.

 
I was impressed with sunup as well.  Tried to get some pix but the camera just couldn't pick up what I was seeing.  This pic is from Last Saturday.  I'll see you this weekend and next weekend too.
 

fishing sunup to sundown and going back to the hotel, closing your
eyes and seeing indicators go under in your sleep.

It used to be about catching. Now I'd rather share a drift with fellow anglers and that is special to me . I like to fish with some company and make new friends . There are ALOT of great folks on the tribs whom all share one common bond in our "pursuit of steel" .
    
      Sharing what is working for me to those whom do not have as much time on the tribs as I do and watching them succeed really gives me a higher level of gratification for my day. As said before its more fun to see the newbies get action. Life is much simpler when your line is a drift! Tight lines ... DC