I agree about the Ontario post. LO seems to be fishing better and better. Been driving by Erie all year to get there although 6 hrs as opposed to 3 gets old sometimes.LOL But, like the above post said, the browns up there this season were amazing. Saw many and caught a few absolute pigs. Still there think there is way more than enough fish in Erie also though, just sick of the steel only personally.

Split Shot you are correct I never said I wasn't catching fish in fact I have done fairly well this year in catching Steelhead as I have done in the previous years. I was just curious because I am 24 yrs old and have only been doing the Steelhead game for 6 years or so. I just heard a lot about the numbers being down and how it wasn't the same as the "glory years" and I was just curious as to how much better in was back in those so called "glory years". I will say that when I started 6 years ago I remember more fish in the streams than I see now. Obviously it is still a great fishery and plenty of fish are still there to be caught and it is always better to have a challenge catching fish that catching one every cast. I was just wondering what everyone thought the reason was behind the decrease in numbers and if the "glory years" were really that much better. Thanks for all the input guys.


Sorry I couldn't figure out how to stop the whole quoting thing and type my stuff without it being part of the quote

The good ol days to me was when it only cost 60 dollars for a day trip in gas and other items. a round trip now I'm lucky to make it to erie one way on 60 dollars. Now I might be new to this but from my first trip I have noticed one thing the further away from the parking lot you are the less people you see and more fish there are. Now Im fat and there is nothing more enjoyable then walking and finding no peope and plenty of fish. Reading some of these post remind me of my nephew. He got spoiled one time and now he expects to be spoiled each birthday and christmas and if he isnt he cries about it like some of you.

Id be afraid to see the post of some of you "good ol days" posters would make a trip up pre-rain on the first saturday in september. 1 steelhead seen catch at trout run and lots of gobys at elk access and then youd say the season is going to be shat.

Like some of the others posted if you cant catch fish when its low and clear plan trips after rain. lighter equipment better knots and smaller hooks. Or just go on a trip with fishrmn and loomis those guys always catch large numbers no matter what check out their facebook if you dont believe me.

The Canadian comercial fleet say the numbers are up...there nets are plum full off steelhead.. They kill 300,000 a year.. just a guess...

WOW!

Thats really all.....

ok maybe they dont. but check out dreamcatchers guided trips and im sure don will make sure you catch those numbers of the good ol days

Managing to catch a few is alright with me.  Some people get upset about it, but it's getting skunked that really sucks. 

Track -

They started stocking more browns a few years ago. Maybe 2? There was a good bit of discussion on it then. I think last year was the first year of the adults making it, and this year having those, plus the newer stocked. Seemed to see many more pictures of them than any other year. Not sure about the smaller ones. I had to leave a spot back in early Oct. due to the little ones not leaving me alone. Only thing that I could catch that day too.

We're all wrong about any decreasing numbers. The guy on the reports page said the creeks are full of fish. So full that he actually landed NINE in five hours.

We're all wrong about any decreasing numbers. The guy on the reports page said the creeks are full of fish. So full that he actually landed NINE in five hours.

It's all a matter of perspective. If your a musky fisherman just getting started on Steelhead you have found paradise. If you are a long time Steelhead fisherman the fishing sucks. I started in 1999 and would have to say the East side numbers the last 3 years are about a third of what they averaged from 99 through 2008.


As for the dead zones in the lake being responsible for low fish numbers we appear to be having a boom time in the lake for Walleye. I wonder what they eat?

I guess so ... from reports page LMAO

enjoy


Date Fished: 12-3-11
Location: Elk
Water Conditions: Excellent!
Posted By: "ropeinon1"
12/4/2011 12:27:13 AM Report ID: 26407

Report: Hey PONDBEARSHWILLY,
First of all, don't listen to any of these charter captains. Of course their going to say that the fishing was good. They just want you to book a charter with them, especially in these hard times!
Second of all, I agree with you. I bought a pair of "polarized" glasses last year from a local tackle shop. The only thing I can see with them is a lack of fish. With all the good water we had this year, there should be fish everywhere. That is definitely not the case! Especially compared to....say...10 years ago. I think somebody's "skimming off the top" of all the money that goes into raising Steelhead Smolt.
Which leads me to my next point, KEEP EVERY FISH LEGALLY POSSIBLE! YOU PAID FOR 'EM, YOU EAT 'EM!!!
According to John Nagy, the best Steelhead guide that ever lived, only 2% of these fish naturally reproduce. Gee, maybe that has to do with the lack of gravel in these creeks??? Which also explains why they flush out like a toilet after it rains for 3 days. Anyone who tell's you that fishing is good here right now, obviously hasn't been fishing here for the last 20 years. They don't know what good is!!!


There you have it they are all gone

First of all, don't listen to any of these charter captains. Of course their going to say that the fishing was good. They just want you to book a charter with them, especially in these hard times!
Second of all, I agree with you. I bought a pair of "polarized" glasses last year from a local tackle shop. The only thing I can see with them is a lack of fish. With all the good water we had this year, there should be fish everywhere. That is definitely not the case! Especially compared to....say...10 years ago. I think somebody's "skimming off the top" of all the money that goes into raising Steelhead Smolt.
Which leads me to my next point, KEEP EVERY FISH LEGALLY POSSIBLE! YOU PAID FOR 'EM, YOU EAT 'EM!!!
According to John Nagy, the best Steelhead guide that ever lived, only 2% of these fish naturally reproduce. Gee, maybe that has to do with the lack of gravel in these creeks??? Which also explains why they flush out like a toilet after it rains for 3 days. Anyone who tell's you that fishing is good here right now, obviously hasn't been fishing here for the last 20 years. They don't know what good is!!!

DUMB

Yea, a lot of fish came early. Been catching drop backs already.

According to John Nagy, the best Steelhead guide that ever lived ...

ORIGINAL:


Date Fished: 12-3-11
Location: Elk
Water Conditions: Excellent!
Posted By: "ropeinon1"
12/4/2011 12:27:13 AM Report ID: 26407

Report: Hey PONDBEARSHWILLY,
First of all, don't listen to any of these charter captains. Of course their going to say that the fishing was good. They just want you to book a charter with them, especially in these hard times!
Second of all, I agree with you. I bought a pair of "polarized" glasses last year from a local tackle shop. The only thing I can see with them is a lack of fish. With all the good water we had this year, there should be fish everywhere. That is definitely not the case! Especially compared to....say...10 years ago. I think somebody's "skimming off the top" of all the money that goes into raising Steelhead Smolt.
Which leads me to my next point, KEEP EVERY FISH LEGALLY POSSIBLE! YOU PAID FOR 'EM, YOU EAT 'EM!!!According to John Nagy, the best Steelhead guide that ever lived, only 2% of these fish naturally reproduce. Gee, maybe that has to do with the lack of gravel in these creeks??? Which also explains why they flush out like a toilet after it rains for 3 days. Anyone who tell's you that fishing is good here right now, obviously hasn't been fishing here for the last 20 years. They don't know what good is!!!

To steal a line from Syd.



http://youtu.be/5hfYJsQAhl0

According to John Nagy, the worse Steelhead guide that ever lived ...


There I fixed it