Prediction

So I used to go up to Erie quite a bit in the early 2000’s. I moved and came back a few years ago. I was very disappointed in how the fishery has declined those years I was gone. My last trip was 3 years ago. More people, less legal water, and much less fish. So last year I started with NY. 10000 times better in my opinion, but I must admit I miss those Erie trips. I’m going to give it another whirl this fall—maybe. Now I recently read an article that the powers that be are forecasting a record year out of Lake Ontario with Salmon and Steelhead runs. Is there any such literature for Erie?? Also, has there been any forward movement with the access legality concerns on elk? I personally think it’s absolute BS for private landowners to pimp out their property to guides and select friends with angler paid resources.

Erie_flyfishing
I agreee that Erie steelhead has an experience that can’t be matched. Yes I myself have grown up fishing Erie. Last years run was decent, but like you stated, less public water for all of us to enjoy. Privatizing water has and will forever be a variable in Erie. I’ve been fishing in Erie since 2010 and I have watched most of the water I fished disappear. Like I previously stated, last years run was probably the best I experienced. Now I cannot tell you how this years run will be... too many viriables.. smolt mortality, baitfish population, colder winter. Higher walleye population, etc. tight lines silverbullet

Oh watch out!!! We got a millennial talking here.

psu_fish

Erie_flyfishing
I agreee that Erie steelhead has an experience that can’t be matched. Yes I myself have grown up fishing Erie. Last years run was decent, but like you stated, less public water for all of us to enjoy. Privatizing water has and will forever be a variable in Erie. I’ve been fishing in Erie since 2010 and I have watched most of the water I fished disappear. Like I previously stated, last years run was probably the best I experienced. Now I cannot tell you how this years run will be... too many viriables.. smolt mortality, baitfish population, colder winter. Higher walleye population, etc. tight lines silverbullet

Oh watch out!!! We got a millennial talking here.

Don't worry I'm not a never trump millenial

johnthefisherman
The feesh will get here when they get here. How's that?
 

They will arrive when they won’t be boiled alive haha

bigger than the runs of the mid 90s... wishful thinkin  but any run is a good run

Erie_flyfishing
I agreee that Erie steelhead has an experience that can’t be matched. Yes I myself have grown up fishing Erie. Last years run was decent, but like you stated, less public water for all of us to enjoy. Privatizing water has and will forever be a variable in Erie. I’ve been fishing in Erie since 2010 and I have watched most of the water I fished disappear. Like I previously stated, last years run was probably the best I experienced. Now I cannot tell you how this years run will be... too many viriables.. smolt mortality, baitfish population, colder winter. Higher walleye population, etc. tight lines silverbullet

Wow, all the way back to 2010?  One of the old timers has returned to the forum.  Welcome back!

CAPTAIN HOOK
I don't know about NY being 10000 times better now, maybe back in the 80's and 90's when I fished it . Super crowds now there too on most creeks all season ! Maybe more fish overall but access does disappear there too with posted signs. No doubt Erie sucks now a days as compared to years ago, but for some it's still good fishing. Erie creeks being shallower and smaller does offer the rarity of sight fishing and that's always a nice challenge . I personally avoid the crowds and opt for the lesser traveled spots in several states .....not as many fish but after catching hundreds over the years a 4-5 fish day is good enough !  

Yep.  I moved back to Erie in 2003.  New guys to the fishing here don't believe me when I tell them how great the steelhead fishing was that year. And the guys here told me it was even better before then.  I had days where I caught more fish in one day, than I have in several of the past years.  And on the little creeks.  Four mile, Seven mile, Twelve Mile, and Sixteen, when the others froze.  I never went to the west side.  Last year was so bad that I hardly even fished the east side.  After that first couple of years, there were never the huge runs on the east side.  I don't know if that is because of less steelhead, or the drastic changes in the creeks.  The most affected was Twelve Mile Creek.  There were days when you would see fifty guys fishing there. near the mouth, all catching fish. I haven't fished there in three or four years. On Four Mile, there would be fishermen every 10 yards or so, from the dam all the way to the lake.  Now, you can't even fish by the dam, and there are only fish in the slow moving hole at the mouth. 

I don't think those type of days will ever return.   But at least we have the memories.  I sure wish I would have taken some pics though.  There were days that the mouth of Seven Mile looked like Trout Run.  The hole upstream had hundreds of fish all season long.  Now, if you see a dozen fish, it's a monster run. :-)

   

I predict that the first good run must be close if FiveMilePete is posting!  
 
When genie chimes in, it's a good bet the fish'll be up to Rt. 5
 
 

rsquared
 
 
When genie chimes in, it's a good bet the fish'll be up to Rt. 5
 
 

LOL!!!
 
and guess hoo shows up today
 
 

 
Looking forward to pics of  great smiles your kids have  this season, R2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
...........................................................................................................................
Predictions???
OK, now hear this
 
no better, no worse than the last 10-12 years .
 
there you have it
Now, go beat up some fish..they're easy to find right now, there'll be 6  of 'em surround  by 12 rods at the Stop sign hole 
17  of 'em in the Man Hole with 22 rods lined up on them
 
IT'S ON BABY!!
Pi$$ 'n moan til the creeks ice over, or go fish and have fun
 
..L.T.A.
 
 
 

There’s plenty of decently-sized fish out deep in the lake right now, should be an okay run this season. I’m more concerned with the next 3-4 years after this season. Very few preyfish out in the lake (other than Gobies) and lots of Waldos munchin’ on the smolts to fill their empty bellies. Runs might be going even further downhill after this year.

Divemaster
There’s plenty of decently-sized fish out deep in the lake right now, should be an okay run this season. I’m more concerned with the next 3-4 years after this season. Very few preyfish out in the lake (other than Gobies) and lots of Waldos munchin’ on the smolts to fill their empty bellies. Runs might be going even further downhill after this year.

Agreed, I’ve heard many reports of Walleye with empty stomachs. They will be searching far and wide for smolts this coming spring

rsquared
I predict that the first good run must be close if FiveMilePete is posting!  
 
When genie chimes in, it's a good bet the fish'll be up to Rt. 5
 
 

Hey, Dave!  Golf clubs still in the car, two more tourneys.   Then I may get out. October. 

I have decided when I go out that I will carry one fly box this year.  A dozen each streamers, nymphs, suckerspawn.  The days of running out of a dozen white sucker spawn, shiner streamers, or black wooly buggers are long gone. :-)  

I'll let you know if I see anything on 7.   Don't hold your breath though.  I'm thinking November, as warm as the lake has to be.  

Yup soon...WCW