Erie Tribs Steelhead Trip Help

[VinT]

Hey guys, I'm planning on going down to fish for steelhead in the lake erie tribs in a little more than a week, from the 5th-8th. I booked an AirBNB in the Girard / Lake City area for those days and I have until the 29th to cancel and get my money back. My brother and I will be going fishing around that area, I'll be fly fishing and he'll be using spinning gear. I was planning on fishing mostly Elk creek, but I'm not really sure where to go yet, I still need to figure that out.

I was hoping someone that lives nearby and is familiar with the area could help tell me if it would be worth spending the time and money making the trip? I know that it has been too low all fall, but it's been raining here in Pittsburgh where I live a ton so I'm not sure if it's any better there? The Yough was pretty blown out yesterday.

Also, the thought of rubbing elbows to fish a bathtub sized hole kind of bums me out, which is why I planned the trip later. I'm willing and planning on walking a good bit to find my own water, is that going to be possible?

Any advice would be much appreciated. My brother and I haven't taken a vacation in years, so I'd rather not waste the money going there now if it's not worth it. I'd much rather just wait and save up some more money and go in the spring maybe even somewhere better. Thanks!

 

[Bruno]

Polarized Sunglasses… Polarized sunglasses… Polarized sunglasses…


It’s incredible how often anglers bunch up at holes because they can see the fish. Here’s the tip: keep moving and cast into every bucket-sized hole you come across. Don’t overlook the fast water, and keep your feet dry—there are often fish just inches from the bank.


Wear those polarized sunglasses and actively target fish. It still amazes me to see someone with $2,000 worth of gear who somehow skipped investing in polarized sunglasses! They’re a game-changer.

 

[VinT]

Polarized Sunglasses… Polarized sunglasses… Polarized sunglasses…


It’s incredible how often anglers bunch up at holes because they can see the fish. Here’s the tip: keep moving and cast into every bucket-sized hole you come across. Don’t overlook the fast water, and keep your feet dry—there are often fish just inches from the bank.


Wear those polarized sunglasses and actively target fish. It still amazes me to see someone with $2,000 worth of gear who somehow skipped investing in polarized sunglasses! They’re a game-changer.

No doubt, polarized sunglasses were something I had on my list of thing I needed for the trip, I got a cheap pair of yellow tint for overcast days, and normal for sunny days. Thanks for the advice!

Does this mean that the water is still extremely low and clear in the tribs up there? I'm not sure I'm going to still want to go if it's going to be low clear water and fish held up in the deeper holes with groups of dorks casting at them.

 

[Mashbill]

Parking lot yesterday below rt 20 bridge —- but again, it’s a holiday week & ALOT of people are home and / or off work.

 

[albatross]

Does this mean that the water is still extremely low and clear in the tribs up there?

See for yourself: https://www.unclejohnselkcreekcamp.com/webcams

 

[Bruno]

deeper holes with groups of dorks casting at them.

Everyone up there is a dork.

 

[Bruno]

See ya Friday

 

[Forestfishin]

Polarized Sunglasses… Polarized sunglasses… Polarized sunglasses…


It’s incredible how often anglers bunch up at holes because they can see the fish. Here’s the tip: keep moving and cast into every bucket-sized hole you come across. Don’t overlook the fast water, and keep your feet dry—there are often fish just inches from the bank.


Wear those polarized sunglasses and actively target fish. It still amazes me to see someone with $2,000 worth of gear who somehow skipped investing in polarized sunglasses! They’re a game-changer.

This x100. Forgot to move them from kayak bag to hip bag for a quick evening trip to the river this summer. Horrible experience. Even a cheap $20 pair can make all the difference in the world.

 

[VinT]

See for yourself: https://www.unclejohnselkcreekcamp.com/webcams

Thanks brother, I didn't know this existed, very cool.

 

[VinT]

Everyone up there is a dork.

I meant it in a light hearted way, hope I didn't come off as snarky, I didn't mean it to.

Also, I don't know if I'll see you Friday brother, that full parking lot picture is kind of making me think twice about committing. And I still can't tell from the webcam if it's too low, it's dark right now haha.

 

[Bruno]

Don't wait for perfect conditions or empty waters in Eire—fish whenever you can. Good luck out there! Some of my best days, with double-digit catches, happened when the lots were full.

 

[VinT]

Don't wait for perfect conditions or empty waters in Eire—fish whenever you can. Good luck out there! Some of my best days, with double-digit catches, happened when the lots were full.

I like that advice, thank you! My brother pulled out, so I have to cancel and get the money back and maybe go in the spring with him. But I'm still going to go up in the next couple of weeks alone, for a day or two instead.

 

[wgmiller]

Gonna get a good dose of the white stuff in Erie and anyone downwind of Erie (Buffalo, NE Ohio, etc.).

 

[rustbeltwilds]

Just do some walking away from the crowds..most guys congregate at easy access areas or pools.... riffles moving water etc..these fish with the moving water and less pressure are more apt to hit your offering..... just get away from the crowds!!!!!!!

 

[Mashbill]

that parking lot picture i posted from Monday --- id say that 50% of those cars anglers were right below the parking area -- some sitting on buckets. the others were only a short distance from all them ... so the advice from RBWs and others --- " get away from the crowds " ... is spot on - and actually not hard to do. i walked / fished my way DS away from all that crowd and had LOTS of open water to my self -- beautiful seams, cuts, runs --- thats where the steelhead hold up. and again -- this was a holiday week, kids off school, vacations were already planned, etc .... its not normally like what i saw on Monday.

and the snow thats expected to hit NE Ohio/ Ashta-beautiful & Erie looks like a big one --- which means the best water you'll see all year --- if its a slow melt the water gets higher slower, with that perfect green color ... get a day in the high 30's / low 40's --- it will turn on like a flood light!

also agree that the feesh have moved way up stream. i'm not too familiar with the upstream stretches ... but Tudor's hook & nook had a great free "visitors news paper" with many of the areas clearly mapped out.

its a very fun place to go to - lots to do if you're willing to explore a little, do some different things and think out of the " got to be on the water all day casting my arm off " box.

 

[CRB]

I told you guys earlier this week of the coming snow.
I got an inch of wet snow/rain last night all to snow tonight.
First significant snow this year up here, black friday and idiots will be out without good tires and snow sense.

 

[Clarmy]

I went for 1st time about 10 days ago. Mid Week on Elk above Rt 20. 6 cars in lot maybe 8 guys fishing. Walked upstream 1/4 mile a found deep hole with a run and nobody. Fished 2 hours caught my first, hooked 4 more. Fish everywhere fins sticking out of water, jumping constantly. Not hard to find them, startle them in the shallows and you'd think you walked on top of a grouse.