The onset of the cold weather season foretells angling down-time for a majority of Ohio fisherman.
However, for a hearty Northern Ohio contingent, their favorite fishing time of the year is underway.
While a huge number of anglers are essentially done for the year, a motivated sector of the local angling community has been waiting for the cooling winds and gray skies of autumn.
These are anglers of steelhead trout.
I bet once an angler has hooked one of these silver bullets, what may have been a long trip from points south of the Lake Erie shoreline will seem worth it.
Whether with a fly rod or spinning gear, steelhead angling might be freshwater fishing's greatest test of sporting skill, save perhaps only smallmouth bass fishing.
These lake-bound rainbow trout grow to more than 15 pounds in and around many Erie tributaries.
Rookie steelhead anglers are encouraged to purchase or borrow a true steelhead gear combination rather than cut corners by trying to get by with a bass or walleye outfit.
For example, a good steelhead gear set includes an open-face spinning reel with a quality drag that will hold a large load of 4-to-8 pound clear monofiliment line, along with a "noodle" type rod from 8-to-11 feet long.
Here is my personal top 10 list of steelhead fisheries in the state of Ohio:
* 10. Ashtabula River -- This tributary gets some badly-needed attention after it was recently named a protected and honored Ohio stream. This should help offset years of negative environmental publicity. Now, when nearby Arcola and Conneaut are crowded, anglers should consider this improving option.
* 9. Huron River -- Whereas the late fall/early winter walleye bite has become the stuff of legend, the increasing number of steelhead hits will amp up the excitement level around these parts.
* 8. Vermillion River -- Huron's nearby neighbor is more boater-friendly and has little shoreline to work with, but it simply holds more steelies than Huron.
* 7. Cuyahoga River -- Watch this sleeper rise up the chart in coming decades in direct correlation to the degree of progress it exhibits environmentally.
The Cuyahoga River has the potential to make steelheading accessible to far more Ohioans than any other entrant, thanks to its overall length and proximity to both the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the myriad of communities nearby.
Trout have been snagged all the way to Gorge Dam for decades already. I hope I live to see the day when fly shops and canoe liveries run through Peninsula. The conscience of the city of Akron will be the key.
* 6. Chagrin River -- Chargin will always be linked to the Grand as the first and most popular steelhead tributaries since Phil Hillman and cohorts initiated the program in the 1980s. However, the glory days may be largely in the rear-view mirror.
* 5. Grand River -- Like the Chagrin, its proximity to population centers and early stockings led to early depiction as the steelhead "place to go." It's still very viable, but its best years may have already past.
* 4. Arcola Creek -- This is a favorite haunt of many of the hardcore. Its proximity to Conneaut makes the state's northeast corner the steelhead epicenter. The creek's shallowness can make it an exciting challenge as its conditions vary.
* 3. Rocky River -- This is arguably the state's most underrated steelie fishery.
Check out the "Buckeye Angler" steelhead video filmed here with guide Jim Keyes to see how much more productive fly-fishing can sometimes be.
The stream runs clear past Rout 18 in Montrose area west of Akron and few know there are trout all the way down.
* 2. Lake Erie -- It's believed more steelhead are caught from Lake Erie year-round than from all the tributaries combined.
This was an unthinkable prospect only a decade ago. Small-boat anglers are utilizing spoons to easily access big trout on breakwalls and inner harbors from Pennsylvania to Michigan.
* 1. Conneaut Creek -- The creek maintains its predominance for many trophy-sized steelhead, as evidenced by the huge number of Pennsylvania license plates on vehicles seen here on any given winter weekend.
Conneaut also offers travelers the option of journeying out to the lake if creek conditions disappoint.
Cooler, deeper waters here are cited as conducive to thriving steelhead population.
It never seems to have a down season and there are many good bed and breakfast options in the area.
Don't miss your chance to get out and enjoy Ohio 's fastest-growing sport fishing segment.
Editor's note: Jack Kiser is the host of television's "Buckeye Angler" and a member of Outdoor Writers of Ohio. Readers may reach him through the Record-Courier or at buckeyeangler.com.
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