Serving  all of "Steelhead Alley" in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York     Turkey Creek Oh, Conneaut Creek Oh, Grand River Oh, Chagrin River Oh,  Rocky River Oh,  Vermillion River Oh,  Twenty mile Creek Pa,  16 mile Creek Pa,  12 Mile Creek Pa,  7 Miile Creek  Pa,  Walnut Creek Pa,  Elk Creek Pa,  Crooked Creek Pa,  Racoon Creek Pa,   Cattaraugus Creek NY,   Zoar Valley south branch,  Clear Creek NY,   Canadaway Creek NY,  Silver Creek NY,  Chataqua Creek NY,                      WE GO WHERE THE FISH ARE....................... 

Call 330-565-5457 

e-mail us at info@dfishinfool.com

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Honesty is our number one priority at Dfishinfool's Guide Service. 

We know most people are smart enough to spot a fake or a liar.  Before you book a trip with any Steelhead Alley Guide ask them how many years they have been fishing Ohio. If they are honest you might be surprised by the answer. Anybody can be a internet hero and since you don't need a license to guide Ohio.  Out of state guides are flocking to the area to make a quick buck. Our team of guides have been fishing Ohio and the rest of Steelhead alley our whole lives.  We want lifelong customers. We strive to exceed our guests expectations.  My guarantee is simple. If your not 100% satisfied with anything we do contact me.  If I can't make it right. I will give you a full refund. No questions asked.

Don Mathews

The original

"Steelhead School" 

 Since 2001

March 27, 28, and 29th  2009

Often imitated but never duplicated.  We have over 150 satisfied Graduates thru the years. It is a three day adventure into the world of fishing Steelhead Alley.  Our team of local steelhead pro's teach you everything you need to know to be a successful steelhead angler. It also includes a nine hour tour of the hot spots on the streams. We will cover, When to fish where, knots, rigging terminal tackle, leader construction, fly selection, reading water, fighting fish,  spin, fly, spey and cenerpinn techniques plus thee hours of hands on fly tying.  All you will need are an Ohio fishing license and a pair of chest high waders. . The weekend is value priced at $350 per angler and included in the price is two nights lodging

 

No B.S. Ohio fishing reports and Pennsylvania fishing reports compliments of licensed professional Steelhead fishing guide, Don Mathews and the team of guides at Dfishinfool' Guide Service.

3-05-05 Saturday I had the day off but Jeff called me tonight with a report. They fished the Eastern Ohio tribs today with spinning gear and bait and they did good. He said that it was real slushy early.  Reported that it burned off about 11:00.  He had a eight yr old boy and his father out on his first steelhead adventure.  First fish of the day was just shy of 10lbs !!  I'll get the pics up as soon as I get them. Jeff reports side ice is thick on the Ohio tribs but the streams are still fishable. None of the other guys called in tonight but I would think everything will fish tomorrow (Sun) Most of the streams are running low and clear. With a low of 26* there will probably be slush early but a if it gets into the predicted 40's. It should be a great day. Good Fishin..!!  Don

3-06-05 Jeff knew right where this big Ohio hen was hiding!  Bet she is still there!

3-04-05 Friday Hit a western Ohio Trib with Greg and Chris. Started about 8:30 and slush was terrible. Un-fishable but we fished anyhow.  We used the spinning rods. Chris showed me his slush buster rig and it put mine to shame. We actually caught a few thru the slush. About noon it burned off and they got out the fly rods. We had steady action the rest of the day, we actually did quite well. Chris knew exactly where to go to put us on the fish. No real Chromers but most fish were semi fresh Manistee's that were full of fight. Oh, how nice it is to be getting the Manistee's again..!! With a low of 20 tonight, daytime temps above freezing tomorrow, and no snow in the forecast. I think most of the streams will fish tomorrow. It will be slushy early, so you might as well sleep in. Another reason I like winter Steelheading.. Good Fishin..!! Don

03-04-05 Friday Greg shows off one of many nice Ohio steelhead caught on Steak N eggs!

3-03-05 Thursday Jeff and I both cancelled our guide trips today due to poor weather. We went out early and did some scouting-around.  We took the spinning rods and bait. Still way to slushy to fly fish.  Looked at the Ohio streams early and they were slushed real bad.  Even our 8-G slush rigs on the spin rods wouldn't pull our bait thru the slush. Several of the smaller tribs were iced across. Punted and kept heading East, made it over to Elk Creek about 9:00 and did some walking in the middle river. We found very few fish.  Or should I say I found none and Jeff got one. Slush is building into side ice but the middle was open.  Actually it wasn't too bad. I think it will defiantly be slushy and tough to fish in the morning  but the diehards will be out.  With skunk on my hands we headed back to Ohio looking for big Manistee's on the Grand.  We found the sun had burned off the slush and there was no side ice. Flow was 550 CFS and visibility was perfect.  Jeff got four here, none of Jeff's fish were fresh though. The fish continued to eluded me and I ended up with the big zero.  Oh well I'll just blame this one on the weather.  Grinning..!! I'm predicting tomorrow and Saturday will fish but its going to be slushy in the mornings. I'll keep you posted. Good fishin..!!  Don 

03-04-05 Friday Chris with a Ohio Manistee.. Notice the ice and slush behind him! This is where we were fishing and catching them!  No sally's today..!!

3-02-05 Stream Report. Don't forget you Ohio fishing license needs renewed on March 1st..!! Fishing has been very good for us the past few days.The winter storm is starting to have a bad effect on the streams and there is snow slush to deal with now. Most areas now have 7 or 8 inches of snow on the ground and its still coming down.  So its a daily toss of the hat as to weather you can fish. Possibly Friday or Saturday some places may fish if the snow tapers off.  Most streams are low and clear with the exception of the Grand which is now finally approaching a fishable level. I haven't been on the Pa streams since Sunday but Jason reports a few fresh fish in Elk and very light crowds. There is a nice push of fresh fish in some of the Ohio streams. These fish are very silver and strong. We have been spin fishing with bait and have racked up some impressive numbers the last couple of days.
Good Fishin..!! Don

03-04-05 Friday. Chris again.Notice how the slush burned off by noon.

2-27-05 Sunday Looked at a bunch of Ohio streams at daylight 15* on the truck thermometer. All the Eastern Ohio streams were very heavily slushed. So we kept driving East and ended up at lower Elk and it was slush free until about 10:00 then it started to slush up. We used the spin gear and hit about a half dozen on bait. All darker fish. Stream was very low and clear and there didn't seem to be very many fish. Figuring our day was done we headed back to Ohio and were surprised to find the bright sun had burned off some of the slush off of Conneaut creek despite the below freezing air temp. We bounced around to quite a few spots and hit quite a few fresh run bright fish. :) Some quite far upstream. Finally with a few fresh fish around mother nature is going to dump some snow on us tomorrow. If it starts off as rain and floods the creeks it will be a good thing. If its all snow and we get a bunch. Its going to slush and freeze things up quick. I'll keep you posted. Don

2-26-05 Saturday Jeff and John were out today. They started late and much to my surprise they found some open water. He said by the time they got to the river at 9:30 the slush had burned off. They fished Conneaut and Elk and caught fish in both. No fresh ones either place.  but they were glad to be catching steel in Feb. They reported the water was very low and clear and the fish were in the deeper holes. They spin fished and Jeff reports it was tough keeping the rods ice free. Its going down to 10* tonight but I'm heading up in the morning. 

3-3-05 Thursday Jeff with a hard earned Ohio fish.

2-25-05 Friday Since there no new fish pictures to show you I have put up some pics of some of the flies Greg has been tying for me to use this spring. 

Not many fishing opportunities remain.  It was 10* this morning and just about everything was slushy.  Open water can still be found on Glycol Alley on the Rocky River.   This section seldom freezes due to runoff from Jet airplane deicer at Cleveland Hopkins airport.  Not my cup of tea.  There is open water below a few dams but no fresh fish are around yet.  Water temps are still to low to trigger any big runs.  Don't kill the messenger! Grinning.. We are keeping our fingers crossed for warm weather. I'll keep you posted. Good Fishin..!! Don

Greg's spawning stone

Greg and Jason and the rest of the crew at Jag Fly have been hard at work.  I got these original patterns from Greg this week to try out this spring on "Steelhead Alley.  Some of the Michigan Guides he ties for have reported great success last winter on these patterns. 

I can't wait to "Get em Wet"  C YA..!! Don

Greg's Extended body nymph.

2-20-05 Sunday Started early today on Elk. Found it very slushy and had it to ourselves. Some places iced clear across. Spent about 45 min trying to bust out some ice. Decided we would need dynamite and gave up on that hole. Went to another section. Managed to open up a hole with manual labor:) Caught quite a few. Some semi fresh. Hens were dropping eggs and there were a few fish on gravel. Constant slush and the rods kept icing up all day. Then there was this dam Centerpinner who kept tying the hole up! grinning! Congrats to Racinray on his first pin fish! Moved over to a Ohio Trib. No slush when we got there. Not as much side ice as Elk. Water very clear. Also very Crowded. Not many fish but we did get a couple. Started to snow hard. Creek slushed up quick. Roads were terrible on the way home. I'll bet it will be very slushy in the morning.
Good fishin..!! Don

2-20-05 Ray on his first day Pining

2-18-05 Friday Not much to report on High open water followed by cold weather and slushy streams this week. It was 12* and snowing this morning. I stayed home. Its going to be tough till we get a warm-up that lasts. I don't believe any large amount of fresh fish have run in the last two thaws. The water temp has just been too cold yet. My prediction is there are a bunch of impatient fish at the stream mouths just waiting for the warm-up.  It will not be long now. I would stay home this weekend

Our Steelhead School for this Spring is now full. We will be having another one next Fall and Spring. Dates coming soon. We still have a few spring dates open click here to view our online calendar

Well with March right around the corner, I thought I would mention the big buzz in Erie Pa.  Elk Creek Sports and Uncle Johns Campground located on Rt.5 near the mouth of Elk Creek, are hosting a charity Steelhead fishing tournament.  It will run the whole month of March.  The Shriners will be the benefactor.  This is no big news, as lots of Tournaments are held up here each year.  The big difference is this one pays $5,000.  The winner must pass a polygraph test that the fish was legally caught in Pennsylvania.  You can check out the details by clicking here.   It has received very mixed local press lately.  Some local fishermen are concerned about a increase in angling pressure.  They are concerned the increase in angling pressure will cause some landowners to post their land.  There have also been concerns raised about killing of fish, and fishing when smolt are present.  Even the local TU chapter have stated they are against it.  Most of the other Erie area shops have stayed tight lipped and none are openly supporting it.

My opinion is that this tournament, no matter what the payout, will not bring near the crowds that the streams receive during the October runs.  I have talked to quite a few landowners and none seemed overly concerned.  Everyone knows it is a put and take man made fishery and the few fish that will be killed are minuscule in the big picture of things.  Same goes for the smolt.  Most of these same people that are complaining themselves fish in March when the smolt are present.  I think it could have, and should have been a boost to fishermen in the local communities eyes.  After all it is going to raise thousands of dollars for the Shriners. Only time will tell.

I personally don't like tournaments that require the killing of fish.  I think our beautiful steelhead are to magnificent of a creature to be killed for a prize.  Many of you know I am a open advocate of Catch and Release.  Over the years I have seen the benefit first hand.  Several times we have landed the same fish, with a different angler on a different day.  Thus that fish was enjoyed and left fond memories, for two anglers, instead of one.  BUT I also know that the killing of fish in a put and take fishery will not harm the resource.  I put my faith in the states fish commission to decide the creel limits that are acceptable.  I hold no I'll will towards those who wish to enjoy a fine meal they harvested on their own, as their forefathers did.  I myself eat fish.  Many of my license holding guests keep fish for the table.

So you may ask me.  Do you support the tournament?  I would have to say with caution,  that yes I do support the tournament and I will enter it myself.  If I should somehow manage to win the $5,000, I pledge to donate it to PASA, 3CU'S and Friends of Conneaut Creek.  All three are very worth while local clubs.  If you have seen my March calendar you know that I'm a very long shot. Some of my guests may choose to fish it and I will give it my best if they do.

I say I support it with caution because some people have protested it so loudly it may have been doomed from the beginning.  They have surely put anyone who fishes Erie this spring under the magnifying glass.  It is up to all of us to prove to the local community that anglers are not the bad guys.  We must be on our best behavior and show the landowners the respect they deserve.  Please stay off of private lands.  We don't need somebody stirring up a hornets nest with dollar signs in their eyes.  There are plenty of places to fish without trespassing.  If you see posted signs turnaround they are there for you!  Just because you may see other people fishing there doesn't mean you can fish there.  They might be guests of the landowner or they may be trespassing them selves. Do not fish private land without permission  Also you should realize that a 6 lb fish is not a winner.  Even a 10 lb fish doesn't have a chance.  My guess it will take 14 lbs or better to win it.  Yes, there are daily prizes, but ask yourself, do you really want to bonk that beautiful fish on the head, for a cheap rod or another small consolation prize.

Above all else PLEASE be gentle with the smolt!  They are the future.  If you are catching them in numbers leave that spot.  The winning fish will likely be A stray Ohio Manistee.  I am going with Jimmy Dallas theory that most of the big fish come from low in the river.  I'm betting it will come from lower Walnut.  My guide Jeff thinks it will be a big Ohio stocked Manistee buck in upper Conneaut Creek.

I wish Uncle Johns Campground and Elk Creek Sports the best of  luck.  They have taken a lot of heat and have remained steadfast in their determination to pull this off.  I know the owners Dan and John both personally.  They have always been very good to myself and my guests.  I know in my gut that they are good individuals who do care about the fishery and are trying to help a local charity.  None of us really know what  the future will bring but I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Good luck..!! Don  

2-14-05 Fished the chagrin today. We used the spinning rods. Did a lot of walking. Saw no other anglers (0). Fish were scarce but there were a few to be had. No fresh run at least not in the upper stretches. Ice is completely gone now. Flow started at a nice 500CFM with 18 inch visibility and a greenish tint. It was still good when we left at 1:00 but the feeders were running fast and it is raining pretty good now. Good Luck..!! Don

2-11-05 Went ice fishing today. NOT! Fat guys and ice don't mix. So I hit the Elk today with Dick AKA: Hawkland. Finally open water. NOT! Seems like the fish genies missed their predictions for today's stream conditions on yesterdays internet reports. Heard some grumbling anglers along the stream today. We weren't grumbling at all. Remember guys its hard to predict mother nature. If you wake up and its 14* outside in Erie. Plan on fishing in the slush.

2-11-05 Dick with a nice holdover Elk Creek Pa steelhead

We found it very slushy so we were glad we were spin fishing with brown eggs. Saw some guys fly fishing but they were struggling with the ice on their line. We went to work right away and busted out a hole. River is quickly icing over. Side ice about a inch of hard ice already. It is close to icing across in spots. We caught them real good. If I posted how many you would probably think I'm lying..!! That's the way winter fishing often goes, Feast or famine. Saw no fresh fish today but lots of hungry holdovers. Conditions remained about the same all day. Slush never burned off. Nice green 32* water.

2-11-05 Open water in February, Will it last?
My prediction is that its going to be a real tough weekend but the ice busting warriors will catch fish. Have at it guys I'm spending the weekend with my Valentine in the warm water of a hot tub. Its going to be real slushy Saturday morning and if it doesn't get above freezing tomorrow we will loose it. Conneaut was still high in Ohio and Slush was bad there too. I don't think it will fish good tomorrow. Heading west might be a better bet. Keep your fingers crossed for warm weather. Good Fishin..!! Don

2-7-05 Open water is awfully hard to come by the last two days. Lake Erie is open water so the mouths of most streams is a option. We found some productive open water but sorry I gotta stay tight lipped on this one. We have been hitting the fish good on the spinning gear. Overall conditions are terrible. You can walk across Elk Creek. Some of the upper Grand and Upper Chagrin are open but its slim pickings. I have reports that Glycol Alley is open on the Rocky and a few fish have been taken. My advise is keep on tying those flies. We got some rain coming this might open things up. Good Fishin Don!

2-5-05 Greg Senyo called from Chicago tonight. He is demonstrating his fly tying skills at the big fly fishing show in Chicago this weekend. I am grounded this weekend, looks like I missed a great show. He sounded as excited as a kid in a candy store on the phone. Sounds like a real who's who of the fly fishing world. He said he tied his wiggle stone and extended body nymphs and the show had a great turnout.

"A BIG THANK YOU to Neshannock TU, Toledo, Oh Gander Mt and everybody that helped make our steelhead presentations a success!! It did me good to see that both events were standing room only.. We forgive the guy who was snoring during Jeff's section of the presentation. After that great meal then turning the lights out in that warm room just wasn't fair. Grinning!"

Upcoming presentations of our slide show "Tips and Tricks for steelhead alley" can be seen on:

1-29-05 at The Neshannock Creek TU's cabin fever symposium 

Location – At the Hermitage Pa VFW on Route 62 (approximately two miles East of Route 18 )· Time– From 11:00 Am until 3:00 PM on Saturday, January 29th I will be speaking at 1:00. Free lunch at 12:00 and a cash bar

1-30-05 We will be at the  Gander Mountain in Toledo, Ohio from  12:00-2:30

Directions to Gander Mt.: Exit From Ohio Turn pike at Maumee, Toledo exit number 59 after paying the toll go straight which will be (Rt.20 north or to locals) Reynolds road. You will proceed north on Reynolds road to Airport highway (about 3miles)turn left onto Airport and merge into the right lane. You will go approx 2 miles to holland/slyvannia road. you turn right and you will see Gander Mountain right next to Old Navy in the spring meadows shopping center.

Read Don's new article "Advanced Spin tactics for Steelhead" Featured in the January - February issue of Country Anglin Outdoor Guide   Click Here

1-22-05 Saturday Time to tie flies, build leaders, clean the reels and get your gear in ready for the spring thaw. Most of the streams are   frozen or have severe side ice. A few diehards are still fishing in places in Ohio. Most fishermen have taken to the ice. I'll keep you posted! Don

1-13-05 Thursday Flood watches are in effect for the area today and again temperatures are near 50. Winter weather is predicted to return to the area starting tomorrow. One has to wonder how many fish have run these past few days with the warm rain. With daytime highs in the 20's it will not take long at all before slush and ice become a problem. Our schedule is open Jan and Feb so we are free to fish if the weather cooperates.

1-11-05 Greg with a nice Elk Creek steely..

1-12-05 Wednesday We put on a steelhead presentation-slide show last night for the "Friends of Conneaut Creek" club in Conneaut.  It was free to the public and the turnout was good. The Moose club provided a nice setting to have it. I enjoyed meeting some of the faces I see on the stream around Conneaut. The local cable access channel filmed the presentation and will be airing it in the near future. I can't say enough about the Friends of Conneaut Creek Club. They are very actively trying to preserve the watershed. They are going to have a big spring cleanup of the creek on May 21st Please try to attend...!!!

1-06-05 Lance with a couple of Chromers for the smoker

1-11-05 Tuesday Got out and fished a little today. Fished with Dick, Rick and Greg. We did excellent..!! Started out on Ohio skinny water caught a couple there, but it was still a bit to high. So we packed up and headed for Greg's cousins property on Elk Creek. It didn't take long. I hooked up on my first cast. I landed that fish and got eight more out of that drift without moving. It was just one of those days. Probably the warm weather is what had them so fired up.

Stonefly's were everywhere in Ohio today. I took a picture of one. They ranged in size from #14-#18. 

1-06-05 Jeff with a nice Pa brownie from Elk Creek..

1-09-05 Sunday Jeff hit the Pa streams with John and Mike today. They got a early start and found some fish. Jeff reports the water was a nice color and the found fish in a holdover mode. They mixed it up a little and used both the fly and spinning gear. He reported that most of the fish came from the deeper holes.

1-09-05 Mike with a Pennsylvania winter steely

1-08-05 Saturday Fished Elk Creek for a few hours this afternoon and found a bunch of fish. Temperature was near 40 and the crowds were nil. Fish are defiantly picky right now.

Save Time and buy your fishing license online.  Please check with your guide on what state you will be fishing.

\OHIO LICENSE

\PA ONLINE LICENSE

\NY FISH LICENSE

Welcome to our Steelhead Fishing Reports page.  Here you will find, Ohio fishing reports and Pennsylvania fishing reports, compliments of Ohio Steelhead fishing guide, Don Mathews and the team of guides at Dfishinfool's Guide Service.

Webmaster - Guide Don Mathews

330-565-5457

All guides listed below are self employed.  but We have joined forces.  We believe that by networking together on the stream our group of local guides can give the best steelheading experience possible.  We guarantee it.. Feel free to call any of them at anytime to check on availability or to just talk fishin.  They are your true local steelhead pro's

Guide  Jeff Novak

330-984-7406

Guide  Dick Keagy

330-646-8150

Guide Travis McAllister

330-399-2746

Guide Mark DeFrank

724-317-8582

TTo book a trip please call Don Mathews at 330-565-5457 .  He handles the website and our central booking calendar.  You may also call your guide of choice at anytime with questions or to check on availability.

"Steelhead Alley"

Steelhead Facts

All of our streams in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York hold fish during the winter months December- March 

MOST YEARS ALL OF OUR STREAMS FREEZE OVER IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY

New York Steelhead fishing is best in October thru December but most years the Cattaraugus Creek s the first stream to get a run of fish

Pennsylvania Steelhead fishing peaks in November and December but gets runs as early as September.  They are the most heavily stocked streams on "Steelhead Alley" and hold the most fish per square mile.

Ohio Steelhead fishing starts in October and lasts until early May.  Ohio streams are usually fish the best in the spring.