October's Adventures



October ushers in a real changes of seasons on the fly in Ohio & PA.  The steelhead stage to make a push up the Ohio Lake Erie Tribs.  The steelhead start making stronger pushes up the PA Lake Erie Tribs as rainfall and cool temperatures allow.  The native PA brookies and brown trout start their annual spawning dances and they pop with new color.  All of this with the background of changing leaves and cool crisp air sets the stage for a great month to be on the water.



October steelhead fishing in PA was very productive.  The larger PA tribs gained very nice pushes of fish, but the conditions remained tough.  There were only a few days of ideal conditions in October.  Most days, the PA tribs were low and gin clear.  Under these conditions it is important to be stealthy and down size the intensity of color and size of your offerings.  Nukes eggs in muted colors were the most productive fly of the month.  Nymphs did well and fresh fish continues to take patterns imitating minnows (even on clear water days).  What I enjoyed most about October was the time on the water with old friends and new.  Greg, Shawn, and Buff, were great fishing partners this month.



Greg & I spent a day chasing wild PA brown trout and brookies.  These days were tough.  The clear water conditions made the fish spooky.  Even with small offering...we came off of the native brown trout streams smelling like skunk.  The native brookies were a little more cordial, but I must admit...it was the lowest scoring brookie outing Greg and I ever had.  Luckily, the scenery made the day worthwhile.



Greg had a tough October.  He was getting a little moody about it.  We hit Apple Creek to start November and the slump was finally off.  We both had a nice time with a few rainbows.  



November should prove to be a great month.  The steelhead in OH should really ramp up and the PA streams should be at their peaks.  Add in a little deer hunting and I'm like a kid a Christmas...a month early.