I Take It Back

 The last post I said we need it to stop raining but now it hasn't rained in 2 weeks and the tribs are very low and need water. There are some steelhead in the tribs along with plenty of suckers and smallmouth. The tribs had gotten very warm and the suckers and smallmouth came in a little early and they have since cooled off again. With the very warm trib temps that came early in the season some think the the season could be over but the lack of reds and drop backs suggests that if the rains come so will the fish, at least that is what we are all hoping. We have been catching fish yet it hasn't been easy due to the dropping water and lack of fresh fish.
The weather service is calling for some rain on Monday but the amount may not be enough to raise the water levels enough to really bring a big run in.  Here are some photos of just a few of the steelhead caught in the past week.

Rain , Rain, Go Away

   Well back again to say that most of the Ohio rivers are not fishing right now because of all the rain that we have had the past couple of days but the good news is that Elk in Pa has already came down and is very fish-able. I have been getting reports that there are fresh fish in the rivers and I know that they are being caught. With the weather this coming week raising back up in the 60's for several days these fish will be seen on gravel so if you find yourself a cut near some gravel you will find the fish. You will have success if you just remember what these fish are here for ( spawning ) and look for the good gravel above or below deeper water.
   I would love to be out  now but the fly orders have flooded in and we have to do some catching up before we start our guide season.If you  are wanting flies for the spring , you can get your order in asap and we can get it to you.You can either go right to the site to order or on the site is contact info so that you may call. There are a few new patterns that were very productive this past fall that are not on the site yet that you can call and we can make that order up for you . Hopefully the newest proven  patterns and some new ones that we will be testing this spring will be on the site late in the spring after steelhead and when we are done with the trout guiding in Southwest PA. Good luck fishing and we hope to see you out on the rivers.

  Tight Lines,
  Chris

www.defranksflies.com
Owner: Mark DeFrank

Spring Steelheading Is Here

  Well it is that time of year again to get the equipment out and catch some Spring Ohio Steel. As most of you know the weather has been unseasonably warm with a day or two of cold weather thrown in the mix. The rivers didn't really freeze this winter so there has been people out and about over the winter months.  There have been some caught but the numbers are not in yet and that is the time that everyone is looking forward too.
  I am going to try to keep up with the blog a little more but it will be harder during my guide season due to the lack of internet where I stay for the season. I have been busy filling fly orders along with getting my fly boxes stocked up for my clients for the spring season.
     There hasn't been much to talk about as far as steelheading goes,  that is all about to change and hopefully this spring the weather will co-operate and we all can get lots of days of fishing in.If anyone is looking for a guide you can go to www.defranksflies.com and book a trip while there are still days available and it is first come first serve on the days and it is booking up fast. You can also visit the site and check out some of the new patterns we have to offer as well as the reports page that also has a fall steelheading video on it. Well hope to see some of the people that I met out on the streams this year and that everyone has a great and safe season.

Tight Lines,    Chris