My good friend Steve (Lake Erie Ultimate Angler Owner) said it best last week at the Orvis dealer meeting, "we need a hurricane rain", well Steve not only did we get the rain we got the wind too!

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and a little today we've been seeing good, steady, rain from lake Erie well inland. The tribs were blown out yesterday and very difficult to fish with months of debris being cleaned out. For anyone worried about the mouths I have some before and after pictures below. Once the water clears the steelhead season is on! We'll be reporting more steelhead conditions as water levels change and as fish make there way further and further upstream.

If you don't steelhead fish and would like to learn how or just tune up on your skills: Lake Erie Ultimate angler is having a steelhead school October 24th. Click the link to the right and sign up!

You will learn techniques to improve and catch more fish!!!!!!

Best Fishes,

Damon Newpher

Doug Bear from Orvis hosted a great event at Ridgway Pennsylvania this past week for Orvis Dealers from all over Pennsylvania. Doug covered great new products that Orvis will be introducing this fall and the early part of 2010 including the Hydros Rod. You will see Christine in one of the pictures above with a GREAT Clarion River Brown that Guide Brian Minich put her on while we floated six of the dealers this past Tuesday. Pictured above is Orvis Endorsed Guide Ben Turpin holding a nice brown and Shane Appleby, two handed rod guru, with a Clarion River Rainbow. The fishing Tuesday was hit and miss we still managed to boat some very nice fish and the Dealers got to experience the float on the Clarion. It's always nice to be with great people in our wonderful industry.

With rain in the forecast for this weekend I'll be checking the Steelhead waters on Tuesday. Check back next week for your steelhead report.

Best Fishes,

Damon Newpher

Casting into the Lake Erie near the mouth of 20 mile creek.

Dead, Wild, Steelhead Smolt found in a puddle near the mouth of 20 mile creek.

Casting on Cattaraugus Creek near the mouth Tuesday morning was fun practice for the upcoming steelhead season. It's still a little early even for a large Erie Tributary like the Catt. The fish are still far and few between. We'll check the Catt. later next week, after the rains on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to see if they spark any fresh stocks to come in.

John G. with a Beautiful Clarion River Brown. With the draining of the East Branch Reservoir for winter pool (341 CFS) the Clarion has been at a perfect flow for drifting and wading. We've had great days on Streamers and Nymphs over the past week. There has been some surface action on Caddis and Tiny BWO'S though all big fish have been taken on streamers and nymphs. The forecast is for the water to keep coming the fishing forecast remains good.

Heading up to the Catt. this morning to do some steelheading with my good friend Steve B. (owner of Lake Erie Ultimate Angler) I'll post my report soon for the steelies.

See you on the water.