2007 Fall Steelhead Report

An early September cold snap dropped both Lake Erie lakeshore temperatures (68 degrees F) and tributary temperatures (as low as 55 degrees F) to chilly levels. With a modest amount of precipitation (many areas of the Lake Erie region are almost 1 inch below average September rain fall amounts) some initial steelhead movement has occured into the mouth's and lower reaches of the tributaries with very limited movement upstream. Unless substantial run-off occurs, don't expect much steelhead movement upstream. September is typically one of the driest months of the calendar year in the Lake Erie region unless remnants of a fall hurricane provide a much needed soaker.

Early October continues to be both dry and hot (including record highs) in the Lake Erie region putting a damper on any significant steelhead movement up the tributaries. The lower reaches of the tributaries (and particularly the lakeshore when the lake is calm) can be good though especially early in the morning and on overcast days. The lakeshore water temperature off Walnut Creek on October 2, 2007 was 69 degrees F.

The record high temperatures of early October in the Lake Erie region have been broken by cooler weather patterns but with limited rainfall. Most tributaries are still unfishable due to extremely low flows but the Cattaraugus Creek in New York has a decent baseline flow with steelhead scattered throughout the river. The Lakeshore water temperature off Walnut Creek on October 13, 2007 was 63 degrees F.

The end of October brings more precipitation in the Lake Erie region (again limited amounts) and cooler temperatures. Steelhead are starting to move up the tributaries but more rain fall is needed to facilitate greater numbers of steelhead running (upstream) and more fishable flows, particularly for the smaller to mid-size tributaries. The Lakeshore water temperature off Walnut Creek on October 27, 2007 was degrees 57 degrees F. 

An early November snow storm to the Lake Erie region and excellent residual run-off has pushed steelhead up into the middle and upper parts of all the Lake Erie tributaries. A late leaf fall this year (the leaf fall usually occurs the last week of October) has been a problem in the run-off but should gradually clear with more run-off episodes this month. The Lakeshore water temperature off Walnut Creek on November 7, 2007 was 50 degrees F.

Early December has looked more like January and February as an early winter blast has hit the Lake Erie region hard with heavy snow and sub-freezing air temperatures. More moderate temperatures and excellent run-off from rain and snow melt (after the storm) has brought all the tribs up to fishable levels with excellent numbers of fresh steelhead. The bigger tribs like the Grand River in Ohio and the Cattaraugus Creek in New York have suffered from the heavy run-off though (as usual) and have been unfishable most of the time. The plus side to this has been the fishing pressure which has been low due to both the deer hunting season and also the inclement weather. Steelheaders can anticipate December to be a "transition" month between fall and winter steelheading with stream temperatures varying between 38 and 45 degrees F on average. The Lakeshore water temperature off Walnut Creek on December 12, 2007 was 40 degrees F.

Lake Erie Region News

A public information meeting will be held thursday, September 27, 2007 (7:00 p.m.) at the Concord Town Hall in Springville, NY by the Army Corp of Engineers. The meeting is in regards to the feasibility of either installing a fish passage system on the dam on Cattaraugus Creek at Springville, NY or removing the dam entirely. The Corp will officially introduce the project to the public at the meeting and will also field questions. Jim Markham of The NY State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) will also be on hand at the meeting.       

Route 219 bridge construction (and related road work) is still ongoing on the upper part of Cattaraugus Creek in New York. With limited run-off so far this fall, the "Cat" is running both low and muddy (at times) which is a result of the construction work. Gravel and sand operations below Gowanda, NY (on the Seneca Indian Reservation) are also contributing to water clarity problems. Hopefully, after some good run-off episodes, most of this muddy sediment will flush out of the Cat resulting in both better flow and clearer conditions.

Jim Markham of the NYDEC has confirmed after inspecting the gravel and sand operations on 10-25-07 on Cattaraugus Creek (Seneca Indian Reservation) that the work looks completed and should not affect the creek much in the future. He also visited the Route 219 construction site the same date and determined that they are making good progress with most of the fill removed and construction started on several settling ponds that should greatly improve the sediment run-off into the creek.

The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Lake Erie Access Improvement Program (using funds obtained from Lake Erie fishing permits) acquired two public easements this past summer (2007). The first is located on Walnut Creek which includes 2 contiguous parcels between 38th St. and Sterretania Road (Route 832) in Mill Creek Township. The second is on Elk Creek located between Routes 5 and 20 along Elk Park Road in Girard Township. The easements will be for public fishing, boating, riparian buffer and fisheries management. It includes the stream corridor and extends at least 25 feet back from the top of the bank.

The Pennsylvania Steelhead Association (PSA) is presently distributing maps that show the public fishing easements that have been obtained so far through the Lake Erie Access Improvement Program. Maps are available directly through the PSA or at local tackle shops. 

Product Update

Jonathan Knapp of Solitude Reels has confirmed (10-29-07) that a limited production run of Solitude SR4 and SR5 fly reels will be available in early 2008 followed by the Solitude SR2 and SR3 models in March 2008. This is welcome news to Solitude Reel aficionado's who have been anxiously waiting for the redesign of the older (and discontinued) Harris Solitude Reel which is considered by many to be the ultimate steelhead fly reel. See menu tab at left for more information on Solitude Reels.

 

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