2004 Fall Steelhead Report

         The 2004 fall steelhead season got a good jump start with tremendous run-off from hurricanes Frances and Ivan in September, bringing early runs of steelhead into the New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio tributary streams of Lake Erie. A bonus this year was a surpisingly good run of pink salmon in some of the Pennsylvania and Ohio tributaries, particularly Conneaut Creek in Ohio.

         Veteran steelheaders were amazed at the effects of these hurricanes on the tributaries especially in Pennsylvania where major streambed changes occurred. In fact the route 5 bridge over Elk Creek became closed for a period of time due to the effects of the high water. 16 Mile Creek developed a waterfall north of route 5 that resulted in a substantial barrier to upstream steelhead movement.

<o:p>     October was basically a dry month but finished up with some good fall rains by the end of the month into early November. November though quickly became a repeat of October with low, clear conditions on most of the tributaries. Just before Thanksgiving some substantial fall rains/snow melt occured</o:p> allowing for some excellent water conditions on all the major tributaries. 

<o:p>     The Cattaraugus Creek in New York quickly became the place for steelheaders to find decent water flows and fresh steelhead this fall due to its ability to fish well during a relatively dry fall. These conditions continued well into November which is unusual for the "Cat" which normally becomes unfishable by early November due to heavy fall rains.</o:p>

<o:p>     Conneaut Creek in both Ohio and Pennsylvania has had a very good run of steelhead so far this fall. This undoubtedly is the result of a steelhead stocking program by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (75,000 fall/winter Pennsylvania strain smolts) in the spring of 2002 into the West Branch of Conneaut Creek, Pa. The late running Little Manistee strain steelhead (which are stocked by the Ohio Department of Wildlife) can be expected to gradually show up in Conneaut Creek and other Ohio tributaries this fall, initially in relatively small numbers, with the peak of the run later this winter and early spring.</o:p>

<o:p>     Various steelhead related news items in Pennsylvania this past year include the creation of the Erie Bluffs State Park at the lower end of Elk Creek (which will ensure good public access for steelhead anglers well into the future), completion of a steelhead fishing economic impact study by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (which showed that steelhead fishing is indeed a booming economic business in Erie County, Pa.) a controversial Lake Erie stamp (with generated revenues to help with public access on the tributaries), a fishing license increase and a very controversial possible merger of the Pennsylvania Fish and Game Commissions.</o:p>

<o:p>     The 3-C-U Trout Association in Pennsylvania completed construction of a new steelhead rearing raceway at the Mission site in October of 2003. The raceway became operational on October 15 of last year and is now producing steelhead. According to Bob Hetz, 3-C-U treasurer and nursery managery, several groups deserve thanks for the facility including 6 independent contractors, 25 to 30 volunteer workers from local clubs, donations of material by local businesses, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission for the use of their land and the Coastal Zone Management for a major part of the funding.  Donations from Steelheaders, the S.O.N.S. organization and the 3-C-U covered the balance of the cost.</o:p>

<o:p>     The 3-C-U has been instrumental in the success of the Pennsylvania steelhead fishery starting in 1966 when they made their first initial juvenile steelhead plantings. In fact, Bob Hetz relates that since 1966 the 3-C-U has reared and stocked some 4 million juvenile steelhead. Based on this stellar record, all Pennsylvania steelhead anglers should consider purchasing a 3-C-U fund raising badge (available at many lake shore tackle shops) to help support the efforts of this invaluable organization. </o:p>