Spring Bronze

Spring has been grudgingly making its way through the southern Great Lakes. Rain and clouds are still almost a daily occurence. Things still seem to be running about 10 days behind schedule.

Here Tom Fabbro of The Backpacker's Shop shows a chunky, pre-spawn Presque Isle (Lake Erie) smallmouth caught while on a kayak expedition. Presque Isle, right outside of Erie, PA, is a top fly fishing area for a variety of species.

Clean Up Crew

My daughter Leah and Aspen the Fishdog take a break during Conneaut Clean Up activities to enjoy the sunshine and wildflowers along the bank. Volunteers from The Friends of Conneaut Creek, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders all lent a hand in this years work. A special thanks to everyone who participated and to local landowner Andy Cary, who provide brats, burgers & beer afterward!

Cleanin' Up The Creek

About 30 volunteers braved the nicest day of the year (up to that point) last Saturday for the annual Conneaut Creek Clean Up. A dozen or so areas were covered from the PA state line down into the Town of Conneaut. Here Phil Hillman of the Ohio Division of Wildlife and Jeff Liskay from the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders are assisted as they haul a load of trash up a hillside.

Blind-Tied Buggers

Here are the final entrants in the Blind Bugger Contest. It sounds easier than it is, give it a try sometime! Dan H was selected as the final winner of the contest and received a Scientific Anglers Textured GPX line for his hard work.

Blind Bugger Contest

Dog friend, Ken Beutel, works with blacked-out glasses in the Blind Bugger Contest prior to last nights showing of the Fly Fishing Film Tour. A double-dog woof of thanks goes out to everyone who helped make the event a success. The guys at The Backpacker's Shop handled ticket sales, fish buds Jeff Liskay and Will Turek helped organize the event, Dan Panek at The Links Golf Course was a great host and made sure everything went smoothly and the crowd was well-fed and happy. Thanks also to everyone who attended the event, which was held to support the Michael Bennett Fund and provide funding for on-going improvement projects on Ohio's Lake Erie tributaries.

Conneaut Clean-Up Saturday, May 7

The Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders will team up with The Friends of Conneaut Creek and Ohio Division of Watercraft for the annual Conneaut Creek clean up this Saturday. This event has taken place for a number of years now and as well as spiffing up some of the more popular areas on the creek, has helped to build a stronger relationship with several of the landowners.

Anyone who wants to help is welcome!! We will meet at the CYO baseball field pavilion (across from the new Center Street parking lot) at 8:00 AM to get started. Bring waders and a pair of work gloves. No registration needed, just show up! Here is a shot from last years work.

Fly Fishing Film Tour In OH This Week!

The Fly Fishing Film Tour makes it's only northern OH stop this Wednesday, May 4. The series of short films will be shown at the clubhouse of The Links Golf Course, 26111 John Rd., Olmsted Falls, OH, 44138. This location is 2 miles south of I-480 off Rt. 252 (Columbia Rd.).

The evening kicks off with a series of casting games at 6:00 PM including distance backcasting, flygolf, and shoot-the-hoop. The show starts at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $12 and available from the Backpacker's Shop and can be reserved to pick up at the door by calling 440-934-5345.

Food and beverages will also be available at the event.