It's Laker Time!

These lakers aren't trout and they aren't from LA. The annual run of Lake Erie smallmouth has started in the tributaries. These fish show up in most of the tribs and allow river anglers a shot at real trophy-sized bronzebacks. Matt Hines shows a big Elk Creek smallie that hammered a swung fly that was targeted for steelies. It's the best of both worlds when you can get big smallies and steelhead on the same day. The time is now if the water levels cooperate.

It's April On Lake Erie!

A brief water window opened again yesterday and we were able to get April Vokey out to swing for Lake Erie steelies before she had to head home to BC. Here is our favorite Fly Gal with a fish that grabbed an olive-colored pattern swung on a short tip with a switch rod.

An Old (Fish)Dog Learns Some New Tricks

British Columbia, Canada, fly gal, April Vokey, made a stop in town on her way back from a Belize trip and held a fly tying class at Chagrin River Outfitters. April showed a variety of materials and techniques used to construct the BC-style Intruder patterns that she fishes on her waters. Of particular interest was the use of Arctic fox and rhea feathers. The idea of this pattern, originated by Ed Ward, is a fly that presents a large, visible profile with lots of movement, but is still easy to cast. Here is JD's interpretation of the BC Intruder. At nearly six inches in length, maybe it should be called a Super Intruder.

We Had a Grand Time!

Despite the recent monsoons, Saturday was warm and sunny for the 2nd Grand River Castapalooza. High water didn't dampen anyone's enthusiasm. We had plenty of attendees who saw various presentations and received instruction on single-hand casting, Spey casting a fly tying. Here Scientific Anglers Pro, Jeff Liskay discusses Spey lines with a group of casters.

A special "Thank You" goes out to Jeff, Eric Lindstrom from The Backpacker's Shoppe and Dan Pribanic from Chagrin River Outfitters for all their help making the event a success. Both of these shops are also Scientific Anglers and Scott Rod dealers.

Castapalooza Chromer

A weather window opened briefly allowing Team Fishdog a day on the water before the Grand River Castaplooza. The boys found a few willing takers for swung flies like this chromer sporting a black and copper moustache

JD & the Fishdog

JD and the Fishdog took a timeout during a recent on-water adventure for a sit down photo. At 12 years old, Aspen is still going strong. JD is still in training.