At the risk of setting my self up as an expert I thought it necessary to ensure you I am not. No one is really an expert. Some of us have simply figured a couple things out. This series is set up to give those who are new are struggling a bit of an edge that many of us did not have. Although I advocate, out of my bias, to secure a day on the water with a guide because you will learn things that can not be put on paper and downloaded for practice. You must be on the water to take theory into reality.
Before I step too deep into the data and experience of Pennsylvania Steel Head fishing, let me air some grievances. First, the death of adventure: social media is the opioid of the people. Many fly fishers that have come before me have undergone the struggle, and thereby the development of sound character development, through fishing exploration. They have taken days out on the water as a real means to learn what to tie on, where to fish, how do the fish react… Now in our current cultural moment of fishing most, it seems, need the whole gamut tools and tactics wrapped up and delivered before they wet a line. Now, I know this may make me a bit of a hypocrite, since I do guide, but I hope the reader can see the evident difference between a day of on-water instruction and Facebook questions on popular forums. I really don’t mean to be rude but this kind of, well, Ill just say it, lazy fishing turns the forward generation into the humans from the movie Wall-E, you have to watch it to really get it. Suffice it to say these humans surrender the freedom to explore to more passive traits. Let me encourage you; get up, get out and find out the hard way. Make the journey without knowing what to tie on, how to cast to them, where might they be and grow. You will not regret it. Also, read a couple books, those are defiantly not passive.
What is Great Lakes Steel Head fishing? Let me start with a subject that is sometimes a surprise or at least doesn’t get discussed enough. That is, all the people! I assure you that the amount of folks chasing Steelies has grown but its very typical. Look at it this way, the fishing is concentrated so will the men and women fishing for them. So, how do you deal with it? Some rules-of-thumb to relieve some anxiety. One, give as much room as you can and don’t fish in someone else’s personal zone. If you want a measurement, give people a couple rod lengths to the right and left. No reason to bring dirty dancing moves to the stream. Second, I know you are probably a great caster but, don’t throw your line in front of the other people. This is a great way to make people angry and get you leader clipped. Third, when you hook a fish and it can’t be contained in you area, let folks know. Announce you’re coming up or down. Fourth, be ok with someone else doing the same. Fifth, realize you may be staying in the same spot all day if the there are fish (although, leaving fish to find fish may be necessary, more on that later). Finally, be well rounded in your etiquette. Say hello, talk to people, help net if someone is struggling. Be human and treat others as though they are. It goes along way. —Enjoy the Journey