CRO End of Year Sale and tying demo

As the 2012 Steelhead Alley fishing season comes to a close, our friends at Chagrin River Outfitters are having an end of the year sale as well as fly tying demonstrations this Saturday. See you at CRO!

20-40% off shop clearance sale at Chagrin River Outfitters December 28th, 29th, 30th.

Fly Tying demo at Chagrin River Outfitters Saturday December 29th with Greg Senyo 12-4.

 

Do you want to learn how to tie these?

 And catch these?

Come to Chagrin River Outfitters and see Greg Senyo!

Lake Ontario Outdoors

The new issue of Lake Ontario Outdoors is fresh off the press. It's expanded, diverse and features two of our Pautzke Great Lakes pros: a feature article from Ben See and guide Frank Campbell with a Niagara River steelhead on the cover.

Team SAA Angler - Ben See shows how it's done in Steelhead Alley 

 

Bahamas Bonefishing trip with CRO/SAO

Bahamas Bonefishing trip with CRO/SAO hosted by Brett McCrae

http://www.deneki.com/androssouth/

Photo: Cameron Miller, Andros South Staff

Where/When: We’re headed to Andros South from March 10-16, 2013 – this trip will include five full days of guided fishing and 6 nights lodging. This week falls during prime time – when weather and conditions are at their best.

The Fishery: The fishery on South Andros is huge, varied and productive. At Andros South, guests fish 4 parts of the island – tidal creeks on the East Side, hundreds of small keys off the southern tip of the island, the West Side which is known for large fish, and inland ponds and creeks in the middle of the island. Some areas tend to hold large groups of fish while others are home to larger fish in smaller groups – novice and expert anglers alike have a great time on the flats of South Andros. There will be lots of opportunities for both wading and poling, depending on your preferences and conditions. Although bonefish are the primary target, Andros South also provides ample opportunity for many other species, including sharks, barracudas, permit, and tarpon – all on flies!

Photo: Cameron Miller, Andros South Staff

Accommodations: – The location is beautiful, the rooms are fantastic, and the food is absolutely outstanding. Each angler will have their own room with a bathroom, shower, air conditioning, and daily room service. The lodge is situated on the beach – and when not out on the boat fishing guests can enjoy a drink and appetizers at the tiki bar, practice casting on the beach, or wet a line right next to the lodge. The overall feel is relaxing and certainly not formal.

Rates: The cost for the week is $3725 per angler. This price includes transfers to and from the airport, single-occupancy lodging (you get your own room), guided fishing with 2 anglers per boat, food, all drinks including beer wine and liquor, and loaner gear and flies. Your only additional costs during the trip are travel to the island and gratuities for the staff. Tips average $50 per boat per day, so $25 per angler. To confirm your space on the trip we are requiring a 50% deposit – with full payment due 30 days before the trip. We will only hold verbal commitments for 10 days.

Additional Information: Andros South has a fantastic website with a ton of additional information on the lodge. The website is http://www.deneki.com/androssouth/. I am also happy to answer any questions you might have. I can be reached at 216-780-9209, or by email at brett.mccrae@gmail.com. Questions can also be directed to Peter Alves at 201-213-9465.

Thanks, and we hope to see you on the flats with us in March!

-Brett

http://www.deneki.com/androssouth/

Switching it up with Ben See - Part 3

Switching it up with Ben See - Part 3

As I continue to learn something new on a daily basis from either watching casting videos to skimming the web for bits and pieces of information I have started to play around with the art of fly tying.  I have tied some simple patterns in the past. Sucker spawn and wooly buggers were often on the menu.  As I get more interested in the switch rod and swinging flies, I decided to break out the vise again.

Being that I want to swing aggressive looking patterns, the intruder style has been the pattern I have been drawn towards.  Like a moth to a flame, these patterns look quite fantastic!  Some have a lot of flash, while others just a few strands of tinsel to reflect the rays of sun in hopes of a steelhead hammering it.

Greg Senyo at Steelhead Alley Outfitters has a fantastic fly tying blog.  I have referenced it quite a bit the past week or so.  Greg cranks out some pretty impressive patterns.  I am happy to say that my fly box now includes some of his art.  The articulated patterns is what I have focused on.  In essence you are tying 2 flies and joining them together.  The back half of this style really wiggles and can only truly be appreciated when one has this style in their hand.

Being that the only materials I had were related to sucker spawn and wooly buggers, it was time to head back to Chagrin River Outfitters and see the staff.  I told Dan what I wanted to do and he picked out a few materials for me to give a try.  I also took a few pictures of his existing flies for sale for reference.



On the bench, less is more from what I have learned.  Too much of any one material makes the fly look like a bulky mess.  Figuring out how much of this and that takes time and practice.  I have messed up my fair share already.  With practice I hope to become proficient with tying some intruder patterns in various colors. 

We will be out on the water this weekend hunting chrome.  That will be the true test to see if the creations from my fly tying vice will actually catch fish.  Lets hope lady luck is on my side this weekend and I can entice a few strikes and land some hot chrome!

Until Next Time...

Fish Hard...Fish Often...

Supporting those who support us this holiday season

Supporting those who support us this holiday season. 

With our lack of snow and cold temperatures, to me it just doesn’t seem like “Jack Frost nipping at your nose” or “chestnuts roasting on an open fire” quite yet, but we are now in December. Thanksgiving came and went in the blink of an eye and before you know it, the kids will be ripping open presents that Santa delivered the night before. 

The tradition in our household is to begin making those Christmas wish lists. Our 4 year old son scribbles in crayon on a torn piece of paper what his desires from Santa will be this year. My wife on the other hand is very neat and organized with her lined paper and perfect cursive writing style. Then we have me the avid angler in the house. I really don’t need a list as my wife knows where to go to find gifts for me, but I play along with the list and each year the first thing on my list has something to do with helping chase the steelhead. 

Throughout a typical steelhead season, if there is something I need to help me land the next big steelhead, I am usually found visiting my favorite local fly shop. Chagrin River Outfitters found on Main Street in Chagrin Falls is a cozy shop with the latest and greatest goodies that an angler seeks. They are a reputable dealer in Simms and a plethora of fly rod and reel manufacturers. They have quite a selection of fly tying materials specific to helping anglers turn their fly pattern ideas into reality. 

Whether you are an experienced angler or one that is just starting to learn about our great fishery, Chagrin River Outfitters has something that will help you on your angling expedition. Dan, Pete, Bill, and Justin are very knowledgeable and friendly. They are always willing to help point anglers in the right direction. Their customer service is also top notch. 

Supporting our local business in the fishing industry is critical during the holiday season. As a small business, they may not have the resources needed to advertise in the traditional ways, such as putting an ad in the paper that you often see in your Thanksgiving Thursday paper. You won’t see commercials on the television, nor will you see mass mailers in your mailbox. They survive year after year by word of mouth, local foot traffic, and building a reputation of quality and customer service. 

Our local fly shops provide us with up to date information on the fishing, what is hot and what is not. They are always there to help us with our questions on fishing and gear selections. It is only fitting that we support them, especially during the holiday season. Whether you are a weekend warrior or a daily angler seeking the fish that bonds us, I would highly recommend you stop in and support your local shops. They support us and we should support them. 

Dear Santa, I have been good this year so get me something from Chagrin River Outfitters. 

Until Next Time… 

Fish Hard...Fish Often… 

http://steelheadalleyangler.com

http://chagrinriveroutfitters.com