We had a wonderful group of fisherman and fisherwomen (is that right) on the river yesterday, most first time steelheaders. All in all we had a pretty successful day, i think everybody hooked a fish, if only briefly, only two people fell in the water getting completely soaking wet, nobody hooked themselves, only their wading boots and we had a wonderful cookout that included BBQ ribs, BBQ chicken, coleslaw, beans, watermelon, shrimp cocktail, smoked salmon, and cookies, all homemade. The top rod award has to go to Jane who in two previous trips with us manage to hook around 12 fish but had yet to bring one to the net. In the morning she managed three hookups, one with a fresh double digit male that jumped three times and fought for a long time only to come off inches from the net. In the afternoon however she was two for two with one large drop back hen around 12#s that put up an incredible fight. Jane congratulations and i am glad i got to see you bring that first one to the net.

Chagrin: 226 cfs with around 3 feet of vis and clearing. The Chagrin is holding decent numbers of fish with the smallmouth bite improving daily.

Conneaut: East side trib in great shape and giving up some large chrome. The biggest topping 14#s. Smallmouth bite on lower Connie is heating up.

Grand River: 1180 cfs and dropping. No recent reports on this river but we will try it tommorrow and let you know. It should be holding plenty of fish based on how many have been in the tribs.

Vermilion: Steelheads are still around in this west side in very good numbers. The smallmouth run in the V is worth trying if you haven't done so.

Rocky: 226 cfs and pretty clear with enough steel to keep targeting them and get an early jump on the smallies.

Over all the spring season steelhead has been very good and will start to wind down in the next week as overall numbers present will be lower but there will be plenty to fish for on the east side tribs. Remember that the lower stretches will hold more fish, some very big, as the late arrivals typically do not travel as far upstream. Also the lake run smallies will be present over the next month and provide an excellent chance at 5# plus bronzebacks. I personally like to fish streamers this time of year as steelhead and smallmouth both pound baitfish patterns in the late spring, black, and olive in the mornings and switch to white later as the sun comes out. Also early mornings are usually best for steel as the water begins to clear and warm and the sun puts them in hiding. Smallmouth seem to bite well all day but mornings and evenings are best.