Small Stream Trout Fishing

When the subject of trout streams is brought up, many anglers envision large rivers and streams such as the Yellowstone and Bitterroot in the West or the Beaverkill or the Delaware in the East. Large hatches of mayflies, wading belly button deep and double haul casts are mentioned in conversation. Many of these anglers are missing some of the most exciting fishing around, particularly when the larger waters are too high, too low, too warm or too cold.

Small stream fishing can be some of the finest fishing in many regions of the country. Whether it is cutthroats out west, browns in the Midwest, brookies in the East or grayling in the far North, many anglers pass by these little wild trout venues in search of “more productive” waters. Smaller streams typically remain fishable through many more weather events than their larger cousins, and have often saved a trip when popular water is blown out. Read more…

Gearing Up for Fall Lake Erie Steelhead

As the summer winds down, all of us tributary steelheaders start to think about those fresh, chrome steelies running up into the tributaries, signaling the beginning of those explosive hookups and long runs fall steelhead provide. While we still have a few weeks before that run will begin, now is the time to start thinking of how you will approach the season so you don’t miss a day on the water.

Depending on your preferred fishing technique, you will need to check your gear to make sure you have what you need and also to make sure the gear you have is still serviceable. Read more…

Selection of Float Fishing Gear and Accessories

Developed in Europe, centerpin fishing has been around for centuries, but has just caught on in North America for Trout, Salmon and Steelhead over the last decade or so. Many anglers are learning that this technique is the most effective way to produce salmonids in large streams, rivers or virtually anywhere there is current.

Since centerpin fishing is still in its infancy there is much less information about it than other styles of angling. This makes selecting equipment a bit more difficult than selecting spinning or fly equipment. Read more…

New Okuma Sirata Centerpin Disk Drag Reel

First Okuma and Sheffield set out to deliver a high quality, center pin float reel at a great price. They accomplished this with the introduction of the dependable Okuma Sheffield 1002. Now these two companies have teamed up to create a reel that would revolutionize the way we center pin fish.

The New Sheffield Sirata SRT-1002 is the first center pin reel to feature the precision smoothness center pin's are known for with the fish stopping power of a center disk drag. Now when a fish runs you won't be at the mercy of a simple clicker and an over run spool. Set the drag, turn the drag knob to the off position, cast and drift like a standard center pin reel, then when a fish is hooked, turn the drag knob to the on position. The outgoing drag is silent with a pleasant audible click retrieve. The Sheffield Sirata SRT-1002 has a 4.5" spool diameter and a line capacity rated at 275 yards of 8 pound line with 50 yards of 20 pound backing.