Fulfillment in the Journey, Not the Destination

Steelhead fishing is difficult.  The journey of learning to locate and catch these fish requires not only understanding of their tendencies and biology, but also the knowledge of climatic and environmental factors that makes them tick.  Day length, water temperatures, river flow rates, spawning salmon, and vacation time are just a few of the factors relating to success in steelhead fishing.

Over the past decade, the Steelyard Boys have learned to embrace the journey that is steelhead fishing.  We don't always catch the most, or even the biggest fish.  However, we do have the most fun while doing it, and something is learned each time we strap on our wading boots.  We set out with goals of exploring new rivers and grabbing a few fish in the process.  These travels have lead us to find hidden gems of wilderness sometimes only a few miles from metropolis.  Our travels began during high school. Many weekend days were spent wading the icy flows of the Rocky and Chagrin rivers.  Trips home were often used to thaw out frozen waders so they could be taken off while listening to the waning moments of a Cleveland Browns game over the radio.  Those first few steelhead came after a period of 3-4 months spent trying different flies and baits, fishing different speeds and depths of current, and finally gaining a few pieces of the puzzle. For many others, their first steelhead often takes years of practice and effort. 

Throughout the Midwest, steelhead are migratory rainbow trout that are stocked in tributary river systems of the Great Lakes.  They spend the summer months in the Great Lakes feeding on baitfish and preparing for their fall spawning runs.  The first few rainfalls of September awake the calm rivers of summer, bringing them to life with walls of shining silver fish swimming against their elevated flows.  Waves of steelhead will enter these rivers through the winter months, occasionally under the cover of ice, and into the spring. 

The rains of fall are the SYB call to action.  We've likely gotten our annual king salmon trip under our belts by late August.  This annual tradition is used as a primer for steelhead season.  The promise of hooking a 20 pound king salmon fresh out of Lake Michigan doesn't hurt either. Some years we've hit the run just right and other years have been spent drowning egg sacs and losing flies with only one or two salmon to show for it.

Once the first reports of steelhead entering the river come across our group texts and emails, all other hobbies take a back seat.  We can be found cooking dinner while tying flies and egg sacks.  Text message topics change from Cleveland Indians updates to discussion of river flows and weather.  Living in different cities, our priorities focus in on getting the whole group together for weekend trips throughout the winter.The Steelyard comes alive, and we wouldn't have it any other way.   

Our mission started as sharing the knowledge with each other, as so many veteran anglers had shared with us in the early years (and still today).  As we continue to explore some of the most scenic rivers and landmarks around North America, our focus shifts to sharing with others.  Sharing in the laughs, the fish, and the adventures so as to highlight the resources that surround us.  Welcome to the journey, it's bound to be one you enjoy.

-Sincerely yours,

The Steelyard Boys (Author: Tim Matty, Photos: Eric Fisher)