Really in Ohio?

Lazy mans steelheading

One thing really nice I've noticed about the boat over the last couple weeks is that it gives your feet/toes a break from going numb after wading long days in 30 degree water. Yesterday we floated about 8 miles of river, hardly put a foot in the water, and caught fish all along the way. Not to mention, only saw one other angler at the put-in of our entire float. At one point in our conversation, I heard "Are we really in Ohio?" "Yes we are" I said with a smile. Thank you Sotar Rafts.

Post Turkey Day Float

It's been a long time coming but Ryan and I were finally able to meet up our new buddy Brandon who we met via OGF for a day on the water . Brandon hails from the eastside and Friday we made our way out to the Chagrin with the Sotar in tow. The water was a great color and on the drop. We talked about the prior days feast and put down a couple brews to help out the previous nights lingering headaches. With the water holding some color, black and purple swung streamers seemed to be on the menu.

If you ever see Brandon on the river make sure to say hi. Oh, and ya that man can swing a fly.

The rivers are up and may increase with more rain on the way. Have a hair trigger once they reach their and peak, and we'll see you on the water.

Cheers,

Owen

Big boys on the Chagrin...

It really felt like steelhead season was in full swing yesterday as my truck was dusted with snow in the morning, the wind was howling, and temperatures were hovering in the 30s much of the day. Oh yeah, and the big boys were biting... :)

Chromers plentiful

The Rocky River has come down after last weeks heavy rain and is loaded with fresh chrome bright fish. It seems to be a smaller grade of fish as we are still waiting for those big fish to show up as they usually do later November, but the action is great. Here is a pic of Diane and her husband Dave with her first steelhead! -Ryan

Drift This

This should hold you over till the waters come back into shape.

Spread the word. Thanks to Eric Lindstrom for letting me video the day.

Must Be the Caddis

Was able to take off work today from (I guess my real job) to tag along on a guide day. Although I skipped work, I wasn't there to fish or guide, I was there to obtain some footage and take some pics. Needless to say the fish did there part and once I get the short video completed you guys can let me know if I did mine. Nice job today Richard!!

Cheers,

Owen

Steelhead n Hats

Took a drive down the to The Rocky River today to see what had come of the pst days rain. To much surprise the river looked tip top. So out came the rods and away we went.

I was able to manage a take swinging a minnow imitation but never laid my hands on the fish. After a thorough work over of the run with the streamer, I switched up to a nymph setup and was able to bring one in. Ended up going one for three and the three fish that I hooked into today seemed to be on the smaller side. No complaints from this guy either, some of the smallest silver bullets that hit our waters are some of the feistiest out there.

On another note, we finally have OSD hats!!!! I think they are pretty cool and will be rocking one on all of the tribs this fall. I will have them up for sale on our website soon.

Watch the gauges over the next few days and see what this rain and weather does to the water, until then I would find some time to hit the water.

Cheers,

Owen

Fall Steel

Our Fall season has begun here in NE Ohio with some great fishing had over the past several weeks. The weather we are getting now is going to do nothing but good things for our Lake Erie tribs.

I had a casting lesson last night down in the metroparks and managed to hit the water for a bit after. Hitting a hole that usually has fish,produced nothing for me. I watched a gentleman pick a fish up with some spinning gear downstream of me in a hole that over the past year has turned from an ok run into a gem. I waited till he left and went in with the confidence of knowing there had to be at least one more fish in that hole.

I swung streamers when I first got in the water to no avail. After some deliberation I threw on a flashy beadhead and egg pattern which did the trick. Wait for the graphs to peak from the rain and as the make there way down I would be somewhere on a river.

Cheers,

Owen

Go to Alaska and You Get This.

Togiak River, Alaska

Just a couple more days up here left, fishing has been nothing short of spectacular for silvers, rainbows and dolly varden. Here's a few pics, more to come when I get home as our connection on the island you see is weak and it takes forever to upload. Great times guiding with good folks and friends, see ya'll soon for the start of steelhead season in NE Ohio! I'm all warmed up for it now...

Fun Level is how high?

Just in case you were wondering what OSD owner Ryan Buddie was doing......

Arrived in Anchorage

Got off the airplane here in Anchorage last night, overcast, 50 degrees, rain and wind. Why do I keep coming to a place with weather like this in August??? I'm pretty sure some acrobatic silver salmon and a slow motion sunset this evening will remind me, stay tuned...

Big water browns!

With the river season approaching rapidly, and getting the itch for some chrome, we decided to take a road trip up to Lake Ontario in chase of kings, steelys and browns in open water. Although the big kings didn't cooperate, we did manage a handful of steelys and a few huge browns!




Chrome will be hooked up soon as I make my annual August trip to the Togiak River in Alaska in chase of Silver Salmon next week...

-Ryan

Off Season Boredom

PA Camping

Fly Fishing Film Tour HIts Cleveland

The Fly Fishing Film Tour has become the fishing entertainment event of the year. The Backpackers Shop will be hosting the only showing in the Cleveland area at the Links Golf Course in North Olmsted on May 4th and less than 40 tickets remain. Tickets are $12.00 and must be purchased at the shop. Casting games and demonstrations will precede the film from 6pm-7:30pm. Film will follow shortly after. Tickets will go fast , so don't wait or you will miss this one! Food and refreshments can be purchased at the event. If you have never been you are missing out!!!

SIMMS ICE OUT WINNER

Peaks and Valleys

Peaks and valleys has been the name of the game with a never ending supply of rain this spring. When it rains we complain about to much, when it doesn't it's to dry. So is the story of ohio steelhead fishing. If your a turkey hunter now, might be the time to put down the rod and try to bag the turkey.

c u on the water

Owen Murphy

Sons of Scotland

Friday I had the opportunity to guide Mike Hutchison. Mike hails from Scotland and is not in Cleveland just for the steelhead. You may or may not know but, Cleveland is getting an aquarium. Not just any aquarium, but a world class one. Mike is the man behind project and the fish that will be spending their time in the aquarium. I encourage you to take a look at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium website, to see what it is all about http://www.greaterclevelandaquarium.com/.

We put the boat in on the Grand Friday and floated about five miles. The river was fairly quiet as far as other fisherman except in some of the easy access areas. The day started slow, but by the end of the day we were into the fish and I think we sent Mike home happy. Fish caught mainly ate dark bodied streamers.

Mike enjoying no crowds and Ohio Steelhead

This was Mike's 1st STEELHEAD in the US

We'll take a thumbs up for sho

For another day

Mike was a class act and I enjoyed spending the day on the water with him. We will have to see how many fish are left after the rivers clear again. Until next time.

Owen Murphy

Whats a guide to do when clients cancel....Go Fishing!!

On one of the most beautiful days I can remember so far this year, I was up early ready to hit the water with some clients. After finding out that my clients for the day had to re book due to sickness, I made of few phone calls and went to work..well kinda. I rounded up my girlfriend Erin and good buddy Kelly and away we went. After hitching up the boat and making our way down to the river, we enjoyed blue skies and fish for the rest of the day. Most of the fish we caught ate big streamers, the fish we found seemed to be sitting in holes with heavy shadows and overhangs. It was a fantastic day, with my girlfriend landing her first steelhead of her career.

Congrats on a great fish!

that belt buckle might classify this as a fish rodeo

Action

Take care and if you can get on the water, the time is now!!

Owen Murphy

So much for no rain

Rain Rain Go Away

-OSD up and coming guide Brennan leitch with a RR Steelhead prior to the Rains-

Watch the rain closley as the Chagrin and Rocky should fish today before and hopefully after the rains come. I have heard reports from yesterday that fish were being caught and that you could see your reflection on the sides of their bodies.

Owen Murphy

All Gear and No Game

This past week I had the honor of taking out the fine gentleman in the picture below. These guys are the best, not only can they fish but when the weather takes a turn for the worst they take it like true champs. These gentleman hailed from Texas and Oklahoma, they were prepared for the elements and when the weather hit last week, we worked hard, and covered the water well. In the end I believe everyone went home smiling.

ps....just cause some guy has $3000 dollars in gear and clothes on the river doesn't mean he has any idea what he is talking about....humbleness is a great thing in this sport ; ) see you out there.

Owen Murphy

Spring Guiding 2011

Cold weather chromers

Had a couple out-of-towners come in town for there shot at some chromers. While the super cold weather slowed the fishing a bit, these guys where willing to deal with the freezing rod guides and numb toes. The reward was some beautiful chromers. Most success came out of the deeper pools of the lower river. Thanks guys, great weekend.

Podcast with OSD Owner Ryan Buddie on Outdoor First Radio

Girl Power!

Took my Mom and gf out on a float on the Rock and the girls came through with both of their first steelhead on a fly. It was Julia's second time ever fly fishing and she struck first with this nice buck. Shortly after that my Mom hooked into this brute which took her to the backing almost instantly. We quickly snapped a few pics and let the monster go, but I estimated the fish around 14lb. The smiles tell the story of how the gals were feeling. Shortly after this, I had to get honking on the oars to get out of the t-storms. Great time on the water. Had the river to ourselves. :)