Slow and Steady

Continuing to go with the flow and keep at the fish, I was knee deep again this afternoon. After swinging some big stuff for a bit, I came up with nothing and decided to switch gears. I threw some smaller nymphs and fished slooow moving water, almost too slow for my liking. I have nothing against slow water, but sometimes my attention span needs a little more action.

Once I switched gears, I was fortunate enough hook up and promptly break it off. After spending some time working over one run I was able to find a few more. All the fish were sitting in the very slow tailouts for me, and it seemed two toned sucker spawn was the gig. See you tomorrow river.

Get while the gettins good.

-O

A Great Morning After a Great Night

Spending last night at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History with friends and fishing enthusiasts was nothing short of good time. Over three hundred people were on hand to watch CONNECT a film by Confluence Media. The movie was excellent and opened doors to old memories of guiding the pristine waters of Montana.

Shaking off a bit of a whiskey hangover, my dog Timber and I ventured out to the East part of the state. My first stop being on the Ashtabula River. It seemed everywhere that look fishy already had someone working over the water and after watching one fly fisherman nymph up a steelhead, Timber and bounced to the Conneaut. After parking I walked probably for a good half to three quarters of a mile before I began to work over some great looking water. Swinging a sink tip and some big nasty flies I managed to hook into three and fortunate enough to land one of em. I tried to take some pics as best as I could on the river, need to teach Timber how to hold a camera ; ).

Ashtabula Water and Color Were Great

Finally a Good Connect

Solid Hen

Re Releasing for Another Day

Timber Not Happy About the Quick Release

Big Flies Cast Big Shadows

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.

Fun Level is how high?

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

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!!!

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

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

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

Podcast with OSD Owner Ryan Buddie on Outdoor First Radio

THIS IS WHY WE DO IT

Our buddy Dan had landed his first steelhead a few weeks back, with no evidence besides a couple friends who witnessed it. Since then Danimal (Dan) has had sleepless nights with the ever growing itch of becoming a profound steelhead fisherman and the picture with that big buck steelhead he has been after.

We spent time on the water again yesterday with Danimal and with a different outcome. Dan was into fish from the first few drifts. Throughout the day I was asked by Dan to take a turn and in some cases I did. However, I told him that once you've caught a few fish in your life and you see the expressions of someone new getting into their first fish, you watch them grow, want to learn, it means all the more to me than bringing a fish to the net for myself.

I know I speak for Ryan in saying this is why we started this business, ya we may make a few bucks on the side to pay for a permit trip to mexico ; ), but we appreciate the great resource we have and enjoy introducing people to this great sport and fishery.

Tight Lines,

Owen & Ryan

OSD SPRING WARM UP....

Put it in their wheelhouse!!! Ohio Steelhead Fishing at its finest!

Above: Ya Kelly gets it!

Above: Will stoked about his Ohio Steelhead

Above: Terry with some afternoon delight

What can I say about the past few days but priceless. I was able to get out on the water with a old client/friend Will from Texas who I had guided back in the day in Montana. He brought along two other Gentlemen Terry and Kelly who were class acts. We spent an evening on the Rocky River Wednesday night, and then shifted gears to the Grand River Thursday and Friday. We fished hard at some points and at other times we all stepped back laughed and enjoy the moment and company. We fished all types of bugs from swinging streamers to tiny flashback pheasant tails, and Biot nymphs. There were some crowds on the rivers but, on Thursday and Friday we spent some time walking, removing ourselves from the noisy roads and traffic, and in the end finding some great fish. Its is fun for me to teach and learn from others as well as spend time on the water with people who want to catch fish but also appreciate the whole aspect of being on the water. Your conversations, decisions, laughs and cries about fish that broke you off in a matter of seconds, and the early to bed to do it all over the next day. Here's to Will, Terry, and Kelly for a great time!

Cheers,

Owen Murphy

Owner/Operator

Bobby with a nice Ohio Steelhead

Jorge was in the zone when he caught this fish

I was fortunate enough to guide a couple of great guys from Detroit today. We kept the wolverine talk to a minimum and we were able to cooperate and find some fish. I think both parties today learned a little bit from each other I know I did. These guys were a class act and a pleasure to be on the water with. We used everything from egg and nymph patterns to swinging big ugly leeches and streamers. Another great day on the water with some great guys.

We are booked up most of the week so... if you want to get out on the water before time runs out give me a shout and we'll hit the rivers..see you out there.

Owen Murphy

owner/operator