Pacemaker Fishing Forum

December 3rd, 4th and 5th- Erie PA

Steelhead time! My 2nd year going up. Booked 3 days up there this time and I’m glad I did. Was meeting my guide / friend, Alex Kolivras, who operates out of TCO Fly Shop in Boiling Springs (plug for him). He guides in Erie from late September through “it’s too damn cold to be out here”. Alex has a genuine passion for this game and he knows the fishery well. The plan was to do 2 days with him and a day on my own in between. I’m glad I booked two days as Saturday was a blow out from severe winds and muddy water from run off. His Sunday cancelled so I got two days in with him.

The fishing was spectacular. From fish stacked in beautiful deep runs, to sight fishing in low and shallow water, Alex landing a rare Erie brown trout on my new 6 weight Euro nymphing rod, to catching fish on my attractor stone fly pattern that I tied. This trip had everything. I even had my shot at a legitimate 30 inch plus, 10 lb. plus male that I  had hooked for at least 5 minutes. The fight was epic and he ended up rolling on the surface and the hook just pulled. Even caught a fish that broke me off earlier in the day that had my fly in its mouth.

This is a spectacular fishery. Can’t wait to do it again next year. If we get a weather break in February or March, I may not wait that long.




Chrome!

Last edited by Paul Naj (Dec-30-22 8:32PM)

December 29- Can’t stay away from the J

I intended to fish a couple of new spots this trip but the snow on the ground made it difficult to figure out where I could legally park, getting down steeper banks, etc, so I went back to my trusty winter spot. Boy am I glad I did.

I wasn’t sure what to expect as we just came off of a real cold spell up there, the water was COLD from that cold spell and snow, but it was supposed to get to 50 yesterday so I gave it a shot. BTW, it never felt like 50. The cold water and snow on the banks kept the air around the stream cold and standing thigh deep in high 30 degree water was "invigorating".

I put 24 fish in the net including my first landed double. The biggest of the day was a fraction shy of 18 inches and I had a dozen fish in the first hour and I barely moved my feet. They were stacked! The rest of the day was a pick but still good fishing. The olive quill was king this trip.




Twins with fins


Pretty spawned out female




Not sure why the pics are so large, I reduced them all down to 640 X 480??/

That’s all for now.

Last edited by Paul Naj (Dec-30-22 11:36PM)

Beauties for sure!  Sounds like a cold, but productive second trip.  Congrats!

Nice fish and thx for sharing

Wow!  The trout are all beautiful.  Talk about great holes.....I'm seriously looking at trips up north also.  I may have to look into your buddy!

Paul Naj wrote:

backtofuturetoyota wrote:

Wow!  The trout are all beautiful.  Talk about great holes.....I'm seriously looking at trips up north also.  I may have to look into your buddy!

You won't be disappointed. He will work hard for you. Hell, he even put Ernie on fish.
FYI, he was my guide first and became a friend after.

I was totally believing you until you stated he'll put Ernie on fish....hahahahah.  just kidding ernie!