OCBS

Steelhead Fly Fishing Outing Rules

  • Fly Fishing Only: You must use a fly rod and artificial flies only! No Bait or Scent of any type is permitted.
  • Cost: The entry fee of $10.00 is good for both outing dates below. Entries must be paid prior to the dates of the outings and you must be a current OCBS club member.
  • Registration: You can sign up at OCBS club meetings, The Rodmakers Shoppe or Erie Outfitters on the west side.
  • Outing Dates: Each year there is a Fall and Spring date to be determined by the OCBS Board of directors and Outing Director. Dates will be published in the monthly newsletter.
  •          Time: You may start to fish at 6:00 AM the day of the outing and must stop fishing at 4 PM. Any fish caught after 4:00 PM are not permitted to be checked in. You must check in and report your catch to the Outing Director or his assistant between 4:30-5:00 PM only.  No fish will be accepted after 5:00 PM and there is no grace period or exceptions.
    • Check In:

You must check in with the Outing Director or assistant at one of the following locations:

East: Harbor Bait & Tackle, 786 Richmond St. Painesville, Ohio 44077 (440) 354-8473

West: Erie Outfitters 5404 E. Lake Rd Sheffield Lake, OH 44054, (440) 949-8934

  • Where to Fish:Fishing is permitted only in Ohio tributaries and surf of Lake Erie. No lake or river fishing from a boat is permitted. Boats of any kind are permitted for transportation on the river only.
  • Outing fishing is NOT permitted at the Ford on the Ashtabula River. O.C.B.S. considers this a sensitive area and hopes to work with the landowner to allow access in the future.
  • Number of Fish to Enter: You may enter 1 or 2 Steelhead trout per Outing date. The minimum length is 24″ inches. Only steelhead trout may be entered. No Salmon or Brown trout will be accepted. No cut fish will be accepted.
  • Regulations: All entries must follow Ohio Fishing Regulations.
    • Measurement & Verification:
      All Competitors must have their fish length verified by a fellow competitor or brought to the check-in station. Length measurements are to be made by laying the fish down on its side and measuring the upper side of the fish from lip to either tip of tail along the lateral line using a soft sewing type tape measure to the nearest 1/8 inch. Sweep the tail to determine the maximum length. Tapes are available from the Outing Director.  Any fish brought in to the check in station, will be measured by the Outing Director or his assistant, by the prescribed method, to verify length.
  • C&R: Please remember to be gentle with the fish and return it to the water as quickly as possible, using proper catch and release techniques.
  • Winning Criteria: Outing winners will be determined based on the total length of fish the longest fish checked in per outing day. Individual outing winners will be the steelheader with the longest two fish total for each of the two outing days.
  • Tie Breaker: In the event of a tie for 1st, 2nd or 3rd place, the winner will be determined using the length of their largest fish.  If the measurement of that fish results in a tie, the winner will be determined using the length of their second largest fish, etc.
  • Prizes: A plaque and gift certificate will be awarded for each individual outing winner. The winner of the combined overall outing will be awarded a plaque, gift certificate and a silver O.C.B.S. belt buckle. Second and third place in the overall will receive a plaque and gift certificate.
  • Raffle Prizes: All participants will receive a ticket at entry to be used in a drawing for a premium rod and additional prizes. Participants will earn an additional ticket for each fish turned in that meets the tournament requirements, up to a maximum of two for each tournament date. (Entry fee, plus up to 4 fish equals a maximum of 5 tickets in the drawing.)
  • Polygraph Testing: Note: 1st and 2nd place winners and their partners may be subject to a polygraph exam.
  • Questions & Concerns: The Outing Director’s decision will be final.

 

Note: If you have any questions, please contact John Beedlow Jr, Outing Director, Joe Moravec or Tom Blotzer at one of the monthly meetings or give them a call. Their phone numbers are listed on the inside cover of the newsletter.

 

Good Luck to all OCBS members. May the best steelheader win!

 

Revised:9/4/2013