OCBS March Meeting
March 27, 2025
The Emerald Necklace Marina Cafe in Lakewood, OH
Float Fishing for Drop Back Steelhead
Roger Hinchcliff, Steelhead Manifesto, Author and lamiglas VP/pro Staff

Back by popular demand, Roger Hinchcliff will be the speaker at our March 27, 2025 membership meeting. As a way of sharing his knowledge, Roger is a featured speaker, a popular blogger, rod designer, Vice President of Lamiglas and the successful author of many published magazine articles. Roger also has several instructional videos on his YouTube Channel, Steelhead Manifesto.

Considered an authority on steelhead fishing, Roger loves to share his expertise with other anglers. He speaks more than 20 times per year, to crowds of 60-400 people, at fishing clubs and retail events. He is also a pro staffer and consultant for many fishing companies.

Roger now spends every weekend-10 months each year-chasing and catching steelhead in Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Alaska, the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, and Michigan.

Roger will make a presentation focused on spring float fishing for drop back steelhead. He will also provide some basic fishing fundamentals to help you become a better and more proficient steelhead angler.

Be sure to put this meeting on your calendar. You do not want to miss it.

OCBS April Meeting
April 17, 2025
The Firehouse Grille & Pub in Willoughby Hills, OH
Spring Smallmouth Bass on the Fly
John Brochue, Orvis Westlake Manager and Fly Fishing Instructor

John Brochue - Ohio Steelheaders

OCBS "Members Only" David K. Esner memorial
Steelhead Fishing Tournament
Sponsored by erie outfitters

OCBS March 2, 2025 Steelhead Tournament Results

The 4th Leg of the OCBS “Members Only” Steelhead Tournament was held on Sunday 2 March 2025.  A partly cloudy day with temps in the low twenties.

The legacy streams had high flows, low visibility, elevated water levels and cold-water temps due to significant snow and ice melt off earlier in the week.  Less than ideal conditions causing anglers to concentrate their efforts on the smaller feeder streams.

A total of 22 fish were checked-in by 14 diehard steelheaders who braved frigid conditions.

Congratulations to Justin Telep who placed First with two fish totaling 54.75 inches in length.

The 5th and Final Tournament Leg will take place on Sunday 30 March 2025

John Beedlow, Jr.
Tournament Director

2024-2025 OCBS “Members Only”
David K. Esner Memorial Tournament
Sponsored by Erie Outfitters

Matt Hainzey with a beautiful 32 inch alpha male steelhead caught in the March 13, 2022 OCBS Tournament. Well done Matt!

This season’s OCBS Steelhead Tournament is dedicated to the memory of David K. Esner, a long-time Ohio Steelheader who passed away on May 6, 2018.

FISHING DATES:

November 10, 2024
November 24, 2024
December 15, 2024
March 2, 2025
March 30, 2025

Dave Esner - Always Our Friend

Our annual OCBS Steelhead Fishing tournament, sponsored by Erie Outfitters, is for OCBS members only. If not a member, you are welcome to join OCBS in order to register for the tournament.

Members can register for this year’s tournament as follows:

  1. US Postal Service: Print the below registration form, fill it out and mail with check for payment to OCBS PO Box 29577 Parma, OH 44129.
  2.  Online: Complete online registration form and credit card payment on our tournament page. Click here to go to online registration.
  3. OCBS Meetings: You can register and pay in person at our monthly meetings.

All participants are required to fish with another OCBS member who is in the tournament and is responsible for verifying the length of each fish checked in.

Check in has been modified to permit members to call or text their catch to the Tournament Director.

Entry fee is $20.00 per participant.

Be certain to read the tournament rules.

Click Here for OCBS Tournament Registration Form to use to register via US Postal Service

OCBS in Action

2024 Barbie Rod Tournament

Barbie Rod Tournament was held on Saturday March 30th, 2024. It generated $13,545 for Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund which is a record.

OCBS conducted the raffle which generated $5,682 of the total.

Thanks to OCBS members John Beedlow Jr, John Beedlow III, Jim Berryman, Bob Hajek, Scott Grossnickle, Ben Mott, John Brochue and Tom Blotzer for working the Barbie Rod raffle this year.

The money raised will help assure there are plenty of fish in the Cleveland Metroparks lakes and streams for kids fishing programs and local anglers alike.

OCBS Member Photos

THANKS to our OCBS Sponsors!

Erie Outfitters - Sheffield OH
Backpackers Shop - Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders