Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders

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, the Orvis Crocker Park Store Manager and expert fly fishing instructor, will be the featured speaker at our April membership meeting at the Firehouse Grille and Pub on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

For the last three decades fly fishing has been an all-consuming pursuit. John’s fly fishing journey began on the rivers of Northern Michigan and has been fuel for his passion ever since. From the Great Lakes to Bristol Bay, John has taken every opportunity to spend time on the water chasing anything that swims.

John will make a presentation focused on spring fly fishing for smallmouth bass in our local Lake Erie tributaries. John has a lot of good information to share with OCBS members that you do not want to miss.

Location: Firehouse Pub and Grille
2768 Stark Drive
Willoughby Hills, OH 44094

Time: Doors open at 6:00 PM; Meeting Starts at 7:30 PM

4th Annual Ashtabula River Cleanup
Saturday April 12, 2025

The Ashtabula River has a severe litter problem that has existed for many years and needs to be addressed. The river is in desperate need of steelhead fishermen to show they care about it.

OCBS and the Ashtabula Soil and Water Conservation District are teaming up to conduct the fourth annual Ashtabula River clean up on Saturday April 12. We will meet at the Cederquist Park on Harmon Hill Road Ashtabula, OH at 8:00 am and then split up into groups to clean the river from the E 24th Street bridge to the Smolen Gulf covered bridge.

OCBS has taken a leadership role in organizing this cleanup will need strong support from OCBS membership and the angling community to make it successful. To register for the cleanup, please send an email with your contact information to ohiosteelheaders@outlook.com or call/text 216-701-4227.

22nd Annual Conneaut Creek Cleanup
Saturday May 3, 2025

OCBS and the Conneaut Creek Scenic River Advisory Council are teaming up to conduct the 22nd annual Conneaut Creek Cleanup on Saturday May 3, 2025.

We will meet at 8 a.m. at the Blue Bell Campground at 34 South Parrish Road Conneaut, OH 44030. Lunch will be served at 11:00 am

This is another annual clean up that OCBS has taken a leadership role in over the years and we need strong support from membership to make it happen.

To register for the cleanup, send an email with your contact information to ohiosteelheaders@outlook.com or call/text 216-701-4227.

Grand River Cleanup
Saturday May 24, 2025

Join Western Reserve Land Conservancy for a unique volunteer event!

Hike or canoe through scenic local parks while gathering unwanted waste along the way.

We have found tires, beds, and many treasures during our 26 years of cleaning up the river.

To register or for more details, please click the following link: Annual Grand River Cleanup 2025 | Western Reserve Land Conservancy

23rd Annual Rocky River Cleanup
Saturday June 7, 2025

The Rocky River Watershed Council will conduct the 23rd annual Rocky River clean up on Saturday June 7, 2025 from 9:00 AM to noon.

Volunteers are needed to pick up streamside trash and get involved in the stewardship of the Rocky River Watershed.

We will meet at the Cleveland Metroparks Rocky River Reservation at the pavilion next to the Emerald Necklace Marina on Saturday June 7th at 9:00 am.

OCBS is a member of the RR Watershed Council and we need your support. Be sure to stick around after the cleanup for a cook out at about noon.

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

OCBS March 30, 2025 Steelhead Tournament Results

The 5^th Leg of the OCBS “Members Only” Steelhead Tournament was held on Sunday 30 March 2025. It was a mild, rainy day with temps in the sixties.

The Legacy streams were in good condition and on the rise.

The large run of fresh fish normally associated with this time of year were not in the river systems. Minimal numbers of fish were scattered throughout; forcing anglers to cover large amounts of water. Anglers reported catching several fresh jacks.

A total of 17 fish were checked-in by 11 anglers who fished the rainy conditions.

Congratulations to John Roades who placed First with two fish totaling 60.5 inches in length.

The End of Series Raffle will be held at the April 17 2025 Membership Meeting.

Be sure to save the date.

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

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:

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.
Online: Complete online registration form and credit card payment on our tournament page. Click here to go to online registration.
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.