- 2024 Conneaut Creek Cleanup
May 4, 2024; (8:00 am – 12:00 pm) - 2024 Grand River Cleanup
May 18, 2024; (8:00 am – 12:00 pm) - 2024 Rocky River Cleanup
June 1, 2024; (8:00 am – 12:00 pm)
Volunteers needed for
Spring 2024 Steelhead River Clean ups
One of our club’s primary objectives is conservation of Lake Erie and the tributaries that we all love to fish for steelhead. Our great Ohio Steelhead fishery is dependent on clean water and a healthy ecosystem.
OCBS members should be stewards of our Lake Erie tributaries and take responsibility to protect and enhance them. Each year OCBS participates in river clean ups on Conneaut Creek, Grand River, Ashtabula River and Rocky River. These are great opportunities to give a few hours of your time back to the steelhead fishery by picking up trash on the river banks.
This spring we are looking for a strong turnout of club members for each of the Ohio river clean ups. I challenge each of you to pick at least one clean up event, mark it on your calendar and show up for a few hours to help remove the trash from our steelhead rivers. We need all of your help to protect and preserve our steelhead fishery.
Ashtabula River: April 13, 2024
Conneaut Creek: May 4, 2024
Grand River: May 18, 2024
Rocky River: June 1, 2024
We will pass around a volunteer signup sheet for the cleanups at our March and April meetings.
You can also sign up by phone, text or email to Tom Blotzer at 216-701-4227 or ohiosteelheaders@outlook.com
Conneaut Creek Cleanup
Saturday May 4, 2024
OCBS and the Conneaut Creek Scenic River Advisory Council are teaming up to conduct the 21st annual Conneaut Creek Cleanup on Saturday May 4, 2024.
We will meet at 8 a.m. at the Blue Bell Campground at 301 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 clean up, send an email with your contact information to ohiosteelheaders@outlook.com or call/text 216-701-4227.
Grand River Cleanup
Saturday May 18, 2024
The annual Grand River Clean Up, organized by the Western Reserve Land Conservancey, will be held on Saturday May 18, 2024 from 8 AM to 2 PM.
Volunteers will meet at Lake Metroparks Hidden Valley Park Shelter, 4872 Klasen Road, Madison Twp., OH 44057.
It is both a land and water based clean up with volunteers using kayaks and canoes to clean up from Harpersfield Dam to Hidden Valley. Canoes and kayaks are available or you can bring your own water craft.
For more details or to register, please go to the WRLC web site at the following link: https://wrlandconservancy.org/event/grandrivercleanup-2024/
Rocky River Cleanup
Saturday June 1, 2024
The Rocky River Watershed Council will conduct the annual Rocky River clean up on Saturday June 1, 2024 from 9:00 AM to noon. OCBS 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 1st 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.
To register for the clean up, send an email with your contact information to ohiosteelheaders@outlook.com or call/text 216-701-4227.
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
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OCBS "Members Only" David K. Esner memorial
Steelhead Fishing Tournament
Sponsored by erie outfitters
2023 to 2024 OCBS Championship Steelhead Tournament
Sponsored by Erie Outfitters
Final Overall Results
Please see the Steelhead Tournament tab for complete results of this year’s Steelhead Championship Tournament Series Results
2023-2024 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 5, 2023November 19, 2023December 10, 2023March 10, 2024March 24, 2024
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.
2023-2024 OCBS Championship Tournament Series
Winners
Ken Harper, the OCBS 2023 – 2024 Steelhead Tournament winner releasing a huge, alpha male steelhead. Congratulations Ken!
John Rhoades, second place winner in the 2023 – 2024 OCBS Steelhead Championship Fishing Series with a nice fresh run fall steelhead.
Casey Smith, third place winner in the 2023 – 2024 OCBS Steelhead Tournament Series with a beautiful, dime bright, female steelhead.
THANKS to our OCBS Sponsors!
