OCBS founding member, Jeff Liskay, has been a self-admitted steelhead junkie for nearly four decades. From his home base in northern Ohio, Liskay has fished across the entire Great Lakes and is now reaching into Alaska, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and beyond. He is well recognized for both his two-hand casting and fishing skills and is a regular on the Spey gathering circuit as both an observer and a presenter.
Liskay spends the warmer months prowling Great Lakes shoreline areas chasing warm-water species on the fly, but as the weather cools steelhead take over. He is considered one of the top guides on Ohio’s Lake Erie tributaries and is also in high demand as a Spey casting instructor. He is an established speaker and presenter, giving numerous club and show programs each year. Jeff is also a talented fly tier- his creations are generally simple, functional, fish catchers.
Liskay is a Patagonia Fly Fishing Ambassador and a Pro Staff member for a number of companies, including Scientific Anglers and Scott Fly Rods. He has been featured in books and magazines, on television, and in podcasts for his angling skills. Liskay owns and operates Silver Fury Guide Service and Schools, where he focuses on the use of two-hand rods and swung flies for migratory fish.
Jeff is a great speaker with over 40 years of steelhead fishing knowledge that he wants to share with his fellow OCBS club members and friends. This is a meeting you do not want to miss. Hope you can attend.
September OCBS Membership Meeting
Kevin Kayle, DOW Hatchery Manager
Ohio Steelhead Program Update
Thursday September 26, 2019
Program: Kevin Kayle, Ohio Division of Wildlife Hatchery Program Manager is our featured speaker this month. Kevin will report on the current state of the Ohio steelhead program and answer any questions we may have. Kevin always has a great presentation with a lot of information to share with OCBS members. Our club members are very fortunate to be able to learn about the latest news regarding the Ohio Steelhead program directly from a DOW manager. This will be another excellent meeting you will not want to miss. I hope you can attend. Rod Raffle: St Croix 10′ 6″ Float Rod, Model AVS106MLF2, $270 Retail
Location: Firehouse Grille and Pub
2768 Stark Drive Willoughby Hills, OH 44094
O.C.B.S. IS CELBERATING OUR 35TH
ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR!
The Board of Directors are working to assemble a excellent group of speakers this season as well as a few surprises! We hope you all can attend our meetings and help us celebrate our 35th anniversary year!
Our 26th Annual Steelhead EXPO will be held at Rocky River Nature Center on Saturday September 21st, 2019
9:00 am-5:00 pm
(Doors Open At 8:30 a.m.)
Presented By
The Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders and
The Cleveland Metroparks and
at
Rocky River Nature Center
Rocky River Reservation
24000 Valley Parkway
North Olmsted, OH 44070
From I480, Exit at Clague Road Exit
South on Clague Road to Mastic Road
Turn right on Mastick Road
Follow the Metropark Signs!
Phone: Nature Center 440-734-6660
The Expo will cover fly and spey fishing, fly tying, spin fishing and center pin float fishing.
Conservation organizations will be on hand to educate about protecting our rivers.
Local tackle shops will have displays with advice on the right gear.
EXPO SPEAKER SCHEDULE
9:00 AM Tom Blotzer, President
The Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders
Welcome and Opening Notes
9:15 AM Chagrin River Watershed Partners Conservation
Video and Project Update
Alicia Beattie, CRWP Associate Director
Learn about CRWP Conservation Efforts
10:00 AM Fly Fishing for Steelhead
John Brochue – Fishing Manager,
Orvis Woodmere, OH Store
Learn about fly fishing with a single handed fly rod
11:00 AM Center Pin Fishing for Steelhead
Mike Durkalec – Metroparks Aquatic Biologist
Learn the keys to success for center pin fishing
Noon Lunch Enjoy a lunch provided by the Girl Scouts
1:00 PM Great Lakes Steelhead ing
Roger Hinchliff, – Steelhead Manifesto and
Lamiglass Pro Staff
Advanced Float/Spin Steelheading: Learn new tips to improve your success on the rivers. Fish On!
2:30 PM Great Lakes Spey Fishing for Steelhead
Jeff Liskay – Silver Fury Guide Service, Founding OCBS member, Scott Fly Rod Pro Staff and Patagonia Fly Fishing Ambassador
Learn about fly fishing for steelhead with a two
handed spey rod from one of the best
4:00 PM Raffle
OCBS Members Only On The River Seminar
The club is holding a Members Only “On The River” seminar on Sunday, October 20, 2019 on the Grand River from 8 AM to noon.
We will meet at the pavilion in the Helen Hazen Wyman Metropark located at 6101 Painesville Warren Road Concord Twp., OH 44077 at 8 AM. Members attending must be prepared to fish by bringing a rod, reel, fishing tackle and chest waders. All levels of experience are encouraged to attend. You must pre-register for this event by sending an email to OCBS@wowway.com, calling Les Ober at 216-347-2889 or sign up at the Sepember or October membership meeting.
We are also looking for a few experienced OCBS members who would like to pass on some of their steelheading knowledge to our membership and help as instructors. This is usually a fun morning of fishing for both the instructors and students that you do not want to miss.
OCBS 2019 Christmas Party
The Board Of Directors also has made changes to our Annual OCBS Christmas Party in light of celebrating our 35th Anniversary.
This year’s celebration will be December 12th, 2019, at the Winking Lizard Party Room on Miles road in Solon. the menu will be well upgraded from the previous menu over the last few years. Final arrangements are still being made and we will publish the menu and costs at a future date. we promise it will be a great time!
Note; the Winking Lizard Party Room is a private room located well back of the actual restaurant, details and directions to follow.
2019-2020 Meeting Dates and Locations
September 26th, 2019 is at the Firehouse in Willoughby Hills with Kevin Kayle
October 24th, 2019 is at BW3 in Strongsville with Jeff Liskay
November 21st, 2019 is at the Firehouse in Willoughby Hills Danny Coville
December 12th, 2019, is the Christmas Party at the Winking Lizard Party Center in Solon
January 30th, 2020 is at the Firehouse in Willoughby Hills Roger Hinchcliff
February 27th, 2020 is at BW3 in Strongsville Steelhead Workshop
March 26 2020 is at the Firehouse in Willoughby Hills TBD
April 23rd, 2020 is at BW3 in Strongsville Mike Verhoef
2019-2020 OCBS “Members Only” David K. Esner Memorial Steelhead Fishing Tournament
3 November 2019 24 November 2019 15 December 2019
15 March 2020 5 April 2020
CHECK IN STATIONS
EAST SIDE WEST SIDE
Harbor Bait & Tackle Erie Outfitters
786 Richmond Street 5404 E. Lake Road
Painesville, OH 44077 Sheffield Lake, OH 44054
Mike Verhoef, the owner of Fly Fitters guide service since 2003, fishing the rivers of SW Ontario and specifically along Ontario’s West Coast.
Mike was Introduced to a two hander in 2004 by a couple of fellow Gloomis pro staffer’s and quickly realized the benefit these long rods and line set ups would have to pursue steelhead on his home waters of the Maitland River! Mike was “hooked” and has been spey fishing ever since!
He now spends anywhere from 60-80 days a year spey fishing and guiding clients with two handers! From his home steelhead water in SW Ontario, to the Atlantic salmon rivers in New Brunswick and his cherished couple weeks a year in Skeena country of British Columbia!
You can learn more about Mike and what he offers on his www.flyfitters.ca website, or google him on youtube to see a number of his TV appearances from over the years, and also be sure to check out his www.speyfishingontario.ca website.
If you have an interest in learning about the steelhead fishing on the north shore of Lake Erie, Mike will be on hand to answer your questions.
Mike has a lot of good steelheading information to share with us. This should be another great meeting that you will not want to miss
Rod Raffle: G Loomis 9” 6” Classic Steelhead Spinning Rod GLX STR 1141S
Meeting Buffalo Wild Wings
Location: 8465 Pearl Road
Strongsville, OH 44136
440-243-9464
Date and Time: Thursday April 25, 2019 at 7:30 PM
Spring Cleanups and Kids Day Programs
O.C.B.S. supports and volunteers for the following projects. It is always important to clean up the rivers we fish. It is also important to help develop future fisher-men and fisher-women by supporting and volunteering to help and teach at metroparks kids days programs.
May 4 Conneaut Creek Clean Up
May 4,5 Black River Clean Up
May 11 Lake Metroparks Arnie’s Anglers Kids Fishing Derby at Hidden Lake
May 18 Grand River Clean Up
May 18 Cleveland Metroparks Kids Fishing Derby at Wallace Lake
May 19 Cleveland Metroparks Kids Fishing Derby at Ohio and Erie Canal
Jun 1 Rocky River Clean Up Summer Break June to August
2018 – 2019 OCBS Championship Series
Steelhead Tournament
Final Results
Congratulations to John Rhoades First Place winner of the 2018-2019 OCBS Championship Series Steelhead Tournament. John’s Largest six fish total measured 161.5 inches.
Ken Harper captured second place with six fish totaling 158. inches in length. Adam Hillman placed third with six fish measuring 157.25 inches in length.
Awards will be presented at the 7 April 2019 Membership meeting at BW3 in Strongsville followed by the Tournament Raffle. Mark your calendar and plan on attending the event.
John Beedlow Jr.
Tournament Director
Place
Name
Steelhead Checked In (Length)
1
2
3
4
5
6
Total
1
Rhoades John
24.00
24.50
25.00
27.00
28.50
32.50
161.50
2
Harper Ken
25.25
25.50
26.00
26.00
26.50
28.75
158.00
3
Hillman Adam
25.00
25.75
26.25
26.50
26.88
26.88
157.25
4
Cradock Dave
24.25
25.00
25.00
26.00
26.25
26.50
153.00
5
Lancaster Ray
24.25
25.00
25.00
26.50
27.75
128.50
6
Telep Justin
24.13
25.50
25.50
26.00
26.50
127.63
7
Bryda Chris
24.00
25.00
26.50
27.50
103.00
8
Gibson Joe
24.00
25.00
25.75
26.50
101.25
9
Warren Mark
24.25
24.75
25.50
26.00
100.50
10
Smoggie John
24.00
25.00
26.00
75.00
11
Hartman John
24.00
24.00
25.25
73.25
12
Krause Keith
24.00
24.00
25.00
73.00
13
Blotzer Tom
24.50
25.50
50.00
14
Vaughn Brad
24.00
25.00
49.00
15
Smith Casey
24.00
24.50
48.50
16
King Frank
29.25
29.25
17
Calkins Brian
24.00
24.00
18
Moravec Joe
24.000
24.000
19
Reynolds Rick
24.000
24.000
20
Whal Bill
24.000
24.000
21
15 Anglers tied at:
0.000
0.000
OCBS Steelhead Tournament, 7 April 2019 Results
The 5th Leg of the OCBS “Members Only” Steelhead Tournament was held on Sunday 7 April 2019. A bright beautiful day with temperatures in the high sixties. The Legacy streams were in decent shape and held good numbers of fresh and holdover fish. Water temps were in the upper forties and the bite was rather slow.
A total of 16 fish 24 inches or greater in length were checked in for the Tournament Leg.
All in all a pleasant day to be out on Steelhead Alley.
Congratulations to John Rhoades who placed first with two fish measuring 32.50 and 28.50 inches. Justin Telep and Ken Harper placed 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Notice: New 2019 Ohio Fishing Licenses are required by March 1st 2019!
This February is the OCBS Annual Steelhead Workshop
Come and join us in an evening of education, camaraderie and fun. This meeting is one you do not what to miss, the meeting is focused around getting to know your follow members and education. No matter if you have been running up and down the rivers for twenty plus years or just getting started in the game, you will lean something new. We will have eleven learning stations set up around the room covering everything from 101 spin to near shore lake trolling, throw in some fly tying and anything to do with the fish that we love. See you all soon!
Location is Buffalo Wild Wings, Pearl Road, February 28, 2019 at 7:30pm.
Jeff Liskay
OCBS 2018-2019 STEELHEAD TOURNAMENT
Next Tournament dates are:17 March 2019, 7 April 2019
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES STEELHEAD TOURNAMENT 9 December 2018 3rd Leg
FISH
FISH
TOTAL
#
Name
#1
#2
LENGTH
1
Harper Ken
28.75
25.25
54.00
2
Bryda Chris
27.50
26.50
54.00
3
Hillman Adam
26.875
26.875
53.75
4
Cradock Dave
26.50
26.00
52.50
5
Telep Justin
26.00
25.50
51.50
6
Vaughn Brad
25.00
24.00
49.00
7
Rhoades John
24.50
24.00
48.50
8
Krause Keith
24.00
24.00
48.00
9
Smoggie John
25.00
25.00
10
Smith Casey
24.50
24.50
11
Reynolds Rick
24.00
24.00
12
Annandono Mike
0.00
13
Beedlow John III
0.00
14
Beedlow John Jr
0.00
15
Blotzer Tom
0.00
16
Calkins Brian
0.00
17
DiRuggiero Shane
0.00
18
Dykes Jim
0.00
19
Fronck Jon
0.00
20
Furlong Chris
0.00
21
Gibson Joe
0.00
22
Grossnickle Scott
0.00
23
Hartman John
0.00
24
King Frank
0.00
25
Kress Kyle
0.00
26
Kress Paul
0.00
27
Lancaster Ray
0.00
28
Moravec Joe
0.00
29
Ober Les
0.00
30
Pavlick Bill
0.00
31
Pavlick Tony
0.00
32
Singleton Larry
0.00
33
Tancak Eric
0.00
34
Warren Mark
0.00
35
Whal Bill
0.00
18 NOVEMBER 2018 LEG RESULTS The 2nd Leg of the OCBS “Members Only” Steelhead Tournament was held on Sunday 19 November 2018. An overcast day with intermittent rain showers/drizzle. Air temperatures were in the mid-thirties. Precipitation earlier in the week resulted in high flow rates and turbidity in the major streams. The Chagrin and Ashtabula Rivers had favorable conditions and held good numbers of fish which were spread out in the systems. Anglers reported catching multiple fish with the majority measuring under 24 inches.
A total of 15 fish 24 inches or greater were check in for the Tournament.
Congratulations to Adam Hillman who placed first with two fish measuring 26.50 and 25.00 inches respectively.
FISH
FISH
TOTAL
#
Name
#1
#2
LENGTH
1
Hillman Adam
26.50
25.00
51.50
2
Warren Mark
26.00
24.75
50.75
3
Harper Ken
25.50
25.00
50.50
4
King Frank
29.25
29.25
5
Lancaster Ray
27.75
27.75
6
Gibson Joe
26.50
26.50
7
Cradock Dave
26.25
26.25
8
Krause Keith
25.50
25.50
9
Telep Justin
25.50
25.50
10
Bryda Chris
25.00
25.00
11
Smith Casey
24.00
24.00
12
Whal Bill
24.00
24.00
4 NOVEMBER 2018 LEG RESULTS
The 1st Leg of the OCBS Members Only Steelhead Tournament was held on Sunday 4 November 2018. A partly cloudy day with temperatures in the mid-fifties. Heavy rains earlier in the week had the major tributaries blown out. However, the smaller streams and high gradient tributaries were fishable with adequate flow and visibility. Record rain fall earlier in the week triggered good numbers of fresh fish into the river systems.
Anglers enjoyed steady action throughout the day, but the majority of fish were under 24 inches in length. A total of 10 fish over 24 inches long were check in for the tournament.
Congratulations to Ray Lancaster who placed first with two fish measuring 26.5 and 24.25 inches respectively.
4 November 2018 Leg Results
FISH
FISH
TOTAL
#
Name
#1
#2
LENGTH
1
Lancaster Ray
26.50
24.25
50.75
2
Cradock Dave
25.00
25.00
50.00
3
Harper Ken
24.50
24.75
49.25
4
Hillman Adam
25.00
24.25
49.25
5
Rhoades John
24.00
25.00
49.00
“25 Anglers in Six Place”
The 2nd Tournament Leg will be held Sunday 18 November 2018. Be sure to mark your calendar and plan on fishing this Leg.
Noted Michigan fly fisherman, Kevin Feenstra, will be the featured speaker at the January 31 Ohio Central Basin Steelheader meeting at the Firehouse in Willoughby Hills, OH. Kevin’s passion is swinging flies for migratory fish, but he loves to fly fish for any predator that swims. He now resides in Newaygo, Michigan, guiding around 200 days/year on the Muskegon River System (and fishing whenever he can). His flies have been published in books, magazines, and online and he has written articles for international, national, and regional fly fishing magazines.
Kevin is featured in a handful of DVDs and has authored current DVDs for steelhead and smallmouth bass. His most recent title is “Striking Steel” a DVD about Midwestern steelhead fishing. Other current titles are “Searching for Steelhead” and “Big Appetite, small mouth”.
All OCBS meetings are open to the public and free. You do not need to be a member to attend.
Date: January 31, 2019
Time: Meeting starts at 7:30 PM
Place: Firehouse Grille & Pub 2768 Stark Drive Willoughby Hills, OH 44094
OCBS 2018-2019 STEELHEAD TOURNAMENT
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES STEELHEAD TOURNAMENT 9 December 2018 3rd Leg
FISH
FISH
TOTAL
#
Name
#1
#2
LENGTH
1
Harper Ken
28.75
25.25
54.00
2
Bryda Chris
27.50
26.50
54.00
3
Hillman Adam
26.875
26.875
53.75
4
Cradock Dave
26.50
26.00
52.50
5
Telep Justin
26.00
25.50
51.50
6
Vaughn Brad
25.00
24.00
49.00
7
Rhoades John
24.50
24.00
48.50
8
Krause Keith
24.00
24.00
48.00
9
Smoggie John
25.00
25.00
10
Smith Casey
24.50
24.50
11
Reynolds Rick
24.00
24.00
12
Annandono Mike
0.00
13
Beedlow John III
0.00
14
Beedlow John Jr
0.00
15
Blotzer Tom
0.00
16
Calkins Brian
0.00
17
DiRuggiero Shane
0.00
18
Dykes Jim
0.00
19
Fronck Jon
0.00
20
Furlong Chris
0.00
21
Gibson Joe
0.00
22
Grossnickle Scott
0.00
23
Hartman John
0.00
24
King Frank
0.00
25
Kress Kyle
0.00
26
Kress Paul
0.00
27
Lancaster Ray
0.00
28
Moravec Joe
0.00
29
Ober Les
0.00
30
Pavlick Bill
0.00
31
Pavlick Tony
0.00
32
Singleton Larry
0.00
33
Tancak Eric
0.00
34
Warren Mark
0.00
35
Whal Bill
0.00
18 NOVEMBER 2018 LEG RESULTS The 2nd Leg of the OCBS “Members Only” Steelhead Tournament was held on Sunday 19 November 2018. An overcast day with intermittent rain showers/drizzle. Air temperatures were in the mid-thirties. Precipitation earlier in the week resulted in high flow rates and turbidity in the major streams. The Chagrin and Ashtabula Rivers had favorable conditions and held good numbers of fish which were spread out in the systems. Anglers reported catching multiple fish with the majority measuring under 24 inches.
A total of 15 fish 24 inches or greater were check in for the Tournament.
Congratulations to Adam Hillman who placed first with two fish measuring 26.50 and 25.00 inches respectively.
FISH
FISH
TOTAL
#
Name
#1
#2
LENGTH
1
Hillman Adam
26.50
25.00
51.50
2
Warren Mark
26.00
24.75
50.75
3
Harper Ken
25.50
25.00
50.50
4
King Frank
29.25
29.25
5
Lancaster Ray
27.75
27.75
6
Gibson Joe
26.50
26.50
7
Cradock Dave
26.25
26.25
8
Krause Keith
25.50
25.50
9
Telep Justin
25.50
25.50
10
Bryda Chris
25.00
25.00
11
Smith Casey
24.00
24.00
12
Whal Bill
24.00
24.00
23 Anglers in Thirteenth Place John Beedlow Jr Tournament Director
4 NOVEMBER 2018 LEG RESULTS
The 1st Leg of the OCBS Members Only Steelhead Tournament was held on Sunday 4 November 2018. A partly cloudy day with temperatures in the mid-fifties. Heavy rains earlier in the week had the major tributaries blown out. However, the smaller streams and high gradient tributaries were fishable with adequate flow and visibility. Record rain fall earlier in the week triggered good numbers of fresh fish into the river systems.
Anglers enjoyed steady action throughout the day, but the majority of fish were under 24 inches in length. A total of 10 fish over 24 inches long were check in for the tournament.
Congratulations to Ray Lancaster who placed first with two fish measuring 26.5 and 24.25 inches respectively.
4 November 2018 Leg Results
FISH
FISH
TOTAL
#
Name
#1
#2
LENGTH
1
Lancaster Ray
26.50
24.25
50.75
2
Cradock Dave
25.00
25.00
50.00
3
Harper Ken
24.50
24.75
49.25
4
Hillman Adam
25.00
24.25
49.25
5
Rhoades John
24.00
25.00
49.00
“ 25 Anglers in Six Place”
The 2nd Tournament Leg will be held Sunday 18 November 2018. Be sure to mark your calendar and plan on fishing this Leg.
OCBS founding member, Jeff Liskay, has been a self-admitted steelhead junkie for nearly four decades. From his home base in northern Ohio, Liskay has fished across the entire Great Lakes and is now reaching into Alaska, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and beyond. He is well recognized for both his two-hand casting and fishing skills and is a regular on the Spey gathering circuit as both an observer and a presenter.
Noted Michigan fly fisherman, Kevin Feenstra, will be the featured speaker at the January 31 Ohio Central Basin Steelheader meeting at the Firehouse in Willoughby Hills, OH. Kevin’s passion is swinging flies for migratory fish, but he loves to fly fish for any predator that swims. He now resides in Newaygo, Michigan, guiding around 200 days/year on the Muskegon River System (and fishing whenever he can). His flies have been published in books, magazines, and online and he has written articles for international, national, and regional fly fishing magazines.
