Try hardware for steelhead

There aren't many brands of fishing available in winter, but seeking steelhead ranks high. They're big, eight to 12 pounds usually, extremely hard fighting, and if you decide to take one home, not bad eating, especially smoked.Veteran steelhead hunters know just how to catch them, and even amateurs and part-timers usually know enough to bag one now and then. If there's a real secret, it's knowing when to go. Lake Erie's steelhead rivers are sometimes just perfect, green and slow-flowing or clear with good visibility, but they might be bank full and muddy, or the fishing slow for other reasons and a sometimes long drive is wasted.One good place to call for information is the Mad River Outfitters at 614-451-0363. They're usually on top of river conditions and also offer guide service, a good idea for anglers who've never fished for steelhead.Other good places to check on the major rivers which are mostly east of Cleveland are the Harbor Bait & Tackle at 440-354-8473, or Snug Harbor Sports at 440-593-3755. Then plan your trip. Those who know nothing about steelhead fishing might be wise to first Google up the Ohio Division of Wildlife then hit Fishing, then Steelhead Trout Fishing for a quick rundown of the sport with maps of the rivers.If the water is good, you either make or buy some spawn sacs at an Erie bait shop, purchase some maggots or waxworms for jig fishing, or pick up some live bait like minnows or nightcrawlers to drift through the pools. They'll all work. But if you'd like to try something different or have no easy access to spawn sacs and live bait, you might try your luck with hardware. Not many steelhead folks do this, but it works, and it's lots of fun.Still, there are some things to keep in mind, boating or wading, and one is to do it slow and easy. To aggravate a cold-blooded fish swimming in very cold water, you'll need to keep it in his face as long as possible. In fact, when fishing for visible fish or in likely pools, a half hour might not be too long to wait for a strike.You'll want to pick your spots, too. Steelies aren't going to be sitting out there in the main current where they have to swim constantly to maintain position. Instead, look for a good riffle where the water flows fast into a pool, then curves back in small swirling eddies. They'll usually be close enough to the fast water to watch it for passing food but hold in the slower current. Long, slow runs are good too, as is slack water below rocks and other obstructions.You'll want to use smaller offerings, like quarter ounce Hot-n-Tots, Wee Warts, Rattle Warts, Hot Shots, and such madly wiggling offerings as small Flatfish. The point is to make them mad, not scare them to death. It doesn't hurt to add some tasty spray scent to a lure occasionally since trout have an excellent sense of smell. And finally, remember that getting out there at dawn isn't as good as hitting the stream around 11 a.m. after the water has warmed up a degree or two. A couple of degrees may not sound like much, but they can make a difference. Hooks & Bullets: The Division of Wildlife has proposed small game and migratory bird seasons to the Ohio Wildlife Council recently, and while they're not carved in stone yet, most or all will likely be accepted. Among them is a change to permit active members of the U.S. military to hunt during the two day youth waterfowl season, Oct. 3 and 4. It was also proposed to reduce the daily bag limit of scaup to one bird during the first 15 days of the season. A new proposal would provide two additional weekend days to turkey hunters.New proposals also include requiring a fur taker permit for coyote hunting and trapping and adding coyote to the furbearer trapping season. Another proposal would close quail hunting on all state-owned or controlled public hunting areas, except for Tri-Valley Wildlife Area, and controlled hunts on Crown City Wildlife Area. The quail bag limit was proposed to be reduced to two birds. Ruff grouse hunting dates were proposed to be shortened to begin Nov. 29 on state-owned or controlled public hunting areas and ruffed grouse limits reduced to one bird. A complete list of proposed hunting season dates for 2020-2021 is available at wildohio.gov.The NRA will offer its 2020 Great American Outdoor Show on Feb. 1 to 9 in Harrisburg, Pa. Called the largest consumer outdoor show in the world it will have exhibitor halls for archery, boats, fishing, hunting, outdoor products, RV, and the shooting sports. There will be more than 1,100 exhibitors, and more than 400 hunting outfitters and fishing charter captains, with more than 200 seminars, and family fun too, from a kids trout pond to air gun ranges. For tickets, visit www.greatamericanoutdoorshow.org.Dick Martin, a freelance writer from Shelby, is a retired biology teacher who has been writing outdoor columns for more than 30 years. Reach him at richmart@neo.com. You also can visit his blog at outdoorswithmartin.com.