More ever learnin' to become one with the fish  

Early on in 2004, I began a column in the DVWFFA newsletter chronicling a newbie’s journey fly fishing. As I described the phases I went through, I hoped that you were encouraged to get in the middle of the stream and experience the humbling moments when your presentation is right on and a trout takes your fly, or when you tie your own flies and experience the joy of catching fish on a fly you’ve tied. Perhaps, a fly that you developed and modified to your own liking...one that trout or ocean fish also find intriguing enough to…bite. 

Well, since 2004 you and I’ve fished perhaps a number of streams, oceans and rivers that bring back sweet memories when you were in the zone, your casting became rhythmic and you focused entirely in the moment. Let me share with you such an experience I had steelheading on Lake Erie in October 2008 with our guide, Tony Dranzo, better known in our Boiling Springs/Yellow Breeches area as the Addicted Angler. Steelheads are Lake Erie run rainbows averaging 6-8 pounds. The Steelhead Guide, Third Edition by John Nagy is a very worthwhile read. It’s fly fishing techniques and strategies for Lake Erie Steelhead and includes an excellent in-color section on steelhead catchin’ flies.

I knew Patrick (my husband and fly fishing buddy) and I were in good hands when Tony’s business card for his fly fishing guide service read at the bottom, “Knowledge is the Key to Success.” And right he was. With two days on Elk Creek and a side trip to Raccoon Creek, checking out many fruitful pockets, we had the benefit of Tony’s 20+ years experience steelheading Lake Erie and its wonderful small to medium size tributaries. Tony is not only an enthusiastic addicted angler who has created many of his own successful flies, but he is an excellent guide and instructor on techniques he has found most successful fly fishing.

Having a guide is a singular important factor because Tony knew the waters like the back of his hand and even more importantly than knowing where the fish lay, he knows their behavior, --dark steelhead are not on the take, they lay like lunkers as your fly passes their closed lips. Sometimes they take. But, light shiny chromers fresh from Lake Erie can be cajoled and caught. We benefited not only from Tony’s keen observations and understanding of the waters, but also his enthusiastic willingness and innate ability to put us onto fish. Tony Dranzo provided instructions on casting and catching that we could integrate right on the stream in the moment---there were some powerfully awesome moments of fishing, catching and even those missed fish gave us learning points for the next cast. Believe me; I learned the techniques for low clear water and non compliant steelies as well as their opportunistic teenage chrome bombers fresh from Lake Erie who were full of vim and vigor on a fly line.

Tony’s flies, the Pumpkin Picker, the copper Titan and the gold Titan were dynamite when casting 2-4 inches in front of their lips, no added weights. They’d suck it in and start their mad dash through the waters, churning the waters in one direction and then flipping their whole body out of the water in a contorted leap before landing and dashing in the opposite direction. Even Tony’s golden dry fly was a success when no one was using dries. The importance of getting the line on the reel quickly was certainly reinforced with a chromer on the line.

Patrick and I caught in the double digits 18 to 26 inchers. The 26-inch steelhead I caught I had smoked nearby at Poor Richard’s Fish and Tackle shop in Fairview PA. The friendly folks at the tackle shop can direct you to the fly fishing and tying area. We had two meals of steelhead trout, shared a third with our family and had 1½ pounds of steelhead trout left for smoked trout pate. I made the pate for the DVWFFA Christmas Holiday Dinner.

I learned about Tony Dranzo’s guiding service to Lake Erie at a one-day seminar in September sponsored by the Yellow Breeches Fly Shop in Boiling Springs PA. At the seminar, Tony reviewed the equipment needed, flies, demonstrated the casting techniques on the water beside the fly shop as well as a fly tiers demonstration and a lunch he provided. To say I was hooked was an understatement. I went home and said to Patrick, I really want to steelhead fish with Tony. We made the arrangements and we were on for the second week in October.

Here’s a list of bullet point specifics regarding a Steelhead trip to Lake Erie with Tony Dranzo, our fly fishing guide:

EQUIPMENT: I used a 6 weight rod with a 6 wt. Scientific Angler, Sharkskin line, 7 ½ foot 3x leader with 4x tippet. Fly fishers use other combinations of rods and fly lines-you can learn more from your local fly shop staff.

DATES: Monday, October 13, 2008—Friday, October 17, 2008.

ACCOMMODATION: Comfort Inn, 3041 West 12th Street, Erie, PA provides good accommodations for anglers including a full hot complimentary breakfast starting at 6:00 AM. Can’t beat that!
Located near the Comfort Inn is Serafini’s Restaurant, 2642 West 12th Street, Erie where the real home cooked Italian meal is like salve to the soul of an angler after a day on the stream with the steelies. And, don’t miss the Lake Erie Ultimate Angler fly shop on 3737 W. 12th Street. In case you’ve forgotten something, the fly shop is not only stocked with equipment as well as excellent fly-tying materials for steelies but, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable and provides guide services.

	On Monday, we checked out the different access areas, i.e., Walnut Creek has a staffed Penna Fish and Boat Commission building with excellent maps and info about local fishing. Maps are available online at www.fisherie.com
	Tuesday, October 14, 2008, and Wednesday, October 15, 2008, we fly fished with Tony at lower Elk Creek and Raccoon Creek even though the water level was really low and caught double digit numbers of fresh steelies. Leaves falling in the water make for tricky casting maneuvers.
	On Thursday, October 16, 2008, Patrick and I were on our own. Since it had rained over an inch the night before we canvassed the other access areas at Trout Run, Walnut Creek, Godfrey Run, 16 Mile and also 20 Mile Creek, which is at the PA/NY border. The water levels were blown-out at Walnut access area. At 10:30 a.m. we waded into ankle deep, clear to the bottom water at lower Elk and by 11:15 a.m. the water rose to mid thigh and the current so strong that Patrick and I had to link elbows to exit the now dark, stained murky waters. That’s incredible and rather scary. I was glad to have my inflatable waist belt on.
	At 12 Mile Creek, I caught one chromer over two-feet within a short time before we moved on. My sincere thanks to Roy Tenny at 12 Mile who took me aside and fixed me up with the fly of the day that he tied, adjusted my weights, introduced me to an effective strike indicator and sent me off in his spot as he was going home with his catch of the day.
	Roy is a Board member of the PA Steelhead Association. www.fisherie.com   I became a member along with Patrick because I was so impressed with the work of this non-profit organization, and the willingness of its members to show this steelhead newbie a few tried and true tricks of the fly fishing trade. The Association is dedicated to the growth, enhancement, and protection of the Lake Erie cold water fisheries. It was three memorable days.
	Friday, October 17, 2008, we were homeward bound with vivid memories to last Patrick and me a lifetime. This winter will be tolerable just thinking of this wonderful trip that Tony guided to the steelheads of Lake Erie. Tony Dranzo can be reached at (717) 258-6669 or 258 Red Tank Road, Boiling Springs, PA 17007. Or, addictedanglerTD@aol.com/

And so it is, just another layer of the Vidalia onion peeled; ever learnin’ to be one with the fish. Don’t get discouraged—consistency is a goal and the journey to achieve it is the joy of repetitive muscle learning. Success is not only about catching fish on a fly, but more about understanding the principles. Achieving it one cast at a time. Not all casts are perfect, but knowing what to do to alter the next cast is supremely satisfying when the mind and body act with a singular focus.
This is a journey and I am so glad you and I are enjoying the venues along the way.

—Diane M. Dougherty— 5/09/2009