The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

It's time for some steelhead

Court news: See who got indicted from your neighborhood
6:09 p.m.
Mom killed by ex-boyfriend in front of 8-year-old son, police say
5:49 p.m.
Man guilty of stabbing Lakota West sophomore to death; gets 15 years to life
5:06 p.m.
School bus and car collide in Liberty Twp.
3:23 p.m.
Teen suspects in alpaca death remain behind bars
2:12 p.m.
> More headlines

By Jim Morris, Staff Writer Updated 12:03 PM Friday, April 3, 2009

I think everyone who has ever put a line in the water has a certain species of fish they'd like to catch before they finally put away their gear for the final time.

I have two: a Lake Erie steelhead and a Kiser Lake striper.

Living in Ohio, that shouldn't be such a tall order. There are plenty of both in those locations. And I will admit, while I have tried to land both, my efforts have been limited.

I've drowned plenty of nightcrawlers at Kiser, but I have only gone after steelhead one time — a snowy March day on Conneaut Creek that was plenty of fun, but a goose egg in the creel.

I am convinced my creek and river wading days are over, but catching a steelhead from a boat on Lake Erie is a definite possibility. Thanks to state stocking and plenty of catch-and-release anglers, the steelhead fishery is growing. Hopefully, I can put together a steelhead trip this year.

But before I go, I want to spend some more time with a new book, written by former ODNR writer W. H. "Chip" Gross, called "Pro Tactics: Steelhead & Salmon."

Though I haven't been steelhead fishing this winter, I have been enjoying it through Gross' book. He uses stories of real anglers who share their experiences and tips.

I don't know where I will go or who I will fish with, but I do know I will take along plenty of purple spoons and Rip Sticks. One of the anglers Gross interviewed swears by them.

I don't plan to fish for salmon in Lake Michigan this year, but the book would help me there, too. And I suspect some of the tactics they use on salmon could be very helpful when I fish for steelies or walleyes.

Here's how to get a copy of the book, which was published by The Lyons Press: For a personalized, signed copy, send $26.50 by check or money order (includes tax and shipping) to WORDsmith, 6108 Township Road 88, Fredericktown, OH 43019. Include a note as to whom you would like your book(s) signed. Non-autographed copies can be ordered online at globepequot.com or through any bookstore with ISBN: 978-159921-416-0.

D&T Expo

Ohio's annual Deer & Turkey Expo is scheduled for Friday through Sunday at the Bricker Building on the Ohio State Fairgrounds in Columbus. For more information, visit deerinfo.com/ohindex or call (800) 324-3337.

Today's tip

Now is the time to clean out your tackle box and check all of your favorite lures. Charter captain Darryl Blair of Lebanon reminds all anglers that sharp hooks catch more fish. So sharpen or replace those hooks.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2409 or

jmorris@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Share this article