Prepping for the "Steelhead Alley Outfitters" trip vol. 1

With the weather patterns predictably unstable for the last two weeks the fishing has been tough to say the least. Work, Irish Flies, and the up coming Delaware Shotgun Deer season have kept me pretty busy and my river time limited. I have to admit, there is something else that has my attention. My buddy "One Boot" Ed and I are leaving for Steelhead Alley in 2 weeks to fish with Greg Senyo and his crew for a few days on the lake Erie tribs. If you are curious why we picked Steelhead Alley just check out their Facebook Page here and spend a minute looking at some of the photos from last week. It wont take long to see why my mind has been wandering lately. As with any trip the preparation is half the fun. This trip actually started when Ed, Rick and myself went to see a seminar Greg put on at TCO Reading. After seeing the seminar and listening to Greg talk we decided, on the way home, to book for this fall. A few emails followed by a few phone calls and we were all booked up for the Monday and Tuesday leading up to Thanksgiving. Preparation started immediately and to this point has been mostly mental. Where are my MOW tips, how are the laces in my boots, do I have leaders tied up, do I have enough flies etc, etc, etc. Well, today Ed and I headed to the river to tune up our Spey casting. I realized the other day that I haven't really used any of my 2 handers since Shad season back in April. Typically I will put in quite a bit of time chasing Smallmouth in the Summer with a 2 hander. The purchase of my Outcast pontoon meant all of my Smallie fishing was done "float" style this summer so a 2 hander tune up was definitely in the mix.  

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The down fall of my Summer spey casting!

We met at around noon, geared up and headed to the river. It didn't take long and I was getting back into the "swing" of things. Ed wanted a little help so we worked a little on his Double and "C" Spey cast. A few pointers and Ed was throwing loops like a champ.  

After a quick lesson and a quick, impromptu swim by me we fished for a bit and headed home. When I got home I started the physical preparation of getting my gear ready. One more week at the vise and another week of thought and planning and I will be ready.   

My Ross Momentum and Lamson ARX. I will probably fish the Lamson.

MOW tips, Leaders, Spey bag etc. Hopefully I wont forget anything!

Senyo's A.I's. Somebody has been tying (hint, it wasn't me)!

I will continue to post as the trip draws closer. Hopefully I will have some great stories to post with some awesome pictures when I get back. To see more about Steelhead Alley Outfitters check out their website here. I think you will be glad you did. 


If you would like more information about Irish Flies Spey Casting lessons click here. 


                                                                                                                   Tight lines...