April 21st, 2010 West Erie County, DWCO Randy Leighton, rglerie@msn.com Conditions: The West County tributaries have become very low and clear as of this writing. Some rain later in the week may help conditions. Continued cold nights may keep a few steelhead around for a while but generally the season is beginning to wind down. A fair number of steelhead remain near the mouths or Elk and Walnut Creeks particularly at the Manchester Hole and around the Elk Creek Access. A fair run of steelhead occurred on Elk this past Friday night before the opening of regular Trout season. It is difficult to predict how long they will stick around. There are still a good number of stocked trout scattered through out Elk and Crooked Creeks. Clear conditions will dictate the lightest of presentations with no more than 4 lb. test line (preferably fluorocarbon). Sucker spawn patterns, single eggs, emerald shiners, and micro jigs will be popular choices for both steelhead and stocked trout.. Suckers have invaded the tribs and some bass are being caught in lower Elk. Current Lake Erie water temperature is 44 degrees. West County tributaries were very low and clear as of Tuesday afternoon. Boating: Trout Opener: Shoreline Fishing at Night for Walleye: Wading the shoreline or fishing from shore with light line (4 to 6 lb.) using large Rapellas in rainbow, silver, and fire tiger patterns are the ticket. Cast out as far as you can and let the lure rest, giving it an occasional twitch. Patience in and allowing the lure to float motionless at times is critical for success. Typically the strikes are hard and obvious since these "resident" walleye are often the "lunkers". Secrets to success are patience, keeping quiet and not using any light. Successful anglers say even a lit cigarette can scare them away from the shore at night. Calm moon lit evenings and a glass lake surface tend to be the most productive although the action can start shortly after sunset at times. Boaters often have success as well this time of year staying close to shore and either casting or trolling. Planer boards are almost a must for near shore walleye when trolling. A reminder that the walleye limits have changed for this year. The minimum size is 15" with a daily creel limit of 6 fish. Elk Valley Sportsmen's Annual Club Kids Fishing Derby: Local Weather: Wednesday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 30s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Thursday...Partly cloudy. Cooler with highs in the lower 50s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Thursday Night...Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 30s. West winds 5 to 10 mph...becoming southwest after midnight. Friday...Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 50s. Friday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s. Saturday...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Highs in the lower 60s. Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 40s. Chance of rain 40 percent. Sunday...Cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning...then scattered showers in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 60s. Chance of rain 50 percent. Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Lows in the mid 40s. Monday...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Highs in the upper 50s. Monday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Lows in the lower 40s. Tuesday...Partly sunny with a 40 percent chance of showers. Highs in the mid 50s.
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