The name alone; ‘Oncorhynchus Mykiss’ sends a shiver up the spine of ‘Steelheaders’ from all across the globe, to converge and then emerge, on a small piece of real estate known as "Steelhead Alley!" Why, you might ask? The answer is rather straight forward only because the obsession is simple, once you catch one, you’re hooked for life!

The numbers of steelhead trout stocked by the ODNR and PFBC should be reason enough, but factor in the great fighting abilities of these fish, combined with the many different way’s to catch them, along with their aerial displays, and the ‘Heat is on!’ After all they are the fish of a 1,000 casts, right?

I think that may be just a myth, or a rumor that someone, most likely a local Steelheader, decided to spread, in hopes that others just might give up, and most anglers believed it for a moment. Then they discovered that it was pretty easy after all, once they got the basic’s down.

Imagine getting all ready for a day of casting 101, the sun is winking it’s morning hello through the windshield as you head for that new spot, and the little voice in the back of your head says, ‘today is the day!’ Today you will enjoy the fruits of your labor, you’re going to catch a Steelhead, then reality sets in again, and you hope to entice a bite, let alone catch another one of these magnificent fish.

This Obsession we call Steelheading, has now begun to take hold of you, and shake you to the bones! You will spend countless dollars, and God knows how many hours spent in search of gear, and the latest techniques so you can catch more fish. What most anglers don’t know, the ‘Steelheader’ knows from learning experience. Those long cold mornings of wading in the slush covered rivers and icy tribs, just to hook into one gets the adrenaline pumping good!

But like a heroin addict needs his ‘fix’ a Steelheader needs an acrobat on the end of his line, ripping off 20-30 yards as it breaks the surface numerous times, and tries "every-head-shaking" tactic to try and dislodge that hook set, Toyota had it right with their slogan; ‘Oh, what a feeling!’ Fish On!

Steelhead Alley is located along the Shores of Lake Erie starting in Ohio, going Through PA and into Western New York. What most anglers consider to be prime waters, or the "heart" of Steelhead Alley is Located in the Eastern part of Ohio, and running into Erie PA. Steelhead Alley runs from the Vermillion and Rocky River west of Cleveland, through Erie PA and ending at Cattaraugus Creek in western NY.