Bead fishing for steelhead has become an increasingly popular technique by anglers on Steelhead Alley. In this episode, Barney Bakia from River Roe Tackle discusses essential gear, matching hooks with bead sizes, bead varieties (hard, soft, glass), and pegging methods. Also, we talk about specific colors for different water conditions.  He shares his preferred fishing method, highlighting its effectiveness and providing practical advice for anglers seeking to improve their catch rates.  If you enjoy steelhead fishing this podcast is for you.

How many of us grew up hunting pheasant? I fondly remember those Thanksgiving morning hunts with family. That was in the 1970’s. Several factors have led to the demise of our beloved pheasant. Today, we will be talking to Holly May a member of North-central chapter of Pheasants Forever. Holly talks about the pheasant program in the state of Pennsylvania. It started ten years ago, offering hunters an exciting opportunity to hunt pheasant statewide. Their mission is to conserve pheasants and other wildlife through habitat improvement. If you are interested in Pheasant hunting this podcast is for you.

At one time Lake Sturgeon were abundant in Lake Erie. Years of over harvest and pollution caused them to disappear. However, as the water quality improved in Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River it provided an opportunity to jump start their population by stocking. This was a major milestone in restoring this endangered species to the river. Today, we interview ODNR Fisheries Biologist Supervisor, Eric Weimer. He discusses the historical significance of the Sturgeon reintroduction. The Ohio Division of Wildlife, in partnership with organizations like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Cleveland Metroparks, and the Northeast Ohio Sewer District, will begin annual stocking of juvenile lake sturgeon in the Cuyahoga River. The public is welcome to join in the celebration. It will take place on October 4th at Rivergate Park (Cleveland Metro Parks) from 1:00pm -4:00pm.

The cooler weather signals one thing for many Great Lakes Anglers, the beginning of Steelhead season. To jump start the season we want to make you aware of the Steelhead Expo. This year marks the 31st year for this event.. The Expo takes place on September 27th at the Rocky River Nature Center (Cleveland Metro Parks)from 8:30am - 3:00pm. Several local and national experts will be sharing their knowledge. If you are interested in learning more about steelhead fishing, checkout this expo. For this episode, we interviewed Central Basin Steelheaders (OCBS)Board Member, Ben Mott. Our discussion includes a few current projects of the OCBS. We review the existing steelhead program in Ohio and Ben gives us his outlook for the season. If you love steelhead fishing this podcast is for you.

Many of us started out the same way, fishing or hunting close to home. Our guest on today’s podcast is Ohio Outdoor News Editor, Mike Moore. Mike’s love for the outdoors started at a young age. His Father took him smallmouth fishing in southern Ohio streams. We talk about how the fishing and hunting industry has changed over the years and the trends he is seeing. We get into some of the craziest stories he has covered and the time spent fishing with Ohio Governor, Mike Dewine. If you love the great outdoors this podcast is for you.

It is common to hear about or know someone who has been injured while fishing or hunting. Today, our guest is Chad Peterson, a Physician Assistant with Independence Health Systems and an expert in Wilderness Medicine. During our discussion, Chad shares his expertise on various survival situations and frequently encountered medical conditions he treats. He emphasizes the importance of preparation and awareness when venturing outdoors. Chad highlights the critical role of carrying a basic first aid kit and using sound judgment to avoid hazardous circumstance. This podcast provides information and advice for staying safe and prepared while spending time outdoors.

No book or written instructions exist for an individual angler’s ethical decisions. They are their own. Frequently, ethics in fishing have no uniform standards. Discussions may surface among anglers, with differing opinions. Today, we talk about fishing ethics with Tom Kirkman. Tom is the editor/publisher of RodMaker Magazine. He bings a view of someone in tune with the tackle industry. If you are interested in fishing this podcast is for you.

Pymatuning Lake also referred to as  the “Big Tune” or “Pymie” is renowned as a Sportsmen’s paradise. The Pymatuning Lake Association is instrumental in maintaining this reputation. Today we are joined by Vice President, Katie Wickert.  Katie, shares the lakes captivating history and the rationale behind its formation.  She talks about the array of annual activities including the lake habitat program and kids fishing tournament. If you are interested in learning more about the lake and the association this podcast is for you.

Have you met anyone who has visited all of Ohio’s public lakes and streams? Our next guest, Tom Cross, did just that. He wrote the book “Fishing Ohio” published in 2008. Tom is an award-winning author, outdoor photographer, and avid angler. Tom recounts his experiences visiting each lake and river in the state, discussing those that surprised him and those that did not live up to the hype. While the book was published years ago, much has not changed. We get into fish population, angling tips, and local folklore for many fishing venues. If you love to fish, this podcast is for you.

The Ohio River is probably the most under utilizedfishing destination in our 120. Today, we interview Ohio River guide, Dale Broughton.  Dale has been featured in many national publications including InFisherman, Outdoor Life and Ohio Game and Fish. He specializes in trophy catfish. He gets into season movements and locations.  The use of planer boards and live bait setups are reviewed in detail. A different type of rod and reel is needed to land an Ohio River monster catfish. Dale gives his opinion on the current and future outlook for trophy catfish. If you are into catfish this podcast is for you.