Fishing Report Updated 12/14/24
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: We can get flies to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com
Type of Stream
Freestone
Species
Brown Trout (Stocked)
Steelhead
Salmon
Smallmouth Bass
Size
Medium to large
Location
Northeastern Ohio
Nearest Town
Cleveland
Season
Early Fall to late Spring
Access:
Good
Special Regulations
Yes, Make sure you check the
current regulations.
Non-Resident License
State of Ohio
Weather
National Weather Service Link
USGS Real Time Stream Data
Seasons:
The steelhead season is from early Fall to late Spring..
Spring:
Steelhead can be caught as late as the end of April depending on the weather.
Summer:
During the Summer, the water is too low and warm for salmon or steelhead.
Fall:
Salmon first enter the river and the steelhead follow. Steelhead begin entering the Chagrin Riveras early as
middle of September. The fishing is good throughout the Fall.
Winter:
All but the coldest days of Winter can be good for steelhead. The extremely cold water of January and February can make the fish sluggish but otherwise,
fishing remains good throughout the Winter.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
For Steelhead and Salmon
Fly Line:
7, 8 , 9 or 10 weight for appropriate typerod, sinking, sinking tip and floating
Leaders:
10#, 12# in 9 to 15 feet lengths
Tippets:
10# and 12#
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly 7, 8, 9 and 10 ft. single hand rods
Fly Reels:
For 7 to 10 weight lines
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
KISS Strike Indicators, Lanyards, etc.
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery:
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
Perfect Fly Power Pack Spey Rod Series: Click Here for full description
$225.00
Steelhead & Salmon Fly Selections
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Chagrin River Ohio
The Chagrin River runs through areas of suburban Cleveland. It flows through two Metropark reservations in Cleveland before entering Lake Erie. There are two tributaries, the Aurora Branch and the East Branch. Thousands of steelhead are stocked each year.
The Chagrin River is a State Scenic River. Although it flows through suburban areas, its headwaters are located in protected areas with heavy tree cover. It is a beautiful river with lots of wildlife, in addition providing nice runs of salmon and steelhead.
The Chagrin River is very diverse with all types of water. There’s plenty of pool, run and riffle type water ideal for steelhead. Most of the bottom consist of gravel and coble but there’s some clay substrate. In some areas, sandstone and shale exit. It’s spring fed in areas which increases the pH level of the water and in turn provides plenty of aquatic insects. The fly fishing methods and strategies used for steelhead fishing on the Chagrin River are the same as those used on most other Lake Erie steelhead streams.
Just keep in mind that the distance upstream the steelhead migrate, mostly has to do with stream levels as well as the weather conditions. Different water levels vary the exact location of the majority of the steelhead and you must keep track of the current location. Local anglers are a big help in this respect. You don’t want to waste a lot of time casting in water void of steelhead.
Thanks to two parks, access is plentiful. Fly fishing the beautiful Chagrin River can be a wonderful experience. This is a prime example of just how a stream can add a wonderful contribution to the recreational opportunities and beauty even when a stream is nearby a large meto area.
Flies:
We have a complete line of flies for steelhead and salmon. We have selected them as the
most popular flies from thousands of patterns that have been developed over the years. We have some of our own Perfect Fly steelhead and salmon patterns. They imitate the hexigenia mayfly nymph, certain caddisfly nymphs, stonefly nymphs and fish roe or eggs that are found in the stream throughout the year. We also have a full line of popular wet flies, egg flies, Spey flies that are very popular. We hope you will give our flies a try.
Flies:
We always recommend our own “Perfect Fly” Trout Flies for fly fishing the Chagrin River. We have specific imitations of every important insect that hatches on the river. Our flies are the most realistic and most effective imitations you can buy..If you haven’t already done so, we hope you give them an opportunity to perform for you. You’ll be glad you did
Chagrin River Fishing Report:
03/11/20 There are steelhead in the river and some are being caught. The stream levels are okay and the next few days should be good.
04/21/2020 We received some more good reports on steelhead catches. Scuker spawn and our Perfect fly steelhead nymphs are working good.
08/30/20 We are getting good customer reports on smallmouth bass being caught. Our poppers and crayfish patterns are working.
10/07/20 We have reports of some steelhead entering the river. It should get better with more rain. Send us an email for recommended flies and gear. sales@perfectflystore.com
10/21/20 We are still getting good reports from customers fishing for steelhead.
11/07/20 The river is in okay shape and good numbers of steelhead are being caught by our customers. They are swinging, nymphing and using eggs. Send us an email for a recommended fly list.
11/20/20 Stream levels are running above normal level and our customers continue to send in some good reports on steelhead when the levels are okay. it should fall out soon..
12/21/20 The stream levels are a little high but should fall back down fast. We are getting some good reports from customers catching steelhead.
01/05/21 Steelhead are still being caught but the cold water has them a little sluggish. Fish nymphs, like our steehead black stonefly and SH cinnamon caddis larva.
01/24/21 The stream is low and the water very cold. Fish slow and deep using our Perfect Fly steelhead nymphs.
02/03/21 The stream levels at a normal level. Fish are still being caught. Fish our Perfect Fly steelhead nymphs for the best results but swinging our SH steamers is also working.
02/27/21 The river is at a normal level and in good shape. We are getting some good reports. The warm rain has raised the water temps some and that should be a big help.
03/17/21 The stream is low but we are still getting a few good reports. Fish the deeper pools using our steelhead nymphs.
05/01/21 Steelhead is done for the season.
08/21/21 The salmon start moving into the river the first part of September followed by the steelhead. Now is the time to get your flies and gear together. Give us a call 800 594 4726 or write us (sales@perfectflystore.com) for information you need to do that.
08/28/21 Salmon should start coming in anytime now.
08/06/21 The stream is flowing at a normal level. Salmon are coming into the river. Smallmouth bass fishing is very good.
09/17/21 The stream is flowing at a normal level and in good shape. Salmon are in the river and being caught by our customers in good numbers. Give us a call or shoot us an email for a recommend fly list.
09/27/21 We received more good reports from customers catching salmon.
10/07/21 The stream is still turning out some good catches of salmon. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week.
10/18/21 The stream is very high right now but should fall back down fast. We were getting good reports from customers fishing for salmon prior to the high levels.
10/28/21 Both salmon and steelhead are in the river. Good reports are coming in from customers prior to the higher water levels but it is falling fast.
11/04/21 Stream levels are still a little high but we are still getting some good reports.
11/12/21 The stream is presently very high due to recent rain but should fall back down fast. We have been getting some good reports.
11/20/21 The still is still high but should start coming down fast soon. It still can be fished in several places.
11/29/21 The water is still a good bit above normal level but okay. We received two good reports from customers catching steelhead this past week.
12/08/21 We received two more good reports from customers fishing for steelhead. The stream is still flowing well above normal levels.
12/16/21 The stream is down to a normal level in good shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing for steelhead yesterday.
12/24/21 The stream is at a normal level in good shape. We received two more good reports from customers fishing for steelhead this past week.
01/01/22 The stream is still at a normal level. We received one good report from a customer fishing for steelhead this past week. Happy New Year.
01/09/22 We received another good report on steelhead this past week. Our steelhead Giant Black nymphs and Steelhead Hexigenia nymphs are working good.
01/18/22 The stream turned out some more steelhead for our customers this past week. Fish the pools slow and deep. The water is cold.
01/25/21 The stream is cold and high. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week.
02/02/22 The stream is still very cold and a little high. We received one good report from a customer fishing for steelhead this past week.
02/10/22 We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week. Conditions are okay. Let us hear from you.
02/18/22 Stream levels are very high. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week.
02/26/22 The stream is still flowing at a high level. Steelhead are present but the cold, high water is making it tough to catch them. Let us hear from you.
03/06/22 The stream levels are still above normal but in better shape and slightly warmer. Our Sucker spawn and steelhead nymphs should work good.
03/14/22 The stream is still okay and the slightly warmer weather helps. Our Perfect Fly Sucker spawn flies and Hex steelhead nymphs are working good.
03/22/22 Stream levels are normal and the water clear. Steelhead are being caught in decent numbers.
03/30/22 The stream is still turning out good numbers of steelhead. Steam levels are near normal.
04/07/22 We are still getting good catch reports from customers.
04/23/22 We didn’t receive any catch reports from anyone this past week. There should still be some steelhead in the river but it is about over.
05/01/22 Steelhead fishing is done for the season.
08/12/22 The stream is producing some good smallmouth bass catches or our customers. Our crayfish and popper patterns both work.
09/19/22 The stream is flowing near a normal level and in good shape. Salmon are in the river and being caught by our customers in good numbers. Give us a call or shoot us an email for a recommend fly list.
09/26/22 The stream is still in okay condition with good numbers of salmon being caught by our customers.
10/09/22 We are still getting good reports of salmon being caught. No reports of steelhead yet but it should be starting anytime now.
10/31/22 Both salmon and steelhead are in the river. Good catch reports are coming in from customers for both species. Stream levels are near normal.
11/19/22 We have been getting some good reports from customers fishing for steelhead. Both swinging our steelhead streamers and fishing our steelhead nymphs and egg flies are working.
11/30/22 We received two more good reports from customers fishing for steelhead. The stream is still flowing at an okay level.
12/31/22 Stream levels have been rising and are above normal levels. Steelhead are still being caught.
02/04/23 The stream is okay level wise but the water very cold. Fish slow and deep using our Perfect Fly steelhead nymphs.
02/21/23 There are still steelhead in the river and we still are getting a few good reports. The stream level is low. Fish the deeper pools.
03/12/23 The stream level is down some and hopefully we will get some more steelhead catch reports.
04/05/23 We are getting some good reports from customers catching steelhead even though stream level and water color conditions are not perfect.
08/27/23 The stream is in good shape. The salmon start moving into the river the first part of September followed by the steelhead. Now is the time to get your flies and gear together. Give us a call 800 594 4726 or write us (sales@perfectflystore.com) for information you need to do that.
09/18/23 The stream is in good shape with good numbers of salmon in the river. We are getting good reports from customers.
09/25/23 More good salmon reports came in.
10/02/23 We are still getting good reports on salmon.
10/09/23 The river is still turning out good catches of salmon. Steelhead should start coming into the river very soon. Let us help you get ready for them with the right flies and gear.
10/20/23 Stream levels are high, but this is bringing in good numbers of fish.
11/02/23 Stream levels remain above normal and bringing in good numbers of fish.
11/09/23 Good numbers of steelhead are being caught. Our Hexigenia steelhead nymph is working great.
11/16/23 We received some more good catch reports on steelhead. Conditions remain good.
11/26/23 We are still getting good catch reports on steelhead. Our Estaz egg flies and Crystal meth flies are working as well as our egg sucking leeches and Hexigenia nymphs.
12/06/23 More good reports have come in from customers catching steelhead.
12/29/23 Sorry for the missed reports. We are still getting some very good catch reports on steelhead. Our Hexigenia steelhead nymphs and Estaz egg flies are working good.
01/10/24 The stream is flowing at a high level due to recent heavy rain. We have been getting some very good steelhead catch reports from customers.
01/20/24 Stream levels are just a little above normal. We continue to get good reports from customers catching steelhead. Our Hexigenia steelhead nymphs are working good.
02/01/24 Stream levels are still a little above normal but okay. We are still getting good steelhead reports.
02/12/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We continue to get some good catch reports on steelhead. Our Hexigenia steelhead and sucker spawn nymphs are working good.
02/21/24 The stream is still flowing well below normal and clear. Steelhead are still being caught mostly on nymph and egg flies.
02/28/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. There are still plenty steelhead in the river. Let us hear from you.
03/13/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. Our Hexigenia steelhead nymphs and Sucker spawn flies are working good.
03/20/24 The stream is flowing a little below normal level and clear. Fish the deeper holes with our salmonfly nymphs.
03/27/24 The stream is still full of steelhead. Stream levels are okay and we are getting some good reports.
04/10/24 We received two good catch reports on steelhead. Stream levels have been high and steelhead nymphs are working best.
04/17/24 We received another good report on steelhead. Our Sucker spawn and our Perfect fly steelhead nymphs are working good.
04/24/24 The stream is in good shape but steelhead fishing is about done for the season. Smallmouth bass fishing is starting to be good.
04/28/24 The river is producing some good smallmouth bass catches for our customers. Our crayfish and popper fly patterns are working good.
08/30/24 Salmon start moving into the river by the middle of September followed by the steelhead. Now is the time to get your flies and gear together.
09/05/24 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. Smallmouth bass and brown trout fishing should still be good.
09/12/24 Salmon are already entering the river. Let us help you gear up and get the right flies for them.
09/19/24 Now is the time to make a plan to fish the river. Salmon continue to come in it. Let us help you with fly selections, gear and tackle.
09/26/24 Conditions are good. We received a good report from a customer catching salmon this past week.
10/03/24 Salmon are in the river in good numbers and being caught. Conditions are good.
10/10/24 Conditions are good. We received two good reports from customers catching salmon this past week. Steelhead should start coming in, if not already doing so.
10/18/24 More good reports from customers fishing for Coho have come in. They are using our salmon nymphs and swinging our salmon streamers. Steelhead are coming into the river.
10/26/24 Coho are being caught in good numbers by our customers. We should soon be getting good reports on steelhead.
11/02/24 Our first report on steelhead came in this past week. Coho are being caught in good numbers.
11/09/24 More good reports have come in on Coho being caught. Conditions are good.
11/17/24 We received more good catch reports from customers fishing for Coho. Steelhead are also being caught. They are swinging, nymphing and using egg flies. Send us an email for a recommended fly list.
11/23/24 Very good conditions exist. We received three good reports from customers fishing for steelhead.
12/01/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received two more good reports from customers fishing for steelhead.
12/08/24 Steelhead are being caught in good numbers. Swinging our steelhead steamers and using our Hex and other nymphs is working good.
12/14/24 Conditions are good. We are getting good catch reports from customers catching steelhead.
Perfect Flies are designed and tied to to imitate and behave like the natural foods fish rely on to survive as much as possible. The more your fly looks like and moves through and on the surface of the water like the real things, the higher your odds of success.
Click Here to see our Steelhead Flies: Click Here to see our Salmon Flies.
Give us a call at 800 594 4726 or write us (sales@perfectflystore.com) for gear and fly recommendations.