Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2021 - 60

Angler's Notebook
by Jerry Bush
Steelhead are migrating toward Lake Erie's tributaries, but
most will not enter until mid-October, after heavy rains and
cooler temperatures affect the streams. In the meantime,
steelhead may be caught in marinas and offshore if the
lake is calm. Wade near the outflow of a tributary, and let
the flowing water work for you. Cast a large, bright bobber
or strike indicator into the current and allow it to drag
marabou jigs or streamers to staged steelhead. A plain
marabou jig will often outproduce a bait-tipped jig.
Bass are aggressive as winter approaches, but a 5-degree
change in water temperature interferes with its senses. Target
fish in 10 feet of water, where the average temperature will be
less subject to quick changes. Boating anglers should locate
the 10 feet depth and cast parallel to land protrusions that
poke into a lake's main body. The outcroppings represent
structure and provides a visual aid for anglers to keep lures
in water at the desired depth. Casting perpendicular to
protrusions toward shallower water at this time translates to
reeling lures aimlessly and only momentarily through the
desired strike zone.
Inland lake Walleyes are seeking to add protein before
winter arrives. Hungry Walleyes move into shallows at dark
or during low light conditions to feed on schools of baitfish
that grouped together when the water was still warm from
the daylight sun. Throughout the night, the shallow water will
cool, and the baitfish will slowly move into slightly deeper
water, meaning the Walleyes will follow the baitfish. Fish are
shallower in the evening than during early morning hours.
Fishin' from the Kitchen
Baked Steelhead Crusted with
Flavored Fresh Breadcrumbs
by Wayne Phillips
Baking steelhead under fresh breadcrumbs keeps the fish
moist and adds more flavor to the dish.
Ingredients for four servings:
* 4 6-ounce boneless
steelhead fillets
* 4 slices fresh bread,
broken into pieces
* 1 small onion, diced
Procedure
Add bread, onion, garlic, and thyme to a food processor.
Pulse until the bread consists of crumbs. Season with salt
and black pepper. Add 2 Tbsp. olive oil and pulse once
more. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Rub the bottom of a
baking dish with the remaining olive oil. Carefully press the
breadcrumb mixture onto one side of the fillets. Place the
60
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * September/October 2021
* 1 clove garlic, diced
* 2 tsp. dried thyme
* 3 Tbsp. olive oil (divided)
* Salt and black pepper to taste
fillets in a baking dish,
crumb side up.
Bake for 15- to
20-minutes until the
fish is cooked through
and the topping is
golden brown.
Serve
Ideal sides are
macaroni and cheese and a
green vegetable like broccoli,
sugar snap peas, or asparagus.
Tips
Adding a bit of oil to the breadcrumbs helps
the breadcrumbs get crisp and brown. Using whole grain
bread gives the dish a nutty quality.
Using different breads adds even more flavor to the fish.
Artisan breads like sourdough bread are perfect. Pretzels
may be added to the breadcrumb mixture. Consider
adding dried herbs like tarragon or oregano. Orange, lime,
or lemon zest also add more flavor.
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For Pennsylvania
fly tiers who are also
white-tailed deer
hunters, there is an
item equally beneficial to both activities. Studies show whitetailed
deer notice the ultraviolet reflections of dyes used
to create depth in camouflage garments and the chemicals
used by many commercial detergents to enhance color.
An increasing number of hunters are purchasing special
detergents for cleansing hunting clothes and then using
ultraviolet lights to test for ultraviolet reflection. That same
light may be used by fly tiers to activate head cements that
require exposure to ultraviolet light to harden. Conversely,
if you purchased an ultraviolet light for tying flies, that
same instrument can be used to scan hunting garments for
ultraviolet reflection.
A fly fishing guide suggested I purchase or tie some
traditional fly patterns with purple added in. Unable to
think of any insect or creature that was purple, I assumed
he was joking. He then tied an Adams Dry Fly with a
purple abdomen to my tippet, and it quickly produced a
trout. Though I caught several fish with that fly, I still may
have attributed it to luck, until I found the same advice in
a favored fly fishing manual. Apparently, I overlooked the
sage advice when I first read the manual, which advises that
trout notice colors of the blue spectrum. Match the hatch
when fish are hitting naturals, but be ready with purple
when trout desire something different.
photo-Jerry Bush
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2021

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