Warren County is a great place to be a kid. One of the reasons behind this is the herculean efforts of the Warren County Council of Sportsmen's Clubs. The County Council either sponsors or supports several outstanding events that either directly, or indirectly, benefit youth of the area.
The County Council is composed of representatives from sportsmen's clubs in Warren County. While a relatively small group of individuals does the lion's share of work, many other local sportsmen can be called upon to volunteer when needed.
One of the events which falls into the indirect category of supporting youth is their annual Benefit Shoot for Warren County Council of Sportsmen's Clubs Youth Activities. It will be held Sunday, October 2, at Kalbfus Rod & Gun Club. Registration starts at 9 a.m. and continues until 3:00 p.m.
For sportsmen who have not visited Kalbfus Rod & Gun Club recently, you should be very pleased to see the many improvements of club grounds. It has become a premier site for events such as this benefit shoot.
The success of these benefit shoots has been a slave to the weather. October weather in Warren County can be glorious, with moderate temperatures, blue skies with billowy white clouds and brilliant fall foliage. But it also can be wet and cold. So if necessary bring your wet weather gear and shoot regardless of the weather. The money raised at this event is vital to events that help guide kids along life's path, putting them in touch with nature, learning healthy sports that they can do for a lifetime, and for some helping them on career goals.
"It's the money we use for Warren County Youth Field Days, Warren County Youth Conservation Camp, Leadership School, all of that stuff," said County Council chairman Bill Lyon.
Even though all of the manpower that is essential for putting on these events is done by volunteers, it still takes a considerable amount of money. Fortunately local sportsmen have a history of supporting youth events. A large portion of local sportsmen either grew up here with an appreciation of outdoor sports, or they have come here at least partly because they have longed for our closer connection to the outdoors.
Steelhead fishing update
The steelhead run at Lake Erie is getting underway slowly. Steelhead and been moving in and out of the lower pools of the larger tributaries. The better fishing has been at Walnut Creek Access and at lower Elk Creek. On the east side of Erie, where creeks are considerably closer to Warren, Twentymile Creek has some steelhead.
Steelhead are hanging off the mouths of all of the tributaries. It will take a considerable amount of cold rain to being waves of steelhead into the creeks. In the meantime, some very good fishing can be had by casting off shore into Lake Erie near the creek mouths. Already some very nice steelhead, in the 13-pound class, have been reported. Also, a 13-pound brown trout was reportedly caught near the mouth of Trout Run.
One of the most important factors for this early season steelhead fishing is staying out of the water. Of course, once larger groups of anglers congregate off any creek mouth, some are bound to wade. Apparently they think that getting their lures 10 feet farther from shore will help in some way. But the reality of the situation is that steelhead are very close to shore around sunrise. Often they can be seen jumping, or their fins are visible shark-like cutting the surface. But the moment anyone wades into the water they are gone.
The situation is about the same in the creeks where wading makes absolutely no sense, but some anglers just are compelled to do it. Apparently they spent good money on waders, so they are going to use them regardless of the fact that they are spoiling fishing for themselves and everyone else in the area.
For casting off the beach, the most popular lures are spoons and spinners. Long-time favorites are the Roostertail Spinner, and in the spoon department, Little Cleo, Krocadile and K.O. Wobbler. Top color patterns are blue/silver, green/silver, orange/gold and red/gold. Of course many other patterns may be effective.
Stick baits are largely overlooked, but at times they may be much more effective than either spoons or spinners. Stick to the same basic color patterns.