Guide:

About Your Trip

Water Type

River

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

About Your Trip

If you've been looking for a top-tier sportfishing trip here on Lake Erie, you're in the right place! Many people don't know that the Great Lakes are home to some of the biggest, baddest freshwater sportfish in the USA, and there's no better way to hook some up than a trip with Captain Jim. On this trip, you'll explore the tributaries of Lake Erie, where big Steelhead run.

You'll be chasing the fish on flyfishing gear. Steelhead are really a lake-run Rainbow Trout, but due to their diet of baitfish (rather than bugs), they get much larger and fiestier than their river-living cousins. Hunting Steelhead on fly tackle is a real thrill, and these fish provide a challenge for every level of angler! When one of these fish takes the hook, expect a big fight. With strong runs and big jumps, Steelhead are the hardest-fighting fish in the Great Lakes.

Captain Jim runs his trips aboard his 22' Bayliner cuddy cabin, a beautiful vessel that's ideal for families or groups of up to four. She's fast, with a 230-HP Volvo inboard engine, and comfortable, with seating and an enclosed cabin area. She also has all the electronics and gear you could want!

Your captain will come prepared with everything you need for an awesome trip. Just bring your fishing licenses, proper clothing, and a cooler for your keepers!

Amenities

Water Type

River

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Fish Cleaning

This guide will clean your catch for you.

Boat Restroom

This boat has a restroom.

Live Bait

Live bait is included for this trip.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled for a refund up to 1 days before the trip.

Beer

No beer allowed.

Kid Friendly

This trip is best for adults.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

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Pricing Matrix

	5 Hours
1 Person	$650.00
2 People	$650.00
3 People	$650.00
4 People	$650.00

Pay 25% of the price as a deposit today, with the balance due on the day of the trip.

You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

Reserve Your Trip

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You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

About Your Guide

Jim S.

Independent Guide

About Your Guide

Jim S.

Independent Guide

Captain Jim has had his passion for the water from an early age. As a young child growing up in Alaska and Cape Cod, his parents and grandparents would often take him to the docks to watch the fishing boats. The first fish he remembers catching was a sunfish off the coast of Cape Cod, MA. He used kite string tied to a wrench with a nut for weight and a shiny hook without any bait, just fooling around as a way to keep a child occupied—which it did, as he landed a sunfish. A short time later, Jim moved to Pennsylvania. His father had a run-a-bout and they fished the rivers south of Pittsburgh. It was on these local rivers and lakes that he learned a lot about basic fishing techniques. In his teen years, he picked up his fathers fly rod and learned to flyfish. 30 years later he is still flyfishing as well as fishing the lakes and rivers of his youth and has moved into Lake Erie and its tributaries.

After high school, he landed a job on the inland river systems as a deckhand on the “barges”, as most call them, riverboats pushing product from the Gulf to St. Paul and to Pittsburgh. Having worked his way up in rank since he started working the river 1997, in 2007, he applied for a USGC license. Once he received the license he began operating these boats and became a Pilot and in time the Captain. Captain Jim operates a 710GRT (gross ton) vessel pushing 15 to 20 barges along the narrow rivers. The boat and tow combined is 1168 feet long and 110 feet wide. In 2018 he applied for a Masters OUPV 100GRT near coastal license. As per date, 11+ years operating a boat/vessel with a USCG license he has zero incidents on his record. During that time, he also owned his own personal pleasure and fishing boat. As of spring of 2019, Captain Jim has applied for the additional license and permits to get fisherman out on the water doing what he really loves to do… fishing. Get out there with him and catch some fish with one of Lake Erie's most knowledgeable captains!

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Start Location & Lodging Options

Erie, Pennsylvania

Areas Fished

Lake Erie

About Your Boat

Boat photo for Lake Erie Steelhead on the Fly

Boat Type: Cuddy Cabin
Boat Manufacturer: Bayliner
Year Built: 1985
Boat Length: 22'

About Your Boat

Boat Type: Cuddy Cabin
Boat Manufacturer: Bayliner
Year Built: 1985
Boat Length: 22'
Engine Manufacturer: Volvo
Total Horsepower: 230
Number of Engines: 1
Additional Amenities: GPS, Fishfinder, Live Bait Well, Outriggers, Ice Box

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Trip Details & Amenities

Water Type

River

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Fish Cleaning

This guide will clean your catch for you.

Boat Restroom

This boat has a restroom.

Live Bait

Live bait is included for this trip.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled for a refund up to 1 days before the trip.

Beer

No beer allowed.

Kid Friendly

This trip is best for adults.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .

View Full Species Seasonality Chart »

Get it while it's HOT!
This species is in play.
You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Techniques

Fly Fishing

Everything Else to Know

Ice Box, Rods, reels & tackle included.

You'll need to buy a fishing license before getting out there. Find out more about licenses here.

We use a cashless autopay system. We'll send you a boarding pass, and on the day of the trip, your guide will scan your boarding pass to automatically transfer the remaining balance. The only cash needed is to tip your guide (we recommend 20%).

Cancel up to 1 day before the trip and receive credit back to your account. Day-of cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full balance of the trip to their card.

In the event of inclement weather you'll be covered by out 100% Weather Guarantee and will not lose your deposit.

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First Time Booking with Us?

Captain Experiences is home to 1,600+ quality, vetted fishing and hunting guides across the US and beyond. Our mission is to Unlock the Outdoors by making it quick and easy to book the trip of a lifetime every time with our Damn Good Guides.

We vet our guides and only partner with the best of the best. Our guides do their very best to keep you safe, show you a great time, and send you home with a memorable experience shared with family and friends.

Once you've paid your deposit at checkout, we'll send you a QR Code boarding pass. Just show your guide your boarding pass on the day of the trip, they'll scan it, the remaining balance will transfer automatically, and you'll be all set to get out there. Just make sure you bring a cash tip for the guide!

In the event of inclement weather, our guides will check the conditions and make the final call on whether its safe to go on the trip. If they decide the trip needs to be postponed, we'll work closely with you to reschedule or provide a credit for the full deposit, which can be applied to any of our trips in the US and beyond.

Each trip's price is determined by the guide and reflects all associated costs. A significant factor in pricing is often the type of boat and the corresponding fuel expenses. Additional costs may include leases, marina or slip fees, bait, and the expenses involved in providing and maintaining the necessary gear for your trip.

After booking your trip, we'll connect you directly with your guide to discuss additional details. In the meantime, our team is here to answer any questions via email, text, or phone.