The Steel Mill

It dawned on me that when I moved to Ohio I would once again live in Steelhead Alley. I was excited to live so close to water similar to what I grew up on in western New York. When talking with my friend Jamie, we were discussing all of the trips that he and others have taken with project healing waters (PHW). Going to Michigan for King Slamon. Trips to the coast for False Albacore. I thought to myself, I wonder if these guys would like to come fish for Great Lakes Steelhead. I also know I would like to get the guys from my (PHW) chapter down south for some Appalachian Mountain fishing in those beautiful trout streams. So, I mentioned the idea of trading trips with Jamie as well as the lead of my PHW chapter. Well, the idea has really taken hold. I'm happy to say that we are well into the planning and logistics of getting a Steelhead trip set up and also sharing contacts to get my guys down on the South Holston River in Tennessee. I'm looking forward to bringing those guys up and offering my services as a guide to not only get these guys on fish but also hopefully teach them a bit more about Great Lakes Steelhead. 

 I want it to be more of an immersive camp. Fishing by day and discussing tactics, techniques, and locations at night. Sitting around and tying flies with everyone that maybe we had great success with that morning.

 One of the best ways to fight depression is giving people things to look forward to. The light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. I hope by providing these trips I can give guys something to look forward to. Something to work towards. Something to live for. When they tie that fly, they can get excited about fishing for steelhead with it. If they build a rod, maybe it's to come fish steelhead with it. I hope that we can be the spark that ignites several of these "trade a trip" programs. Each PHW chapter has unique locations and unique experiences that they can share with other chapters. Steelhead in Ohio, Brookies in North Carolina, maybe Smallmouth in the Ozarks. The possibilities are endless. Giving guys lots of things to look forward to. I jokingly have started calling this trip the Steel Mill. Obviously, a play on words, but the more I thought of it, it also has meaning. Just as a mill forges steel, we will forge friendships, fellowship, and memories through this program.