The outdoor life is Dan Pribanic's birthright. The ninth of 10 sons in his family, he grew up hunting near Sandusky and fishing on Lake Erie before opening Chagrin River Outfitters in 2006. "We have people that travel from all over the country to fish here," he says. They're hoping to catch the steelhead that thrive in the Chagrin and Grand rivers this time of year. We asked Pribanic for some fly-fishing pointers.
1. Suit Up - Pribanic gets height, weight and shoe size from clients a week before the four- and eight-hour guided trips. He also provides a rod, reel and bait. "Underneath your waders, wear long johns and a pair of fleece pants. Up top, you're talking a good layering piece ... and a waterproof [and] windproof fleece."
2. Scout Your Spot - "You're looking for water that has structure — rocks, logs, something like that." Fish constantly face upstream, Pribanic explains. They get as sick of it as we would, so they like to take shelter behind obstructions.
3. Cast Away ... and Relax - Pribanic says newcomers often flick their lines around like orchestra conductors. "One or two casts, and your fly should be in the water." Kick back, and you'll have success. "If I take somebody out that's brand new, we can expect to hook anywhere from five to 10 steelhead, which is pretty damn good."
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