Meet Our... Fly Fishing Guide

Meet Our... Fly Fishing Guide - Mike Steiner

Tell us a little about yourself?
I am originally from Sharon, Pennsylvania, but I have been living in Uniontown, Pennsylvania for the last 6 ½ years with my awesome and beautiful wife, Melodi.  I, obviously, love everything about the sport of Fly Fishing.  I also enjoy anything sports related, especially Pitt Football and Basketball and the Cincinnati Bengals (I love them almost as much as Fly Fishing).  Outside of that I tend to stay pretty low key…  

When did you start fishing and who introduced you to the sport/hobby?
I started fishing at a very early age (maybe 5ish), and if you asked my grandfather (Big Wump) he would say he introduced me to fishing.  When actually it was my father who had me out with a Snoopy fishing rod catching fish as far back as I can remember.  Fly Fishing came along later, my teenage years.  I actually was self-taught in the beginning, and over time I have learned a ton from many different fly anglers.

What are the benefits to fishing? What would you tell a first-timer to the sport?
The benefits of Fly Fishing are almost too many to share.  I would say the biggest benefit is just getting outside and enjoying nature.  It is a great way to relax and unwind and forget about the office or anything else that may be bothering you.  My advice to a first-timer would be, don’t put too much emphasis on catching the fish.  Enjoy the whole experience. Take in the surroundings and enjoy the process leading up to catching the fish.  Fly Fishing is something you will never master, you learn something new every time you are on the water.

What do you enjoy about guiding?
Everything!!!  The biggest reward I get is working with a client who wants to catch a specific fish.  I love when it all comes together.  It is so rewarding to watch someone make a great cast, get an awesome drift and then connect with the fish.  That sequence of events is what makes Fly Fishing so unique.

Favorite Fly?
Whatever is working that particular day. If the fish are eating it, then it’s my favorite… (My least favorite is the Green Weenie, because our Activities Director Matt Grobe likes it).

What is your favorite Fly Fishing trip?
I love any type of Saltwater Fly Fishing. It’s a nice change of pace from trout fishing, but it’s still tough to beat a day on the Youghiogheny River.  Our river is such an awesome fishery, and can reward you with a fish of a lifetime on any given day.

To date, what is your proudest accomplishment?
Being a Fly Fishing Guide...  I am blessed to be able to make a living doing something I truly love.  I wake up in the morning excited for what each day will bring.  I literally get to stand in a river and experience the sport of Fly Fishing with someone different almost every day.  It doesn’t get much better than that!

What is your favorite candy bar?
Twix (you get two of them).
What made you want to join the Nemacolin team?
I actually was attending an Orvis Guide Rendezvous (in Millbrook, New York) and met a few guides from Nemacolin.  We got to talking one evening about our places of employment, they told me a little about Nemacolin, and eventually we exchanged contact information.   About a year later I was interviewing for a guide position.  That was my first real look at the Resort. I was sold the minute we pulled up to the Chateau Lafayette.  At that moment I realized the potential for the Fly Fishing program.  Not only was the fishing great in the area, Nemacolin has so much to offer to get people to the Resort.

You have been at Nemacolin for a few years now.  Any “WOW” moment?
There are always “WOW” moments at Nemacolin, especially on the water.  Anytime you get someone tight with a fish you see it in their eyes.  It’s the same for me also; I get more excited than the angler when he/she hooks the fish!  So, yeah I would say plenty of “WOW” moments (because we catch a lot of fish)…  

Interested in booking a guided trip with Mike at the Nemacolin Woodlands Field Club? For more information or to schedule a fly fishing trip, please contact the Nemacolin Woodlands Field Club at 724.329.6770.

Fall Fishing in Pennsylvania

Fall fishing can be some of the most productive fishing of the year.  As the water cools from the "dog days of summer," the fish become more active, looking to bulk up for winter.  This allows us to use multiple tactics to target hungry trout.  Some of your most productive subsurface fishing happens during this time, streamer and nymph fishing usually will produce the best.

 

Target hungry, aggressive trout by throwing your favorite streamer pattern.  This technique works well in the fall because our Brown and Brook Trout are starting the spawning process.  Both species will eat these larger meals to gain energy that is lost due to spawning.  They will also eat these larger patterns in fear that they are trying to eat the freshly dropped eggs.

If streamer fishing is not your cup of tea, you can always go with your favorite nymph patterns under an indicator.  I, personally, like a large stonefly pattern with a small egg pattern fished in tandem.  This also coincides with the spawning activity.

If you enjoy the colors and cooler temperatures of fall; hopefully, these few tips will keep your line tight when fishing this season.

 

For more information or to schedule a Fall Fishing Guided Tour or Lesson, please contact the Nemacolin Field Club at 724.329.6770.

Tight Lines,
Mike Steiner
Orvis Operations Manager
NSCA Level 1 Sporting Clays Instructor
Nemacolin Field Club

Spring Fishing at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

As I am looking out of the window at the snow falling at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort's Field Club, (we received about 6" overnight), I can only think about one thing… Trout Fishing!

The Spring months (March and April) in my opinion offer some of the best Pennsylvania fly fishing of the year.  As air and water temperature begin to warm, our local trout streams begin to come to life.  After a long, hard winter of conserving energy, hungry trout start feeding more aggressively.  Usually we are focusing our attentions sub surface using streamer patterns and multiple nymph patterns.  However, early season can be a nymph fisherman’s dream as hungry trout key in on active mayflies and stoneflies.  You never know when you may run into an early season hatch and find fish feeding on the surface, presenting the opportunity for some Dry Fly action.

Weather and water can be unpredictable early in the fly fishing season, but I have had some of my best days guiding when conditions were less than ideal.  The early season is a great way to get dialed back in, knock the rust off and warm up for things to come.

If you are planning a trip to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort this spring and are itching to wet a line, contact the Nemacolin Field Club to schedule some time on the water.  Along the way we will have fun, enjoy the outdoors, learn a little, and try to catch some fish!

Just remember a bad day of fishing is always better than a good day at work! P.S. - Just look at all the smiles in the Fish pictures.

 

Tight Lines,
Michael Steiner

Orvis Operations Manager

NSCA Level 1 Sporting Clays Instructor

Nemacolin Field Club

Introduce Your Passion To The Next Generation...

I always think it's great when people want to get their young ones involved with fly fishing early. As I am out on the waters with them, I take a moment and think “this is the future of this great sport.” So if you are passionate about Fly Fishing, introduce your passion and try to get as many kids involved as you can. Regardless on how you do it, being bluegill on a pond or trout in a stream, these are going to be the next generation of conservationist to keep our sport going.

Mike Steiner
Fly Fishing Supervisor
The Nemacolin Field Club

Upland Bird Hunting Added To Field Club Amenities

Is the outdoorsman inside you yearning to get out? The Field Club at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is just the place for you. We now offer Upland Bird Hunting on 275 acres of groomed strips of cover planted land. Natural cover is also present, making for superb upland bird hunting. The elusive ring-necked pheasant along with the unpredictable chukar are the birds we offer for release. Hunts include a professional guide and well mannered bird dogs to provide an educational, safe and memorable hunting experience.

Our Upland Bid Hunting season runs from September through mid April, Monday – Saturday. No license is required. Young hunters must be a minimum of 12 years old and have passed a hunter safety course in their home state. A parent or guardian (18 or older) must accompany young hunters at all times. Florescent orange is required to be worn while afield and is available for use. Rental guns, along with ammunition are available at The Field Club. Field dressing of your harvest is available for an additional fee.

Discover the benefits available to your group by hosting a Corporate Hunt at The Filed Club. A great teambuilding activity, Upland Bird Hunts provide an alternative setting to strengthen bonds and trust and open doors for networking and relationship building. Corporate packages can be customized for your group. Above is a picture from our last Corporate hunt.

For more information, please contact The Nemacolin Field Club at 724.329.6770.

Chuck Groff
Upland Hunting / Sporting Clays Supervisor
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort