About SteelHead Addiction
Built by anglers, for anglers. Real-time data and trusted gear to help you make the most of every trip across Lake Erie and Lake Ontario's steelhead tributaries.
SteelHead Addiction is a resource for anglers targeting steelhead and trout across the Great Lakes tributaries of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. From the Lake Erie streams of Steelhead Alley to the legendary Salmon River and Lake Ontario tributaries, we combine real-time river monitoring, curated gear recommendations, and in-depth fishing content so you can spend less time guessing and more time on the water.
Who runs this site
SteelHead Addiction is owned and operated by Buell EA LLC, an Ohio limited liability company headquartered in Stark County, Ohio. The site is built and maintained by DJ Buell, a lifelong Lake Erie tributary angler and the founder of Buell EA, with editorial input from a small network of guides and shop owners along the Alley. We're not a media conglomerate — we're a one-person shop with friends.
For business, editorial, partnership, or press inquiries, the best front door is our contact page or info@steelheadaddiction.com. We typically reply within 1–2 business days.
How we make money
SteelHead Addiction is a free, ad- and affiliate-supported editorial site. We do not sell products directly. When you click a gear recommendation and complete a purchase on Amazon (or another partner retailer), we may earn a small commission — at no additional cost to you. The retailer handles the order, payment, shipping, and returns; we just made the introduction.
We also display ads served by Google AdSense and feature paid sponsorships from regional fly shops and guides on river pages. Sponsored content is always clearly labeled.
Real-Time River Data
Our monitoring system pulls from 53 USGS gauges and weather stations every 15 minutes, covering 31 rivers across Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Flow trends, clarity estimates, water temps, and AI-powered fishing ratings help you decide which river to hit before you leave the house.
Trusted Gear
Every product we feature is gear we've used and trust on Steelhead Alley waters -- from rods and reels to terminal tackle and wading gear. We participate in the Amazon Associates Program and earn from qualifying purchases.
Fishing Content
In-depth articles, river guides, and video content covering techniques, local knowledge, and trip reports. Whether you're swinging flies on the Salmon River or drifting eggs on the Chagrin, we've got you covered.
Our Coverage Area
We monitor 31 rivers with 53 USGS gauges across the Great Lakes steelhead fisheries of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.
Ohio (11 rivers)
- Rocky River
- Chagrin River
- Grand River
- Cuyahoga River
- Conneaut Creek
- Vermilion River
- Huron River
- Black River
- Euclid Creek
- Ashtabula River
- Brandy Run
Pennsylvania (4 rivers)
- Elk Creek
- Walnut Creek
- Twenty Mile Creek
- Crooked Creek
New York — Lake Erie (7 rivers)
- Cattaraugus Creek
- Chautauqua Creek
- Eighteen Mile Creek
- Canadaway Creek
- Silver Creek
- Buffalo Creek
- Cazenovia Creek
New York — Lake Ontario (9 rivers)
- Salmon River
- Genesee River
- Oak Orchard Creek
- Irondequoit Creek
- Eighteenmile Creek (Niagara)
- Johnson Creek
- Sandy Creek (Hamlin)
- Sandy Creek (Adams)
- Black River (Watertown)
Get in Touch
Questions, feedback, river reports, or business inquiries? We'd love to hear from you.
