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Anglers mourn loss of Hillman
Ohio anglers were saddened to learn of the passing Monday of Phil Hillman, who as the region’s fish management supervisor led the charge for our fish, fishing and fishers.
Northeast Ohio anglers owe much to his hard work and will miss his dedicated and frank approach to managing our fisheries.
Even the steelhead shed tears this week. To call Phil the Father of Ohio’s Steelhead would not be overstating his work in establishing the fishery and his love of catching steelhead.
Phil worked more than 30 years for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. Most recently he was fish management supervisor for Division of Wildlife’s Division Three based in Akron.
He was a staunch advocate for improving angler access on our district’s reservoirs and rivers. He was not only a fisheries biologist, but also a world-class fisherman.
Phil recognized many years ago that Ohio’s Lake Erie tributaries were better suited for steelhead trout stockings than coho salmon, which were introduced in the late 1970s. He spearheaded the effort to establish steelhead in our Erie streams.
D’Arcy Egan, retired outdoor editor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, knew Phil well.
“Phil cared deeply about protecting and enhancing Ohio’s fisheries, especially his beloved steelhead fishing.” Egan said. “Phil and his stellar crews worked diligently for Northeast Ohioans, from the world-class steelhead fishery to exceptional bass, walleye and muskie. The Ohio Division of Wildlife has some very large shoes to fill.”
Rich Carter is executive administrator of Ohio’s fish management and research: “Phil was a catalyst behind development of Ohio’s world-class steelhead fishing. Any angler who has had the experience of catching one of those ‘silver bullets’ has him to thank.”
Carter said Phil was an exceptional fisheries scientist who worked tirelessly. “He understood the steelhead like few others and could catch them with the best. He excelled at working with our constituents and was highly respected by all who knew him,” he said.
Muskie and steelhead angler Chris DePaola of Austintown met Phil in the mid-1980s while fishing at Lake Milton. They became good friends and enjoyed fishing together.
“Truly, Phil was a fisherman’s fisherman,” DePaola said. “He was an advocate for developing fisheries in Ohio. It was his passion.”
DePaola described a fishing trip 15 years ago on Conneaut Creek. “Phil told me he brought someone special who he wanted me to meet. It was then-Gov. Bob Taft. Phil wanted to expose the governor to the great steelhead fishing in Ohio and introduce him to some everyday fishermen.”
Phil was proud of the NE Ohio district he served. DePaola noted Phil played a key role in having Lake Milton added to the annual muskie stocking program. “Often Phil could be heard bragging to others about the quality fisheries Ohio boasted.”
Girard brothers Jim and John Breedlove are top rods for walleye and steelhead. Jim was starting the Western Reserve Walleye Association when he met Phil Hillman.
“Phil was a regular speaker at our meetings with his ‘State of the Walleye Address’,” Jim said. “As our club grew, so did our friendship and shared passion for steelhead fishing.
“I remember fishing Conneaut Creek, and Phil had it all figured out,” Jim said. “We were to drive up very early and leave his car upstream and carpool downstream so we could fish upstream toward his car. ‘Jim,’ he said, ‘we’re gonna fish fast, I mean fast!’”
World-class. It is said often by those familiar with Ohio’s steelhead fishing. It also describes Phil Hillman.
He is survived by wife Carolyn and sons Adam, Matt and Zach.