Steelhead Action At Fairport Harbor Pier

The northeast Ohio fall weather has been unusually warm and dry. The area has yet to experience a rain or snow event that results in the rivers being blown out. Because of that, the steelhead run has been spotty. There are some fish getting up the rivers, and fishermen are hooking into them, but the vast majority of steelhead are still staged at the mouths of the rivers. Reports of exceptional catches close to the mouths of the rivers have been circulating for some time.

The Fairport Harbor pier is a popular spot for fishermen throughout the year, but the fall is when the place explodes with activity. The pier, which is on the east side of the mouth of the Grand River, is often referred to as the short pier. From the pier or a kayak, fishermen will use baitfish patterns, spawn sacks, and spoons to tempt the steelhead.

The Fairport Harbor short pier. A popular spot for fall steelhead action for spin fishermen.

(Click on image for larger view.)

The weather was so nice yesterday that my wife and I went for a walk at Mentor Headlands State Park. The path takes us to a spot with a clear view of the pier. There were about eight people fishing which surprised me. I would have thought there would be more with record warmth. Then I realized there were more fishermen on the Headlands side of the mouth. The pier on the Headlands side is considered the long pier, as it extends further out into Lake Erie. Both piers would be ideal for someone with spinning equipment wanting to get into some chrome. But, hurry up because this weather may not last. And there are a lot of fishermen hoping for that blow out rain/snow event to heat up the action up the rivers.

Go out and fool a fish!

SIMMS® – Stick With Old Fashioned Laces On Your Boots

SIMMS® has a reputation for producing quality fishing gear. In a small, unscientific study, I noticed that most of the fishermen I see on the water have at least one article of clothing, waders, or boots with the SIMMS® brand. A company with that much market share doesn’t supply poor quality products.

But, I must admit at being less than thrilled with the wading boots I purchased with the Boa Technology lacing system. In 2013 I purchased the Rivertek wading boot. The first time I used the boots the lacing loosened, and after turning the knob to tighten the wire laces, they loosened again. This was the norm and not the exception. I lived with this because of the alumi-bite cleats, which are very helpful in wading.

After using the boots for a little more than a year I noticed the wire lacing on the right boot was fraying. I contacted SIMMS® and they pointed me to Boa Technology and said replacement parts could be sent to me. I contacted Boa and they sent replacement parts at no charge. To me, that’s a red flag. Why would a company send replacement parts at no charge? Did they know there were some issues with their system? The winding knob and laces were replaced on the right boot but the loosening continued. Now, three months later I had to have the left boot wire laces repaired. That’s way too much maintenance for a system that doesn’t seem to work.

The next pair of boots I buy, and it seems I may have to buy sooner rather than later, may be another SIMMS® product, but it definitely will not be with the wire lacing system. I don’t think you can wrong with good, old fashioned laces.

I Was Starting to Smell Skunky

When steelhead season starts I set modest expectations knowing that catching chrome is not usually a big numbers game. I expected to catch a few, and have some days when I get shut out. Well, after catching two in mid-to-late October I thought that maybe my expectations were too low. Then came November, and after a handful of trips, went 0 for the month. So much for raising expectations. I was starting to smell skunky… until today. Finally.

Off and on, the past several trips I have been experimenting with a sinking leader, hoping to get deeper in some of the pools on the Grand. Using a standard leader, I never felt like I was near the bottom whenever I would swing a fly through a pool. Today, I tied on an egg sucking leech, and it was my ticket to success.

The photo has no perspective, as I was in a hurry to snap the photo and release the fish. My guess is it was close to 20”, and had a nice pink color on the gill plate. It put up a good fight after a very subtle take. Most of the takes I’ve had swinging a fly have been strong. The tug is distinctive, so there’s no doubt a fish is on. Today’s take felt like the fly ticked bottom. No matter, skunk off.

No perspective, about 20".  Pink color just starting to show up.

(Click on image for larger view.)

The rest of the fishermen on the river seemed to be having a tough time of it. There was a guide with a client who said I might have caught the only fish in the river. I’ve been where they were at, and feel their pain. They’ll catch em. I'm convinced steelhead fishing is being in the right place, at the right time.

Go out and fool a fish!

How To Know It’s Steelhead Season

Sometime in early fall the rivers in the Great Lakes region are transformed from benign, tranquil waters to something that has been described as ‘combat fishing”. Pushing, shoving, and name calling aside, there are several things we all go through during this chrome chasing frenzy called steelhead fishing. Here are some of the things I notice about steelhead season. How about you?

1. Parking lots are full, and if they’re full, you can picture the river.

This photo was taken during the week. Imagine the weekend.

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2. Ice on the guides. All the remedies found to keep the ice off only seem to work for so long.

3. Having to wear four layers of clothes, gloves, a hat, and a stocking cap.

4. Egg patterns are all the rage.

5. Catch a lot more leaves than fish. Then you notice the trees are bare, and have a distinctive brown/gray color. Bad time for picture taking.

A little fog makes the brown/gray color of the trees look better.

6. It’s 6:40AM and all the good spots on the river are taken.

7. Reports of fishermen catching steelhead fill Facebook, Twitter, and fishing websites.

8. The wife starts looking at you like your crazy because it is 28° and you’re loading the car with gear.

9. Being on the water fighting with ice on the guides wishing it was 75° and smallmouth time.

A smallie on a popper, in warm weather. Can't wait.

10. Seeing centerpinners get 50’-60’ drifts with their float rigs.

11. Can’t leave it out, pushing and name calling after fishing lines are crossed or worse yet, cut.

12. You ask someone who is leaving how’s the bite and they say “you should have been here yesterday”.

Website Review – Mossy Creek Fly Fishing

Even before I got back into the sport after a long break, I knew there were many states that offered great fishing. If someone wants world class muskie fishing, they head to Wisconsin and Minnesota. If smallmouth bass is your target, then Ohio and Lake Erie would be the place to go. Want to fish for trout, then Montana, Pennsylvania, and many other eastern and western states would be on most fishermen’s list. What I didn’t realize until after I started fishing again was Virginia has all these species and more.

The state of Virginia is blessed with great river systems, and they hold excellent quantities of largemouth and smallmouth bass, muskie, carp, and trout. The Potomac, James, and Shenandoah are the main rivers, with many other smaller rivers and spring creeks throughout the state, but the real gem for Virginia is the Shenandoah Valley. It is loaded with exceptional fishing opportunities.

Located in the heart of the valley is Mossy Creek Fly Fishing. Named for the spring creek that flows through the valley, this full-service fly shop is the gateway to any species you want to target. Owned by twin brothers, Colby and Brian Trow, Mossy Creek has a stable of guides ready to work hard, to give you a memorable day on the water. The great thing is the guides will work with the inexperienced as well as the experienced fisherman. I can attest from personal experience, as my learning curve accelerated when I spent a day on the water with Brian.

After a year of flailing away with a fly rod, being unsuccessful, my brother-in-law, Art, suggested a guided trip with Brian. He had fished with him on several occasions, and believed Brian could be helpful to my progress. Within about an hour on the creek Brian had me casting better, and more importantly, I began to learn how to catch fish.

The Mossy Creek website is consistently updated with fishing reports covering the rivers and spring creeks in Virginia. In addition, they also cover small streams located in Shenandoah National Park and the George Washington National Forest. Small streams in these areas have excellent brook trout fishing.

So, if you are looking for a starting point to discover the fishing in Virginia, Mossy Creek Fly Fishing is it. They have the experience to make your trip successful. You will quickly realize that Virginia is for lovers………of fishing.

To visit their website click on the link provided below.

Go out and fool a fish!

Mossy Creek Fly Fishing

The Wind Won

Several of the fishermen who battled the wind in search of steel.

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Northeast Ohio has enjoyed a relatively warm and dry November. The normal, November high temperature for the area is around 57° (F). Many days, the temperature reached the mid-to-upper 60’s (F), with a few days above 70° (F). While there have been a couple of cool fronts, the temps didn’t stay low for long. This has allowed fishermen a chance to chase steelhead without worrying about how many layers of clothes are needed. That’s about to change, with a major cold front due the end of this week. This “slap in the face” will take the temperatures below freezing, and according to the weather forecast, keep them there for 3-4 days. In addition, the area is supposed to receive its first measurable snowfall, meaning we’ll have to get the shovel out and move some snow. So, if I was going to get a day on the water it had to be today, or I could be sidelined for more than a week, if and when the rivers blow out.

The only downside to these warm days this time of the year is that the wind is usually a little stronger than normal. Up until this week the wind has been very manageable, not affecting the ability to cast a streamer or nymph. That certainly changed yesterday, as the winds were gusting to 20 mph, and only got stronger last night. When I woke up at 1:00AM I thought I heard the sound of a train. It took me about five seconds to realize that roar was the wind. After hearing that sound I had a restless night, knowing that my day on the river just got tougher.

I consider myself an OK fly caster, but my fear is an OK caster may not cut it battling gusty winds up to 40 mph. I have fished on days when the wind was up, but not close to the speed that was going on today. After all, 40 mph is about the minimum speed for a tropical storm.

I made my way to the river, and the stretch of water I started fishing flows south to north. The water had white caps whenever a stronger gust blew through. The wind was out of the south, so it was into my right arm, which is my casting arm. If I wasn’t careful the risk of the fly being blown into my neck or ear was high. In addition, I had to move downstream, so the wind would always be off my casting arm.

Well, using a variety of casts including sidearm, roll, and turning my back to the river, I made it through the session without any scars, but I found out that the only thing worse than fighting a strong wind, is fighting a strong wind, and not having the fish cooperate. After fishing over a half mile of river without a take, I had enough. The wind won. Even worse, I had to walk/wade back upstream to the car……against the wind!

I guess misery loves company. There were about a dozen fishermen on the river using a variety of fly rods, spinning gear, and spey rods, and all of them looked to be struggling with the wind as well.

With all this moaning you’d think I had a bad day. Not me. Any day on the water is a good day.

Go out and fool a fish!

Website Review – Ohio Game Fishing

Ohio Game Fishing (OGF) is a website that mirrors the opportunities that the state of Ohio offers fishermen. Like many online communities, OGF is full of forums to post and discuss just about any species of fish found in Ohio waters. Do you want to know how the walleye are biting, and what bait or lure is being used? You can find out quickly. Looking for crappie in one of the many inland lakes? You can find it. Smallmouth bass? No problem. Catfish and stripers from the Ohio River? Oh yeah, OGF has it. I could go on and on, but I’ll quit there. You get the idea.

One of the unique features of the site is that there are different forums for different parts of the state. If you’re looking for information about Alum Creek, visit the Central Ohio forum. Smallmouth bass in the Little Miami River, visit the Southwest Ohio forum. This makes finding information easier, and brings users closer together. Many of the fishermen in the OGF community often fish together.

Besides visiting the site for information on fly fishing, steelhead, and smallies, I like the site because it is monitored, and any discussions that involve name calling or profanity are eliminated, and the people involved will be banned from posting for a period of time. I believe there’s been more than one person who’s been banned for 30 days. Of course, this behavior is not limited to OGF, many sites on the internet have to closely monitor the activity.

While you can find information about how your favorite lake or river has been fishing, the forums do have the look of a brag board, where fishermen post their latest catches. In fact, I think knowing how to take a selfie while holding a fish is a prerequisite for OGF. I give the selfie artists a lot of credit. I couldn’t hold a fish in one hand with a cellphone in the other, while balancing myself in a kayak.

If you are a fishermen in Ohio, or plan on making a trip to Ohio, the OGF site is for you. Just be sure to practice taking selfies. It will come in handy. There are some trophy fish in our waters.

Here’s a link to the site. Enjoy.

http://www.ohiogamefishing.com/

Know Your River for More Success

One of the Lake Metroparks allows access to the northern stretch of the Chagrin River. This section of the Chagrin will hold steelhead early in the fall, until a big rain raises the level to allow migration further upstream. It’s a section that I’ve fished many times, and thought I knew the lies that would produce a steelhead. Fishing it this past week in low water conditions forced me to the deeper spots where the fish should be holding. After looking over the water, I knew the starting point was going to be the stairs, then the long pool about 100 yards downstream, and finally, across from the construction yard.

I tied on a white woolly bugger to imitate the baitfish that the steelies key on this time of the year. The area by the stairs has enough flow to allow the streamer to swing in the current after a down and across cast. This section can be covered in about 20 minutes. So, after a number of casts without a take, and mumbling to myself that we need rain, I decided to wade down to the long pool. Little did I know that a slight detour would make my day.

The flow of the Chagrin at this section takes the current towards the opposite bank, so the riffles and pools hug the right side of the river. The water was so low and clear that the bottom of the river was in view wherever you waded. Before getting to the long pool, I glanced over to the bank and spotted some darker water. Now, I’ve waded this stretch many times and never remember seeing this small spot. It was a short riffle that emptied into a small pool about 15’ in length. The head of the pool was about 3’ wide and at the tail, about 10’. What threw me was the dark water. Wading over to it I was surprised at the depth, as the bottom could not be seen.

Because the pool was small, I only needed about a rod length of line along with the leader. I made my first cast toward the bank and let the current drift the streamer. I could tell from the tip of the line that the current was also pushing the leader and streamer deeper. After letting the streamer hang in the water for a few seconds I gave it a short strip when the line went tight. Setting the hook, the fish immediately made a run to the end of the pool and jumped, shaking its head. The rest of the battle was spent with short runs through the pool before it finally came to the net. I estimated the fish at about 19”, and for its size, it was the best fight I’ve had landing a steelhead. It did not want to quit. You can see from the photo it was a fresh fish, probably only in the river a few days. You can also see the white woolly bugger just above the head of the fish. It fell out on its own shortly after being netted. Call me lucky, I will.

Fresh steelhead ,about 19" in length. Strong fish put up a good fight. The white woolly bugger is visible above the head.

(Click on image for a larger view.)

That was it for the day, as the other spots didn’t hold any fish. For me, it’s never going to be a numbers game. Catching only one, having it put up a good fight, and finding a new spot makes this outing a success. The day made me realize that I need to be more observant of the waters I fish.

Go out and fool a fish!

The Dark Side of Fishing-Umbrella Rigs

Let me start by saying fishermen love to catch fish, and they will always look for the hot fly or lure to bring a fish to hand. For years, most lures have been made with two to three sets of treble hooks. The hooks will be near the head of the lure, in the middle, and near the end, or tail. Depending on where the fish strikes, there’s a good chance it will get hooked. These lures have been used for years, and will continue to be used by amateur and professional fishermen.

Several years ago, along came the Umbrella Rig, (Click here to see an example of an umbrella rig).” which was an attempt to make the next best lure. The rig is comprised of five thin wire rods connected to a single point. Picture a small umbrella with the spokes attached to the tip. Each wire rod can hold a lure with a single hook. Cast it using a heavy line and rod, and catch a lot of fish. If you believe the manufacturers websites, the rig catches so many fish that professional fishing tournament organizations have banned it from tournament use. But, is that the real reason?

One pleasure I enjoy since retiring is watching fishing shows, either online or on television. I’m always looking to increase my knowledge of techniques and tactics to improve my fishing. There have been several shows where the umbrella rig was used, and in all honesty, I didn’t believe what I was seeing. For every fish that was caught on a single hook there were several that were foul hooked. In one instance, the fish caught did not have a hook in the mouth. Four of the hooks were embedded in various parts of the fish’s body, one very close to the eye. In essence, it was snagged.  To me, when a fisherman reverts to snagging it's an attempt to boost their self-esteem and ego. What fun is that?

This brings me back to banning the rig from professional competitions, and hopefully, the real reason. It is my hope that the rig was banned to protect the resource, the fish. After all, without the fish, there would not be professional fishing organizations. But, as amateur fishermen, who fish for enjoyment, we should go further. Snagging is not fishing. If not using the rig protects a resource, stop using it. Without the rivers, lakes, and fish, there is no fishing.

Go out and fool a fish!

The Lower Clear Fork River in Mohican State Park

Every spring and fall my wife and I make a trip to Mohican State Park in northcentral Ohio. It is a very popular park for hikers, campers, rafters, and fishermen. In fact, during the summer it is difficult to fish with all the rafters. We find that the best time to visit is while school is in session.

The part of the Clear Fork that flows through the park is considered the lower section, below Pleasant Hill Dam. Periodic releases can change the flow quickly, as we found out this last trip. When I planned our trip this past week the depth at the gauge was .75 ft. However, by the time we arrived there was a release that bumped it to 1.8 ft. That bump stained the water, and the fishing was not the best.

You can see from the photos the river has a lot of structure, good riffles, and deep pools. In fact, the lower could pass for a Pennsylvania stream. The river can get a lot of angling pressure, so the fish are wary. The most popular fishing spots are between the dam and the covered bridge. But for someone who will take the time to hike downstream, there are some very good spots that are less pressured.

Excellent structure will hold  fish.

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A great run with good flow.

With a scene like this you could forget you're fishing.

Every fall the Ohio Department of Natural Resources stocks the Lower Clear Fork with brown trout. The brownies are found throughout the entire five miles of the river in the park. The park has a 12” length limit for any trout, so any trout caught right after the stocking will be released to be hooked another day.

In addition to brown trout, the river will give up smallmouth bass, bluegills, carp, creek chubs, and every once in awhile, a musky. It seems like a musky ends up in the river after getting caught in the flow when the gates are opened for a release.

Fly fishermen will have success using streamers, nymphs, and dry flies. The river can have some good hatches of midges, caddis, and mayflies. Last spring I had a good day drifting a Griffith’s Gnat on top. This past week, there were tan caddis everywhere, but no fish were rising.

This brownie fell for a Griffith's Gnat in the spring.

Summer will take a toll on the trout. Even though the river has good overhead coverage, the water warms to a critical temperature that is harmful to all but the heartiest trout. It’s a shame that something can’t be done to lower the temps, as the river could be a top trout stream. I don’t pretend to know all the intricacies of dam releases but if the Chattahoochee River, that runs through Atlanta, can hold trout year-round the lower Clear Fork should be able to.

Our favorite time to visit is during the fall when the leaves change from green to bright orange, red, and yellow. My wife, with her ever-present camera, takes care of the memories. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.

Go out and fool a fish!

Mother Nature be Kind to Steelheaders

Low flows have prevented good numbers of steelhead from coming up the rivers

Mother Nature has not been kind to Steelhead Alley so far this fall. Since early September, when the first reports of chrome in the rivers started circulating, the Alley hasn’t received any significant rain. Every time a front would come through, with the promise of rain, it dries up before reaching northeast Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania. All the rivers would get a minor bump in flow, but not enough to get the steelhead moving upriver in decent numbers. There are reports of some good numbers being caught at the mouths of the rivers from fishermen in kayaks, canoes, or boats. It just doesn’t seem like many of the fish have been able to make it past the mouth. A few steelhead have been found upriver, but by now there should be a lot more action than there is.

I tried to find my own action yesterday. The area had a little rain the night before and the flows bumped up a little, so I gave it a try. Living between the Chagrin and Grand Rivers, it is always a flip of a coin as to which river to hit. I thought the Grand would give me the best shot, so I made my way to one of the Lake Metroparks access points. Hitting the water at sunrise, even with the bump in flows, the water was about as low as I’ve ever seen it. After working the usual spots, where I had previous success, I began to think of a skunking. When chasing steelhead, a skunking is not anything to be ashamed of, but I decided to go down fighting. After all, in my last post I mentioned patience and covering water as keys to success. Practice what you preach.

If I was going to find chrome, I had to find deep water, even it was a small pool. There’s a section of the Grand at this access point that I never fished. It is about a half mile downstream. After making my way to this section, I noticed some darker water. Add to that, a couple downed trees and moving water, and my first thought was “there has to be a fish in that spot”.

Normally, when fishing a streamer, I’ll make a standard across and downstream cast, letting the fly swing through the pool. But with the downed trees, and limited space for a backcast, my only option was to make an upstream cast and dead drift the fly. On the second drift the fly line twitched, so I set the hook. For a split second I thought it was a snag, but a snag doesn’t move the line. The fish took off and the fight was on. It jumped, revealing itself to me. It wasn’t a big steelhead, but it was fresh and full of vinegar. The fish gave a good account of itself, and put up a nice fight, but finally found the bottom of the net. Skunk off.

This fresh jack put up a good fight.

So, covering water and patience does pay off. I not only found a spot that will be visited again for a shot at chrome, but it has to hold some smallmouth bass in the summer.

I wonder what’s around the next bend?

Go out and fool a fish!

Steelhead Season Arrives in the Alley

Changing leaves and low cloud cover. Steelhead season has arrived in the Alley.

Even though I’ve been back fishing for about five years after a long, long layoff it’s obvious that around the middle of September a change takes place in northeast Ohio. It all revolves around cooling temperatures and a bump in the river flows. Get a good rain in September and the steelheaders dust the cobwebs off their gear and hit the river. Gone are the warm days of summer, all alone on the Grand and Chagrin rivers. Gone is the ability to wet wade in warm water searching for smallmouth. Say hello to layers of clothing, crowds, and in about six weeks, iced guides. Can’t wait!

See ya in the spring, Mr. Smallie

Hello Mr. Steelie

Won't see an empty river until late May

A couple of weeks ago we had some rain and cool temps that brought some steelhead into the rivers. There have been reports of fisherman catching a few but not in numbers usually seen when the big run is on. I even hooked into one but was using my bass rod with a light tippet, and the fish made a run and broke off. Everyone I talked to is waiting for the big rain event that should really get the fish moving. The rain we had yesterday did not move the water levels much. Fishing may be tough for awhile as the fish in the system battle low water, and fishing pressure.

For anyone who has visited some of the fishing message boards and forums has seen an increase in discussions about steelhead, with most of them questioning where the fish are. Steelheaders are just as tightlipped as anyone on exactly where they find the fish, so don’t expect a straight answer.

The other noticeable change is the amount of steelhead expos and classes put on by local organizations and fly shops. Seems like just about every week from late September through October you can visit an expo or take a class on how to catch steelhead with all types of tackle, baits, and flies. One of the better expos is usually put on by the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders at the Rocky River Nature Center. This year’s was October 3, and was well attended. Exhibitors range from fly tiers to organizations working to improve watersheds. There were also presentations on a range of topics, including gear for steelheading, and an update from ODNR on the stocking program.

Steelhead seminars start the season

Local fly tiers crafting steelhead flies

In closing, as a word of advice, if you start fishing for steelhead, have patience. It will take you awhile to learn their holding lines. Also, cover water, and don’t be afraid to change flies and lures.

Go out and fool a steelhead!

Golfing and Fly Fishing

So, what does golf and fly fishing in common? First of all, this is not a trick question. Actually, the golf swing and putting stroke have a lot in common with fly fishing, and the casting stroke in particular. Having golfed for over 40 years I understood the commonalities rather quickly when I first picked up a fly rod five years ago. Funny thing is, what I do wrong in the golf swing I do wrong in the casting stroke. Let’s take a look at a few things that can help the golfer and the fly fisherman.

Golf Clubs and Fly Rods

Both a golf club and a fly rod flex. This flexing is important as it stores and transmits power. The golf swing is designed to load the shaft of the golf club. If the shaft isn’t properly loaded, power cannot be transmitted to the golf ball. I can say from experience that when I play with golf clubs that do not have regular shafts I cannot hit the ball my usual distance. That’s because my swing speed isn’t fast enough to flex, or load a shaft that is stronger than regular.

In a way, the same thing can be said for the fly rod. The casting stroke is designed to flex, or load the fly rod. If it isn’t properly loaded, power cannot be transmitted to the fly line and the cast will go nowhere.

The Golf Swing and The Casting Stroke

To properly load the golf club and the fly rod, the golfer and fisherman must go through a range of motion. In golf this motion is the swing, in fly fishing it is the casting stroke. If the swing and the casting stroke are done correctly the end result will be a good shot and a good cast. Done incorrectly, the golf ball will go off line and the fly line will not straighten out as it should.

When thinking about my golf swing and casting stroke I laugh because I have the same fault in both. The golf swing should never be rushed, and the transition from backswing to forward swing should be smooth with a gradual increase in speed. Instead, I finish the backswing and then in an attempt to hit the ball as far as possible swing too fast at the beginning of the forward swing. Not only will this result in a poor shot it also does not properly load the shaft. By the time the club reaches the ball a lot of the energy in the swing is gone. I commit the same fault during the casting stroke. All instruction for the casting stroke discusses the need for gradual acceleration to an abrupt stop. This motion will transmit power to the fly line sending it behind you on the back cast and out toward the target on the forward cast. As you can probably guess I often apply the power too quickly resulting in a poor cast.

The Putting Stroke and The Casting Stroke

To me there are a few parts of the putting stroke that a fly fisherman can relate to the casting stroke. The first element is the mechanics of the putting stroke, how the putter is held and swung. Putting strokes are unique to each golfer but there are certain aspects that all golfers share. The putting stroke is performed with a gradual acceleration by moving the shoulders, arms, and hands in one piece. During this movement two things can go wrong. First, some golfers, while putting, will break their wrists, resulting in a putt that is off line. Secondly, instead of accelerating the putting stroke the golfer will decelerate the putter resulting in another poor putt.

This putting stroke is flawed as the left wrist has broken down. It should be relatively straight.

Now, in fly fishing, for a cast of about 40’ or less the wrist, on the backcast, should be relatively straight and not bent. If the wrist breaks, the line will not straighten out properly, resulting in a poor cast.On the forward cast a slight wrist snap at the end of the stroke is acceptable, and some say required. It’s the “flick the paint brush” action that finishes a good cast. The photo below illustrates what happens when the wrist breaks down and the fly rod is almost horizontal. In this position the line will likely hit the water or a bush behind the caster.

 In this position the fly line will most likely hit the water or a bush behind the caster.

The fly rod should be closer to vertical.

As for deceleration in the casting stroke, the line will not straighten out, but will land on the water in a pile. Remember, a properly executed cast will have gradual acceleration to an abrupt stop.

The last comparison to make between the putting stroke and the casting stroke is distance control. Part of putting is learning how hard to hit the ball for it to travel a certain distance. This can only be learned by practice and playing. On a level green to hit a putt 3’ may only take a putting stroke of a few inches. To hit a putt 30’ it may take a stroke of about 18”. Again, this has to be learned. Golfers who are good putters have good feel or touch. They have the ability to hit a putt consistently the correct distance.

As for the casting stroke, fly fishermen who are accurate casters, have learned how long the stroke will be for a given distance. A 15’ cast will take a short range of motion while a 40’ cast will take a much longer range of motion.

Hopefully, this basic information can be used for the golfer who may want to take up fly fishing or for the fly fisherman who wants to learn how to golf. Having common reference points to the motions involved may be able to speed up the learning process.

Go out and fool a fish!

Website Review – PA Fly Fishing

From time to time All Things Fishing will review websites that are geared to the sport we are obsessed with. The first one is probably the best non-commercial site I’ve run across. Non-commercial is a site that does not sell anything. A visit to this site will give you a good idea about fly fishing in Pennsylvania.

I’ve been visiting the site for over two years, and have absorbed tons of information on all aspects of fly fishing, from how to read the water to how to fish for smallmouth. I also now know what a “green weenie” is. This makes the PA Fly Fishing site valuable to any newbie in the sport.

The thing that fascinates me about the site is the passion that the members have for the sport. It comes through in many posts. Take the time to read some of the posts and you will agree. Of course, when some of the biggest names in fly fishing like, Marinaro, Shenk, and Humphries, are from Pennsylvania, that passion is understandable.

There are certain topics that take that passion to a new level. Any post about stocking trout will always ratchet up the discussion. A post that gives away the name of a relatively unknown blue line will cause the screen to turn red. Not really, but you get my drift. A newbie recently made a post not knowing this, and within minutes there were 10 posts instructing the person on how best to post without giving away the name and location. Because he was new, the group went easy on him. If a regular had done that he would be hammered by the group.

One of the things that make this community unique is their desire to instruct and pass along good information, especially to newbies. There are several fishing “jams” throughout the year. These jams bring as many as 20-30 fishermen together for a weekend of teaching, fishing, and maybe a little drinking. For example, every fall there is a steelhead jam where they exchange information, introduce someone new to steelhead fishing, and of course on-stream instruction, and fishing. I have yet to attend one of these jams but they sound like fun.

So, if you want to kill some time, and possibly learn something just click on the link below. You won’t be disappointed.

Go out and fool a fish!

http://www.paflyfish.com/

Topwater Smallmouth Action

It was going to be a hot, late summer day with a cold front coming through tomorrow. The Labor Day weekend was over, so it was a perfect setup for a few hours on the water. I pulled into the South Chagrin Reservation around 6:30AM and had the place all to myself. Just how I like it. Lately, I’ve been stringing up two rods, one with a streamer, and the other with a topwater fly. I’ve learned that having two rods helps maximize fish time. This is helpful for someone like me who occasionally has problems with knots due to a tremor in my hands. I’ll start with the streamer but will quickly change to the topwater fly if the day starts slow. Today started slow, so a change was made, and things picked up right away.

One of the pools I work has a few large boulders that are completely submerged. This should provide good structure for smallmouth bass. After swinging and stripping the streamer through the pool with no takes it was time for the topwater slider. I sent the cast down and across and stripped in a little line, to let the fish know something is disturbing the water. I let the slider drift right over the boulders when a smallmouth attacked it. After a nice little fight the smallie found the net, and it was one for the good guys.

Resident smallmouth bass fooled by a topwater slider.

(Click on image for larger view.)

I moved downstream to work the water by an overhanging tree. Three casts later, another smallie hit the slider. This one put up a good fight as well, but in the end, it also found the net.

Another smallie in the net.

keepemwet

What a perfect combination; a 4 wt rod, a topwater fly, and a smallmouth bass.

Go out and fool a fish!

The Changing River

 Late August and already some color on the leaves. What a great morning.

(Click on image for larger view.)

 

After an outing to the North Chagrin Reservation that produced a skunking I decided to revisit the South Chagrin. I fished it about ten days ago but since that time we’ve had some rain and cooler temperatures. It would be an interesting trip to see if the river changed…and it did.

The flows have been low and the clarity excellent since early July. A lack of rain will do that to the Lake Erie tributaries. After receiving some rain the flow was up marginally but the water had a slight stain. In fact, unless my eyes were playing a trick on me the water actually looked like it had a greenish stain. I’ve heard that when a trib has that look the fishing could be very good. After a slow start I wasn’t sure about that.

Water had a slight stain. The fish were not in shallow, close to the bank.

The last time I fished this stretch it was a shallow water bite, either in a run, or near the bank in less than 2’ of water. They weren’t there today, as I couldn’t buy a hit any place shallow. I had to go deeper. There are several deep pools where stripping or swinging a woolly bugger will normally produces a fish or two. Today even these pools were dry... or so I thought.

Swinging a fly through this deep pool usually works. Today the fish were 

even deeper, and an upstream, dead drift cast was the right strategy.

When fishing is slow I’ll try a different tactic hoping to induce a take. In an attempt to get deeper in the water column I abandoned my down and across cast for an upstream cast to dead drift the woolly bugger. That change produced instant success as a smallmouth sucked in the fly on the second drift. In the next 20 minutes four more fish were pulled from of the pool.

These smallmouth bass fell for a dead drift woolly bugger.

Keepemwet.

So, if you get to your stream and its changed, even slightly, chances are it will fish differently. If you are striking out, change things up. It just might pay off.

Go out and fool a fish!

South Chagrin Reservation

I was able to get out for a few hours this morning and decided to fish the stretch of the Chagrin River in the Cleveland Metroparks South Chagrin Reservation. Its been several years since I fished this stretch of water. When I took up fly fishing five years ago I fished here and it was the spot where I hooked my first fish on a fly, so I was looking forward to hitting it again.

In many spots the section of the Chagrin that flows through the South Chagrin Reservation has a small stream look to it. There are tree-lined banks where you can’t make a backcast. Or, if the trees are on the opposite bank, you have to skip a cast low to get a drift. Also, most of the casts don’t have to be more than 20’ to get to the fishable spots.

Starting at daybreak I have learned to be ready for a first cast hookup. Today it happened, as I drifted a wooly bugger through a run and a smallmouth hit it. It doesn’t get any better than that….and it didn’t for about an hour. I was thinking first cast curse. Then after moving upstream a small, feisty rock bass hit the bugger.

 Feisty rock bass hit a wooly bugger

(Click on image for a larger view)

After another 45 minutes I hopped in the car and drove to another location in the reservation. This section of the river is a little more open with a sand bar on one side of the river and a shear wall on the opposite side. There were some downed trees that made good structure to concentrate on. This turned out to be a good spot.

The closer I got my cast to the bank the better it was. Throw the fly short by a couple of feet and there would be no action. Throwing the fly almost bouncing it off the bank would produce a strike. In a short period of time I was able to land a nice resident smallmouth and two rock bass.

Always fun to catch. This resident smallmouth put on an aerial display befoe coming to hand.

Driving home I started thinking about the success I’ve enjoyed this summer. Even though I’m no longer a beginner I still learn something every time out. That’s what makes fly fishing so interesting. Funny how it works out. Learn a little, get a little better.

The following are some of the keys to the success I’ve had. I’m sure these aren’t new to anyone who fishes but I can tell from experience that I did not know these things when I started. That explains why I was skunked most of the time that first year.

• Start early before the sun has a chance to hit the water or late in the day near dusk.
• Work shallow first, deeper pools later.
• Concentrate on faster moving sections of water. There’s more oxygen for the fish.
• Stay in the shade. It seems as though when the sun hits the water in the summer fishing slows down.
• Get the cast as close to structure as possible. A foot or two makes a big difference in hookup rate.
• Cover water. The fish are there. You just have to find them.
• Don’t fall in love with one color, one fly.

Go out and fool a fish!

Increased Population of Smallmouth Bass

Call this an unscientific survey, but from personal experience and in talking with others it appears as though the population of smallmouth bass has increased on the Chagrin and Grand Rivers. This year there have been reports of many small, smallmouth bass being caught. Personally I’ve caught more this year than any of the past four years. Talking with other fishermen they are saying the same thing.

This can only be a good thing for the coming years. Many of the fish are probably less than two years old, and being residents, have to rely on the aquatic life in the Chagrin and Grand rivers. Those who fish the rivers regularly know that a good size resident smallmouth is 13”-15”. While the rivers do have enough life to sustain a population of smallmouth bass it doesn’t compare to the Lake Erie food supply, but that’s OK. Those residents who survive will improve the fishing in the next couple of years. Catching a 13" hard fighting smallmouth on a fly rod is fine by me.

Another aspect of the increase in population is that many fishermen wondered what the affect the harsh winters of the last two years had on the fish. Seems to me it didn’t affect the smallmouth. In fact, one could argue that the smallmouth bass had a “human blizzard“ affect them. We’ve all heard about the increase in births nine months after a blizzard. 

Nice 8" smallmouth from the Chagrin.

(Click on image for larger view)

Go out and fool a fish!

The Chagrin River is Giving Up Nice Smallmouths

Now I can understand why fishermen don’t give up their hot spots. After searching for some good water I finally found a stretch of the Chagrin that has been giving up some nice size smallmouth bass. I’ve been there twice in the last week and it has produced both times. The section of the Chagrin does not get the morning sun until after 9:00AM. This gives an early riser, like me, plenty of time to work the water.

This smallie was very acrobatic. Leaping four times before hitting the net.

(Click on image for larger view.)

The mornings have been warm, and both deep pools and faster water have been good spots to concentrate on. Streamers and topwater flies and poppers have been producing. I’ve been throwing a small red and white popper that seems to be irresistible to the smallies. It is really fun to watch the bass attack the popper.

Enjoy the photos.

This smallie went about 14". Good size for a resident. Also had some battle scars on its back.

Go out and fool a fish!