Smallmouth Season Is Heating Up

In northeast Ohio we are about a month into Spring and the trees are showing their initial burst of green fuzz. This lime-green growth will morph into a deep green color that will carry us through September.

Lime-green fuzz on the trees as die-hard steelheaders try to catch one more as the season winds down

Similar to calendar seasons, fishing seasons come and go, especially in our river systems. Steelhead season is just about done. Die-hard steelhead fishermen are still hunting the riffles and pools for any remaining chrome. They all hope to catch “just one more” before it’s over. As steelhead season winds down the rivers in northeast Ohio get a lake-run of smallmouth bass. This run can last through mid-June. It’s this period of time where some really large smallies can be caught before they make their way back to Lake Erie. It’s also a fun time of the year because you have a chance to catch a nice size smallie and a steelhead on the same day.

Smallmouth season is heating up.

It’s also about this time when the rivers get less crowded. It seems as though most of the steelheaders do not hunt for smallies, so there’s no need to rush to a spot. A fisherman can have miles of river to his or her own. I know there have been times I’ll fish for smallies and not run into another fisherman all day. Talk about solitude.

So, for bass fishermen, get your gear and head out. For the die-hard steelhead fishermen, see you in October.

Go out and fool a fish!

That Was Fast

It was just yesterday that I posted a story about anticipating the start of smallmouth season. Well, I didn’t have to wait long. And even though I was still targeting steelhead it was fun to catch the first smallie of the year.

I know that the lake run smallmouth season begins around this time but it was surprising to catch one where I did. The creek I was fishing doesn’t have a reputation as a hot spot for catching smallies, but these non-residents are only renting space for a little while. It must have found a logjam it liked, and settled in. I’m sure I was in the right place at the right time.

This logjam held a nice surprise this morning.

After waiting out a rainstorm this morning I started throwing a chartreuse woolly bugger. I fished it through a few holes with no luck. I moved downstream, and made several casts towards a logjam. Each cast got me a little closer to the wood. On about the fifth cast I actually bounced the streamer off the log. I gave a quick strip to move the streamer away from the log and something just crushed it. At first I thought it was a steelhead, but the fish went airborne, and I could tell it was a smallie. It put up a good fight and gave my 8 wt. a good bend. A nice, fat, 16" smallmouth is a good start.

An early spring surprise. A nice, fat, 16" smallie.

Here’s hoping this is a sign of a good bass season.

Go out and fool a fish!

Steelhead Season – Closer To The End Than The Beginning

Early April brings mixed feelings for steelhead fishermen. We have been chasing steelhead since last October, and now realize that the rivers will be devoid of chrome very soon. Each rain event brings in smaller runs of fresh fish. Additionally, there’s been a noticeable increase in spawning activity with many catches being dropbacks. These fish have spawned, and are making their way back to Lake Erie. At some point the catches will dwindle to nothing, and another season will end. But for northeast Ohio this will go down as one of the best seasons in recent memory. Based on reports throughout the season the number of steelhead caught has surpassed previous years. In addition, there was an increased number of larger fish caught. These fish are considered 30/10, 30” and/or 10 lbs. In fact, there have been several catches of 15 lb. steelhead caught in the Lake Erie tributaries. This will be a season many fishermen don’t want to end.

This is short video my wife took on my last outing. Rated N for no fish caught..

For me, it can end at any time. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy fishing for steelhead, but a change of species and weather is welcome. I can replace two layers of socks, foot warmers, gloves, hand warmers, two hats, four top layers, and two bottom layers for a lot less. My 8 wt. rig with a strike indicator, split shot, and an egg pattern will be replaced with a 4 and 6 wt. rod that will be used to throw a streamer or topwater popper in search of smallies.

I want to duplicate this Rocky River smallie about a dozen times.

(Click on image for a larger view.)

The biggest thing I look forward to is being on the river at dawn, in warm weather. There’s something about being on a stretch of water with the sun just starting to make appearance. Beats messing around with iced guides.

This is a great morning to be on the water.

Can’t wait!

Go out and fool a fish!

You Can Laugh Too

I laugh at myself… a lot. The old saying “insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result” comes to mind. And I have it documented. A couple of days ago my wife wanted to go fishing with me and take a few photos. She was taking a movie clip of me and captured a sequence that shows why I laugh at myself.

To set up the scene, I’m standing on the edge of run with some trees behind me that I think will not present a problem. The camera was rolling when I made my second cast. Here it is in gif format.

My fourth cast produced this result.

My fifth cast made it to the water.

Go ahead, laugh. I will..again.

Go out and fool a fish!