THINGS ARE LOOKING UP!!!

Posted by Dan | Posted in | Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009

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SPEY CASTING ON THE GRAND!!!

Snow melt and lots of rain have the rivers on the rise, but that's a good thing. Next weeks forecast looks very promising with temps in the mid 30's to low 40's from Wed. on. which means very good fishing conditions in the very near future.

There are fresh fish in the rivers from the last rains and this period of high water will allow more to come into the rivers while giving the others time to spread out and move further up their respective rivers. I am still very optimistic about having many good days of fishable water this spring which should begin for us in earnest next week.

The Grand was fishing well before the recent rains and the Chagrin had very good numbers of fish also. The Conneaut is an excellent spring river and will continue to get better and better as spring approaches. The West side tribs fished pretty well before the rain including the Vermilion on Wed. and the Rocky is consistent as ever.

This weekend some of the smaller stuff will fish Sunday Perhaps but surely by Monday reels will be singing with things picking up from there.

SWINGING STREAMERS!!!

We have alot of great events takin place at the shop this month including switch rod, two handed rod, swinging streamers, talk tomorrow at noon with Will Turek. Greg Senyo will be here tying tube flies and sculpin patterns this Wed March 4th from 6-9. We also have fly tying classes starting on the 10th so stop by one of these events or sign up for a tying class.

SEE YOU SOON!!!

GREAT DAYS ARE AHEAD!!!!

Posted by Dan | Posted in | Posted on Tuesday, February 24, 2009

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We are going to be on the rivers tomorrow for some fishing and picture taking (hopefully some fish in those pictures). Reports have been good and the next couple of days should be productive until the next blowout (late Thursday and Friday). Over the weekend we will see what happens but i expect the smaller tribs to fish Sun.-Mon. with the larger tribs coming back into shape by mid to late next week. The extended forecast is very favorable for Ohio Steelheaders and i am anticipating one of the best spring seasons we have had in a long time, meaning there will be many more fishable days than we have gotten the past few years.

If you are looking to get out the next couple of days the Grand and Connie have been solid while the Chagrin has been OK with some fresh fish in the mix. West side streams are fishing well also according to our sources. Remember that this time of year to watch the night time low temps and when they start hitting the low 20's and teens it is going to be a slush fest first thing in the morning so shoot for later in the day.

Black stone flies (among others??) will be coming into their own and you should have a good supply. If you don't stop by the shop and we can suggest some proven winners.

Don't forget that Will Turek will be here at the shop this Saturday giving a talk on Great lakes switch rods. He will cover the basics including rod length and weight, line choices, what to look for in a reel, and other aspects of two handed rods that many of us have questions about. The talk starts at noon and will last for about 45 minutes, following the talk questions will be fielded so make sure you come prepared with questions and really put him on the spot. If you are interested in this exciting technique for steelhead stop by as i know it will be packed with great information.

Some recent pics from the Chagrin!!!
NICE!!

Elk Creek 2/21

Posted by M. Hynes | Posted in , | Posted on Monday, February 23, 2009

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Oh wait, wrong pic. This is where I WANTED to be.





But this is where I was. Took Bruce, Bob, and Lars to Elk Creek, on a private section the shop has access to (if you are interested, call the shop for available slots. There are still a few open). When we arrived around 11, the water temps were hovering just above freezing. The fishing was slow, and there were few fish in the faster water. As the morning waxed into the afternoon, the wind died and the temps rose to a balmy 35 degrees. And then we started to see the mid-winter stoneflies. Up until this point, we had hooked 2 fish in 2 1/2 hours.



So we changed flies. That stone is about a size 18. I don't carry steelhead flies that small, so I plucked the smallest dark nymph i had ( a 12). And then...



Although this is not the ideal way to hold a fish, Bruce did his best with freezing hands and a slippery steelhead.




Bob battling a large buck that smashed a pastel egg pattern. Good angler, that Bob.






Notice the way he is applying side pressure. Where did he learn that?

Not chrome, but still very pretty.



For whatever reason, when it's cold fish love the pink hot-butted hex.






Lars with his first of a 5-for-8 afternoon.



The net is happy.

CHROME BEFORE THE STORM....

Posted by Dan | Posted in | Posted on Thursday, February 19, 2009

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Got out Wed. morning on the Chagrin before the rain and snow returned to northern Ohio only to find the visability around 8 inches, when i was expecting a minimum of 16. Was a little disappointed as i underestimated the affect the light rain had on the river and this really made fishing conditions much tougher than i had anticipated. With that in mind we rigged up and fished away reminding ourselves that is was 4o degrees in February and 6 inches of stained water was much better than 6 inches of hard water.
We managed one beautiful hen that had just made her way into the river and gave a good account of herself before being returned to the river.

All things considered we had a nice window to fish that was pretty productive. Some of the smaller stuff should fish this weekend if you are looking to get out and there are plenty of fish to be caught. Until then keep tying flies, i know we are and stop by the shop to see some of the great new gear we have in stock.

It's time to fish!!!

Posted by Dan | Posted in | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009

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As of today all our rivers and tribs are fishing except for the..........You know what's coming.........the Grand. The Chagrin and Conneaut are prime with the Conneaut fishing better of the two. The tribs to the Grand are holding fish, as is the Rocky and V. Elk Creek had a good run of smaller fish (5 lbs) with a few bigger fish mixed in. Hot flies have been orange and pink glo bugs, black stones, gorman eggs, and hot spot buggers. Water temps are still cold so look for fish in the deeper holes and runs.

Wake from your winter coma!

Posted by M. Hynes | Posted in | Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009

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Word is on the street there will be some fishing to be had this weekend. Elk and most PA tribs will fish, along with major Grand River tribs.


So get off your computer and go fishing while you have a chance!
A few tips:
The fish will be in the deepest parts of a run or hole. Fish slowly because their strike window is tiny when the water is cold.
Try to avoid stripping in line excessively, for this quickly contributes to iced-up guides (use ice-off paste too)
The best part of the day is the warmest; right in the middle.
I usually start with pastel eggs and small stones, hare's ears, or pts, then go from there.
Good luck!

The River, She's a' pumpin'

Posted by M. Hynes | Posted in | Posted on Monday, February 09, 2009

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The dam @ Gates Mills

The footbridge in Gates Mills, looking downstream:



Footbridge, looking upstream:




The Chagrin is at this posting 1,270 cfs. It's big, but I was surprised at the clarity. Muddy? Absolutly, no question. But it looks like there is some promise. Upstrean along Chagrin River Road, ice is piled high, awaiting release. The runoff and the storm pipes were all trickling clear. Snow is still present, but there is a significant melt happening, and the future rain and "warmth" should finish off all of the kinetic water.


What I'm saying is the river MIGHT fish next week after the rain jacks it up to flood stage again this Thursday or Friday.


This makes me pretty excited. Keep your fingers crossed, and dance to the River Gods.
With that, I leave you on a positive note: