Big Stocker Trout

Recent trout stockings have not only produced fish, but some very nice specimens as well!  A good number of fish were over 20 inches in length.




I owe a debt of gratitude to my friend Darrin for giving me a heads up about an Erie Metroparks Trout Derby. The ODNR does a lot of them and I often attend, but this was my first time doing one sponsored by a different agency. It is always nice to do a bit of guilt free harvesting of trout as these events are clearly intended as 'put & take'. Being that this wasn't the ODNR, I was curious if it would still be the same Rainbow Trout in the 10-13" range, or if a few Goldens might be thrown in as the state usually does. In fact, often I find myself going to a stocking for the sole purpose of catching one of the Golden Trout. Despite my many efforts, this still eludes me.

While no Golden Trout were seen, the pleasant surprise was the class of Rainbow Trout that were stocked. There were plenty of the typical size but also a nice mix of larger fish including some well past the 20" mark. Darrin, his son Leo and I all caught fish consistently and had a great time. The derby itself was for kids, and Leo took home the top honor in number of fish caught and was runner-up on largest fish (edged out by a mere .25").  He won largest fish last year and almost defended his title.

Grass Carp, a New Lifer!

My first Grass Carp catch, while targeting panfish with a 1/64 oz. jig

 

 

 

As a multi species angler, adding a species to my life list always ranks at the top of my fishing goals. Add a lifer that comes with a great story and family around to witness it, and it makes it's way into my favorite all time catches.  So let me get on with the story...

 

 

 

 

Being Easter Sunday, the family headed to Jill's aunt & uncle's home that sits on a very magnificent fishing lake.  I have caught numerous Largemouth Bass, some real monster Bluegill and a couple Bullhead in.  The fishing plan was very simple for the day, catch some fish on the spinning gear and then discipline myself to practice with the fly rod. Everything went as planned.  I caught quite a few Largemouth Bass on a jig/grub combo and then some on the 4wt fly rod.  I managed a couple real nice Bluegill, the largest being a bit over 10".  The day was complete with a Fish Ohio award sized Bluegill and catching fish on the fly rod, if it would have ended then, I was more than satisfied.
 

As fate would have it, I got a massive knot on the end of my fly line.  Knowing it would take quite awhile to get it untangled, I decided to throw out an offering that I could still-fish while working on the mess.  After tying on a tandem of 1/64 oz jigs, I went to the container of waxworms.  The waxworms looked like they were on steroids and then I read the container to see that it said "Butter Worms".  I asked Jill to pick up waxworms when she was out shopping, and this was what she had gotten.  I hadn't even heard of Butter Worms until today.  I cut one in half and used it on both jigs.
 

I had barely made progress on my knot when I saw my bobber go under.  I ran to my rod and knew instantly it wasn't anything I had encountered on this body of water before.  The fish was powerful, and nearly impossible to control on the 6# line.  I was trying to play the fish while waving frantically at everyone in the house.  I didn't have a net but thought Jill's uncle might have one, or if nothing else, people might get to see a glimpse of the fish before it broke me off.  Surprisingly, as many runs as the fish made, it stayed on.  I got it into the shallow water by the dock several times, with it slipping out of my hands and back into the water.  On the third or fourth attempt, I was able to get my fingers behind the gills to hoist it onto the shore.  At some point people must have seen or heard me as by the time it was successfully landed - everyone was standing there watching.  Jill grabbed the camera and took some really great shots rather quickly, and the fish was returned to the water without issue.  I really feel lucky to have caught and landed this fish, what a memory!

A good release for a fish that I hope to encounter again

A fish worthy of the front page at roughfish.com

A couple other fish from the memorable day...



On a normal day, a 10.25" Fish Ohio Award Bluegill, would have been the highlight

Catching bass on the fly rod, also would have been a highlight, now a sidenote for the day

 

Wicked Tuna Circa 2008

The National Geographic Channel's show, Wicked Tuna, has become one of my favorite things to watch.  While I'm not a big fan of any of the pseudo reality garbage shows out there, this one has reeled me in.  There seems to be a buzz around the web fishing communities about it, so I thought I'd go into my archives to tell the story of my own Bluefin Tuna catch.  The trip was arranged by my brother back in 2008, as a bachelor party gift.  The following is an account of the catch, shortly after returning home;

Not as big as the fish on Wicked Tuna, but it is the largest fish I have ever caught at 130 pounds!

 

August 2, 2008, Atlantic City, NJ-
Weather started pretty bad with a storm that seemed to want to follow the boat. Eventually, we managed to get clear of it and started fishing about 35 miles off the coast. About an hour in, we got hooked up on a big fish. I have never seen such controlled chaos and excitement! As I positioned myself in the chair I was preparing for what I knew would be a challenge but had no idea just how big of a challenge it would be! The fight itself began really easy at first... (fish is swimming along with us). The line was coming in very easy and I either caught it up to the reel or it made a run - all I know is when I suddenly 'felt' the fish it felt like we had snagged into a submarine. I never felt something so strong in my life. Of course the fish hit on the line that was out 300 yards and I have to admit I was exhausted after the first 5 minutes. Little did I know I would be going on adrenaline for another 28 minutes. The fish made 2 major runs and it was nothing short of painful getting it back in each time. My forearms were burning bad and every muscle in my body was cursing me. The site of the leader was a thing of beauty, unfortunately I would see it come and go a few times. The crew & my brother kept shouting encouraging comments to keep me going... several times I wondered if I truly had it in me to get this fish in. I never once in my life dreamed I could encounter a fish that physically challenged me like this. I did in fact stick with it, and the fish never really gave up either. I would say it was more of just reeling like crazy until my heart felt like it was going to pound right out of my chest and then controlling the fish enough when it was close to the boat to allow the crew to try to gaff it. After a few failed attempts with the still spirited fish, the first mate Ed was able to get the gaff secure into it. He and another crew member Gene, as well as my brother, then combined to pull it up into the boat.  I was so relieved to see the fish in the boat as I honestly didn't know if I would have physically been able to continue to fight it.  Even though I was completely exhausted, it was exhilarating catching such a big fish and I just ran around the boat giving "high-fives" (even though I couldn't feel my hands to know if they actually were hitting them).  It was a treasured fishing memory I will never forget.

The author, Captain and brother, with the catch back at the Trump Hotel Casino & Marina

Access Denied

I thought I would get creative this weekend and showcase something a little different.  I've enjoyed catching a fair amount of trout and Steelhead but needed a change of pace.  I grabbed the 4wt. fly rod and headed to a warm water discharge.  Sadly, the area was closed due to some construction.  Not that I was in the best of moods, but I did find the sign funny.  It comes across like they have one heck of a big ego, I mean say the area is closed or the warm water discharge - but saying "the river is closed"?!  I saw quite a few ducks, geese, a muskrat and tons of Gizzard Shad that didn't get the memo.

All it needed next to it was the moose with the button to play the closed announcement
(for the youngsters, National Lampoon's "Vacation" circa 1983)

Discussing "The Compleat Angler"

"God never did make a more calm, quiet, innocent recreation than angling"

~Isaak Walton
 

 

It has been stated that outside of the Bible and the Complete Works of Shakespeare, no book has been published more than The Compleat Angler.  Sadly, it seems very few people read it anymore.  When you hear the author's name, Izaak Walton, you may think of the sportsman club or something named after him.  Without reading the book, you lose the understanding of what elevated him to a position that his name would carry on hundreds of years after his death.  This, to me, is a tragedy.

I too, was an avid fisherman that knew of the name and the book, but both were a mystery.  It would take a Youtube video, discovered in 2011, to motivate me to read it.  My hope is that others will watch the video, prompting them to want to read the book as well.  The video can be seen here (nearly 48 minutes, but captivates from start to finish);
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r2nRfnpWxw

While I don't want to giveaway too much of the book or the wonderful stories and information contained, I do want to provide a bit of commentary.  First, Walton wasn't a purist that just fly fished for trout.  I'm not sure why I had that impression of him, maybe because in his lifetime it was more of a wealthy man's recreation - truly something for gentleman.  I loved the fact that he discusses fishing with bait in great detail.  He also dedicates good portions of the book to species that would be described as 'rough fish' in modern day terms.  For a multi species angler like myself, I loved discovering that him and I were like minded in our appreciation of all fish.

Some reviews of the book will describe it as outdated or irrelevant now.  They couldn't be more wrong.  A great deal of his descriptions of fish and fish behavior are as accurate in 2013 as they were in the 1600's.  It is true that some of his 'science' is off, but it isn't in the areas of catching fish.  When a concept arises that we know not to be true- such as pike being produced by a type of weed- I just found it interesting to learn the prevalent theory of that time.  This just shows the age of the book, but doesn't take away from it.

Watch the video, read the book, you will not be sorry.

One for the smoker and some trout

Ohio finally had a week of solid below freezing temperature.  Seeing all the great ice fishing reports on all the forums/blogs I visit, I have been itching to do some fishing on the hard water.  I'm not one for taking any chances though, and thought I'd give it another week before I try.  So today found me back fishing the small spring fed creeks.  These creeks usually are fished heavily on a Saturday, but I found myself with only a few people around and at several points I was by myself.  I'm guessing the ice must be safe somewhere.


It might be small but it still is a beautiful trout

Arriving at the water, I offered my typical 1/64 oz. hair jig tipped with two wax worms.  Barely a minute into fishing, a nice strike and a Brook Trout came to the net.  About a minute after that, another.  I was beginning to think today was going to be a record setting day as far as trout numbers.  Strangely, after releasing those back to back fish, it went deathly quiet.

Seeing how the area had went from fast action on arrival to absolutely nothing in over an hour, I decided to move to a new stretch.  I settled in on an area that was a bit deeper and slower current.  I also decided to change the offering to a small white lead head jig with a Berkley Gulp! Minnow.  About 10 minutes in and my bobber shot under, and this time I had a much better fish.  There is always the hope of a nice Lake Erie Steelhead mixed in with the small trout, and I was sure I had one.  The fish put up an incredible fight considering its humble size, and also proved difficult to net.  I had been catching so many of the small trout over the last month and a half I decided to bring a smaller landing net.  This nearly cost me the fish as I missed it on multiple attempts before successfully getting it landed.  The size and freshness of the fish, made it a somewhat easy decision to keep it.  I haven't had smoked Steelhead yet this winter, so it came home with me.  Nothing wrong with keeping a few now and then.

Even a small Steelhead seems huge when catching 10-12" trout the past month and a half

Winter fishing is nice when you can just use snow in the cooler

Chasing fish in a bit more comfort

The impromptu picture actually turned out quite nice

Pursuing those finned creatures just got a bit more comfortable... and stylish I suppose.  Recently, I traded in my car for the above Chevy Equinox LT.  Due to the amount of miles I drive, I had thought I was limited to small fuel efficient cars.  This might have saved a few dollars but it wasn't overly befitting for a growing family and a guy who enjoys lugging fishing gear around.  It was actually my wife who said I should spoil myself a little, as well as, pointed out this would still give me 32 MPG Highway.  To get that fuel efficiency, it's a 4 cylinder, but I am excited it could tow my jon boat.  I also might consider the kit to add a rack for the kayak.  A big 'thank you' to Chuck and the staff at Pat O'Brien in Vermilion, this is my second purchase from them and it has been a pleasant experience both times.  I'm not a person who hands out compliments without merit, so when I say they do a great job - it is deserved. 

All about trout

I hate falling into the exact same fishing routine, but if it's working I tend not to deviate from it.  The small water produced two landed fish with a couple missed bites each of the last two trips.  Today was deja vu with the exact same results.  What did come as a surprise was the species of trout, they were Brook Trout, which I rarely encounter.

A very light colored Brook Trout was the first of the day

A far more colorful Brook Trout followed

Watching them swim away is almost as much fun as catching them

There was only one low point of the day, losing a nice fish.  Not long after catching the two Brook Trout, I thought I had hung up on something when my float suddenly stood still.  It turned on its side into the current just as it would if it were a snag, it didn't twitch, didn't bob and didn't submerge.  I lazily reeled in slack and when I caught up to the 'snag' I felt weight and it pulled back at me.  The fish was only on a few seconds but long enough to feel some nice weight.  It was likely 4-5 pounds, not huge, but it felt like a monster when you've been catching 10-12" trout.  Fishing so little in 2012, I still feel a bit rusty.

Just another fun day on the water making memories.  I am quite surprised to have caught a Rainbow, Brown and Brook Trout so early into 2013.  This post title seemed all too appropriate for what I have been catching thus far, "All About Trout"!

I'm a winner

Apparently, my Steelhead catch from 12.16.12 is the 'gift that keeps on giving'.  Along with the memories the fish provided, it was captured pretty well in photos.  In fact, the new CWF banner features the fish as I liked the photos so well.  Shortly after the catch, I also put a shot of it in a Steelhead Photo Contest on www.ohiogamefishing.com.  I learned today that the photo had won, as selected by three random OGF members.  A very cool blue "Team OGF" T-shirt is on the way.  I am very unlucky when it comes to contests or raffles so this was especially surprising.  No complaints at all with how this year is starting.

I want to say a big thank you to Rob Beverly a.k.a "steelheadBob" and OGF.  You can visit Rob's Guide Service by visiting http://www.robsguideservice.blogspot.com/.

First day, first fish

I can't recall how long it has been since I arrived to a fishing destination waiting for the sun to come up.  Today I did just that, and it was even a bit more special knowing it was the first day of the year.  I was determined to get 2013 off to a good start. 
 

Small stream bliss

It would have been fun to chase big fish in the big rivers, but reports of ice shelves and slush diverted me to the small water.  I tried to be enthusiastic for what the day might hold but admittedly I had low expectations.  I was fishing a stretch that I hadn't fished in years.  I decided I would float a black hair jig tipped with two waxworms, an old standby that gives me confidence when I'm not sure what to use.  As I meandered from pool to pool, I came across one that just looked too good not to hold fish.  I decided I would invest a good portion of the morning camping it, and after 30 minutes I finally saw my float doing a bit of a dance.  Over excitement can be an angler's demise, and I lost the fish as it was just tapping at the offering.  For the next hour, I worked the same pool hoping for another opportunity.  I was just about to move on when my float turned sideways and then disappeared into the stream.  I lifted the rod and felt a small spirited fish on the other end.

First fish of the year, a beautiful Brown Trout

A fish worthy of a second look

As I brought the fiesty fish to the net, I was amazed to see it was a Brown Trout. A very nice surprise for my first fish of 2013. After a few photos, the fish was returned to the water.  It was just a single fish, maybe all of 12" long, but I was thrilled.  One part of me just wanted to leave after catching the gem, another part of me begged "more, more!".  The latter won.

I left that pool, convincing myself I had conquered the best prize in it.  A few minutes later I was working the tailout of a long riffle when my float bounced a few times.  I wasn't used to the new drift and wondered if the jig was just bouncing on some rocks.  This happened on several drifts and I finally told myself that I was setting the hook the next time it 'hangs up'.  The next time the float made the slightest deviation, I lifted the rod and felt a very similar sized fish.  As I netted the fish, I saw the more expected Rainbow Trout.

A not so pretty Rainbow Trout that screams of 'hatchery'

The Rainbow was rather homely for the species, but it was a second trout and another landed fish for the day.  After this catch, I was satisfied to leave.

I hope today was an indication of the year to come.