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.