Clear Fork of the Mohican Guide Trip

Recently I had the opportunity to get a client out on the Clear Fork of the Mohican nestled in central Ohio in the heart of Mohican State Park.  Each year I have the opportunity to get out and fish this water with clients a couple of times, and I enjoy it each time I'm out.

Having not been down in a while I decided to get down a day early and do some scouting.  It was getting a bit late for quality hatches, but prudence and wisdom said get down early to get acquainted with current conditions, so I did.

I knew ahead of time that the water would be awfully low in comparison to what I normally fish it at which could be a challenge in itself.  When I arrived, it was definitely lower than I have ever fished it, and that is pretty much the story for other streams currently across central Ohio.  The question I had in my mind was  how many Cahills were around as they would be the predominant mayfly species available on the wing if there was anything at all to be had.

Much to my dismay, there were next to no Mayflies around the day I arrived.  I may have seen 20 or 30 all day, but no more.  I guess the upside though is that the Clear Fork always has caddis around.  Both the free roaming and cased forms are abundant in the stream.

In my day of scouting, I busted a modest amount of trout with a very nice river Smallie to boot.  Regardless of my results, one thing was certain, the day with clientele would be tough.  The fact that there weren't any hatches was a downer and the forecast was for rain and potential t-storms.  The actual positive side of the rain was the possibility of BWO's coming off with the overcast day.

Well, I called it a day, got a good nights rest and was back to meet my client Jaime at 6a.m. in Loudonville.  Just as forecasted, it was raining and it persisted all morning.  The good thing was that my client was a great guy.  He was a fun guy to spend a day with (rain or shine) and we actually had video production in common which made it that much more enjoyable.  

Jaime was a very teachable guy!  I loved his willingness to rise to a challenge which he did with the utmost beauty.  I would build up the task ahead and instead of shrinking back, he would ask questions and ask for demonstrations and then go to doing it.....and most often, he did it quite well.  

The bad side of the day was that Jaime didn't land anything.  Yes I said that with me being the guide, my client got skunked and I don't mind saying so, because the conditions were tough!  He did have a few shots at a fish willing to work the surface, but never quite made connection which happens to the best of us.

JAIME FISHES A NICE RUN ON THE 

CLEAR FORK OF THE MOHICAN

One cool thing we witnessed while on the river was something I hadn't ever seen.  As we walked along the river I noticed a snapping turtle up in the grass with fresh dirt behind it.  I thought it was a bit odd to see a turtle up in such an exposed public area and couldn't believe that it would actually be nesting...if in fact that is what it was doing.

A VERY NICE AMERICAN SNAPPING TURTLE SPECIMAN

As we moved in on the turtle, she shuffled slightly exposing and confirming my suspicions.  She in fact had made a couple of attempts at starting a nest and aborted finally selecting this location.  It was amazing that she was able to dig such a precise hole in which to lay her eggs.

UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, WE FOUND ONE EGG.

LOOK CLOSELY AND YOU CAN SEE IT DEEP IN THE HOLE.

After we witnessed the turtle spectacle, it was fishing the rest of the day.  And fishing is what transpired.  There were a few fish caught...however, the unfortunate side of it is that I was the one catching them.

Jaime fished his guts out and said that he wasn't accustomed to such technically challenging fishing conditions.  Despite a tough day, he stuck with it and gave it his all.  Every now and then though he would proclaim, "I'm running low on patience, show me how you would do it."  One of these days I will start declining those requests (I swear), but on this day I didn't and found myself regretting it as I would find a Brown on the end of my line.  The fish below was one that I landed while demonstrating.  Hey, it happens to every guide....some just don't like to admit it.  I don't make a practice of catching fish with my clients, but every now and then it happens.  On this slow day my client was gracious enough to enjoy the fullness of the demonstration and even photographed it quickly for me (He takes good photos too) and we released it!

A CLEAR FORK BROWN TROUT FALLS VICTIM

The fly of the day(s) was a damselfly nymph that I tie up.  The river was full of them and many were emerging in the surrounding brush while we were there.  Perhaps I will find time in the future to do another tying tutorial and tie that pattern up for you.

The day although less than what we would have desired turned out being a very enjoyable day.  Jaime, you were a great student and very willing to learn.  Thanks for your patience on a tough day...I look forward to seeing you and your friends out for your first Steelhead this fall.  I guarantee you will love the tug of the chrome that frequent our waters on Steelhead Alley.

Until next time, tight lines....

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Jewels of the Neighbor State

Not long ago, Greg and I decided to make a road trip to the famed limestone region of Pennsylvania.  We have guides on staff who live there, grew up there, and know the streams like the back of their hands....they know where to find butter by the pounds....why wouldn't we make the trip.  I think it would be absolute insanity if we didn't.  So, after a little coordination of schedules, down I-80 we went.

HEADING DOWN THE ROAD IN PENNSYLVANIA

Now, one thing you need to understand about Greg and I is that there is always an undercurrent between us on a fishing trip.  You know, you can't see it, but it's there.  You need to understand it, or when you aren't expecting it, you just might get Erie shuffled in the name of friendly competition.

The funny thing is that we weren't there to just fish, we were there to shoot video.  But understand this....that camera didn't even think of coming out of the case until the first fish was landed....guaranteed. 

The first stream we hit in the two day gig was Penns.  We had hoped to hit some Green Drakes(Coffin Flies) on the back side of the hatch and unfortunately the overcast, rainy weather kept the spinner fall from happening that evening in enough force to bring fish up....much to my dismay as that is the pinnacle of fly fishing for me.

ANGLERS WET A LINE ON PENNS CREEK

So, after a less than desirable evening on Penns (Oh, by the way, I caught the only fish that evening....just for the story sake), we called it quits.  Next it was off to get some small town pizza at a local Italian joint.  I can honestly say that it was nearly the pinnacle of the evening.

The next day was another day.....and a day at Spring Creek at that.  I think the photo below captures the feeling of these two buckeye state residents at the sight of the amazing fish we found in this stream.  They were large and very plentiful and willing to play.   Just what we like!  Oh, and I caught the first fish here too....he, he, he.....ha, ha, ha......

GREG AT THE SIGHT OF QUALITY SPRING CREEK TROUT.

The fish were no easy game by any stretch of the imagination.  They kept us guessing and working on our presentations all day long.  Regardless, we prevailed on these finicky fish and below are some pictures to back up our story.  Yes, I know fisherman are known for telling stories......but really, ours are true......check out the photos below.

SPRING CREEK BROWN FALLS

OF COURSE, THIS IS THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

(AND THAT IS THE TRUTH OF THE STORY)

A NICE BOW BRINGS A CHANGE UP TO THE MIX

A MOST GENEROUS SLAB OF BUTTER

THE ONE AND ONLY TROUT FROM PENNS

THE NIGHT BEFORE

PATRICK BAGS A BEAUTIFULLY SPOTTED UP BROWN 

JOEL BAGS A NICE BROWN OF HIS OWN

CAN I OFFER YOU SOME TOAST WITH THAT BUTTER?

While we were on the stream, we couldn't help but poke around these highly fertile waters to see what kind of macro invertebrates we might stumble upon....really more like stumble over :)  These streams are alive with bugs and it is not surprising to see how fat and colored the fish are as a result.

A SELECTION OF NYMPHS ALONGSIDE A FLY BOX

A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT NYMPHS 

(TWO STENONEMA'S & ONE STENACRON - CAHILL TYPE NYMPHS) 

 I WILL LEAVE IT TO JOHN OUR RESIDENT BUG GUY TO SET ME STRAIGHT IF NEEDED.

In addition to the nymphs, we tried to get some quick photos of some of the duns in the air while on the water.  The photos aren't the highest quality, but they will do for now.  If you want good bug photos, I will post some of John Miller's stuff.....it is totally off the hook.

BLUE WINGED OLIVE

GREEN DRAKE DUN SHUCK SHOWS THAT THE SPINNERS ARE AROUND

As we had hoped for the second evening, the spinner fall finally happened.  It was most beautiful.....a whole lot of sulpher in the air and smiles to go around.  As I said earlier, I live to fish hatches and spinner falls!   Nothing amazes me more than to see a river come alive and then see the fish respond.

Below is a short sequence of what transpired numerous times.

A CAST IS DELIVERED AND THE DRIFT ENSUES

THE FISH RISES AND THE ROD BENDS

AND THE FISH COMES TO HAND

Now the end of the story.  Yes, I got the first fish on both streams....yes, I was the guy who landed the most fish for the day.....no double of triple digits, but I did get the highest number of fish.  Don't worry, I'm building myself up here so that it doesn't hurt so bad when I jump :)

But, what makes us such a good team here at SAO is that we can't stand to watch a brother go through prolonged agony!  So, when I realized Greg was struggling in the hole he had found, I invited him to my hole...I think that is how it went.....I don't think he shuffled me....Did you Greg, did you shuffle me?  No, I think I willingly gave up my hole and yes I paid the ultimate price.  Greg took the prize for the day with the biggest fish award.  One thing is for sure, I would trade numbers for size any day and Greg's fish was sizable and watching him fight it was part of the memory of this trip.  Congrats Greg on pulling out the big one!  The good side is that I was able to shoot some photos and video, so it will be forever recorded for us to reminisce. 

GREG BAGS THE BIG FISH OF THE TRIP

THIS IS WHAT WE ALL LONG FOR....LOOK AT THAT SMILE

A CLOSER SHOT OF THE HOG

HERE'S TO YOU JOEL....THANKS FOR SHOWING US YOUR

HONEY HOLES.  WE CAN'T WAIT TO DO IT AGAIN SOON!

So with more than enough fish to hand and enough energy in the smiles to last a few days, we made a late night jaunt back to the land of buckeyes, babies, and beds.  

The time was more than worth it and the trip will forever be burned in the banks of our fishing fortune.  If you want to fish central Pennsylvania streams, we have two guys who can show you more in a day than you can imagine.

Until next time, tight lines...and may the spinners always fall on your watch!

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Delaware Heats Up With The Weather!

Our staff has been busy at the lighter weight gear in the past weeks, and John Miller our 'resident nomad' has been hard at it with clients.

With clients on the water regularly, John has been hunting like a well trained bird dog, the monster browns and bows of the Delaware River system.  As the photos below show, I think he's a good dog :)

I really love the photo he snapped of a fellow guide a few days ago.  For those who don't know, John Miller is also a world class photographer.  You can see his bug photos in Orvis bug books and some stellar, bigger than life bug shots at Catch Magazine (look for the November issue).

A BEAUTIFUL SHOT OF A FELLOW GUIDES 

DRIFT BOAT WITH FISH ON.

A YOUNG MAN WITH AN OLD, WELL FED FISH!

Every guide needs a break to hit the water for themselves, and it is good to see that John has been doing so every chance he gets.  Here is another fine example of a fine fish taken on dries.

Here are some more photos from successful trips in the past couple of weeks.  The smiles onthe clients faces say it all!

If you are interested in getting out for some of the easts best big trout let us know.  John would love to show you the other side of his guide life and I'm sure that Sam and the boys at WBA would love to meet you as well.

AN AMAZING CADDIS HATCH ENGULFS 

JOHN AND HIS CLIENTS ON THE DELAWARE

In closing, the photo above says it all.  What you see in this photo are anglers in the midst of a massive caddis hatch.  I don't know about you, but that is one moment in time that I wouldn't mind choking on bugs.  I guess that says a lot about my love for trout!

Until next time, tight lines......

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Smallmouth in Force!

Just a couple of days ago, Greg and I made a mad dash for the state of Pennsylvania.  As you can tell from our blogs, a good portion of our off season (Steelhead season) is spent in this great state and for good reason.

Reason numero uno is the awesome Smallmouth  fishing that can be had.  Our goal for a two day stint was to hit Elk Creek for Smallies and filming and then head to central PA for the world class limestoner trout that are on fire this time of year due to prolific hatches (more on this later).

The day started about 2:30am as Greg departed Northwest Ohio in route for my place.  Around 5:00am we were on the road headed for our first fish & film session.  We were anticipating low clear water and a bit less than ideal numbers of laker smallies.  Upon our arrival, we found our forecast to be correct as far as water was concerned.  However, when it came to fish remaining in the river, we were way off!!!

I personally have spent a number of my years of fishing going after this trophy fish.  I have fished them around the midwest and in Canada, and I assure you I have never seen this many fish in every pool we came to!  Numerous holes were occupied by nothing other than this gamefish.

A BEAUTIFUL BRONZEBACK THAT SLAMMED A NEW SENYO TUBE

WATER WAS CLEAR, BUT FISH WERE ABUNDANT

I spent most of my morning working with the camera and getting video that is needed for coming projects.  But let me just say that there comes a point where the camera has to be put down!  I could only look at these kind of numbers for so long before my mind was so scattered that I couldn't begin to shoot anything of any quality due to the distraction.

SENYO CREEK CHUB TUBE

GREG SENYO WITH A NICE LITTLE SMALLMOUTH.

We only had a few hours of time before the next leg of the trip, and I assure you that next leg wasn't going to take place without a few nice jumps from quality smallmouth such as these.

The conditions were a little cool for topwater action, but subsurface they were very willing if you knew how to present the fly!

PATRICK ROBINSON WITH A BRONZE BEAUTY

A number of quality fish were caught and filmed in our brief window of fishing this river that is near and dear to so many hearts.  There were good numbers of trophy caliber fish around, and Greg was lucky to bring this bruiser to hand.  Great fish Greg!!!

NOTICE, NO ARMS OUTSTRETCHED ON THIS FISH PHOTO.  

THIS IS THE "REAL DEAL" TROPHY CALIBER SMALLIE!

The fish are still in and we have guides available if you are interested in getting a line on some of these awesome game fish.

We will continue to hit the water every chance we get and will let you know what we find.

Until then, tight lines.....

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters