Friday as streams were on the rise, so were the fish on one of Ohio's few trout streams. The Clear Fork of the Mohican is Ohio's only true tailwater trout stream and that is where I could be found.
After my arrival I was bummed to find they were releasing good amounts of water from the dam which for tailwaters can mean fish that are shut down....typically due to the large amounts of debris that is being flushed downstream. This was definitely the case when I first arrived and I wondered how the fish would respond. Within a short period of time, I noticed some hatches coming off sporadically. From an occasional March Brown to a couple of Sulpher types, there were some mayflies in the air. The other bugs coming off (and a much stronger presence on this watershed) were different species of caddis....from micro caddis up to size 12 and 14 could be found. Every now and then you would see a fish rise to a caddis breaking the surface, but none could be enticed to rise to the artificial, at least as tied to my line :)
After hitting a few different locations, and trying numerous different offerings from mini streamers to nymphs to wet flies, nothing was producing. I figured that the debris was to blame and was just about to resort to shooting some photography of the beautiful spring landscapes as opposed to fishing, when I decided to give it just a few more casts in one of my favorite slots. First I decided to increase the size of my offering to a size 12 soft hackle nymph and drop it hard to the bottom. A couple of casts
later the line hesitated and I raised my rod to my personal best on Brown Trout. Now, I understand that for others, this may be child's play, but for an Ohio Brown, this was no small fish.
I had hoped that the fish would break the 20" mark finally allowing me to be in that wonderful 20"+ group of anglers, but I have now been rejected again :( I didn't have a tape on stream, so I photographed it against my net, rod and forearm and upon measuring them, I have officially come up one lousy inch short. My initial guestament (yes I know it's not a real word) was 20-22" but I guess that just means I'm a real fisherman right? The actual measurement was 19".
At any rate, it was a slow day on the water, but a rewarding one with a beautiful fish for the persistent angler.
The hatches are really picking up pace here on the Clear Fork and only get better as you head over to Central Pennsylvania.
Drop us a line and let us know when you want to hit the water for some amazing fish and awesome hatches. Myself, Graham, and Jeremy look forward to fishing with you soon!
Tight lines......
Patrick "Flybum" Robinson
Our brook trout retreat in Pennsylvania is down to one weekend available for the season and we still have late summer family vacation retreats and golfing retreats available. Trout fishing in Central PA is heating up and Guide Jeremy Hoffman is gearing up for a host of local hatches on Bald Eagle Creek, Spring Creek, and the Little J. if interested in a fly fishing trip to central PA give us a call we are now taking bookings 419-466-9382. Our fall steelhead schedule is filling rapidly, so please don't wait to get your prime fall steelhead days- No deposit required to hold your date!!
We will be doing several Fly fishing schools this year for Trout, Steelhead, Spey, warm water fly fishing in conjuntion with area fly shops and outfitters. I also will be offering again this year our popular on the water fly fishing clinic for steelhead this fall. I will be touring the Great Lakes during Orvis days and tying at several fly shops in MI, OH, PA, WI and NY starting again this Saturday at the Orvis Dayton store and then off to Cinncinati.
Back to the fishing:
We had a great time tying and casting during Orvis days at Chagrin River Outfitters, and I will be in Dayton and Cincinnati next week giving fly tying demonstrations and seminars For Orvis and local fly fishing clubs. We still have Trip days available to fly fish for small mouth bass, large mouth bass, pan fish, white Bass, and Carp this summer on Ohio rivers and a few private lakes and ponds. Our Brook Trout retreat again this year is nearly full and our Second cabin on the Tionesta Creek being constructed and will be completed and ready by this fall. fly fishing for spring trout fishing and summer small mouth from this cabin is spectacular.
Our guides are still on the river targeting what is left of the spring steelhead run and scouting out all the small mouth water as well , and look for their reports shortly. Stay tuned for a great summer of fly fishing adventures and destination trips still yet to come. 
Look for our Steelhead Alley Outfitter Guides and their photos, articles, and stories in several publications this summer from Fly fisherman Magazine, Ohio Country Anglin Magazine , Cleveland Plain Dealer, The Beacon, Orvis News, D'arcy Egan's Ohio outdoor adventures TV show, and a host of other wonderful local publications and broadcasts. 
Well one season is passing and we are geared up and ready for our summer trips, Our new tube fly line will be posted and available in June for steelhead, salmon, trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and pan fish. As always feel free to call or contact us at any time. Steelhead Alley Outfitters is the only full time fly fishing outfitter/ Guide service for multiple species in Ohio offering seasonal fly fishing experiences 365 days a year to the fly fishing community.
Here is a a video by Patti on her take of steelhead fly fishing with our staff!!! Enjoy!!!
We are already getting into a few Smallmouth Bass and it will only get better! If you are interested in Smallmouth on the fly, we have already begun taking bookings. I would like to thank John, Pat, Jay, Joel, Graham, Jeremy, John, and Joe for all their hard work this steelhead season, and for some amazing memories! 
We have just a few more steelhead trips to complete this week and we will switch to targeting Smallmouth bass, and a multitude of other warm water species on the fly this summer.
