Some folks have tossed around the idea of an Ohio Steelhead Fish-In in the past. Well, this aint that, but it’s a start.
We (Janus and myself) are not calling this a Fish-in or even a mini fish-in because it is not that organized and we don’t want folks getting the idea that it will be something other than a bunch of guys and gals getting together for a good old fashioned fishing trip.
Not sponsered. No FAOL banners, no perch dinners. No casting competitions or killer BBQ’s (unless you really want to do).
Just getting together to meet some fellow, friendly anglers, shoot the breeze and FISH!! The main purpose here is to fish, so we’re stripping it down bare and offering a general invitation to all for a day of fishing. If you want to make a weekend out of it, then that’s cool. But we are only really offering a Saturday fishing trip.
Plans right now are for March 29th (we’re hoping to get into the tail end of the steel and get a head start on some nice smallie fishing at the same time). We’ll be fishing the Rocky River in Northern Ohio. Exact destination, and specific time: TBA. The purpose of this notice is just to let you great folks know about a semi-organized fishin venture. Now is your chance for a bunch of friends to get together in a very informal setting to fish together. You don’t have to PM us or anything, but if you would like to, feel free and we’ll be happy answer any questions you have.
Date: 03/29/08
Time: Early AM (Or whenever you want to show up)
Place: Rocky River (specifics TBA)
Food: Bring what you want. If you wanna share then cool, but don’t feel obligated
Thanks guys!
*This will also be announced on OGF (Ohio Game Fishing) website.
**This is in NO way intended to slander or speak ill of any concept, idea or content of any past, present or future FAOL Fish-In or those folks who either organized or participated in them or who plan to organize or particiapte in them.
Sounds interesting. I’ve never fished for steelhead and would welcome learning from some of you experts. I’ll put it on the calendar and stay abreast of the planning/TBA. Thanks.
It will be laid back. It’s my “home” river and Wild One is coming up to the for the first time. So we need to show him a good time. I’m not to well versed with steelhead there but, smallies I can help with. Hopefully some with steelhead experience in Rocky will make it out. Would love to see Wild One hook into a silver bullet…
Janus
I like the sound of this. I’m off work on the 28th and might be interested in some pre-event fishing. Right now this would depend on getting it cleared on the home front with the boss. I’ll certainly check and post an update when I confirm my availability with my wife. Thanks guys for working on this.
jcampbell,
Me neither (as Janus pointed out), but would be sweet to have you along.
Joe,
I think we all know what you mean about clearing it with the boss. It would be nice if someone could scout out a few ‘hot spots’ the day before to get us newbies into some chrome.
The more the marrier guys. You need not be a registered FAOLer for this one and it’s obviously open to any individual on the planet who has the gear and wants to fish!
As long as here is no significant rain event near that date, the fishing should be excellent, with lots of fish on the redds and a lot of drop back males available for easy pickings. I really like fishing this time of year because the weather is pleasant and the “I’ll never bother a spawning hatchery fish” crowd will have put away their float rods and plastic buckets for another year.
While the Rocky is a nice urban fishery with great access along most of its length, I prefer heading way upstream on the Grand at that time of year, where I walk in 2 miles from the parking lot, and have nobody there to interact with all day long. I’m not much for combat fishing, so walking is my M.O. to offset that.
If this comes to pass, I may just join you for the fellowship and food. There are lots of picnic places along the Rock with shelter houses where we can get together. I’ll watch this space for more details.
For those thinking of coming to this for their first steelhead outing, be sure to bring lots of egg patterns, stonefly nymphs, GRHE and small deer hair streamers. Woolly buggers are also deadly this time of year, with black, olive & brown being the dominant colors. Some even do well with white, and egg sucking leeches are also popular, with purple being deadly.
If the water is clear bring fluorocarbon in 3X, 4X & 5X. These fish can get leader shy sometimes, so it pays to be prepared. For rods, nothing smaller than 6wt is recommended, and 7wt is about the ideal rod to land these fish quickly. The water will be warming at that time, so you don’t want to be playing a fish longer then necessary, especially if you will be practicing C&R.
Thanks for the input Joe. Would be nice to have a veteran from Chrome Alley along. Great suggestions I’ll certainly follow.
I am also one who really dislikes combat fishing (unless it is with other guys that I’m there fishing with). I’m hoping we can find a few spots away from the beaten path on the Rock.
This is shaping up quickly to be a really great time guys!
Never been to a fish-in, so I guess trying to go to a non-Fish-in Fish-in sounds great. I’ll get a hold of my brother Lake Erie Highball and see if our schedules will allow us to make it.
If we can’t make it we’ll be sure to give you guys some great spots to try beforehand.
For the time being count on two more for this gathering.
Jim
ps. check the thread under FISHING REPORTS for the latest on the Rocky River.
Well, add another Irishman to the mix! Should be a great time, & maybe Sean can keep us all outta jail (or IN for our own good!) :rolleyes:
Unless something drastic happens, I figure to be there totin’ peanut butter fudge & a slew of Italian Sloppy Joes.
Mike
Wow guys! This is looking better than I thought it would! I personally look forward to meeting and fishing with a lot of great people that I’m excited to meet.
We’ve had some suggestions on a different tributary that may be better for some things. I don’t know one from the other just yet, but I’m thinking that I will probably still plan on hitting the Rock. That obviously doesn’t mean other guys can’t go to another river cause this is just a day of fishing right?!
For those interested: The average temps for the Cleveland area on 3/29 are 48 for a high and 35 for a low. That sounds quite pleasant about now doesn’t it? I’m gearing up already!
In case these guys don’t see this thread, I’ll call Kaboom1, FatBill, Wirebender, Al Thomas, Mike Murgida, Mac in NE Ohio, & a few others. We may have more folks there than you bargained for! In fact, we may NEED 2 rivers! :rolleyes:
It is shaping up to be a good time. Thanks for starting the ball rolling guys.
Mike
Hi Guys,
Brad and I talked about and started making plans for this outing on our way to the B.U.F.F. show today in Cincinnati. We’re going to consider it our spring opener.
Bill
PS Brad has fished the Rocky before and I beleive he even managed to catch a chromer or two
Sounds like a nice time. My son lives not too far away from the Rocky, so I’ll try to drag him along. I’ll probably fish for steelies Thursday and Friday also. Spent a lot of time this year on the PA Erie Tribs. It will be a nice change! Looking forward to the outing.
Mike,
Thanks for spreading the word. We might need two rivers at that. Wow!
Just to reiterate. I hope no-one who shows up expects a big welcome sign or anything, but judging by the responses we might have to do something. Maybe one of the veterans on the river can give a nice welcome speech or something and a few hints/tips/tricks/spots to get everyone started. Still working on a specific spot to call base camp, but I plan on showing up there about 1 hour before sunrise to string up, take some pictures and maybe beat some of you real steely hunters to a few fish so I might stand a chance at catching one.
Fatbill,
would be glad to have you and yours!
Serendipity,
Welcome to the board. It would be great to have you and your son along for the ride too. If you plan on hitting it Thursday and Friday, then awesome. You’ll have a good idea of what may be the ticket.
Great idea, I’ll check out the calendar when I get home this evening. If it’s clear then count me in. I’ll probably bring at least one of the kids along, hopefully both.
Wild One & Janus,
Yes I’m agreeing this is turning into a larger then expected outing. I was thinking about a meeting spot myself to suggest. If my counting is correct your lookin at 11? anglers so far. If you want I’ll look into seeing if we might want to reserve one of the shelters, (There is no cost it just guarantees a pavillion would be ours.) though at that time of the year it probably won’t be neccessary.
What I’m thinking might be a problem is…I know the parking near the “good” spots won’t be able to accommidate 11+ vehicles. So maybe having a spot near a pavillion as a meeting spot and then transferring 3 or 4 anglers to car and then traveling to the river. (Trust me not that far) might be a solution.
Feel free to PM me your email address and I can work on some maps etc.
Jeremy & All
You know the date and time and I believe we just about have all the location details specified. We’ve recruited 5dials for some help there as well. Either 5 or Janus will post sometime soon on the meeting location. Keep an eye out.
cause this is just a day of fishing right?!
I was thinking about a meeting spot myself to suggest. If my counting is correct your lookin at 11? anglers so far. If you want I’ll look into seeing if we might want to reserve one of the shelters, (There is no cost it just guarantees a pavillion would be ours.) though at that time of the year it probably won’t be neccessary.