Fishing Report - April 3, 2008
Rocky River was named one of the “150 Best Places to fish in America” in the June 2007 issue of Field and Stream magazine
***April 7, 2008, update: The Rocky River fishing conditions are currently excellent, and should remain that way for the next few days based on the forecast. Fish are well distributed throughout the system, with many having moved a long distance upstream from the lake.***
The Rocky River fishing conditions are currently excellent. The river is exhibiting a nice green stain and moderate flow. The outlook for the coming days will be dependant upon how much rain and snowmelt we recieve: if it ends up being dry the river conditons will continue to be very good into the weekend.. Anglers would be wise to check the <river flow gage data> during chaning weather patterns to determine the trend in river conditions.
Given the current river conditions, steelhead will be caught on a variety of offerings. Bait fishers will do well on spawn bags (brighter colors in stained water, more subdued colors as the water clears), jig and maggot combinations, and live or salted minnows. Fly anglers will do well on all the standard fare, including egg, nymph, and streamer patterns. Anglers who prefer to fish articial lures can catch fish on spinners (with silver in the finish is always good), smaller spoons, Flatfish style plugs, and even small rubber “trout worms”. Basically, just about anything a steelhead will hit can work well during prime river conditions of early spring. Increasing numbers of steelhead have been found spawning in shallow, gravelly riffles, and many anglers have been targeting trout downsteam of these areas in deeper water.
The white sucker run in the river has gained momentum this week. A video clip with some commentary regarding the sucker run filmed on Tuesday can be viewed at the following link: <sucker run video> (thanks to Sean Swatsky for assistance in posting this video link). Suckers provide fine sport on light tackle, and will take small fly patterns, grubs, or worms readily. Taking a younger or beginning angler fishing for suckers is a great idea, as there are plenty of these fish present at areas below barriers (such as fords).
The trout fishing opportunities throughout Cleveland Metroparks are abundant. Rainbow trout were stocked today by Cleveland Metroparks staff in the East Branch of the Rocky River between Royalton Road and Wallace Lake (600 pounds) and in Wallace Lake (100 pounds). Furthermore, the Ohio Division of Wildllife stocked Hinckley Lake today with 2,500 rainbow trout, and is also scheduled to stock Shadow Lake with 500 trout on April 18. The Park District plans to continue stocking the East Branch of the Rocky River with catchable size trout throughout the spring season.
Rainbow trout in the ponds and river bite well on small jigs (especially black and chartreuse colors) tipped with maggots and suspended under a small ice bobber, as well as Power Bait (various bright colors) fished near the bottom. Fly fishers can target trout with streamers, such a Wooly Buggers in black, white, or olive. Some anglers also experience success casting small spinners or other lures.
Thank you to the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders. I would like to thank the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders for recently donating $1,000 to support the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund, which benefits all local anglers. I would encourage steelhead anglers looking for a great local sportman’s group to check out more info on this club at the following link: http://www.ohiosteelheaders.com
If you have a photo that you would like to contribute to the fishing report, or if you have any further questions regarding fishing in the Cleveland Metroparks, you may contact Aquatic Biologist Mike Durkalec at (440) 331-8017 or md@clevelandmetroparks.com .
Good Fishing,
Mike
Longtime local steelhead guide Monte Casey spent his lunch break on Tuesday afternoon fly fishing at Morley Ford...
...and, with a river boiling with suckers before him, proceeds to hook and land a steelhead among them about a half dozen casts after getting there. This is why Monte is a legend (note dress shoes and slacks!).
Although not caught on the Rocky River, I just had to share this photo of Kyle (from Tennessee) with an enormous Ohio steelhead caught and released while fishing with flyfishing guide Patrick Robinson (photo courtesy of Patrick R.).
A young lady tries her luck fishing at Morley Ford this afternoon.
Rainbow trout were stocked today at Hinckley and Wallace lakes, as well as the East Branch Rocky River (see details in report above).
Frank caught this fine trout at Wallace Lake today.
I properly disposed of this clump of fishing line at Morley Ford this week. Even though the great majority of anglers are considerate (and even clean up after others), it's the ones that leave behind trash that tarnish the reputation of our entire group.
A cool photo of a steelhead being released (photo courtesy of Jim G.).
Increased activity among many groups of animals can be observed during the spring breeding season (photo courtesy of Jim G.).
Jeff displays a pan-size rainbow trout caught recently.
An angler displays a pair of average lake-run white suckers caught recently.
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Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund
Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund helps provide a rewarding fishing experience to Northeast Ohio anglers through the stocking of rainbow trout, channel catfish, largemouth bass, and other sport fish. The Fund also supports children's fishing derbies and creation and restoration of essential habitat in the ponds, lakes, and rivers within Cleveland Metroparks.
For more information or to make a gift to Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund, please contact:
Karen J. Kannenberg, CFRE
Manager of Gift and Donor Development
Cleveland Metroparks
4101 Fulton Parkway
Cleveland, Ohio 44144
216.635.3217
kjk@clevelandmetroparks.com
Mike Durkalec