Cleveland Metroparks Blogs & Podcasts

Rocky River was named one of the “150 Best Places to fish in America” in the June 2007 issue of Field and Stream magazine

The Rocky River level has risen steadily (and deceivingly) over the past few days due to snowmelt in the southern portions of the watershed. The river was quite fishable yesterday at a flow over 600 cfs, so hopefully we don’t get too much rain in the coming days and the flow crests and begins to drop again. The changing conditions over the past few days illustrates how useful the river flow gage can be for planning a trip, and the lastest trend in flow can be checked at the following link: <river flow gage data> 

I received many reports of good numbers of chrome bright steelhead moving into (and through) the northern river reaches earlier this week. Some lucky anglers who intercepted pods of moving fish experienced fireworks on the end of their line as fresh run spring fish are full of vigor. In the coming days, anglers would be wise to focus on barriers to fish migration upstream which will concentrate these migrating fish. Using larger offerings such as a bright pink or chartreuse spawn bag or sucker spawn fly, black streamers (gives good contrast in muddy water), or a wobbling plug worked slowly are all good bets when the water is elevated and off-colored. Expect a very good mix of dime bright fresh run fish, spawning fish, and spent (already spawned) fish.

This week was also a “Celebration of the Sucker”, with good numbers of anglers focusing efforts on these abundant and fun to catch fish. Large numbers of lake-run white suckers are present throughout the northern few miles of river. This annual migration of good size (14”-18”) fish offers a great opportunity to take a relatively inexperienced angler out to enjoy a great chance at success. Simply fishing a small sinker and hook with a worm or grubs on the river bottom, or slowly working a small leadhead jig, are effective tactics for hooking lots of white suckers. Many anglers also like catching suckers on light flyrods and nymph patterns. Groups of suckers can often be viewed actively spawning in shallow water, and many others will be in the deeper holes.

Anglers have reported excellent success overall this week fishing for stocked rainbow trout at Cleveland Metroparks in the East Branch Rocky River, Wallace Lake, and Hinckley Lake. Yesterday afternoon a large load of 1,200 pounds of catchable rainbow trout were liberated into Wallace Lake and the East Branch Rocky River between Route 82 (Royalton Road) and the ford downstream of the covered bridge. Among the trout, three trophy broodstock trout between 4-6 pounds were released in Wallace to make a few lucky anglers’ day. Additionally, last Friday the Ohio Division of Wildlife stocked Hinckley Lake with 2,500 rainbow trout. Cleveland Metroparks will not be stocking next week.

Stocked trout have been biting best on Power Bait in brighter colors and jigs tipped with maggots; but salmon eggs, live minnows, earthworms, canned corn, waxworms, and small spinners have all accounted for trout over the past few weeks.

"Fishin With Major Chuck".  Regular readers of the fishing report may recall some images recently submitted by US Army Major Charles “Chuck” Preble of some unique fish caught fly fishing some lakes where he is stationed in Iraq. Chuck was home on leave this week and I had the pleasure of fishing the Rocky River with him for a few hours yesterday morning. Despite non-ideal conditions for fly fishing, the fish gods still smiled and Chuck expertly hooked and landed two fine steelhead early on (see photos below)...hopefully he got a few more after I left for work.  Chuck departs for Iraq again today, so I felt especially privileged to spend some of his valuable free time together.

As an illustration of the routine sacrifice folks like Chuck make for our great country, he met his 6 month old son for the first time during this latest visit home (she was born while he was on active duty in Iraq).  Yet, you would never know it was a sacrifice at all fishing with Chuck as he is nothing but positive. Make a point of thanking a soldier (veteran or active) that you know and let him or her know that you do appreciate what they selflessly give for their country. Chuck has currently served 18 years with the Army and is additionally an Assistant Professor of Military Science at the University of Akron.

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

Kevin caught this heaping handful of white sucker while fishing the Rocky River with his father (photo courtesy of Konrad Bohm).

Amber caught this silvery hen in the Rock this week (photo courtesy of Sean at www.flyandfloatfishing.com).

Brennon (top), from Minnesota, was in town visiting his friend Tim (below) and they hooked into some fine Rocky River steel fly fishing this past Sunday.  Brennon's 30.5" trophy buck came on a nymph, and Tim's beautiful hen munched a black bunny leach.  Tim serves as Director of Communications for the Firelands Chapter of the Federation of Fly Fishers:  http://www.firelandsflyfishers.org/  (photos courtesy of Tim Schulz).

Eddie (bottom pic) took his younger brother Petey (top) fishing and they caught this sucker and steelhead among their fishy bounty (photos courtesy of Eddie Draganic).

A trio of lady fly fishers from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Trout Club pose for a photo during a recent trip on the Rocky (photo courtesy of Sean at www.flyandfloatfishing.com).

The steelhead have finally carried out their revenge, scoring this Ray and Corey doubleheader this week!  Rumor has it that Ray (on the left and still looking suprised) bit on a Cheeto fly and Corey ate a rubber hamburger imitation (photo courtesy of Ray Fierst).

Father and son Jack (top) and Tony (bottom) have shared a lifelong bond as fishing partners.  Tony expressed how grateful he is that his father introduced him to fly fishing, which is his now his favorite pastime.  Tony relays that he is happy (but just a wee bit jealous) that Dad will be retiring in less than a year and will have more time to fish than he does!  (photos courtesy of Tony DeLuca).

Buddies Shawn (top) and Justin (bottom) had a ball catching suckers in the Rocky River this week.  Additionally, Justin is still wreaking havoc on the East Branch Rocky River stocked trout population.  He's on spring break and warns the fish that "...THOSE STEELHEAD ARE NEXT!!!"   (photos courtesy of Justin Telep).

The following images depict US Army Major Chuck Preble fly fishing the Rocky River while on leave yesterday morning (he goes back to Iraq today):

Chuck tied the pink sucker spawn he caught his fish on himself and I thought it was quite appropriate that he used bead chain from his military dog tags to weight them.

Some cool photos of spawning white suckers.  Note the heavy stripe the males get, in particular, when spawning (photos courtesy of John Proch).

The latest fly creations from the vice of Chico (photos courtesy of Chico).

An appropriate parting shot...goodbye for this week!  (photo courtesy of Sean at www.flyandfloatfishing.com).

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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