February 27, 2020

In winter steelhead trout are the highlight in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers.  The Rocky and Chagrin rivers have a muddy stain but are dropping in flow just in time for the weekend.  Streams can be expected to be slushy in the mornings, in particular, following nights dipping into the mid 20s or below.  Anglers can keep an eye on the flow data at the following link: <Rocky River flow gage data><Chagrin River flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>.  A total of 3,000 lbs of trout were stocked at five Metroparks lakes in mid January, as well.

The Rocky and Chagrin rivers were stained muddy today but are dropping in level and should offer good fishing opportunities into the weekend.  Overnight temperatures in the mid 20s and below shold be expected to lead to some slush in the mornings, in particular.  Quite a few chrome bright fresh run steelhead turned up over this past week, complementing the more colored, darker fish that have been in the streams for awhile already.  The entire Main Branch of the Rocky River (from Cedar Point Road bridge north to the emerald Necklace Marina), as well as both branches of the river upstream, all are worth a look right now as the steelhead run is well disatributed throughout area watersheds.  Steelhead in stained water have been biting best on dime to nickel size spawn sacks in bright colors (hot pink and chartreuse are favorites), and as the water clears small marabou jigs (1/32 and 1/64 ounce are most popular) tipped with maggots, live or salted minnows, 3" rubber worms (pink and white have been good) and salmon egg mimmicking beads drifted near the river bottom under a float will take a greater share of the fish. When the water is clear a finesse approach employing smaller offerings, lighter leaders (6 pound flourocarbon is my choice in clear water) and smaller 3-5 gram floats can make a big difference.

In mid January we stocked 3,000 lbs of trout at Wallace (1,400 lbs), Shadow (750 lbs), Ledge (600 lbs), Judge's (150 lbs) and Ranger (100 lbs) lakes.  This complements the 3,000 lbs distributed between the same locations back in mid-December.  This was our second and final winter trout stocking.  The size of the trout averages about a pound and a half each, and along with the predominantly standard rainbow trout are good number of bonus golden rainbow trout and brook trout (see photo below).  These trout bite on jigging spoons, brightly colored PowerBait, and small jigs tipped with a few maggots or a waxworm.  NOTE: the limits on these trout at 3/day at Wallace, Ledge, Judge's and Ranger lakes and 5/day at Shadow Lake and Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area (there is no size limit, unlike the river where trout need to be minimum length of 12" and you can harvest 2/day).   Local lakes and ponds currently have a thin ice of crust covering them and anglers are currently fishing from the safety of shore in areas where the water drops off quickly, such as from docks, other platforms, etc.

The East Branch Rocky River will begin recieving early spring stockings of rainbow trout in early to late March, depending on weather and stream conditions.  Stay tuned to the fishing report for updates on those stockings.

OCBS Steelhead Workshop on Tonight.  This evening (February 27th) the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders will be holding their annual Steelhead Workshop.  The FREE event will be from 7:30-9:30pm at the Buffalo Wild Wings on Pearl Road located in Strongsville.  There will be a whole array of member hosted stations set up to teach the various techniques, equipment, and other points of interest used for local steelhead fishing.  More at <OCBS website>.

Fly Fishing Film Tour on Saturday March 21st.   On Saturday March 21st the popular national Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) with be hosted by the Cleveland at the Museum of Natural History (CMNH) Trout Club at the Great Lakes Science Center (the CMNH is undergoing construction this year).  Also new this year will be two showings instead of one.  Get your tickets while they last as this fun event sells out every year!  Cleveland Metroparks is a Supporting Sponsor again this year.  Proceeds support coldwater stream conservation efforts in northeast Ohio, including a restoration project on Beecher's Brook (a tributary of the Chagrin River) right here in Cleveland Metroparks.  Purchase tickets here: <F3T CLE>.

7th Annual Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby Fundraiser on March 28.  On Saturday March 28th we will be hosting the seventh annual Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby on the Rocky River.  Trophies, prizes for three largest steelhead, raffles, and a cookout are all part of the day's festivities for this fun event where anglers must fish for steelhead with a kiddie fishing pole!  For the second year in a row we will be offering a children's division, as well. Lead organizers Mark Warren and Greg Young and the rest of the coordinating team have already rounded up an amazing list of prizes and <sponsors>  and they are still adding to them weekly!  Proceeds from the fundraiser event go to support the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund.  A <website> has been set up for the event, as well as a Facebook page.  PLEASE NOTE: The event headquarters has been moved to South Mastic Woods Picnic Area (immediately south of the Putritas Road bridge), a more central location on the Rocky River that offers almost twice the space.  Don't miss this fun event for a great cause!

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  [email protected] .

Tight Lines,

Mike

Jacob (top 2 images) caught his first two steelhead on the Rocky River this week with Brandon (bottom) as his informal guide (photos courtesy of John Burkhart).



Galen caught a chrome bright Rocky River steelhead this week (photo courtesy of Galen Bizzell).




Mark scored some fine steelhead from the Rocky River (photos courtesy of Mark Cwalina).




John and Bob were among the lucky anglers that caught bonyus golden rainbow trout at Wallace Lake this week (photos courtesy og John Ponsford Jr and Bob Hoboda).







Ross took Lydia trout fishing at Wallace Lake this week and the gleeful young angler reeled in some rainbow trout!  Ross also caught some steelhead in the Rocky River (photos courtesy of Ross Bailey).




Bill (bottom) got his buddy Chuck (top) into a nice steelhead, then was rewarded with a brute buck of his own (photos courtesy of Bill Wahl).




Carl proves even a retiree can use a kid'sa fishing pole to catch a limit of Wallace Lake trout! (photos courtesy of Carl Schweisthal).




Ed caught some nice steelheasd in the Rocky River this week, including a 29 incher (photos courtesy of Ed Schmitt).








Shaun had a great week on the Rocky River.  These are a few from his catch (photos courtesy of Shaun Cassidy).



"Bo" caught this plump chrome steelhead at the Rocky River marina on Sunday, when he went 6 for 9 landed vs hooked (photo courtesy of David "Bo" Bowser).





Mike (middle) and Vince scored some strong fighting steelies from the Rocky River on Sunday (photos courtesy of Mike Sekerak).



Jason caught a super fresh chrome hen steelhead at the Horse Ford just upsatream of Rockcliff Springs on the Rocky River (photo courtesy of Jason Diedrick).



Another Wallace Lake rainbow trout comes to the net (photo courtesy of Jimmy Miranda).



Brad has caught some very nice steelhead this season, and added another to his list this week (photo courtesy of Brad Gardner).