Troy from Cumberland Trout Guide writes with the following-
"I have just been informed by the Fisheries Biologist for the Cumberland Dave Dreves that they will be conducting a night time fish survey. The Corps will lower the discharge rate to 1 generator (3500cfs). This is a good fishing level and will start at 6am Sunday morning and go on till 2am Tuesday. So I will be booking for Sunday and Monday. If you would like to get out and fish on one of those days call as soon as possible. It may be the last chance to fish the Cumberland river before the cold weather sets in."
Give Troy a call if you want to take advantage of these special flows- (859) 494-4489
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
fishing report for November 2nd
Well, it got cold again. The smallmouth were getting active last week and then it rained a bunch and got cold. Clear Creek should be fishing OK this afternoon and tomorrow but cold nights mean the fish will be sluggish in the morning. Mid to late afternoon will be the best times to fish. Fish low and slow. I got out last Thursday and picked up a single decent fish in the afternoon. Water temp was 58 degrees F, which is probably a good bit higher than it is today and will be tomorrow. I picked this fish up on a big lead eyed olive Wooly Bugger tied very bulky and retrieved slowly.
Lake Monroe has come up a bit with the rain but is still fishable from shore at the Dam and Fairfax, though ideal levels should come later this week assuming we don't get any more rain. Fishing is hit or miss for the wiper. They haven't been in either the dam area or Fairfax consistently in any numbers. You have about a 50/50 chance of putting your fly in front of a fish. It's all a numbers game at this point unless something changes dramatically. If you have a boat, you have a huge advantage in covering and getting access to more water.
It is steelhead season people. In both Indiana and Michigan and all over the great lakes region. I'm planning a trip up to Michigan in a few weeks to hit the Pere Marquette and perhaps the Muskegon on the way back down. Indiana has some great steelhead fishing on the St. Joe river, Trail Creek, Salt Creek, and the East Fork of Calumet Creek. Egg sucking leeches, wooly buggers, nymphs, and egg patterns should do the trick. As with the wiper, these fish aren't super picky, but they can be hard to find and hard to approach without spooking, especially in the smaller Indiana creeks.
Lake Monroe has come up a bit with the rain but is still fishable from shore at the Dam and Fairfax, though ideal levels should come later this week assuming we don't get any more rain. Fishing is hit or miss for the wiper. They haven't been in either the dam area or Fairfax consistently in any numbers. You have about a 50/50 chance of putting your fly in front of a fish. It's all a numbers game at this point unless something changes dramatically. If you have a boat, you have a huge advantage in covering and getting access to more water.
It is steelhead season people. In both Indiana and Michigan and all over the great lakes region. I'm planning a trip up to Michigan in a few weeks to hit the Pere Marquette and perhaps the Muskegon on the way back down. Indiana has some great steelhead fishing on the St. Joe river, Trail Creek, Salt Creek, and the East Fork of Calumet Creek. Egg sucking leeches, wooly buggers, nymphs, and egg patterns should do the trick. As with the wiper, these fish aren't super picky, but they can be hard to find and hard to approach without spooking, especially in the smaller Indiana creeks.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
fishing report for October 14th
On Monday afternoon Clear Creek was about perfect. It was high, but with good water clarity, just a hint of stain, the emerald and aquamarine of a limestone creek running clear but full to the brim. The low, late afternoon sunlight ripped through the newly colored leaves down the slope and made me quite happy to have this place only 15 minutes from my house.
The fishing wasn't so hot. I picked up one average fish on a big chartreuse and white clouser and missed three others, one on a super flashy chartreuse Murdich minnow variation, over about 1.5 hours of fishing. I saw one of them put the whole fly in their mouth then instantly spit it back out. I was way too slow on the hookset. The second was a nice 15" fish that flashed the fly right at my feet. The third grabbed the fly and held on for two seconds. Either these fish are "flashing" the fly out of aggression or they simply aren't holding on. Or, perhaps, I am slow. On the fish I caught I almost pulled him out of the water on the hookset.
The fish aren't very active right now, the cold weather has slowed them down a good bit I think. Afternoons on warmer days will probably have the best fishing. But with the higher water you don't have to fish low and slow directly on the bottom, in fact, it's hard to fish on the bottom when the water is moving like it is. But slow, purposeful swimming retrieves seem to draw the strikes. Make a hard, popping strip about 10" long, then let the fly settle for a second or two, then pop it again. Fish the deeper, slower water methodically. Large, heavily weighted, bright flies seemed to be the ticket, large Clouser, Meat Wagon, bunny leech, etc.
Before and during the rain late last week the Wipers on Lake Monroe were intermittently hot. If we had some cloud cover and wind over 10mph, seemed like they were on the flats and eating. The lake only came up about 2 feet, so the flats are still fishable. Like I've said before, an intermediate line and stripping basket really make a big difference. I've been bombing 80-90ft casts into the wind with only two false casts. Most intermediate lines are heavier than their floating counterparts, but not as awkward or "hingey" as a sink tip, and they are smaller in diameter. Sure, they are a bit tangly, but my god when you execute a good cast they really fly.
And oh yeah, check out the pig smallmouth I picked up on Sunday from a creek to remain unnamed, but stop in the shop, maybe I'll share.
The fishing wasn't so hot. I picked up one average fish on a big chartreuse and white clouser and missed three others, one on a super flashy chartreuse Murdich minnow variation, over about 1.5 hours of fishing. I saw one of them put the whole fly in their mouth then instantly spit it back out. I was way too slow on the hookset. The second was a nice 15" fish that flashed the fly right at my feet. The third grabbed the fly and held on for two seconds. Either these fish are "flashing" the fly out of aggression or they simply aren't holding on. Or, perhaps, I am slow. On the fish I caught I almost pulled him out of the water on the hookset.
The fish aren't very active right now, the cold weather has slowed them down a good bit I think. Afternoons on warmer days will probably have the best fishing. But with the higher water you don't have to fish low and slow directly on the bottom, in fact, it's hard to fish on the bottom when the water is moving like it is. But slow, purposeful swimming retrieves seem to draw the strikes. Make a hard, popping strip about 10" long, then let the fly settle for a second or two, then pop it again. Fish the deeper, slower water methodically. Large, heavily weighted, bright flies seemed to be the ticket, large Clouser, Meat Wagon, bunny leech, etc.
Before and during the rain late last week the Wipers on Lake Monroe were intermittently hot. If we had some cloud cover and wind over 10mph, seemed like they were on the flats and eating. The lake only came up about 2 feet, so the flats are still fishable. Like I've said before, an intermediate line and stripping basket really make a big difference. I've been bombing 80-90ft casts into the wind with only two false casts. Most intermediate lines are heavier than their floating counterparts, but not as awkward or "hingey" as a sink tip, and they are smaller in diameter. Sure, they are a bit tangly, but my god when you execute a good cast they really fly.
And oh yeah, check out the pig smallmouth I picked up on Sunday from a creek to remain unnamed, but stop in the shop, maybe I'll share.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
fishing report for Sept. 30th
Well, got on Clear Creek for a few hours yesterday. It came down fast after the rain and is pretty clear and fishing the same way it was before the rain. Long casts, crayfish patterns on the bottom retrieved very slowly. I picked up a couple small fish, but nothing spectacular. Hopefully we'll get some more rain soon. I'm floating the Tippecanoe tomorrow. Wish me luck.
Also, picked up a couple smallish wipers on the flats on Monroe last couple days. Should be getting good soon.
Also, picked up a couple smallish wipers on the flats on Monroe last couple days. Should be getting good soon.
Monday, September 28, 2009
fishing report for Sept. 28th
Yes. We're back. I was in Colorado for a month. It was super. Check out the pictures at the end of this post.
As for Indiana...it is fall. It is officially fall. It's a beautiful, crisp, windy 57 degrees outside as I type this and my blood is pumping in new, exciting and vigorous ways. The fishing should be excellent over the next few days on Clear Creek. We got a good amount of rain late last week into Saturday night, but the river should be dropping today and tomorrow but still have a nice stain to it and with the cold front in place for a few days the fish should be quite aggressive. Throw big streamers in hot colors with lots of flash. Rip them across current, twitch them by eddies, swing them through riffles, the fish should be on. I haven't fished Clear Creek since before the rain early last week, but as soon as I can get out I'll let you know what's happening.
Cooler temperatures also mean that the wiper should hopefully get going again on the flats. As soon as the water temp drops into the 60s things should get good, particularly if the water levels stay right around summer pool. Water temp a few days ago was 73. An intermediate line on an 8wt is recommended, though you can get by with a floating line on the flats. Throw any fly that looks like a baitfish, particularly shad. I find that a gray and white clouser tied about 3-4" long is the most reliable, though they'll eat just about anything.
Brookville is warm. Temps have been hovering around 68 for more than a week. It doesn't fish very well at that temperature. Things have already started cooling off though and last night it hit a decent 66.7, though I don't like to fish it much above 66. Keep an eye on that temp gauge. Any day now. Tricos should be going off pretty well in the mornings and hoppers are always an excellent fall fly at Brookville...especially if you drop a #18-22 tungsten bead zebra midge about 2 feet below it.
Regionally, the Cumberland tailwater in Kentucky is fishing very well. Due to temperature issues in the Wolf Creek hatchery they had to release most, if not all, of the stocker rainbows into the river. This means the action has been steady. #20 Zebra midges, #14-18 Copper Johns and Prince Nymphs, and white streamers are all hot. I floated from the dam to a private take out below Helms Landing last Tuesday with guide Troy Humphrey of Cumberland Trout Guide and we had a pretty good day. Between three of us we probably caught 30-40 stocker rainbows, which were fighting very, very hard for whatever reason, and few nice 14" browns on streamers, and a few nicer holdover rainbows pushing 16". Troy guides out of a 16' Clackcraft drift boat and it is truly the best way to fish a trout river. If you're looking for a guided float trip on the Cumberland, give Troy a shout. It's only 4 hours away.
THIS JUST IN- the Cumberland is apparently blown out right now what with the flash floods down there, so if you are itching to get out on our great Southern Tailwaters, Troy is floating the Clinch in Tennessee until the Cumberland comes back down.
We still have 6 pairs of Orvis breathable waders in stock that are marked 30-40% off. These are incredible deals and when they're gone, they are gone, so if you need waders for the fall, now is the time to stop in. We've got a similar selection of wading boots marked down as well. We also still have 14 Orvis fly lines on sale, and remember that the T3 rods are discontinued so they are marked down as well. And if you buy one of the already marked down T3 rods, we'll throw in an Orvis fly line at cost! Also, we're gearing up for tying season here, with new arrivals every week. Look for a huge shipment from Wapsi this week some time and get stocked up.
Hope to see you all very soon. Now get out and catch some fish.
As for Indiana...it is fall. It is officially fall. It's a beautiful, crisp, windy 57 degrees outside as I type this and my blood is pumping in new, exciting and vigorous ways. The fishing should be excellent over the next few days on Clear Creek. We got a good amount of rain late last week into Saturday night, but the river should be dropping today and tomorrow but still have a nice stain to it and with the cold front in place for a few days the fish should be quite aggressive. Throw big streamers in hot colors with lots of flash. Rip them across current, twitch them by eddies, swing them through riffles, the fish should be on. I haven't fished Clear Creek since before the rain early last week, but as soon as I can get out I'll let you know what's happening.
Cooler temperatures also mean that the wiper should hopefully get going again on the flats. As soon as the water temp drops into the 60s things should get good, particularly if the water levels stay right around summer pool. Water temp a few days ago was 73. An intermediate line on an 8wt is recommended, though you can get by with a floating line on the flats. Throw any fly that looks like a baitfish, particularly shad. I find that a gray and white clouser tied about 3-4" long is the most reliable, though they'll eat just about anything.
Brookville is warm. Temps have been hovering around 68 for more than a week. It doesn't fish very well at that temperature. Things have already started cooling off though and last night it hit a decent 66.7, though I don't like to fish it much above 66. Keep an eye on that temp gauge. Any day now. Tricos should be going off pretty well in the mornings and hoppers are always an excellent fall fly at Brookville...especially if you drop a #18-22 tungsten bead zebra midge about 2 feet below it.
Regionally, the Cumberland tailwater in Kentucky is fishing very well. Due to temperature issues in the Wolf Creek hatchery they had to release most, if not all, of the stocker rainbows into the river. This means the action has been steady. #20 Zebra midges, #14-18 Copper Johns and Prince Nymphs, and white streamers are all hot. I floated from the dam to a private take out below Helms Landing last Tuesday with guide Troy Humphrey of Cumberland Trout Guide and we had a pretty good day. Between three of us we probably caught 30-40 stocker rainbows, which were fighting very, very hard for whatever reason, and few nice 14" browns on streamers, and a few nicer holdover rainbows pushing 16". Troy guides out of a 16' Clackcraft drift boat and it is truly the best way to fish a trout river. If you're looking for a guided float trip on the Cumberland, give Troy a shout. It's only 4 hours away.
THIS JUST IN- the Cumberland is apparently blown out right now what with the flash floods down there, so if you are itching to get out on our great Southern Tailwaters, Troy is floating the Clinch in Tennessee until the Cumberland comes back down.
We still have 6 pairs of Orvis breathable waders in stock that are marked 30-40% off. These are incredible deals and when they're gone, they are gone, so if you need waders for the fall, now is the time to stop in. We've got a similar selection of wading boots marked down as well. We also still have 14 Orvis fly lines on sale, and remember that the T3 rods are discontinued so they are marked down as well. And if you buy one of the already marked down T3 rods, we'll throw in an Orvis fly line at cost! Also, we're gearing up for tying season here, with new arrivals every week. Look for a huge shipment from Wapsi this week some time and get stocked up.
Hope to see you all very soon. Now get out and catch some fish.
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