Fly Fishing the Big O-H

Pretty much no one writes about Fly Fishing in Ohio...so I guess I will

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Fishing Report: Olentangy River 7-11-15

Time:  330 PM -7pm
Air Temp:  mid 80s
Weather Conditions:  Mostly Sunny
Wind:  very low, from the north
Clarity:  Approx 24" in moving water, about 12" on the flat
Approx CFS: 114
Rig:  Orvis Helios 905-4 Mid Flex, Hardy Demon 5000, Sci Anglers Mastery Textured GPX taper
Leader:  Mono combo with a 2x Fluoro tippet.  Approx 7 feet
Flies Used:  Barry's Carp Fly (Olive, brown), Carp Bomb, Borskis Redfish Fly (they are good sculpin imitators), Bubble Head Popper
Hot Flies:  Barry's Carp Fly Olive





Spent a few hours on the Big O today.  Did ok for the most part.  They river still hasn't swung into prime carp shape after all the rain, but it was the closest its been in weeks.  its still pretty stained and running high.  i don't anticipate much change in that given the frequency of rain these days.

My intent was to give the 5 wt a workout on some carp, but as usual in fly fishing, the fish didn't give a shit about my plans.  

The carp I did see were few and far between, and not showing signs of eating behavior.  I worked my favorite flat for approximately 1 hour to no avail.  The only carp action I got was when my dumb ass basically stepped on one and he jumped a couple times to get away from me. (THIS IS A GOOD CAUTIONARY TALE for new folks.  Never go charging into a pool to get a cast to the lie that looks absolutely killer.  Lay a few retrieves in the water you plan to stand in to get a cast to that lie first.  A lot of times there are fish right at your feet).

I did spend some time casting to a good sized smallie on the same flat.  This fish was super fired up chasing and spraying baitfish all over the pool, but he never ate.  His behavior was highly territorial, and not really feeding behavior.  He took some swings at the bubble head popper, but he had no intention of eating it.  He was just pissed it was in his house.  I'll get his ass one of these days

After working my flat, I moved over and started working the east bank, and thats when the fishing heated up.


I was happy to net this one and get the smell of skunk off me








Got into a few Smallies on Barry's Carp Fly fished like a streamer or swung.  They weren't very big but they hit the fly extremely aggressively.  Coolest catch of the day was a nice little Rock Bass.  Can't remember the last time I stuck one of those.


These ducks pretty much followed me around all day

This is my favorite flat.  As you can see, the visibility wasn't optimal.  I was basically blind casting to lies I have seen carp patrolling when its more clear.

I followed this turtle for a solid 25 yards as he walked the bottom.  He didn't give a shit that I was following him at all.  



Not a bad way to spend an afternoon

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