First things first, could someone explain how to properly quote a post, because this post took forever and nothing is quoted correctly. I don't see a quote button near the original post like I normally do on other forums...
You got the most civil response to mentioning a small stream's name I've seen on this site. We must all be simmering out in our old age
Shoot me a PM the next time you go over and I can tell you how to access the area without a compass The picture I mentioned that was on FB today was taken by a now great friend that I took over there purely because he found the place himself, didn't want spoon fed anything, but did want to know if I knew how to get in without getting lost. We've fished way too much together since. Come to think of it...we're leaving for MI in 2 days.
Those are the best kinds of friends to have. Thanks again, Good luck in Michigan and I will talk with you soon!
That one fish that went 20". Yep, that's where the big fish, and the browns are.
Seriously, even in the main stem fish average 7-10 inches, which is pretty fair for a wild trout stream. There are a few brutes about, generally river run browns in the 15" to low 20's class. In Reese, fish are gonna average smaller and you'll be less likely to run into the big ones.
None of these streams are class A browns to my knowledge. They all contain browns (all 3 species actually). But the main stem isn't class A anything, and Reese I believe is class A but not for browns. Second, they're rated by biomass, not number, and how many 4-10 inch brookies and bows make up the same weight as the one 20 incher you saw?
Your experience is pretty standard for me in that area. In the main stem, rainbows dominate, browns next, and brookies are relatively rare. There is not a huge population of any of them and a mid-day visit in summer with low water makes it seem like there's no fish there at all, they hole up in the deep spots. It fishes best when the waters up but not too colored, and the fish come out of those deep spots and into heads and tails of those pools. On a good day, I'll land close to 10 fish there. 6 or 7 bows, 1-3 browns, and maybe 1 brookie.
If I'm close to ending the day and I'm short the brookie to complete the wild slam, I'll venture up Reese where they are the most common species, and come in much greater numbers. If you spend most of the day on Reese, yeah, you can get into the 50+ range, but they'll be mostly brookies and average pretty small. Browns will be the rare one to catch.
If that was your first FF experience, you did well. It sounds like a typical day there for an experienced angler.
As for access, I don't know how you accessed it. But there's no "easy" way. That's a STEEP hill. Roads run high parallel to Hemlock on both sides. So you either park on one of those roads and deal with the hill (there are good paths/pipelines to walk), or you park farther downstream along Hemlock and hike way up in there. As was said, difficult access is a good thing
Although I have no reference point, the area had gotten some rain, and it rained while I was there as well. The color of the water in the main stem (Hemlock) had a decent stain to it with maybe 2 feet of visibility, but dirty beyond that. When I make it up that way again, I will have to focus on that section more. From the sound of it, browns don't typically rise for flies? So basically think steelhead when fishing for them? If so, with my prior steelhead experience of 10 + years, I should be able to pick that up quick!.... hopefully haha.
If you parked a couple miles north of the the creek, you were on an old township road on the wrong side of Hemlock. I walked in that way once to fish Hemlock. Chose it because it was shorter to the part of Hemlock that I wanted to fish, wasn't very steep, plus I didn't want anyone to know I was fishing Hemlock. It was opening day and I didn't want to advertise to the freezer fillers.
I had assumed you parked on President Road right where the road turns south and starts up the hill to Pinegrove. It is about the same distance walk to Reese Run. But at least that way you can fish your way up to it.
There is no easy access to that one. There are some logging roads and pipelines, but I think they are all closed to vehicle traffic cept for maybe in deer season and even that is only a guess. Makes for relatively easy walking I guess.
Some of us will be at the Steelhead jam in October. there is a thread on the Events page.
No, your other north.
I think we are talking about different roads. I think the one you are thinking about is to the east and absolutely true.
Based on Trey's description, I was thinking T-317 which turns off of McCalmont road. McCalmont is the one that starts right next to Hemlock Creek at Route 62..
Trey is right, most people wouldn't take that route, but I did once. Not that bad of a walk other than the distance.
Keep in mind, I haven't been on that road in over 10 years. so I could be wrong, but pretty sure recreational rights were locked up as public by WPC several years ago at last part of it was. If now posted, that would be news to me.
Yea, all three of them are well known. Freakin Ohesians are ruining them.
BTW Trey, I likely know where you caught those brook trout near Cleveland, too. I found it 20 years ago without the internet.
Reminded me of home.
Don't worry, I leave it alone. I used to stop there on the way home from work just to walk and clear my head.
You hit the nail on the head with the road my friend. Although we must have parked in different areas, there was a trail, but it ended about a mile from the stream into nothingness. That other spot sounds like what I would call easy access. A solid way to and from your car with a good walking path/waterway. My phone died, and thus my compass and it took me a solid 4 hours to find my way back to my car, part of it in the dark, with rudimentary navigation processes. Embarrassed to admit that, but it is a solid reminder to keep a compass with you when you are in unknown territory.
I will have to check out the steelhead Jam info. My buddies are already hooking into them up here! A few of them went out this morning.
It's an awesome area for sure, I'm glad that Ohio has procedures in place to protect the species and expand their range. The population I found is apparently a long term transplant from the one i think you are referring to. I only wish we had more suitable trout waters.
Unless things have changed, that is all posted land. I talked to one of the guys who is part of the lease up there he said people have been cited for trespassing. Mostly hunters, but still. It wouldn't be a good idea to access the stream up there.
Fwiw, all 3 of those streams are very well known as far as small streams go. Especially since there are so few Class A's in the area. But still, these places can and will go downhill if the wrong people fish them. It happens, and from what I've been told by an old timer........the publicity really hurt the population on one of those streams. Imagine if there was a lot of info on that stream you fished on the open web. Would the fishing still be good? Something to think about. This ain't Spring Creek!
Plenty of nice wild trout water in the region......and very little of it is recognized as good wild trout water by the PFBC. It pays off to explore. Never know what you may find!
Figured I'd share this: The last time I fished the main stem I caught mostly rainbows and a couple brookies. No browns that day.
I fished a different stream, in a different watershed, that same weekend under the same conditions(pretty darn low and clear; bright sun), and I did well with the wild browns, with some brooks mixed in. Never know when the browns will be out and about!!
Where I parked was actually a sign that said Public Hunting Land, so I figured I was good to go. As a rule, If there are posted No Trespassing signs, I don't step foot on the ground. I do a lot of hiking looking for protected species of reptiles and amphibians, and that is one thing you have to be cautious and cognizant of.
I read about Spring Creek, it seems there is a lot of publicity on that water, why is it not adversely affected? ( Rereading that, it sounds facetious, but I am being genuine with that question!) I am glad that there is not a ton of published info out there, there was little sign of human presence on the water itself and it felt good to get "lost" while fishing. Actually getting lost later however, was not so enjoyable.
I am to explore as best as possible, not something I am unaccustomed to. Unfortunately I work between 60-90 hours a week , averaging 70 with a an 6 day work week. So, unless local, I am lucky to get out once or twice every couple of weeks. There is a supposed Brown stream that is listed that is closer to home, I think I will try there next.
Lots of water in that area to fish. Fall should get the browns stirring. Browns are never easy,persistence is the key. GG
Thanks for the advice. I'll ask again i suppose, should I fish for browns how I would fish for steel? Do they typically not rise for flies? Thats what it seems like people are conveying... but figured I would clarify lol.
Oops! North, southeast.....same thing LOL. I was thinking north as in upstream for some reason, but that certainly isn't the case here hahaha
None of the ways are easy.....regardless of direction I'm A ok with that.
There's many better brown trout streams around there, with easier access.
You'll have to take me! Kidding of course.
Yep, this is pretty accurate with small freestone stream Browns. I'd say give or take 20 for every 10"er, and you'll probably catch 100+ for every one 15"er. I fish these kinds of streams a lot and a 15" wild Brown is a once a year type of occurrence. 17" is the biggest I've ever caught from a small freestone stream.
To grow em' bigger you need limestone water (and food abundance) or direct access to bigger water (with more food) for at least part of the year.
The same kind of logic can be applied to Brookies, just back down the size a bit. 20 for every 8"er, 100+ for every 10"er. I seem to catch a couple 10 inchers a year, but they're not terribly common. 13" is the biggest I've caught.
If you're looking for big fish, small freestoners generally aren't the places to find them. Some of them have good numbers, pretty fish, and provide nice scenery for the experience though.
So this is a stupid question I am sure i could google, but what designates a freestone stream vs a limestone stream? There certainly seemed to be plenty of limestone around...
That being said I really liked the stream, and the experience, and hope to duplicate it in many other areas. I'll just have to mix in some bigger fish next time lol.
@trey,
ya theres something called a book, and theres more than one that contains info on the area you fished. every little trickle in pa doesnt have a road map and step by step direction for easy access and success.
as far as the browns go they are there, there are just harder to catch.... enjoy your 50 fish, next time there will be 15 and 5 guys there with their limit.. . .
Not sure what you are saying with the book comment, but no worries Marvin. Like I said I just didn't realize the policy with these streams. The last thing I want is any water way to be ruined, whether it be overfishing or through other means.
One thing that does baffle me, why in the world is someone keeping a 4"-10" fish? Theres no meat on em, you would need at least 50 to make a meal lol. I don't keep fish either way, but it really throws me for a loop when I hear a few of you saying people are keeping these fish!
