A Swimming Pool For Flies!

JD met up with dog friend Tony Pagliei recently to check out the Swim Tank now being sold by Tony DiBenedetto of Tube Fly Tech. Almost any swimming style fly or lure can be run in the tank to check out its motion at various speeds. Several different Boa Minnow tube flies were dunked and it was discovered that this pattern has great movement in the water- likely one of the reasons it has been so productive.

The Senator Loves Steelhead

Senator George Voinovich is a life-long resident of northeast Ohio. An avid angler, the senator looks forward to the few times a year he can chase steelhead on Ohio's Lake Erie tributaries. He is a strong proponent of Ohio's outdoor heritage and works to protect the state's natural resources. A recent outing to the Chagrin River on a beautiful spring day produced plenty of steelhead action. Thanks Andy Kirkpatrick for this photo!

WRLC Helps Protect Northern Ohio

Andy Kirkpatrick (center), Director of Land Protection of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy (WRLC), joins Ohio Senator George Voinovich and JD for a few hours chasing steelhead. The WRLC's mission is to "preserve the scenic beauty, rural character, and natural resources of northern Ohio. The WRLC works with a number of organizations including The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Lake County Metroparks, Ashtabula County Metroparks, and more. One project they are partnering on is the reintroduction of brook trout into a number of northeast Ohio waterways. Thanks to Andy Kirkpatrick for this photo!

Steelhead Winding Down, Almost

Steelhead season is slowly winding down on the Lake Erie tribs, but there are still good numbers of fish around. Dog friend Jeff Liskay and JD were able to get out for a few hours the other evening to check out a few rods on the Chagrin River. While using a new Scott A3 13 ft. 8-wt., JD got his best fish of the spring and a few others swinging a white & chartreuse Boa Minnow pattern tied on a Eumer Ballhead tube. The Boa Minnow can be tied in a multitude of colors, but baitfish and leech versions have been most productive. A Nautilus CCF 12 reel with a Scientific Anglers Supra Skagit line and Express 14 tip completed the outfit.

Boa Minnow

Tail- Arctic fox tail or marabou

Body- Boa yarn from craft store, also called Flapper yarn and Eyelash yarn, mix in some of your favorite flash (I love Krinkle Mirror Flash)

Head- Ice Dub or Palmer Chenille

If tied on a tube use a #4 Daiichi 1640 or 1650 for the hook. If tying on the hook use a Daiichi 1710 #4. This fly catches. fish!

Thanks Jeff for the photo!

Fishing With The Senator!

JD had the opportunity to guide Ohio Senator George Voinovich. When he was the Governor of Ohio, Senator Voinovich was the driving force in Ohio's purchase of the Castalia Farms Fish Hatchery. This has become the cornerstone of Ohio's steelhead program.

A number of steelhead were caught and released on the Chagrin River. Here is the Senator and guide with a good fish.

Barnyard Escapee?

JD spotted this turkey in a group of other hens. We're wondering if this is albino coloring in a wild bird or a mix with a domestic barnyard escapee?