Ohio Smallie TR

[Wild One]

Contrary to popular belief, there are some decent fly fishing opportunities outside of the Western US. I thought I'd share a few pics from a recent smallmouth bass excursion in Central Ohio.

The river- The Scioto (probably the sickest looking water I've ever stood in. Utah Lake is like spring water compared to this).
The anglers-Brett, Rob myself (I'd never met Brett before and only met Rob a couple times before this)

I met Brett through another Fly Fishing board and we finally connected a couple weeks ago. I also found out that another dude (Rob) had just moved into the area from Sandy, UT (I'm from AF) and enjoyed pursuing piscatorial prizes with the long rod and fly as well. Brett had scouted the area we fished pretty much all summer and had the river pretty well mapped out. We met up bout a half hour before sunrise, strung up in the chilly temps just after the rain let up and the clouds quickly moved off. We made our way down to the water just as the sun was rising casting a comforting pink glow to the sky. The first hole was quite a gem and brought 6 smallies to hand for me and a couple for the other two as well.
http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/44022/2600875070101442662S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2600875070101442662oYdnSE)

Heres Rob with his first ever small mouth taking him for a ride. I think he thought it was going to be similar in size to 20 inch rainbow, to find out a 14 inch SMB fights harder than a 20 inch 'bow.
http://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/41806/2785318760101442662S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2785318760101442662DSzGbd)

Brett tried the upper hole first.
http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/29990/2780772490101442662S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2780772490101442662WWKaCY)

After emptying the first hole, we decided to move up to Brett's honey hole
http://inlinethumb20.webshots.com/41235/2513284820101442662S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2513284820101442662nAQOxU)

Signs of fall were certainly under way. Changing leaves, Canadian Geese on the move
http://inlinethumb26.webshots.com/40921/2352872510101442662S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2352872510101442662OUzxxw)
http://inlinethumb10.webshots.com/43081/2087981220101442662S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2087981220101442662lNlOFm)
http://inlinethumb22.webshots.com/40725/2884828220101442662S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2884828220101442662ObHsWG)
http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/15367/2243193720101442662S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2243193720101442662LKoUPr)

Once we got up to Brett's honey hole, the fun was on as the bigger smallies were herding shad up into the shallows. This water, however, is regulated by a dam about a mile upstream. The fish are very aware of the water level and seem to really turn off once the water drops a little bit--which it did right as we arrived. There were still a number of fish to be had and i was so caught up in the catching, that I really neglected the fish porn shots. I managed to get a few though.
http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/42113/2329861550101442662S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2329861550101442662zjKPDn)
http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/42456/2112740220101442662S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2112740220101442662OkoQbU) (typical smallie for this stream)
http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/40489/2904421200101442662S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2904421200101442662LRjmvN)(Brett with the big fish of the day-16")
Nothing earth shattering, but a double digit day for me, Rob's first smallies ever and heck of a first meeting for a couple flat-land long rodders!
http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/41954/2758015230101442662S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2758015230101442662rDReqY)

[DiscGo]

Beautiful pictures! I love seeing a TR where I'm not the only sporting an Ohio State hat. These really are about as beautiful pictures I have seen of Ohio.

[LOAH]

Well if that's nasty water, you sure did a great job making it look nice. :2thumbs:

Nice report. Looks like a lot of fun.

[accadacca]

Wow! Epic pic.

http://inlinethumb10.webshots.com/43081/2087981220101442662S600x600Q85.jpg

[Wild One]

Thanks guys. It was a pretty good time. I'll have to be better about posting up TRs and pics of my fishing adventures out here. It's about the ONLY thing to do, so I go quite a bit. I just don't always have the camera.


DiscGo--Rob's hat is actually a UofU hat. Sorry!


Acca--that one did turn out pretty well. thanks.

[DiscGo]

DiscGo--Rob's hat is actually a UofU hat. Sorry!


Dang it. And then there was none.

[packfish]

Great pictures- head up towards Lake Eire and fish the Huron river- big smallies. Enjoyable river to walk----------- near Milan.

[millsclimber]

Cool TR. Even though I don't fish, I still like the pictures. By the way, DiscGo you'll probably see me in an Ohio State hat.

Here is one with me and my precious hat.

http://www.bogley.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14087

So, you aren't alone anymore.

Even though I live in Utah county, that's all anyone ever comments on. I have traveled around the midwest and northeast these days and all I get on planes is "Go Bucks". Not to mention that everyone around town always comments too. Kind of annoying really.

Oh yeah but cool TR. Sorry to find myself off topic there for a bit.

[rwpontius]

Just curious, were you above or Below Griggs Res? It looks like you were above Griggs but below O'Shaunassey (I misspelled that). Supposedly the two Darby Creeks have some great fishing as well.
Another OSU alum here!
RP

[Wild One]

Hey man, sorry I didn't catch your ? earlier.

You're correct--below O'Shaug (I'm not going to try to spell it either) but above Griggs. Basically right in the Scioto Park area of Dublin along Riverside Drive.

For those not aware of this area, we parked next to a 4 lane highway and underneath a 6 lane Freeway for this little urban trip. Ah, heck who am I kidding--it's all urban fishing in Central Ohio.

Lets see if anyone picks up on this one...

O-H...