Mixed Bags

April 22nd Fishing Report: Mixed Bags

After the rivers came down from last week's rain, fishing picked up right where it left off. The cold weather over the weekend made fishing a bit more difficult, but overall, the smallmouth fishing has been excellent. Temperatures have climbed right back up and looks good for the coming week. There is some rain in the forecast, but as of now, it doesn't look like anything that will stop us from fishing. 

The smallmouth have spread out from the lower rivers and you can find lake-run fish throughout the river systems right now. The fish are in pre-spawn mode and are feeding! The smallmouth have been keyed in on baitfish patterns but the occasional craw or sculpin pattern has produced as well. 

The steelhead fishing has not been great, but there are still a fair number of steelhead around. The drop back fishing has been decent, but not up to our normal Ohio standards. While the temperatures allow, you can still get out and chase some steelhead. The drop-backs can be really feisty and are often eager to chase a swung or stripped fly. There are some fish spawning, so the drop-back fishing should carry on for at least a bit longer. 

My best recommendation would be to go out stripping or swinging steamers, and be happy with a mixed bag of fish. Catching a couple steelhead while targeting smallmouth at this time of the year is very common and makes for a good surprise! This is one of my favorite times of the year to fish and a day on the water can result in great quantities and quality of smallmouth bass. Don't forget to send your smallmouth in to our smallmouth challenge, entry details are on facebook and instagram, the largest smallmouth is winning a new Redington fly rod and Sage reel!