I didn’t get to go to Brazil in January. An expired passport has kept my recent angling adventures within the U.S.. Bill from the fly shop went with seven MRO clients.
What a trip! I’d seen the pictures and I’d seen the TV show where the “big fish” guy throws plugs as big as your forearm for peacock bass.
But based on the pictures I’ve seen and the first-hand accounts I’ve received over the past few weeks this has to be as good as it gets for warm water fly angling. The group landed over 1,400 peacock bass on the trip. They know the exact number because each catch is meticulously weighed and recorded. That number doesn’t include the numerous other species of fish also brought to hand. Some of these fish are other-worldly and most of them seem to manage to include the color orange somewhere on their skin. 
After the first day the fishing was already taking its toll. Fingers were raw and bloody from constant line stripping and fighting these aggressive fish. After a couple of days it wasn’t unusual to see fingers wrapped in duct tape. Large streamers were the flies of choice. Large streamers, the sorts of flies you might use for pike. Large foam poppers also brought some crushing strikes.
I enjoy fly fishing for bass perhaps more than any other angling. But fly fishing for peacock bass surrounded by jungle just made my life list. Guess I’ll have to get that passport renewed.Click here to check out Mad River Outfitters in Columbus Ohio for information on how you can fish for these amazing fish. The 2009 and 2010 dates will be announced soon.
Don’t fish Ohio’s Clear Fork River today, the water is up and no doubt muddy. But don’t pass up the opportunity to experience winter fly fishing for trout in the Mohican State Park.A couple of weeks ago I was talking to a friend about the river. It was midwinter and he was looking forward to fishing in the spring. “Fish the Clear Fork now!” I told him. He didn’t seem to believe me when I said I’ve had some of my best days there during the winter.Armed with a few flies and some tips Stu braved the weather and went fishing.The result is the picture above of a 3 lb, 19″ brown trout. I’ll let Stu tell the story in his own words…”I slipped out at noon yesterday, sunny and 40ish (have to go when rod guides and rod owner won’t ice over.) Thirty-three minutes from door to shore later, I waded into the Clear Fork. Such a beatiful gorge and clear western style river. Nothing at all for one and a half hours but I enjoyed the fresh air and the quiet one doesn’t get in an Ohio State Park in other seasons.Before I left I changed to a white pattern and tried the best spot in the whole stretch of river I walked. I had this guy’s brother on too, but lost him. They both fought really strong and this one took me about 10 minutes to finally beach on a shoreline sand bar since I had no net. I tired him out good before coaxing him there. Couldn’t rush the landing since he was over 3 lbs (19 inches) and my tippet strength was 4 lbs. Just tensed the line continuously to keep him from diving for cover in underwater branches. This brown trout was bigger than any trout I’ve ever caught. A good day in a good place.”