WHAT COULD BE TOP 5 COLD WATER TROUT STREAMS IN OHIO

                                 

                            

                                                  SUITABLE HABITAT
 

                                                     

                                                              

                Yikes! We have came a long way since the 5 fires of the industrial revolution in the Cuyahoga river. Yet back then it seems they did not realize what a gold mine we had.
Still, we are so far embedded it will take years for mother nature to heal. The river above is of course our beloved Cuyahoga. This river is actually very unique for several reasons. I still can not believe this river holds northern pike as it does. Northern's  generally need very clean water as their gill plates can not tolerate heavy P.C.B.'S. Also silt and bad P.H. levels. And yes, they are reproducing at a fine level. as far north as Cuyahoga Heights have they been caught. That's almost downtown Cleveland. Another would be The sudden comeback of Sturgeon. Which IS a cold water fish for sure.Very vulnerable to much of the same. They require water not as, but near clean as Brookie's.  So what is going on? The cuyahoga is not even close to clean. Urban runoff is at a all time high? Well as I have heard it and interviewed with E.P.A. officials they are saying the Obama infrastructure bill that has passed was a huge help.  Everything from sewer , culverts and bridge building materials that are Eco friendly along with some grant money for dredging in Akron and sanitary upgrades have been a major factor. That's great news for everybody. Including employment.    

  I guess the fact that we have a great tributary system in the Cuyahoga watershed is a plus as well. Their is in fact as I have personally witnessed quit a few cold streams in the Cuyahoga watershed. A great start for your own observation would be throughout the Kent,Ohio area. Or of course the Cuyahoga Valley National Forest.                        






            Now, the good news for the cuyahoga river is their is plenty of caring groups out their in the working political process of restoring the river. If u feel interested in looking at one of these  groups u can by clicking the link............................... .... ... .... ...      CUYAHOGA REMEDIAL ACTION PLAN  












                 ON THE BRIGHTER SIDE, THIS IS WHAT HAS NOT BEEN DESTROYED. 

          So after many of trips through , their and back I have seen like many curious others some really great water. A lot of great places un-taped. And their only a short drive away. AS THE POST STATES, THESE ARE WHAT COULD BE TROUT WATERS. They also have been identified as "cold water habitats". Though, just because the OHIO E.P.A. has classified these as C.W.H., it does not mean that the conditions are suitable for proper reproduction. The velocity of water has to be at least 3 cubic ft of water per second over a rifle {example,but close.} for proper hatching of the eggs. But, in most cases a C.W.H. is suitable.  

        I want to also add that this summer I will finally add a post on the Rocky River headwaters. I am pretty excited about this one as this is my old stomping grounds. It's funny, I probably learned more on those small cool tribs than I did in twelve years of schooling. Maybe it's because that's all I wanted to learn.
       These places I am about to talk about are someone Else's sentimental stomping grounds.  A place of their youth and memories. But I guess on that post I'll get more involved with that as these "places" are more of a place to go to sometimes cope with everyday life and can be unknowingly a great outlet.   

    {CHAMPION CREEK: LEFT CAPTION }                                      





                                                            
                                #1    LITTLE        DARBY            CREEK
              
And nearly half of it's tributaries are E.P.A. approved cold water habitats . The Little Darby creek is a spring born swift stream through it's first few miles then becoming a prototypical freestone looking stream. But don't let that freestone label fool you as this stream is still a cold water habitat. Through all of it's course, it has the typical 2-5 inch cobble and loaded with aquatic grasses and almost of this stream has very little erosion. Most of this stream runs through prairie meadows, and shaded forest. It is beautiful and full of aquatic cold water invertebrates. much are still intact. In fact, both the Big and Little Darby are the most biologically diversed waters of it's size in the entire Midwest . Groups and study officials from around the united states have came to the "Darby brothers" to analyze this stream on multiple occasions.          

     




The Darby watershed as well was designated as a both State and National scenic rivers.



    Both times I have  fished the little Darby I have been completely amazed at how this water has just sat. It is Cold water Trout ready and another sitting product wasted. The Little Darby has all the makings I would believe from everything I have gathered for a trout reproducing stream. No doubt. Though only half of this stream is cold, the other is a E.W.H. which would still hold trout under that fine label.

 

The middle sections of the Little Darby somewhat resemble something you would see out of a stream in Ireland or England. Little Darby rolls through prairie and meadows and is lined with grass and sporadic trees. 

Although this picture does no justice, but if u click on it u can see the banks all in tact and pools are pretty defined. {above}                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
           This stream is truly everything a fly fisherman could ask for. Every trib i saw was chalk stream like with fine sand and wavy aquatic grasses. To me it's really a shame something hasn't been done with this stream as far as a Trout guy goes. You have the resource and willing crowd that will put back the money ODNR would put into it. If not Trout, it least a Northern Pike fishery. Maybe walleye. Hell, anything.

                                                                              
                                                 #2 BIG DARBY CREEK               

                             

                           As you can see, this stream as well has the aquatic tint us fly fishers like to see. When you see that, you know your in business.  Yes, another Ohio stream that runs cold the lower you go this stream does warm. But that's QUIT a ways away. and even when it does warm, it isn't that warm .And still is an Exceptional Warm Water Habitat. Depending on who you talk to under that registered status rainbows could definitely still thrive with a little shade ,in a pool,resting on a spring. Or hug a cold trib. This stream as well has several of it's own cold springs and several chalk quality tribs. I won't cover much on the Big D, because it resembles it's little sibling. Although it holds more water.                         

                                                         

                                                    Some trib pics I was talking about.                                                        

                                    
                                                          

                                                                       

                                                  
                                     Spring Creek in Pa. might be 10' wider than this.   

                                  O.D.N.R. says the problem is the lack of public property                                      within the river itself. That's a damn shame.          


                                                    #2 THE CLEAR FORK  

                      
                                       Yes. This river has all you want. Just lack of attention from ODNR. I have been to the Battenkill , and this river resembles that. A lot. It least the upper section. As you probably know , the Clear Fork's upper section is on mostly private lands. But it has not stopped me from scouting and finding a place to cast the fly rod. 
  This river itself is kind of a mystery at times. Just like the Musky and reclusive Browns that inhabit it. At times, it looks dormit. Just a pretty picturesque spring fed freestone stream. Never to much action going on. That is until dusk. By march in evening, this river really turns on. Same holds true into late August. If u go during these times Smallmouth, Saugeye , Musky and Browns are ferocious with the streamer.Black being the color of choice. 
                                      The Upper section and it's many tribs are so clear it's almost sterile. In fact it was until farmers invaded and started using fertilizers. This alkaline fueled an awesome aquatic bio. and the Mayfly hatch is now one of the best in Ohio. I will add this river can be extremely dangerous. It is not like the northern Ohio shale freestone streams, these are true dugout pools that are extremely deep as most spring creeks are. I have had many of ups and downs on this river, but always find something exotic or a very unexpected catch. Which is always a plus. 
    Last week I contacted ODNR biologist Kurt Wagner and he had said they still have plans to keep stocking the clear fork. Roughly 3,ooo in the upper, and 3,000 in the lower. I also asked Kurt about switching the stocking count to a 60/40 instead of switching due to the lower sections warmer temps. As he agreed, the stocking numbers though were not going to change because of the prime location of public property in the park. I have of recent had a very good day in august about 1 mile west of the rt.3 bridge in the series of pools right next to the campground "c" I believe it was.{regardless, it was the last campground to help ya out}. So do not get upset. Browns are finicky as hell. They are without doubt a low light hunter unless you have colder temps. And fish deep. Browns over 18" are known not to be a finesse riser. they lurk the bottom as a catfish does. Not in that lazy manor, but aren't the most aggressive.

                                                                


                                         #4  Apple Creek and hopefully
                                  the Little Apple creek   


                           Someday. And hopefully soon. It is up and coming and ODNR is starting to investigate the Killbuck creek watershed. It has numerous spring fed streams that are not in use. 3 summers ago I took a drive down to see for myself and saw many cold water streams. A lot were sizeable. Most big enough to fish and make a productive Trout fishery. I have fished many of streams in PA ,New York and Vermont that made these look like the Mississippi. Most of this watershed is 100% spring fed due to the quartz and limestone in the ground.
     This river is oozing with potential and has been stocked by CLEAR FORK CHAPTER OF TROUT UNLIMITED on several occasions and if it had more enforcement from ODNR it would probably sustain.
              Also, it has had a number of studies by different groups and the results are pretty hopeful.
              The story behind how this came about is pretty awesome and what Skip Nault donated is unbelievable to say the least. I won't get into it. I don't feel it's my place to say, but if u ever run into a man with a beard,usually wearing his polarized glasses and T.U. gear He'll be glad to tell u all about it. The only draw back with this place is all the very informed people that frequent this great stream. Their is a lot of selfish rednecks to say the least that leave trash, and use hooks almost as long as some of the fish. They really do not and have no clue or business being their. I actually saw a supposedly world class angler hook a brookie and thinking  it was a Brown. He tossed the thing into the stream like a hillbilly bass show on ESPN. He had no clue on how delicate those fish are. And if he did, he didn't care which wouldn't of surprised me. By late fall, these a'holes go back to their shanty's and the river is back at ease., so do not fear. Their is fish their.
                                              

                                                          #5  COLD CREEK 

                                                                         

                              This stream is quite a wonder. Their are very few of these in the  world and it just so happens we have a couple. If we were to drill for a spring and create our own stream, like the private fishing clubs in the Sandusky area, this is what we would get due to the geology under the ground. PA has a few of these as you probably know. Letort Spring Run, Spring Creek, exct.. If you wish to read on wikipedia the very definition of a chalk stream you can do so here by                                                        

              ENGLISH CHALK STREAM

    So the picture to the right is the river Ictchen in England. A well known chalk stream. Up top is Cold Creek in Ohio.  Cold Creek is 99% utilized by ODNR and EPA. u can not fish it from headwaters to cold creek trout camp property. And don't get caught, TRUST ME. They use this water for scientific data research as I was harshly told by a guy in a custom state S.U.V.  If this water was utilized it would be a miracle. U can actually pull of the road and see all the trout for about 3 miles on land owners property. But again, can't be fished.

                    I think it's pretty clear that ODNR is really just not interested in upgrading and expanding the use of our cold water streams. We do not have huge or mid sized CWH's, but we have enough to make it worth while. I am assuming their only interest is Lake Erie and the stocking of Saugeye it seems.Their is a calling to get with the times, but our history in Ohio is within Our great lake. Personally, I would enjoy the scenic ways of the rivers. I and a lot more others get a lot more out of the natural beauty. But by reading and looking at my heading picture of what was put into our lake, it's really hard to believe what they care about.