And their it was. An hour later, down 71 I had reached
my favorite stream. The anticipation of the drive can be a little overwhelming. But it's a very familiar one with a lot of good memories. I have plenty of time on this drive to map out every move I will be making. Which color of that pattern, in this water. If the water temp. drops 2 more degrees, ill use this. If the sun goes away for more than a half hour, the hatch is this!
The suspect I was paying a visit to has become an old foe. He doesn't give his secrets up very well. And he has shattered my hopes and dreams on more than one occasion.
Like a Boxer he knows his strengths and weaknesses. He precisely jukes, weaves and goes back to his stance. Or in this case his "zone". To beat the best, you have to be the best they say. Some occasions your lucky and you have a good day. But you are in his environment. What we can't see is what reels me in. What could I do in every or any given circumstance. What you can't see below the cool stream surface and your instincts against his is the name of the game. I like to call it "River Chess." It sounds insane and lame. Really, I don't care what others think. I do what I feel is the right move on the water. My own little world. And during this time, my time, is all that matters. I feel this holds true to almost every fly fisherman. And that's why we keep coming back. Every circumstance is different at any given time.
The Clear Fork Brown Trout is a mystery to many. Their have been fish less trips. 6 to 8 hours worth at a time. The Brown being a bastard as we know at times can be as crotchety and grumpy as an old man. Finicky as a scorned ex wife and intelligent as an honor student. This is why I prefer to fish the Brown over any game fish in existence. The Clear Fork Brown especially. They have been stocked since 1996 by ODNR. Prior to that was the same method{almost} as the apple creek route. Clubs new it could work, and ODNR dragged their feet for years as usual. Rainbows were the bill of fare prior with some Brownies, but predominately 'bows back then. I believe it it were still Rainbows being stocked now in numbers by the State, they would reproduce. Easily. The problem I believe and this is only my theory would be the fact that Rainbows are way to eager to lunge with reckless abandonment thus, dissipate. Not much in the way of "Chess" for the rainbow. It would be their demise. The habitat is of mostly cobble for a bottom, with very little shale. The tailouts are of spring creek pebble and the rifles are of the same sized pea-gravel. Pools are of 3-7 feet in the upper Clear Fork,deeper in the lower section. As far as holdover Browns, which are of way less tolerant than the popular McCloud strain of Rainbow that we see in resident dwelling 'bows the numbers are good. The state stocks 6"-9"
fingerling's every October. They are at various points through out the stream. Catching them, is of another order.
As time and methods have past new ideas erupt. but the result is always similar on this stream. Typically, bigger streamers are the method of choice for most Bruiser Browns. Here, theirs no pattern. It's random for no reason. And with a gin clear stream, stealth is all you have. The hardy Brown is not forgiving here. At times one would wonder if the heat of summer have killed off the fish. But the Clear Fork has a few suprises and tricks of it's own. And the sizable Browns if you can find them to prove it. Under ground cold springs that shoot out gallons of cold, sterile water keep this river cool in most locations year round. in certain sections their are more springs than others and in that warmer water if you find those springs you will find the Brown.
Their are many spring creeks as well that filter in the Clear Fork. None of which are of any real size. One notable, the rest the size of a sidewalk. But that's up to you to do the leg work. Most of this stream stays cool regardless of the springs. It's almost sterile . In fact until agriculture became big with fertilizers, the stream was so clean it was almost dormit of aquatic insects. And the Browns in this stream have a buffet of choice thanks to that.
This stream hides it's treasures very well unlike some places as pictured above. Although these Rainbows pictured are native, this particular stream was like fishing in a barrel. Which would u prefer? It's funny fishing somewhere where you know people don't fish much because they gave up. Theirs a lot of lazy people out their and it seems like convenience is the normal anymore. which to me explains a lot of this countries problems.
The Clear Fork Brown has schooled me. It taught me a lot. Patience turned into thinking clearer .From their it taught me how to manage every day problems that I can't control.
Driving west
on 90 towards
Detroit I realize only then that "Yes, their is other places in the world that are more polluted. It's not so bad. Really? As I hit Toledo I remember telling myself,"ya, the casino even looks like hell." That's OK two tickets to the keys will fix that. Islamorada or bust. It was my honeymoon/vacation and i told her i really didn't want to make this trip about fishing."Look honey,I didn't even pack my fly rod." Already, my marriage was starting off in sin. And I didn't even feel bad. Not a pulse of remorse. What an a'hole.
All week i had been tying crazy charlie's and crab patterns. I went as far as contacting a friend who knows legendary Sandy Morets son.{one of the 2} Who just so happens to live in Chagrin Falls. Raised in Islamorada. On a worse note, the first morning sunrise I went for a sunrise walk on the beach and saw a smattering of rises which I'm assuming were bonefish or red's. Then, the adrenaline ran through me like a freight train. I'd had enough. In an attempt to get some advice, more so to make me feel a little better for what I was about to do. I phoned a friend with this sort of experience.
This particular person has talked to me on several occasions about "Just doing the things a man has to do to keep her happy." Like going to Amish Country to look at quilts and really amazing furniture. EXTC.,. He has gone through great hardships like most men have to go through and has gave it a phrase. The phrase is "The walk of Shame." So you can understand why I would call such a person. This phrase has more than meaning. And has become quit legendary. If Bryan Adams were still doing the Bud Light "Real men of Genius" commercials, Ken would be that guy Bryan Adams would be saluting. Thanks Ken. I feel a lot better now. [ pictured above, the walk of shame]
He had said exactly what I already learned weeks earlier. So I knew my thinking was on the right path. "Just try to rent a fly rod." So with a strategic plan, kinda, I drove down to the fly shop owned by Sandy Moret. That's weird? Look honey, a tropical fly shop. My inconsiderate agenda worked.
A
nd so, another journey began.
It was not long after the stalking began. Like Steelhead, the same methodical approaches are needed. And I couldn't believe the similarity .
The lessons I learned here where, none at all. I really do love my wife. Thats a fact.
But I guess boys will be boys.
The Clear Fork Brown has schooled me. It taught me a lot. Patience turned into thinking clearer .From their it taught me how to manage every day problems that I can't control. 
