Tag Archive for: trout fishing in ohio

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Chompin’ at the Bit

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Early Spring Trout Fly Fishing

Spring is in the air… longer and warmer days are here. And that means only one thing – the trout are getting more active and we have all been chomping at the bit to get out. Especially with this pandemic keeping us inside. And without a doubt, fly fishing for trout can be the perfect way to get away from it all – especially since you are outdoors and generally away from others – naturally social distancing. And please do be safe and follow the appropriate distancing and hygiene guidelines we all know about. Here in Ohio, water temps are creeping up, and aside from heavy spring downpours, water is clearing up. So, let’s get after those finned favorites. Join us at Briarwood Sporting Club, an Ohio trout fishing club, to discover our little slice of fishing heaven at this wonderful time of year. And to start you out, here are my favorite early Spring tips for trout… 

The fish are chillin’

The water temperatures vary right now with some cooler nights and warmer days – and even different parts of the streams vary. As the water begins to consistently and slowly rise above 50F, we know the trout will be feeding. Regardless, for now try fishing deeper, and a bit more slowly until those temps reach above 50 consistently when we know we will see fish feeding closer to the surface. Try a strike indicator if you want to keep it off the bottom. At Briarwood Sporting Club right now, we are seeing water temps in the upper 40s to mid 50s in streams, lakes and ponds.

trout-fishing-fly-lures-briarwood clouser-minnow

Clouser Minnow

Go big with flash

With slower moving fish and a murky, colder home, throw something bigger and flashier. Give it a try! Start using different streamers, like bright clouser minnows, larger chartreuse buggers with some tinsel, and simply favorite flies outside your normal color range are worth a cast. If you usually throw something with a size 12 or 14 hook, go for size 10. Bottomline, get their attention. Last April, a buddy and I tried size 8 articulated streamers at Briarwood Sporting Club and we both caught very large Rainbows with just a few casts, and then a few Goldens. And I don’t know if it was the streamer, but boy did they fight!

trout-fishing-fly-lures-briarwood chartreuse-bugger

Wooly Bugger

Make it a double

If you don’t normally use a dropper, now is the perfect time. Two is better than one, especially if you want to get their attention. As a refresher, a dropper is a 18-24” piece of tippet tied off the shank of your first fly hook – in this case, try a wooly bugger, streamer, zonker, or a large leech beadhead. On the end of the tippet you tie a smaller fly – I like to try a WD-40, or of course a perfect fly for now, a black zebra midge. (The latter is a fly box must have – sizes 14-20.) Fish this combo slow and deep at first. With double the trouble, you can get their attention.

trout-fishing-fly-lures-briarwood black-zebra-midge

Black Zebra Midge

Fish outside the box

This is the hardest concept for me, and I would imagine you as well. Simply trying something different. Does it seem like you are always using the same flies and fishing in the same spots? Don’t get me wrong, you have your favorites for a reason. But trying new flies and new parts of the favorite stream has rewarded me, especially at slower times.

trout-fishing-fly-lures-briarwood WD-40

WD-40

And now some of those flies, like the WD-40, have become a favorite spring fly. Dig through your flybox and tie on something you bought for a reason some point in the past, you know, the one with cobwebs dangling?! Now is a great time to try something different and new for you. Also, try those areas which appear deeper, those out of the way and tougher to reach, or perhaps an area where our finned friends can lie in ambush.  

And…just…be…patient…

Don’t fish often bite when you are looking elsewhere, chatting with a buddy, texting a friend a pic of the last whopper, simply daydreaming, or sometimes when you are just slowly retrieving that fly from the water? Sometimes it pays to simply wait a bit especially with these conditions. Let the fish find your offering this time! 

 

 

Tight lines my friends ~ Drew 

 

Drew McCartt, a fly angler for nearly 30 years and a member at Briarwood for more than five serves as Director of Sporting Services at the private fishing club located in Bellefontaine, Ohio. 

To discover more about Briarwood Sporting Club visit our website, www.briarwoodclub.com,  or email  Drew at drew@briarwoodclub.com 

For over 40 years Briarwood Sporting Club has been a “slice of wilderness” in central Ohio, delivering a relaxed atmosphere of soothing freshwater amid breathtaking rolling hills, meadows, and timber. Four streams are home to some very impressive “wall ready” trout – including rainbows, brown, brook, golden, blue and calico. 
As a majestic and vast landscape, Briarwood abounds with plentiful Ohio trophy whitetails, lunker bass, slab panfish, and other finned favorites. Gorgeous hardwoods, pines, and meadows present a habitat that has plentiful food plots and wildlife openings.  
First-class lodging, 5-star service and food, a welcoming loafing lodge, and incredible and diverse wildlife viewing complete the perfect outdoor escape to create an unforgettable experience. 

Joining a Private Fishing Club

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Why Join a Private Fishing Club?

Without a doubt, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to find productive fishing waters. Overcrowded, frustrating waters that result in a poor fishing experience. Many of the most dedicated anglers and fly fishermen are turning to private fishing clubs to find their peace of mind on the water or sense of community and it is easy to see why.

Catching Bigger & Better Fish

It is common knowledge that the best fishing in the state of Ohio and even in the United States comes from private fishing clubs. The membership at private fishing clubs such as Briarwood Sporting Club is not only dedicated to providing an amazing fishing experience but also is dedicated to raising and producing the best fish possible.

Often times public water is riddled with small stunted trout, bass, panfish— you name it. Other times the waters the hold trophy fish are a grind where finding just one fish feels like a vague possibility. Private fishing clubs focus on what is at the heart of every angler—casting into beautiful waters that hold both quantity and quality. Where the very next cast could be a fish of a lifetime, but where it doesn’t take a lifetime to get there.

Joining a private fishing club allows an angler to take a step back to the days where untapped resources and proper management combined to make a world-class fishing experience. Briarwood Sporting Club also gives anglers an incredible experience to catch fish that they otherwise would have never caught. Rare and elusive species of trout or unique warm water species like tiger muskie roam pristine private waters only available to members.

Connect With the Love of the Sport

The very thing that sparked a love for the sport of fishing or fly-fishing for most anglers is a special place with that special water. Fishing is not just about catching but the experience and environment that allows one to connect.

Joining a private fishing club, such as the Briarwood Fishing Club, gives access to calm and serene waters with rising fish that are eager to feed but also provide a challenge. Connecting with that initial love of the sport in a peaceful and exciting place is one of the best benefits of gaining access to private waters by being a member of a fishing club.

Joining a Community

When an angler joins a private fishing club they are not only gaining access to incredible waters and better fishing but they are also gaining a community. In the digital age that appears to be so connected, anglers have never been so disconnected.

By being a member of a private fishing club you are put into a community with others that share the same passion for fishing and are serious about their love for the sport. This connection and sense of community is something that goes hand and hand with a membership to a private fishing club like Briarwood.

Anglers of all experience are welcomed and feel at home with the community of a private fishing club from the brand new angler to the most experienced of anglers. Perhaps it is a casual chat over what flies the trout are biting on or meeting a fellow angler in the club that turns into a lifelong friendship, the bond that is created by being a member of the same fishing club is just something that cant be replaced.

The chance to learn a new fly fishing technique, or share your own knowledge with an angler on the water is the essence of what makes a community that members are proud to be a part of.

A Tailored Fishing Experience

As it was mentioned, there exists a spectrum of anglers of all experience out there. From a kid casting for the very first time to the most dedicated fly fisherman with a lifetime of experience, there are different experience levels with different fishing needs.

Being a member of a private fishing club allows access to different waters is tailored to each kind of angler. Briarwood Sporting Club has waters that are specifically designed for introducing children to the sport of fishing. What better way to give a lifelong passion to the next generation than to have them fish fun, exciting and productive waters for their first fish.

Private fishing clubs like Briarwood also have hundreds of acres of lakes and streams for more experienced anglers to explore and catch a trophy trout or a challenging tiger muskie. The variety, quality, and quantity of fish is not something that can be rivaled elsewhere and especially not on public lands. New species to chase and bigger fish to catch is always just around the corner with the opportunity to develop new fishing passions to chase.

Private fishing clubs manage their own waters and can designate special waters for a specific type of fishing. Briarwood Sporting Club, for example, has fly fishing only streams as well as catch and release.

For other fishermen, bringing home a fresh fish dinner for the family is what is most important, and private fishing clubs can manage waters better than most public waters to catch and keep. Private fishing clubs also have amenities like clubhouses and fish cleaning services to allow the angler more time to focus on what’s important—fishing and the experience.

Anglers can choose to meet up with other like-minded members for a fun day fishing with friends or choose to explore and roam more secluded waters within the private fishing club to find solitude and peace of mind. The ability to choose and tailor your fishing experience is part of what makes private fishing clubs like Briarwood so desirable.

The benefits of joining a private fishing club such as Briarwood Sporting Club, are quite literally as vast as the waters and the fishing experience. From the fishing to the community or solitude, tailored experience and incredible memories are why private fishing clubs are unmatched.

The Ultimate Trout Fishing Destination In Ohio

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Trout Fishing In Ohio | Best Place to Trout Fish In Ohio

Ohio is a fantastic destination for trout fishing enthusiasts.  It’s filled with beautiful scenery and incredible fishing opportunities.  However, gaining access to the state’s resources can be a challenge for its residents and non-residents alike. Public land access is limited and places that do allow fishing can be run down, polluted, and unmanaged. It can be a defeating issue for sportsmen who simply want to enjoy their outdoor passions and can’t (or want) to attain land of their own.  So what are the best opportunities for trout fishing in Ohio? We have one ultimate destination in mind!

The Benefit of a Fishing Community

In the beautiful state of Ohio, residents and non-residents have a popular option when looking for trout fishing opportunities: join a trout fishing community.  These communities are termed “clubs” and offer access to some of Ohio’s greatest resources. These resources can include world-class trout fishing opportunities.  These properties are well managed, appreciated by their members, and highly productive. This simply means you can guarantee to catch fish and to enjoy your time.  

However, benefits of these clubs don’t stop there. Not only do these clubs give their members a chance to experience a majestic piece of property, they also provide lodging, hospitality, and the chance to land that fish of the lifetime.  It’s every trout fishing anglers dream.  

The only catch? You have to invest in the right one.

Briarwood Trout Fishing Club

There isn’t a better place in the eastern half of the country to enjoy Mother Nature’s finest trout fishing than our very own Briarwood Sporting Club. We are considered the largest trout fishing resort east of the Mississippi, comprising 125 acres of pristine waters and breathtaking scenery. Each body of water is both stocked and regulated for a sustainable, world–class fishery. Members are invested in the land, practicing the highest levels of conservation, and visitors have access to large variety of game fish.

Check Out The Property Map Here! 

However, fishing isn’t the only benefit of joining our Briarwood community. Our accommodations are comfortable, generous, and filled with all of your modern amenities. It’s an all-in-one destination for every outdoorsman. 

With such a high level of respect for the property, we provide an incredible experience for every angler and their family. Below, we walk you through why Briarwood is the top trout fishing destination in Ohio.

A Convenient Getaway 

Simply put, Briarwood is convenient. We are centrally located within the state of Ohio and within an hour of two major cities: Columbus and Dayton.  Our location is a convenient getaway for residents of neighboring cities, or those looking for a farther adventure but want to be in the proximity of restaurants and shopping. Many residents appreciate this convenience because it allows them to enjoy nature at its finest without investing in expensive travel costs or tedious planning.  There is also no maintenance or upkeep that would normally be found when owning a vacation property. Lodging is provided and rooms are fully furnished.  

When members come to visit, they only need to grab their essentials and not worry about anything else. Being a member means visitors are able to enjoy their dream property without any hassle or excessive expense.  Anglers can simply grab their rod and spend their free time catching fish.

The Finest Fishing 

Trout fishing is excellent at Briarwood Sporting Club

We are well known for our high–quality fishing. We stock a variety of fish regularly, including a large variation of fish species not found in many other clubs. We also offer visitors a chance at some of the country’s most popular game fish.  These species include:

  • Bluegill 
  • Walleye 
  • Perch 
  • Tiger Muskie 
  • Numerous species of bass 
  • Catfish

Beautiful once in a lifetime trout fishing opportunities!

With sixteen lakes and numerous streams, we are the perfect place to catch the trophy of a lifetime.  Five species of trout are present including:

  •  Rainbow 
  • Brook 
  • Brown 
  • Golden 
  • Blue

As with any other trout fishing opportunity, each piece of water comes with its own set of challenges, keeping every angler on the tips of their toes.  

For the young and novice, there are even family-friendly fishing areas where members can use spin and casting rods. There are accommodations on site to benefit every fisherman of every level.   

Our outdoor opportunities don’t stop there.   We also offer trophy whitetail hunting.  The property is home to trophy class whitetail deer, with many in excess of 200”.  Guided hunts are available, giving sportsman not only the chance to catch a fish of their dreams, but also that buck of a lifetime.  

This is why we are the “all-inclusive” getaway for sportsmen across the country.

Other Accommodations

Members have full access to our beautiful accommodations. We have four gorgeous lodges to choose from.  Each of these lodges are secluded and pristine, allowing guests to have a relaxing and breathtaking getaway. Three of the four lodges have private fishing ponds, available only to those who are staying on site.  

As for amenities, you can also expect satellite tv, kitchenettes, wooden decks, and grilling stations. A few lodges even come with a scenic fire pit and boats for use.  

Our accommodations are perfect for getting together with friends, family, or coworkers.

 

Link- https://www.briarwoodclub.com/request-membership-packet/

Invest in Your Passion

Briarwood in the winter

Joining the right trout club is an excellent investment. It offers you the chance to enjoy your own piece of nature without the excessive expense and risk involved in owning your own property. Most importantly, it gives you the chance to experience incredible fishing at your convenience. 

Becoming a member of any club is an investment.  That’s why you want a place that offers the highest quality fishing in the most productive environment possible.  This means finding the best fishing opportunities, a clean and protected environment, and a place you can share with friends and family. That’s why you can’t find a better Ohio trout fishing club than Briarwood. With our large array of opportunity, incredible reviews, and state of the art amenities, it’s no wonder Briarwood is considered the top trout fishing destination in Ohio. 

To join Briarwood, you will need to pay an initiation fee, as well as a yearly renewal fee. As a member, you gain access to Briarwood’s waters and facilities year round.  

Be sure to grab your own piece of outdoor paradise by visiting briarwoodsportingclub.com.