Gearing up for spring? Some fish are already biting

Winter’s just getting silly now, even as we edge closer to spring and the time when everything grand and glorious about fishing comes to full flower.

The calendar is inching toward that day when the weather and opportunity come together for the first fishing trip of 2008. In the meantime, we sort through the news bits that have crossed my desk in recent days.

Here’s something interesting. The saugers are reported to be biting down on the Ohio River. Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife communications officer Jamey Graham e-mailed an advisory from her Akron office indicating the action was outstanding.

“Anglers are hammering sauger,” she said. White jig are recommended. Tim Stevens, the division’s field officer in Jefferson County, reported that the action has been good around the New Cumberland and Pike Island locks and dams, as well as creek mouths’ murky-to-clear-water breaks.

Stevens said that in addition to the saugers, some nice walleyes also are hitting. Weather permitting, the Ohio River will be a place to check out in upcoming weeks.

Looking for some indoor activities to pass the time until spring? Check out the Fishing & Outdoor Expo in Minerva on Feb. 29 through March 2. Hosted by Berlin Basscasters, the expo includes lots of boats and boating equipment, tackle vendors, kids’ contests and food.

The event opens Feb. 29 at 5 and closes at 9 p.m. Hours March 1 and 2 are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Expo is at Minerva Community Center on East First Street.

Do you know women who would enjoy joining a fishing club? They can check out the new Fishing Ladies of Ohio (FLO), which will hold its first official meeting at the Twinsburg Gander Mountain store at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Phil Hillman, an expert steelheader in addition to his service as Division of Wildlife fish management supervisor, will be the guest speaker.

“The goal of FLO is to bring like-minded women together to learn about the various fishing opportunities throughout the region and to enjoy the outdoors together,” said Jamey Graham.

For more FLO information, call Graham at (330) 245-3020.  

Another club, meanwhile, is forming for canoe buffs, according to a note from Jim Carnes of Dellroy. He’s the organizer of the Fish Ohio Canoe Club.

“We are a group of guys and gals who boat and fish any good river or creek we can find in Ohio and the surrounding area,” Carnes said. “Our goal is to hook up with others who enjoy escaping the crowds. We can help folks who want to go canoeing or kayaking, but don’t know where to go.”

There are no dues or fees. Carnes said club members are multispecies anglers, with soft spots for smallmouth bass. “We do several floats a year and are always willing to try new waters,” he said.

For information, check out www.fishohiocanoeclub.net, or call Carnes at (330) 735-3015.

And finally, if you want to spend an evening soaking up some walleye information, check out the Buckeye Walleye Trail’s meeting at 7 p.m. March 20 at the Gander Mountain Store near Eastwood Mall in Niles.

For info, call (330) 637-8087 or visit www.walleyecentral.com under the message/tournament board.