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BBB HONOR ROLL |
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Blown Off Lake Erie While In Ohio?
Ebait Author - 7/11/2000 8:50:04 AM
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The Tuscarawas River, Great Fishing, Canoeing and Much, Much More!
Ever traveled to Lake Erie in Ohio on a quest of whopper walleye, tasty jumbo perch or that world class smallmouth fishery only to spend two or three days watching the wind whip the lake up into a frenzy? If so, you can still savage your excursion with a drive a few miles south of Cleveland and into Stark and Tuscarawas Counties to the historic Tuscarawas River.
"The Tuscarawas River holds lots of exciting outdoor opportunities," said "Indiana Bob" Sammartino of Indian River Outfitters in Canal Fulton. "We here in Stark County have one of the most scenic rivers in all of the Midwest," he said. "Couple that with great canoeing, tubing and fishing and you end up with an escape of Lake Erie's rough waters and an exciting alternative to the crowded lakes and reservoirs of Northeast Ohio."
"Indiana Bob" is not alone in his praise of the Tuscarawas. In fact, our forefathers loved the river for what it offered, but for slightly different reasons. In olden times, the river provided power and water for the region's agriculture and growing industries. It was also a cheap source of transportation. In the early 1800's, the Ohio & Erie Canal was constructed right along the riverbank making the Tuscarawas River Valley a major commerce route.
Connie Rubin of the Stark County Parks District (SCPD) is excited about what the river and what the SCPD is doing to promote the region. "We have targeted the Ohio & Erie Canal that lies along the river," said Rubin. "The SCPD is busily constructing new trails on the old towpath bed along with historical markers, parking and connections with other trailheads."
The Towpath Trail is open to horseback riding, cycling and of course hiking. It also features quick access to many of parts of the river. Fishermen and women can park in designated areas and easily walk to great fishing.
Anglers should note that the Tuscarawas River harbors many diverse gamefish species. Perch, crappie, bluegill, northern pike, sunfish, saugeye, catfish and smallmouth bass all call the Tusc home. Anglers can even find an occasional muskie or largemouth bass swimming in this fertile waterway. And what better a way to spend a lazy, late summer afternoon than slowly floating the river in quest of gamefish?
"I fish the river area all the time," said Massillon's Angela Winter. "My father and I often visit the oxbows and backwater areas that are so prevalent on the Tusc." Winter makes Nature Trails Rental (NTR) Canoe Livery an important stop on her river quests. "I can fish their pond or ply the waters of the Tusc. Either way I'm into fish."
Winter isn't the only proponent of this secret angling hot spot. John Barr of Bolivar is another frequent "river rat". "I'm new to this part of Ohio," said Barr. "So when I moved to Bolivar for work, I immediately found out as much as I could about this waterway."
Barr reports that his favorite fish is the smallmouth bass and the Tuscarawas keeps him satisfied with plenty of bronzeback action. "Most people immediately think of Lake Erie as the place to go for smallmouth, but I'm here to tell you that smallies can be found up and down the Tusc and you don't need to travel very far to catch them."
Anglers pursuing smallmouth should be aware of their dire need of rock structure. This critical river component makes finding these acrobatic aerials a little easier. Bandit 100 and 200 Series crankbaits in natural colors such as crawfish, shad and the new rootbeer produce best in low water times, whereas chartreuse and whites work best in the dirtier higher water times. Another productive pattern revolves around tube lures and spider jigs. "ISG Intimidator Tubes really work along slack water pools," said Winter. "And those Intimidator Spider Grubs work great in the rocks."
"Fish all the rock you can find on the river and you will catch fish," said Barr.
Perch and saugeye anglers should concentrate on the deeper or slack water pools. These great tasting gamefish like the slower moving currents to do their hunting and its here your hunt will glean the most success.
If fishing is not your bag, then make sure you check out the Tuscarawas River's other outdoor activities.
Canoe enthusiasts will find two full service liveries within easy drives of Canton. Indian River Outfitters targets the scenic, upper Tuscarawas from Canal Fulton to Massillon while NTR concentrates on a more pristine, untouched look of the river from Navarre to Bolivar. Both feature canoe, kayak and tube rentals and will accommodate both individuals and groups.
Outdoor photography is gaining in popularity. Inexpensive, yet quality 35mm cameras offers the amateur a chance to "shoot" like a pro while the Tuscarawas makes for both historic and scenic backdrops.
Ann Swain of NTR reports great numbers of diverse wildlife can be spotted from "her" stretch of the river. "Animals from squirrel to deer frequent the river's edge," said Swain. "Slipping quietly down the river in a canoe enables photographers to get that shot of a lifetime." Besides deer and squirrel, the river is a staging area for waterfowl, and other migratory species. "A myriad of songbirds visit the river," said Swain. "It's a birders paradise. In other words "bring plenty of film."
The next time you think of an outdoor adventure, consider the Tuscarawas River. It could very well be the best-kept outdoor secret in Ohio.
Indian River Outfitters -- (800) 226-6349
NTR -- (330) 874-2002
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