There are many different approaches you should take in order to get a good game plan for a trip or a day of fishing. Also remember that things change and these reports are what we know at the time of posting only. Keep in mind that we do express opinions and personal preferences from time-to-time which may be different from yours or what you may read elsewhere. Thanks for checking and don't forget to call us if you need any further information or a more up-to-date report. 614-451-0363
Mad River
USGS Gauge- Urbana
USGS Gauge- St. Paris Pike
Mad River Map
Glad to be up and running again with our Fishing Reports. As you have probably read, we were unable to update due to the website being modified this Fall. We have now moved everything over to this Blog and we hope that you will sign-up to follow us here. You'll then be notified every time we update. Please also click the link back to the old reports page as we will be keeping the history there as a fishing reports "archive"......oh......and Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at MRO!! Be sure to stop in this weekend for "Black Friday" weekend and if not, hit the website for "Cyber Monday/21st Anniversary".
Our buddy Phil Ritter just this morning on the Mad. Was caught on a size 16 Chartreuse Copper John. Measured at just under 18". Beautiful Fall colors!
Although some folks have been getting out on the Mad and doing pretty well....it's been a tough Fall, to say the least. As is the story everywhere in Ohio the river is super low and clear and has been for some time. We can only hope that this weather pattern changes and we get some water. The good news is that the leaves have pretty much cleared out and less of an issue like they have been for about a month. You still may have some issues on a windy day but much less from here on out.Our Fall streamer season has been pretty non-existent. Yes, of course a few nice fish have been caught, but this has been in deeper holes in the lower river. If you want to fish streamers, you may consider going to a smaller, non-articulated fly. In these types of conditions the smaller stuff CAN work a bit better than the larger, "Kelly Style" flies, but of course you never know until you try.
We did have some decent Blue Winged Olive and Pseudo fishing during October, mostly in the upper river and it was technical stuff....but fun. From here on out if you do see any rising it will probably be to midges. Have some Griffith's Gnats, Brian/Ryan and I.C.S.I. dries along just in case. Small midge larva bounced along the bottom will produce good number of fish all winter, the fishes bellies are full of them. Try a red midge larva and see what happens.
Other than that, nymphing will be the way to go for sure. Either go really small with the midges or go big with a Cranefly or big attractor type. Fish them slow under an indicator, be stealthy, and you can still catch fish.
Speaking of Indicators...have you seen the new Air Lock Indicators? Best we have found....hands down.
Thanks for reading and we'll try to update again next week. Pray for rain!
Clearfork River
USGS- Upper Clearfork
USGS- Lower/Mohican State Park
Clearfork Map
Glad to be up and running again with our Fishing Reports. As you have probably read, we were unable to update due to the website being modified this Fall. We have now moved everything over to this Blog and we hope that you will sign-up to follow us here. You'll then be notified every time we update. Please also click the link back to the old reports page as we will be keeping the history there as a fishing reports "archive"......oh......and Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at MRO!! Be sure to stop in this weekend for "Black Friday" weekend and if not, hit the website for "Cyber Monday/21st Anniversary".
The Clearfork has been the sleeper this Fall. Especially the past few weeks. We have seen some excellent fish caught in the upper stretch, mostly on nymphs, but some really excellent 16-19" fish. The lower is yet to show us much like this but there are plenty of smaller fish swimming around and pretty eager to eat a fly.
As with the rest of Ohio, the Clearfork is super low but the fishing has remained decent. Most reports have been that small nymphs like Copper Johns, Prince Nymphs and Pheasant Tails have been working well. Also arm yourself with some midges if you go. There have been some reports of dry fly activity down in the park and the fish have been eating small midge dries on the surface.
Not much to report yet about streamer success but that should change here this week...especially if we get some water. There should be a bunch of bigger fish swimming around (if you know what happens this time of year) and they will jump on streamers. If the big stuff doesn't produce with the low water, go to bucktails or muddlers and see what happens.
If we get some rain this weekend, it could REALLY turn on!
Clear Creek
USGS Gauge
Clear Creek Map
Glad to be up and running again with our Fishing Reports. As you have probably read, we were unable to update due to the website being modified this Fall. We have now moved everything over to this Blog and we hope that you will sign-up to follow us here. You'll then be notified every time we update. Please also click the link back to the old reports page as we will be keeping the history there as a fishing reports "archive"......oh......and Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at MRO!! Be sure to stop in this weekend for "Black Friday" weekend and if not, hit the website for "Cyber Monday/21st Anniversary".
Looks like the flow gauge has not been working for a few days but trust us...the water is low! Pretty low even for this time of year. The temp gauge does seem to be accurate though. There are still quite a few leaves choking the system and we are of course in need of a blowout....let's hope it happens soon!
With the cooler temps this week though we have seen the fish moving into their winter hangouts. It doesn't take long in this small stream to find the fish....look for deeper, darker runs and pools and they will be there. Also look for rock slabs, boulders and wood. Working these areas with nymphs will not disappoint but don't overlook a small streamer if the leaves are not presenting a problem. Standard nymphs like Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ears and Copper Johns have been working but lean towards the smaller...#16-18 variety.
There has been a good midge hatch during the warmth of the sunny afternoons and we have had some reports of fish rising to them. A few decent fish caught on dry flies the past few weeks. Overcast days have been seeing some Blue Winged Olives, size 20-22 but they will surely subside as the temps cool further here. We should see the midge activity continue though so have some Griffit's Gnats, Brian/Ryans and such as well as some midge larva for below the surface. Red midge larva, Brassies and Disco Midges will catch fish all winter.
Thanks for reading and we'll stay in touch!
Erie Steelhead
Gauge Links and Maps
Glad to be up and running again with our Fishing Reports. As you have probably read, we were unable to update due to the website being modified this Fall. We have now moved everything over to this Blog and we hope that you will sign-up to follow us here. You'll then be notified every time we update. Please also click the link back to the old reports page as we will be keeping the history there as a fishing reports "archive"......oh......and Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at MRO!! Be sure to stop in this weekend for "Black Friday" weekend and if not, hit the website for "Cyber Monday/21st Anniversary".
Ron Martino with his 1st Ohio Steelhead...and on the swing! Guide trip with Josh on Monday 11/23
Unfortunately, for our belated 1st report of the season, there is not a ton to report. With the low water and un-seasonably warm Fall we have had, it has been a tough start to the season. Don't get us wrong, we ARE catching some fish, but not in the numbers we are used to and we are having to work/walk a little extra this year. The good news now is that the leaves are pretty well out of the system with the exception of the smaller streams like the Ashtabula and the Vermilion which are still in desperate need of a blowout. The water is also starting to "green-up" for the winter and that's always a good sign. The East side of Cleveland did get some snow the past few nights, and that may help a little.....but boy....do we need rain.
The hot spots have surely been the Grand and the Chagrin although reports have the fish mostly still down towards the mouths and have not moved much past Painesville or above Daniels. We have been doing pretty well on the Grand the past week but the problem is the crowds. Josh had to get on the water at 5:30 a.m. the other day just to hold a spot for his clients. When we have gotten water, the Conneaut has actually been on fire, but then right back down to mediocre with the water levels. The Rocky has been sporadic and for most has been a disappointment although we did get some reports of decent catches there the past few days, including a few big browns. The Vermilion is pretty much flowing upstream....you could walk across it and not get wet!
The PA streams of course have fish in them and folks are catching a few but it's tough....and top that off with the crowds it makes for a questionable outing at best. Some decent fishing up in New York and the Catt but they are also in need of rain in a big way.
Our guides are reporting that they have been doing surprisingly well swinging baitfish patterns on the Grand. Also drifting some smaller Emerald Shiner type patters under an indicator with some success. The Skiddish Smolt pattern and the Ice Man Minnow in the Olive/Yellow color have both been top choices. Small white wooly buggers have also been producing fish.....stripped or swung with warmer temps and drifted in colder. A few folks reporting that nymphs have done pretty well. Of course our favorite Brer Possum, Bloody Marys and the Fly Formerly Known as Prince always do well for us. All of our guides are saying that streamers and nymphs are far out performing egg patterns right now but that should change here with the weather and as we get more fish in the system.
Thanks for reading and be sure to click on the "Steelhead Central" page to view the gauge heights, view maps and for some links to "Cool Steelhead Stuff" on our web page.
Mad River Outfitters
Fly Shop, Guides, Schools and more!
813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
www.madriveroutfitters.com
614-451-0363
