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
The Mad is as low and clear as we have ever seen it this time of year. At least in recent memory. It is approaching scary status. The little bit of precip that we have gotten has hardly been a blip on the radar.
With the weather we have been having though there have been quite a few folks out in the last week or so. Despite the horrible conditions, we have been getting some decent reports.
A few folks reported fishing the upper river near West Liberty and catching quite a few fish, including some nice ones, on Blue Winged Olive dries, stating that they had to go really small to get the fish to eat. Like size 22 small. Also some reports of good surface activity on Mac-O-Chee with fish rising to midges.
Midge fishing should remain good, especially in the upper river and on the warmer sunny days. Just might surprise you how good the dry fly fishing CAN be in the winter months. Always be armed with midge larva though for sub-surface if nothing rising. This time of year the fish are gorging themselves on #16-20 midge larva.
The lower river has been ok with most reports of fish being caught on nymphs. Pretty much the same story...either go really big and attractor-like or go small with Copper Johns, Pheasant Tails or midge larva.
Streamer fishing, although always a good choice for the Mad has been off this Fall. No question, and it's surely due to the lack of water. Not that you can't catch fish, you just might want to go a bit smaller with your flies. Muddlers, Matukas and Bucktails will probably out perform the big stuff that we are used to throwing. We have also been hearing that the more natural colors are out performing the bright stuff which makes sense with the water levels.
Streamer fishing has been best in the lower river and you need to seek out the deeper pools and runs. Look for dark water and there should be fish there.
Hopefully we'll get a report up next week but if not, have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all that. Thanks for reading and most of all for supporting an independently owned, local specialty retailer. We truly appreciate it!
Clearfork River
USGS- Upper Clearfork
USGS- Lower/Mohican State Park
Clearfork Map
Customer and angler Steve Katona from the Upper Clearfork a little over a week ago!
The Upper in particular has produced some really nice fish the past three or four weeks, as you see above. Most activity has been on standard, #14-16 nymphs but a few folks reporting good catches on Wooly Buggers and in particular White Streamers. White has always been a good color on the Clearfork and seems that the fish have been responding. Try a #4-8 White Wooly Bugger or a White Zonker.
The lower has been decent also but most reports are of the recently stocked fish. They have been rising pretty steadily to small dries, midges and soft hackles fished on or near the surface. Haven't heard about any of the larger fish being caught but they are surely there. Probably best to walk a bit away from the covered bridge and look for deeper runs. The water is super low of course so you may have to walk a bit but it should be worth your time.
Most likely the smaller streamers will produce but try stripping a big articulated fly though some of these holes and see what happens. Someone is going to be rewarded here shortly. Send a pic!
Hopefully we'll get a report up next week but if not, have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all that. Thanks for reading and most of all for supporting an independently owned, local specialty retailer. We truly appreciate it!
Clear Creek
USGS Gauge
Clear Creek Map
Clear Creek is getting dangerously low and the fishing the past week or so has been really tough. Of course some folks are catching some of the recent stockers on small dry flies but not much else reported here. You can also catch a few fish with small nymphs in the deeper holes.
Not much to report on streamers though. Just not really enough water to work them...maybe as you get closer down to the Hocking but have not heard any reports of anyone trying.
Fishing here will continue to be tough until we get some water, but it's still a beautiful place to visit this time of year.
Hopefully we'll get a report up next week but if not, have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all that. Thanks for reading and most of all for supporting an independently owned, local specialty retailer. We truly appreciate it!
Erie Steelhead
Gauge Links and Maps
Angler and new friend Erek Fink was out with Josh last week fishing with his new Scott A4 that he bought on the Cyber Monday Sale.
We have had guides out it he past week, and they are catching some fish as you have seen if you follow along, but even they are telling us to warn folks before booking.
The Grand was the hot ticket as you have read in previous reports but even it is getting to the point where it is questionable. Sounds strange to say....the Grand is almost too low to fish.
The boys had been having a blast swinging up fish with Intruders and 2-handed rods but that has given way to dead drifting below an indicator. If you do go, be sure to have plenty of nymphs and eggs and stick with the more subdued colors. The water is so clear everywhere that we have seen fish shying away from the bright stuff.
All this being said and there are still some guys out there doing pretty well. One angler reporting catching a mess of fish on size 16 nymphs and 5X Tippet. He said that's all he could fish that they didn't shy away from.
Also reports, of course, of plenty of fish in Elk Creek but it is dangerously low and the crowds will probably be Epic here due to the holidays. We did have some folks report though that they were catching fish though and on eggs, blue eggs in particular seemed to be hot for whatever reason.
We can tell you that we know quite a few anglers/guides who have given up on the rivers and are out on the lake. They are doing extremely well and catching tons of fresh fish. Most of our fish are still out in the lake so no question...the best is yet to come. We do of course have guides with boats and anyone interested in giving this a try let us know! Can be a ton of fun fishing big streamers and sinking lines.
Please pray for rain!!! If we get some, with this weather we are haivng, the fishing should be excellent through the winter.
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.
Hopefully we'll get a report up next week but if not, have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all that. Thanks for reading and most of all for supporting an independently owned, local specialty retailer. We truly appreciate it!
Mad River Outfitters
Fly Shop, Guides, Schools and more!
813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
www.madriveroutfitters.com
614-451-0363
