* Please remember to call us for more up-to-date or detailed information! These reports are not meant to be your one and only, daily source of information. They are typically general, even seasonal type reports and we currently don't have a set schedule as to when we update. Please, just because we don't update as often as we like, it doesn't mean that we don't care.
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 did spike up a bit with the precip on Friday but is coming back down and looking really good. The streamer fishing has remained good to excellent as we have had much better flows in the past few weeks. Nymphing has also been very good as well. Same story....go tiny with midge larva if you want to catch numbers and go with larger, attractor type nymphs if looking for a larger fish. No valid reports of any dry fly fishing the past week or so as can be expected.
Although the fishing should be good, the temps the next few days and into the week are looking pretty prohibitive. If you go, make sure to have some Stanley's Ice Off Paste to keep the ice from forming in your guides, especially if streamer fishing.....and dress really warm.
We have been talking alot around the shop at how many folks are starting to catch on to the fact that we look for high, dirty water events as "prime time" to hunt big fish. Used to be that folks would stay away from the river (or any river) when the water rose and turned to chocolate milk. These days, those in the know are looking for this kind of water, knowing that this is when the big fish are most likely to slam the big streamers, as you saw in our last report.
Amazing how our entire outlook on fishing has changed since we all read "Modern Streamers for Trophy Trout" and watched a few of Kelly Galloup's videos!
Want to learn more....be sure to join us on Sunday, February 7th when we are joined by Kelly for a presentation on streamer fishing. We're gonna get some pizza and beer and have a good ol' time! And yes...we know it's Super Bowl Sunday. We'd quite frankly learn more about streamer fishing from the master. Click Here to learn more and to sign-up for the party.
We'll try to check-in soon as we know more but in the meantime, here's a few pics and a report from our new friend Ben Soltis:
":I recently moved to the area from out of state and have been fishing the Mad. Today I caught a pretty nice brookie below the Dallas road bridge. Have brook trout been stocked or did this fish come down from the headwaters? It was pretty cool to see this fish, not the species I thought I would be catching today. Caught on an EP fiber dace pattern. Pictures attached, looked to be about 17"."
Thanks,
Ben Soltis
Clearfork River
USGS- Upper Clearfork
USGS- Lower/Mohican State Park
Clearfork Map
Not too many reports in the past week or so from the Clearfork. Guide and Instructor Graham Stokes did get out last week and did very well and from what he has seen recently, the river is fishing much better this winter than it has in many years. From the reports that we have been getting all Fall, this appears to be the case.
Both the Upper and the Lower are in good shape. In general folks have been catching more fish in the Lower stretch and larger fish in the Upper. Not sure if there is much to that but it does seem to be the case.
The streamer fishing in the Upper has been extremely good and some really nice fish caught. The Lower has mostly been a nymph game but still a good idea to drag a big streamer through some of the deeper holes. Especially if you get further away from the covered bridge. If the big stuff doesn't produce, try going with something smaller and see what happens.
With the weather and precip expected, please be careful if heading down into the park...could be a bit treacherous at times.
On a side note, it's also a good time to think about chasing Muskies in the lower. Not a high numbers game, but if you take your time and throw a giant fly, you just might be rewarded. We are still waiting on that "Winter Musky Pic" to come through Facebook or E-mail but it's bound to happen soon. Let us know if we can help you get rigged up.....it's worth your time if you are willing.
If you get out, send us some pics and reports!
Clear Creek
USGS Gauge
Clear Creek Map
Clear Creek did come up with the precip on Friday but is coming down and looking good for the week as far as water level goes. Problem is that it will probably start to freeze up with the temps expected. We'll see and try to let you know.
The good news is, as in our last report, that the fishing has been pretty good. Surprising numbers of holdovers all of a sudden are being caught. Most have been on nymphs and small streamers but don't rule out dries if you get a warmer, sunny day. The midge bite down there can be pretty good at times.
Hopefully we'll get some eyes on the stream this week but in the meantime, read our last report where Ryan Ratliff gave some pretty good tips on fishing Clear Creek in the Winter.
Erie Steelhead
Gauge Links and Maps
Bre with a nice Winter Steelhead from last week!
We have definitely moved into "Winter Mode" here when it comes to Steelhead Alley. Although, there are plenty of fish around, we just haven't had that many folks out chasing them. A few folks did report in this week and plenty of fish caught...especially mid-week as the temps rose a bit. Otherwise, things were starting to slush and ice up quite a bit.
The region did get some good rains on Friday and into Saturday which brought the streams up and they are starting to drop nicely now. The rain and higher temps did slow the ice and slush and may provide for some pretty good fishing the next few days, although the temps are dropping again and they are calling for the lowest of the season this week. Very likely we will quickly be back to talking ice and slush. For sure your target time of day will be in the afternoons with the mornings likely being a "slush story".
The Vermilion is dropping nicely and coming into fishable today and should look great the next few days. We have finally been hearing some decent reports, but most still closer to the lake. Still hoping for this sleeper to turn on here, which might happen after ice-out which isn't that strange.
The Rocky and Chagrin are about the same but have been fishing pretty well. They both should be in great shape for the start of the week. The Rocky in particular has been pretty hot.
The Grand is way up and probably won't fish this week and Conneaut and Ashtabula are both up and muddy but should come into play early in the week. They should both fish well, again depending on the situation with ice and slush.
Steelhead guide Josh McQueen was out this week and snapped the pic above with client Bre. She had a pretty good day! Josh pointed out that as the streams start to ice up, you might think about the Cuyahoga as it rarely freezes over and can fish pretty well this time of year. He also said that most fish were found in slow, deep tailouts behind the riffles and that most fish were eating eggs and stoneflies drifted below an indicator. Swinging flies and stripping streamers has seems to slow to a screeching halt here.
We'll try to watch the situation throughout the week and keep you updated on what we know about the ice and slush conditions.....if we don't, feel free to give us a call as always.
Mad River Outfitters
Fly Shop, Guides, Schools and more!
813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
www.madriveroutfitters.com
614-451-0363
