* 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
After a banner weekend with the higher flows, things have slowed up this week. Pretty much expected with the gray, rains and cooler temps.
No reports of bugs this week and probably not going to be a weekend to look for dry fly fishing ahead anyways. Best we can hope now will be that things stabilize next week and we get some warmth and sun. We can tell you, that the 1st few days that we do get warm sunshine could be the best dry fly days of the year. Those who love fishing the Hendricksons should be watching the weather reports religiously and planning sick days!!!
The good news is that the river is in good shape for the weekend. Bad news is that they are calling for 1-2" of snow overnight and it's going to be cold. If you do get out, it's going to be a nymph and streamer game for sure.
Pat Kelly is floating the river today with clients and we'll hopefully get some pics at some point. Keep your eyes on Social Media today and tomorrow for updates.
Here's a few pics from last weekend's "streamer silliness":
Frequent contributor and friend Bryan Clem was out with Josh and Jeff doing some filming for some upcoming promos you will see on YouTube.
MRO Guide Josh McQueen- Dirty Water + Pike Flies = Giant Brown Trout in Ohio
Later in the week, Facebook contributor Jerry Rodgers sent us this report:
"Hit the mad yesterday (4/5/16) in the afternoon. was quite a few fish feeding on or just below the surface. I was unable to convince any to strike. Threw pheasant tail (12 -n- 14) a cdc student (18) parachute adams (14 -n- 16) even tried a san juan worm and wooly buggers.....the chubs loved what I was tossing the trout not so much..."
****Please make note of the ODNR "Creel Survey" that is going on now...runs April 1st- November 1st. It is very important that we help these guys out by completing the Survey Cards and sending them in after outings. You can read more on our Blog from 4/2 and we'll post it again periodically throughout the season.
The Survey cards are available in the shop and we can also send them out to you if you can't make it in the shop. We'll be happy to drop some in the mail to you free of charge. Once completed they are postage paid so all you have to do is drop them in the mail.
This is a great chance for those of us that fish the Mad to help the ODNR to help the river!
Clearfork River
The Clearfork has been up this week so not many reports but it looks like it could be a good weekend.....and a streamer weekend. If you have been keeping up, you know that the streamer fishing on the Upper stretch has been nothing short of fantastic!
The Upper is high and dirty right now but dropping and should be perfect conditions for throwing the big stuff. Black articulated flies like the Peanut Envy, Sex Dungeon or Articulated Fathead have been working extremely well. If black doesn't do it, go to white. If that doesn't do it, try olive, then yellow. Fish hard and you should be rewarded.
The lower is still pretty high and not too wadeable but that might change over the weekend. Of course, they are expecting more snow in this area than down here in Columbus so it might not be the best of conditions here for a few days. We'll keep our eyes on it over the weekend and let you know.
****Send us a report and a pic from the Clearfork this week and we'll get you out a FREE MRO Hat and the new MRO/Ohio sticker!!! Be sure to send along your address and we'll get them right out as a thanks for contributing to the MRO Fishing Reports.
We'll be posting the new MRO/Ohio stickers for all to see in the next reports coming up next week. Stay tuned...it's a pretty cool sticker.
Clear Creek
The Clear Creek really didn't budge this week much with all the rains....and that could be one of the answers to the question below. It does seem that the fishing did slow with the gray skies and cooler temps though. Not as many glowing reports this week as in the past few.
We did get this note from frequent contributor Elliot Cantwell:
"Fished for a few hours the last few days, saw two hendricksons before the rain started in. A few fish each day nothing like previos weeks. Olive caddis pupa and gold bead hares ear took all the fish.
Also there is this brown slime coating all the runs and rocks. I'm trying to figure out what it is. Any idea? It is completely smothering the stream bead in riffles and runs. I don't know if this is common for this creek( this my first spring on it) but this won't bode well for spring hatches, also should I have seen the hat you sent in the mail by now?"
MRO Responses:
Elliot,
Ryan Ratliff here in the shop who is our Clear Creek "guy" is checking into this. We have calls into the park manager and also to the EPA.
Our best guess is that this is pretty normal algae that bloomed during the warmer weather and has now died off due to the cold water temps (thus the brown color now). Combine that with the fact that the stream did not blow out with the rains and we might have our answer.
Ryan also said that he would get eyes on the stream tomorrow and get a better diagnosis.
We'll let you know what we come up with. BTW....your Hat and MRO/Ohio sticker are on the way to you today! Thanks a ton as always for submitting reports and pics. Keep them coming!!!!
Erie Steelhead
After a few weeks here of good to fantastic steelhead fishing, it looks like we'll be out of the game here for a few days.
Most streams have blown out with the precip and are just now cresting and starting to head in a positive direction. Regardless, it will be a few days here......
The V, Rocky, Chagrin and Conneaut are all blown out and we really won't think of fishing until Sunday or Monday at this point. The Ashtabula and tribs to the Grand might be in play for tomorrow and Sunday and that's really about it. Add to that, they are expecing MORE snow tonight and tomorrow and that may change things for the worse.
For those that have guide trips booked, no worries, we will get you out though as our guides have a few "tricks" up their sleeves as you have seen in reports from the past few weeks during high water situations.
The good news is that this push of water should bring us yet another push of fresh fish, giving us a fantastic mix of fresh fish, drop backs and spawning fish. We have had many folks asking if we thought the season was over and the answer is absolutely "No". Especially with the "Winter Like" weather, we have WEEKS of good steelhead fishing ahead.
We'll let you know as things change and we are back out on the main rivers. In the meantime, here's a few highlights since the last report:
Good friend and great customer Chris Blau was out on a guide trip this past Sunday with guide Patrick Campbell-
"Brian,
You were right, I'm glad I called and got a trip booked. Patrick [Campbell] was a great guide and had us on fish most of the day. It was a slow start given the white out snow conditions the night before and freezing temperatures. I think final count was 8 in the net. Missed enough that I'm ready to go again.
Awesome trip!"- Chris Blau
MRO Guide Josh McQueen did a little fishing/scouting on his own this week and got this to the net! One of the cool things about steelhead fishing in Ohio this time of year is that you never know quite what will hit your fly. Sometimes the "by-species" can be just as much fun as the "target-species"
We'll let you know what we do and always feel free to call the shop for an "up-to-the-minute" report!
Mad River Outfitters
Fly Shop, Guides, Schools and more!
813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-451-0363
