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The Mad is a bit high and cloudy today but should be coming into great shape for weekend fishing. The upper river could be good to excellent dry fly fishing and the lower river prime for streamers.
The Big news this week is that we have seen Sulphers in very good numbers and fish responding to say the least. This is the early, #14-16 ephemerella invaria which at this time of year is almost a greenish color. Actually a Blue Winged Olive pattern in #14 or 16 works better than a traditional Sulpher. We probably won't see the #16-18 dorothea for another week or so but you never know.....especially this year. Please keep in mind that these bugs hatch almost exclusively in the evening, like 8 p.m. on. We have seen a few in the afternoons this week but with the temps we are getting it will pretty much be an evening hatch from here on out. Also keep in mind that if you get a cooler, overcast day, you can see them hatch all day! Look for the spinners in the evenings as well mixed in with the hatch.
(Did also get a few reports of some straggling Hendricksons in the upper river but they are most likely on the wane.)
Caddis have been strong and prolific in the late afternoons and also some good reports of strong March Brown hatches in the late afternoons. These could be strong here for 2-3 weeks right along with the Sulphers. Also a few reports of Light Cahills showing up as well. Great time of year to be a dry fly fisherman!!!
Pick your technique this weekend and go for it. If nymph fishing, have some #16 Pheasant Tails for the Sulphers, Swink's Clinger Nymph for the March Browns and Cahills #14-16 Green Caddis Larva and for sure have some Brown Drake Nymphs which will be a HOT ticket during May in anticipation of this monster hatch in early June.
Regular and friend Don Gregory on a float trip yesterday with Pat Kelly. Could be a great weekend for streamer fishing in the lower river!
Reports from this week:
Jeff Kreager from Monday:
"FYI, Last night's hatch was pretty awesome. Photo included."
Mike Letizia also from Monday:
"Light Sulphur hatch and a few Cahills yesterday midday at Rt 36. Also some14- 16 ovipositors. Low and clear, got a few on small mayfly emergers and duns."
Daniel Church from Sunday:
"Went out today for a couple hours in the later afternoon. Got really surprised by this catch! Upper river, Elk Hair Caddis."
A bunch of rainbows have been caught recently. They love dry flies!
Jerry Rodgers from Thursday:
"Fished north and south of Pimtown Rd this morn.(9 AM- 2 Pm)...Still Hendricksons about also some lighter pale yellow mayflies -n- seen a couple larger brown mayflies......The trout were very cooperative and really liked a 14 Adams variation that I tie caught 5 and missed 3.... Largest was a fat 14" the rest were between 9" -12"."
Thanks as always friends for the reports. We are now approaching 1,000 people per day that are reading this Blog and we all appreciate the feedback. Keep the reports and pics coming!!!!!
The Upper Clearfork is a bit high and off color right now but should be coming down to very fishable levels for the weekend. It is prime streamer water today and should be tomorrow as well. As the weekend rolls on we should be looking at good nymphing and possibly excellent dry fly fishing.
Should be a mixed bag of bugs. Although we have not made eye contact with any Sulphers yet, they should be on the water at any moment. Same with March Browns. We have heard of a ton of caddis in the late afternoons and evenings. Don't leave home without caddis both dry and wet. #14-16 Green Soft Hackles are also a must to imitate the pupa which the fish have been feeding on.
The lower stretch is a bit up but fishable as we speak. As of right now we would predict that they would keep it at a fishable level but hard to guarantee. We'll watch it over the weekend and do an update if things change. The anglers we have spoken to this week that have fished down there were doing very well on dries and smaller nymphs. Should also be a mixed bag of Caddis, Sulphers, March Browns and may start to see a few Cahills as well. Late afternoons and evenings will be best and don't be afraid to stay until dark and hunt for spinners!
Sean Clancy from Indiana sent us this report this week:
"We went down to the Clear Fork for the first time ever. The water clarity was fair, water temp was 55 degrees and air temp 67 degrees. Appears wadeable to us Clear Fork rookies. We saw caddis and possibly sulphers in the air. No evidence of feeding or insect acction on the surface for the 4 hours fished. Had many short strikes and rolls on streamers. I caught a small brown on a Green Nosed Dace...no picture with the prompt release. Other popular streamers for the fish to swing and miss on were Dirty Hippies and Mini Double Bunnies. Was had a great day trout fishing Ohio. Thanks!"
Thanks for the report Sean. Your MRO "Fly Fish Ohio" sticker is on the way!
Thanks as always friends for the reports. We are now approaching 1,000 people per day that are reading this Blog and we all appreciate the feedback. Keep the reports and pics coming!!!!!
Clear Creek did come up with some of the storms that moved through last night. It is pretty dirty right now. It may fish tomorrow but probably safer to bet on Sunday. If you go tomorrow, it will probably be a streamer game and be careful wading. We'll keep our eyes on things and do an update here as we know.
Elliot Cantwell sent us this report from yesterday:
"I fished today from 11-6. Sulphers, flying ants, midges, small caddis and one March Brown. Fished mainly the midgesmid-day but fishing a size 14 mayfly as an indicator did bring a few fish to net. Most though were taken on the usual Hare's Ear nymph. Will be out tomorrow. Fingers crossed for a good Sulpher hatch. Water clarity improved greatly today."
Sulphers should be strong on the Clear Creek for a few weeks. Fish the evenings!!!
Thanks as always friends for the reports. We are now approaching 1,000 people per day that are reading this Blog and we all appreciate the feedback. Keep the reports and pics coming!!!!!
Rains last night West and into Cleveland brought the Vermilion, Rocky and Chagrin up. The Grand, Ashtabula and Conneaut are all looking good though and should fish well this weekend.
Quite a few reports from anglers up that way this week and it's all Bronze....hardly any chrome at all. We did get a few pics of steelhead from folks but they weren't "Post Worthy". Pretty ugly.
We do believe that it's safe to say that steelhead season is over and smallmouth season is on! Should be good to excellent smallmouth fishing for at least a month or more here. Anybody interested in getting up there, let us know! We have gudes available who are as or more excited about smallmouth than steelhead.
We'll keep updating periodically and posting some pics of bronze, but probably seen the last of the "pink pics" for the season.
From the past week of guide trips:
Mad River Outfitters
Fly Shop, Guides, Schools and more!
813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-451-0363
