* 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
5/22/16 Weekend Update- The rain didn't quite do what we thought. Not necessarily going to be the streamer water we hoped but the dry fly fishing today and tonight should be fantastic.
Not many reports from yesterday but we did have folks out on Friday and Friday night who reported in with great reports. It seems that we are experiencing an above average dry fly season here. At times WAY above average. This of course in addition to the staple nymph fishing and the world class streamer fishing. Great to be a trout angler in Ohio these days and hope that everyone is sending in the survey forms so that the ODNR can manage the river for even better fishing!
Here's a report from good friend and customer Jon Horn:
"Had a great evening of sulphurs last night in the rain (also mixed cahills, bwos, march browns, and a smattering of caddis (don't know what type... probably spotted sedges) and midges). 3 hours of solid bugs, fish up all over the river (anywhere there was cobble). Didn't score much on size, just numbers. All bugs seemed to be the sz 16 types green/tan. Late in the hatch, they seemed to want more cripples and low-riding patterns.
Should be a great spinner fall today or tomorrow!
Hope you all are well!!!!"
**Tonight, as long as the sun shines and it gets warm, the Sulphers and bugs will be concentrated in the evening, with the spinner fall right before dark. On overcast and rainy days, just like Jon, you can see the Sulphers hatch all afternoon. Some of our best Sulpher fishing has been on cooler, overcast and rainy days!!!!
There has also been alot of questions about the Sulphers that we have on the river. The 1st is the Ephemerella Invaria which comes in at a size 14-16 and has a more greenish/tan body. As the hatch/month progresses this bug will become a bit more yellow. The second Sulpher, which we haven't seen any YET, is the Ephemerella Dorothea which comes in at a size 16 and will be more like 18 as we get into June. It is the more traditional bright yellow/orange bug. We could see these, especially in the upper river until mid to late June. Also need to mention spinner falls. Doesn't seem that many anglers are focusing on them but they should be! The spinner falls are the most concentrated activity of the day and are most often right at dark. All you need is some #12-16 Rusty Spinner patterns and wait for the show. Look for sippers!!!!
5/20/16- The Mad is in fine shape as we speak. Problem is, it's supposed to start raining here this evening and they are calling for 1/2 inch to an inch of rain before it's finished. Hard to say what the weekend will bring.
We'll post a few submissions here today and then check in with an update at some time during the day tomorrow to let you know how things are looking.
Levi King from last Saturday:
" Guys, found a couple good ones on the Mad on Saturday. River had great streamer conditions (flow, stain, rainy, overcast). I started throwing bigger articulated stuff and kept etting short/timid strikes. I knew the stretch had some good fish, so I walked back up and switched gears. I put on a smaller single and fished back down through a couple of good spots. The pics are one of the one that was around 20" and the other two the same fish. She was a thick female pushing 24". I called it a day after landing her. Tight lines. Levi"
Thanks for the pics Levi! A 20" and a 24" make for a GREAT day of fishing no matter where you are!
"Hey Guys- I made it to the Mad yesterday evening and experienced some great dry fly action. Lots of caddis, a few Cahills and some others I couldn't identify. Landed 6 on dries, a couple on nymphs and lost/missed many more. It's a great time to be on the river! Tight Lines. Derek"
You are right Derek....great time to be on the water. A great dry fly season we are having!!!
Clearfork River
5/21/16 Weekend Update- Rain didn't affect the river at all. Should be good to go and did hear this morning of some good dry fly fishing on both stretches last night. Alot of folks headed that way yesterday and today so we will be looking for some reports and pics. Stay tuned!!!!
5/20/16- Not many reports from the Clearfork this week but we can tell you that both stretches fished pretty well for the folks that did chime in. Dry fly fishing has been good to excellent.
Tons of caddis, some March Browns, a few Sulphers in the evenings and even some Light Cahills reported already. The Cahills should stay pretty strong for about a month or so and will be found on both stretches of water.
The Upper is in good dry fly shape and the lower has been dropped and is even a bit on the low side.
We should be getting some reports here in the next few days as we have had no less than 10 phone calls today of folks heading that way.
We'll keep our eyes on the weather and try to do an update on the water conditions tomorrow once we see how this rain is going to shake out.
Clear Creek
5/21/16 Weekend Update- A bit more rain down South than here in the middle of the State and Clear Creek did come up pretty good yesterday and overnight. Probably won't fish until mid to late afternoon tomorrow. A brave soul might throw a big streamer around and see what happens but the park will probably be pretty void of anglers today.
We'll let you know as things change and of course feel free to call the shop if we don't get to it right away.
5/20/16- Clear Creek is looking good for the weekend but again, we are going to get hit with some pretty significant rain overnight and into tomorrow so hard to predict at the moment. We'll do an update tomorrow once we get a feel for how things will look for Sunday and into the 1st of the week. In the meantime, regular reporter Elliot Cantwell checked-in on Wednesday-
"Small caddis and sporadic sulphers in the evenings. Caddis are the the predominant hatch and the majority of the rising fish have been focused on them. No stellar mayfly hatch seen yet. Nymphing was the most productive: caddis, hare's ears and pheasant tail nymphs. Wednesday night resulted in this beauty. I was quite pleased I have to say. This creek holds a few secrets. Elliot"
Erie Steelhead
5/21/16 Weekend Update- Nothing really changed since Friday. The Rocky and Chagrin bumped up a pinch but nothing noticeable. The V and the Grand are both getting low but we did have folks on both of them yesterday and they did extremely well. As we have been saying.....Smallmouth Season is ON!
Get out there and get your Bronze On.
Our hero, young Ethan Hall and his Dad Steve were giving us a play-by-play yesterday as they went along....
Ethan Hall + Sage ONE 6wt + SA Sonic Titan Clear Tip = Deadly
We didn't even think that he let you fish Steve. Just thought you were his "Sage" caddy and personal photographer.
5/20/16- The tribs are looking good and filling up with fiesty bronze fish as we speak. Hard to say what the weekend will bring with the rains predicted though. If we had to guess, things will blow out tonight. If you are heading up this weekend probably want to take a look at the Grand. Even with some rain it will probably fish whereas the other tribs will quite possibly blow out.
We did have some guide trips this week and have a few guides out tomorrow. We'll try to catch up and get some photos posted. Just didn't get to it this week....we have been crazy busy.
Fishing season is busting wide open all over the place and keeping us hopping...which we appreciate.
We'll check in with an update tomorrow and let you know what the rain does. In the meantime, any photos of smallies from the past week or so send them along to be posted here and we'll send you out one of the "Fly Fish Ohio" stickers.
Send a report and photo....get a sticker. Make sure to include your address to send to.
Check back tomorrow afternoon for an update.
Mad River Outfitters
Fly Shop, Guides, Schools and more!
813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-451-0363
