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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
The Mad has been pretty good this week with the flows staying on the upper side of things but totally fishable. It is looking to be a good to excellent weekend of fishing. Should be a nice mixed bag of bugs and techniques.
The strange news this week has been the prolific Hendrickson hatches and spinner falls that many anglers have reported from the upper parts of the river. Strange because it should be winding down to say the least, but also strange due to the cool temps we have been experiencing. It could be that they just had to go and did it. Several anglers reported EPIC spinner falls on Tuesday and Wednesday nights with bugs blanketing the surface starting around 7:30 to 7:45 p.m. They said fish were rising up like birds! Also alot of caddis starting to show up in the standard #14 tan and the #16 olive varieties.
Will be interesting to see what happens this weekend. For sure we will be looking for the 1st of the Sulphers here in the next few weeks, especially if the temps keep creeping up. Let us know if you see any out there. Look for them lower on the river and more towards the evening but a cloudy, overcast day can see them hatch all day!
In the meantime:
Tim Brennan called in with a report on 4/29/16- "Fished streamers down low with little success. Then moved to above 36 and found Hendricksons, BWOs and Craneflies with many fish rising. Did not see a spinner fall but it was a little breezy."
Tim Greiner sent this e-mail and pics on Saturday- 4/30/16-
"Hey guys, decided to get out in front of the rain today on the Mad. Fishing was slow until mid morning when the rain came in. Then it exploded. Moved a half a dozen fish without hooking up and landed another half dozen including this missile. Saw a few other anglers but most stayed by the access points. Tight lines guys!"
Tim Greiner has been having a GREAT Spring!
Bryan O'Maley wrote in- "Finally got back on the Mad today. Was doing some nymping when I noticed a good amount of risers. I had not tried dries before but had some Elk Hair Caddis in the box so what the heck! Gave it a go and boom! Attached is a pic of my 1st brown on a dry, not a monster but very satisfying. Love it....."
Congrats Bryan on your 1st trout on a dry fly!
Clearfork River
Not too many reports from the Clearfork here this week as it has been on the high side and not many folks out. It should be coming in nicely though in the Upper and should fish well this weekend. Just like the Mad, it should be a nice mixed bag of bugs and techniques.
We did have a gal in the shop today who fished yesterday but nothing to report other than the water was a bit high for her liking. We do have a guide out there today and hoping to get a report (and pics) later this evening. We'll let you know with an update when we do.
The Lower stretch is still a bit high and hard to say when they will drop it to more fishable levels. We'll keep our eyes on it and do an update as we see them drop it.
Let us know if you do get out this weekend! Should be good! Have plenty of Caddis!!!!
Clear Creek
Clear Creek is looking good and should fish very well this weekend. We have been hearing of good results on dries, nymphs and streamers. Almost seems like you can't go wrong right now. Also seems like the caddis are really turning on and the Hendricksons are slowing down, which is to be expected.
Our own Ryan Ratliff got out this morning for an hour before work:
"Hit the creek at 1st light this morning. With the cool temps nothing really happening hatch wise, but the streamer bite was the ticket. Nothing big, but many fish were chasing them down. Had to move to a bigger streamer to keep the stockers away! Ended up with one smallie and one nice holdover. Not bad for an hour.....but gotta get to work on time"
Fishing is a viable excuse for being late to work at MRO!
Erie Steelhead
Not many reports this week as things are just now coming down and fishable in most spots. We did have guide trips earlier in the week that had to be put off due to the high and dirty water. We are hoping to get some eyes and flies out here the next few days and get a solid diagnosis.
What we do know is that it seems that the high water and cooler temps did bring some steelhead into the streams, especially out East. The Conneaut and Ashtabula have been fishing well for a couple of days here and the reports have gone back the steelhead direction...at least for a few days. We'll see what the weekend brings but we have heard of some fresh fish being caught out east.
The Rocky and Chagrin are just coming in and the Grand maybe tomorrow or Sunday. It will be very interesting to see what folks find. Chrome or Bronze?
It does seem that the hot smallmouth action has slowed up a bit with the cooler temps but that may change in a heartbeat here over the weekend. The Vermilion is still a bit high but may fish tomorrow afternoon and into Sunday. Chances are there we will be looking at good numbers of huge smallmouth but hard to say.
We'll get out there and let you know what we find and let us know what you are seeing. Could be an interesting weekend of fishing along the lake!!!
Mad River Outfitters
Fly Shop, Guides, Schools and more!
813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-451-0363
