* 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
Thanks as always for reading our reports friends. As the weather gets more conducive we should be reporting more regularly....but we need your HELP!
Send any and all reports to admin@madriveroutfitters and we'll do our best to get them up.
* Special Congrats to our friend and customer Geoff Wiot. He was on the San Juan River trip this week with host Ryan Ratliff and landed this PIG!!! Pretty sure this is the largest trout we have seen on this trip in years. A great time was had by the group and we'll get a report and pics up here next week sometime. The dates for 2017 will be posted at that time also.
Thanks as always for reading our reports friends. As the weather gets more conducive we should be reporting more regularly....but we need your HELP!
Send any and all reports to admin@madriveroutfitters and we'll do our best to get them up.
* Special Congrats to our friend and customer Geoff Wiot. He was on the San Juan River trip this week with host Ryan Ratliff and landed this PIG!!! Pretty sure this is the largest trout we have seen on this trip in years. A great time was had by the group and we'll get a report and pics up here next week sometime. The dates for 2017 will be posted at that time also.
Warmwater
* Today an old friend stopped by the shop and shared something VERY special with us.
Barry Puskas caught this TROPHY back in June in a small farm pond near his home in South Western Ohio.
This fish measured exactly 25" and weighed in at 12.5 lbs.
* Warm water fishing throughout the state continues to be good to excellent. Many streams throughout the state may be muddied up a bit from the rains this week but nothing totally blown out at this point. That may change overnight though....we'll see. We'll try to get a handle on things tomorrow and post a quick update on what we hear sometime mid-day tomorrow.
We would expect though that the fantastic topwater bite that we have been experiencing may start to slow. No worries though they will still chase a big baitfish pattern.
Barry Puskas caught this TROPHY back in June in a small farm pond near his home in South Western Ohio.
This fish measured exactly 25" and weighed in at 12.5 lbs.
Congrats Barry! Not something we see every day here in Ohio....and nearly a state record. This is one that we will remember...and you surely will!!!
By the way, the fish is still in the pond and he hopes to catch it again and maybe BREAK the state record.
We would expect though that the fantastic topwater bite that we have been experiencing may start to slow. No worries though they will still chase a big baitfish pattern.
* Pike trips have remained strong and should continue to get better here.....although the guys are also starting to think about Musky also. Pat is looking to book some November and December trips if anyone interested in Esox. Give him a shout at the shop!
Emerick Corsi on a guide trip with Pat Kelly- his 1st Pike on the fly!
Josh has been out the past few days also and had this to say: ""Finally we get a cool-down that is bringing some sweet fishing"
Mad River
10/1/16 Update- The river stayed pretty stable last night and is now dropping. Report below stands and should be a good weekend of fishing. Let us know how you do!
A little relief....but not much. For sure though the cooler temps will help.
Even with all of the rain we have had this week, the Mad hasn't really budged that much....at least as of this writing on Friday evening. Anglers out today saw a minor spike in flows and it did dirty up a bit with clarity around 12" or so. Still better than nothing though.
We'll surely know more tomorrow morning or early afternoon and try to let you know but as of right now, it's good to go for tomorrow and the weekend.
Most reports have the fishing picking up a bit the past week and almost all activity on nymphs. The dry fly fishing has been poor and not many bugs around other than some tiny BWO types and some small caddis. We've probably seen the best of the surface activity for the season. Streamer fishing has been virtually non-existant with the low flows but we did have some folks on the lower river today trying with the stained water. Hopefully we'll hear from them shortly.
Caddis larva and soft hackles have been good as well as larger nymphs like Big Nastys or Cranefly Larva.
Our good friend and customer Johnathan Burgoyne with a solid 18" brown caught today on a caddis larva!
All-in-all a better report here but we still need more rain!
Clearfork River
10/1/16 Update- The Upper is on the way back down and may start looking a little skinnier than expected. Still probably improved fishing but not quite the streamer water that we were hoping for. They have not yet opened up the dam. The lower hasn't budged and still remains very low and clear. Let us know how you do!
The Upper Clearfork did bump up a bit here the past few days and it will probably be the place to be this weekend for trout anglers. Should be enough, along with the cooler temps, to really get things going.
We would expect that nymphs would be the hot ticket although there might be enough water to start thinking about throwing some streamers around. Not many reports of dry flies or bugs for that matter but surely some small caddis and BWO types around, especially in the evenings. On overcast days, be sure to have some #18-20 Blue Winged Olives with you. CAN be important this time of year.
The lower stretch in the park really hasn't budged. They may open the dam this weekend though and once they do it could be game-on. We'll keep our eyes on it and try to let you know if they do. Depending on how much water they release, it could be good to great streamer water. Otherwise, same stuff as above.
Our friends from the Central Ohio Fly Fishers did have an outing last weekend on the CF and did OK. From the sound of things, they did better than to be expected although did claim that the water was super low....as we know.
To learn more about this group, be sure to hop on their website HERE.
The Upper Clearfork did bump up a bit here the past few days and it will probably be the place to be this weekend for trout anglers. Should be enough, along with the cooler temps, to really get things going.
We would expect that nymphs would be the hot ticket although there might be enough water to start thinking about throwing some streamers around. Not many reports of dry flies or bugs for that matter but surely some small caddis and BWO types around, especially in the evenings. On overcast days, be sure to have some #18-20 Blue Winged Olives with you. CAN be important this time of year.
The lower stretch in the park really hasn't budged. They may open the dam this weekend though and once they do it could be game-on. We'll keep our eyes on it and try to let you know if they do. Depending on how much water they release, it could be good to great streamer water. Otherwise, same stuff as above.
Our friends from the Central Ohio Fly Fishers did have an outing last weekend on the CF and did OK. From the sound of things, they did better than to be expected although did claim that the water was super low....as we know.
To learn more about this group, be sure to hop on their website HERE.
Clear Creek
10/1/16 Update- The creek has crested and is on the way down. Fishing should be good this weekend. Let us know how you do.
Clear Creek is on it's way up and not yet crested as we write.
This may be bad news for the weekend, but good news overall.
With some water finally in the creek, and Summer in our rear view mirror, it's finally time to start thinking about trout fishing down South again.
Hopefully we'll get some eyes on the situation here the next few days and let you know. If you get out, send us a note!
P.S.- Might be good streamer water on Sunday or so. Stay tuned!
Clear Creek is on it's way up and not yet crested as we write.
This may be bad news for the weekend, but good news overall.
With some water finally in the creek, and Summer in our rear view mirror, it's finally time to start thinking about trout fishing down South again.
Hopefully we'll get some eyes on the situation here the next few days and let you know. If you get out, send us a note!
P.S.- Might be good streamer water on Sunday or so. Stay tuned!
Erie Steelhead
Finally, something to talk about!
The tribs have gotten some of this rain and a few of them are blown out right now. This is GREAT news. That means we'll be looking for steelhead starting next week!!!!
Probably not yet going to explode but this may be enough to get some fish to swim.
We have had some folks out at the mouths of the creeks stripping streamers and doing pretty well on bright chrome fish....so they are there....and ready.
It won't be long now and we'll start sharing some photos from customers and guide trips.
Interested in fishing with a guide this season? We can help.......CLICK HERE
In the meantime......A few spots have opened up on the Jeff Liskay "Spey/Switch" Weekend coming up on October 22nd and 23rd.
Click Here to register! (If it says Temporarily Out of Stock...the spots already sold)
Mad River Outfitters
Fly Shop, Guides, Schools and more!
813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-451-0363