Spey and Switch 101

Spey and Switch Weekend with Jeff Liskay

Report by Ryan Ratliff

This weekend Spey 101 &102 was a great success!  We had a great crew out for Saturday. Despite the very diverse experience levels everyone was casting great by the end of the day.  Jeff Liskay took all of the confusion and vastness of the Two-Handed world and simplified the terms and techniques. 

The first half was lines, history, and rigging followed by hands on casting.  We spent several hours out back on the grass perfecting Skagit style casting.  Although the wind and Single-hand casting muscle memory was a challenge the whole crew excelled beyond expectation.  From first time fly casters to a few year experience there was plenty to learn.  

Day two was spent on the water.  After a little refresher and warm up Jeff had the guys casting in many situations.  All students perfected both strong arm side casts along with Cack-handed (across the body) casts.  There is no better way to learn this style of casting then to start on the grass and then the second day on the water.  After a quick lunch break we headed to a new location to put everything together and try to catch a fresh steelhead.  

The conditions were very tough.  Water visibility was around 6" with the levels dropping quickly.  Some of the guys stuck it out and they were making beautiful casts and swings. Despite the low vis, and early part of the run the guys had a blast and are eagerly waiting for their next trip to Steelhead Alley.  Jeff Liskay is top notch.  He quickly observes the student's learning type and customizes guidance and instruction.  He doesn't just focus on textbook like form, but utilizes what is working for the student and then adjusts technique accordingly.  Jeff is one of the best casters and instructors I have ever worked with.  His humility, patience, and relaxed personality allows for everyone to learn at their level and not feel pressured or frustrated.  

Doug Scott from Patagonia was also along to help us learn more about the brand and ask technical questions.  

Once everyone had fished the run I played clean up trying out my new Chromer (Redington), Skagit head and tip, followed by a large black, purple, and blue hollow tied bucktail tube and I was able to swing up a small fresh fish on the last cast.  

What a great weekend!

Ryan

P.S.- Look for more events and schools with Jeff Liskay coming soon! Check our website or The Midwest Fly Fishing Schools for announcements.

Mad River Outfitters

Fly Fishing Schools, Classes and Seminars

813 Bethel Rd.

Columbus, Ohio 43214

614-451-0363

www.madriveroutfitters.com

Muskegon River Steelhead Trip

Steelhead anyone?

Join us at the fabulous Muskegon River Lodge

November 13th- 16th

* Arrive on Sunday, the 1st date of the trip, between 3 and 6 p.m.- map will be provided

* Dinner on Sunday will be on your own at a local establishment....or order up a pizza for the group

* Guided float trips on 2nd and 3rd date (2 anglers per boat)

* Continental breakfast provided at the lodge - Gourmet dinners on Monday and Tuesday served at the lodge

* Lunch is provided by the guides- prepared streamside

* Three nights loding in the fabulous Muskegon River Lodge

* Depart on Wednesday after breakfast

* Most if not ALL equipment can be provided- an equipment listing will be provided upon sign-up for those that want to bring their own

* These trips are one of the best and easiest ways to experience the finest that Michigan has to offer- luxury lodging, gourmet meals, excellent guides with excellent equipment and boats, great location

* Walk right out the back of the lodge and onto the guide's boat!

* These trips are limited to 4 anglers only!!!

Click Here for more information and/or to register.

Mad River Outfitters
"Steelhead Outfitters" throughout the Great Lakes Region
813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-451-0363

Fishing Reports- 10/21/16

* 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.

* Finally getting a bit of rain here in Ohio. In some places this will be a game changer. Some places not. Hopefully we can keep it coming and get this Fall season kicked into high gear.

* Brian and Company are headed to New Orleans in the morning for our annual Fall Redfish Trip. They'll be chasing bull reds around the Louisiana Marshes through Thursday. He'll surely check-in with updates so stay tuned on Social Media.

* This week we topped over 70,000 "Likes" on Facebook. If you don't follow along there.....think about joining a pretty big club? We'd love to have you as one of our official friends! Thanks for the Likes!

Warmwater

* Warmwater fishing was still going strong earlier this week but that will most likely begin to taper off a bit here. Maybe a few weeks left we'll see. Regardless, no question that the leaves will begin to be a factor as well.

* Pike fishing continues to be HOT. Both Pat and Josh have been killing it on guide trips. Hop over to Facebook or Twitter for pics from recent trips. Josh was quoted recently that this has been one of the best Fall seasons he has ever seen here in Ohio.

Meanwhile, here's our favorite young angler with a pike of his own-

Guys,

Ethan totally agrees with Pat and Josh! Now is the time to target pike on the fly in Ohio! He took this one on a bucktail Game Changer that he tied! Proud dad here! Thanks for the loads of sound advice and encouragement! 

Best wishes, 

Steve Hall

* Musky fishing has been heating up as well and Pat does have some trips on the books. Past few days have been rained out but we should see good Musky activity from now through the Winter.  

Mad River

USGS Gauge- Urbana

USGS Gauge- St. Paris Pike

Mad River Map

The Mad has come up a bit with the rains the past two days but not really what we needed. The weekend should bring fishable water levels with just a touch of stain. Will most likely be back down to low status by Sunday.

The big problem the next 2-3 weeks will be the leaves. Pretty much going to limit us to nymph fishing. Streamer fishing will be challenging at best, as you will be snagging leaves on each cast. Large nymphs like Craneflies, Big Nasties, Jimmy Legs, Bitch Creeks etc. are really your best bet right now. Fish them deep as you can in the deepest holes. Also typically want to have some San Juan Worms this time of year. They typically do well when the leaves are falling for some reason. Maybe they just stand out?

Not much to report on the dry fly front other that some tiny BWO's and Pseudocloens but the fish really haven't been feeding much on them. Combine that with the leaves and again, best to stick to nymphs.

Hopefully we can get some more water in the river in time for the leaves to disappear and we can get to streamer fishing! There are plenty of big fish in the river and they need catching.

In the meantime, be sure to mark your Calendar for next Saturday, October 29th. There is a public forum entitled "The Mad River: Finding Common Ground II" Anyone interested in the Mad River Watershed is invited to attend. It will be held at the Gloria Theater in downtown Urbana.

You can find some information on the Madmen TU website HERE.

Let us know how you do this weekend and here's a quick note that we got from good friend and contributor Jose Olivas:

"Went fishing in the Lower Mad and this happened:

Then went to the Upper Mad chub fishing and this happened:

Clearfork River

USGS- Upper Clearfork

USGS- Lower/Mohican State Park

Clearfork Map

A slight bump in flows the past few days but still not really enough to get things cranking. The lower temps and change in weather will surely help things along though.

If you were to fish the Clearfork, surely it would be on the upper. The lower is still not much more than a trickle. Same story here though with the leaves. They are gonna be a major bummer the next 2-3 weeks or so. On a windy day, they could be a deal breaker.

Stick with nymphs and for now, the larger the better! 

Here's a quick report and pic from friend and customer Brian Urias:

"Was fishing with a buddy and he caught 2 browns and i lost one. We were fishing very hard from friday through saturday. Using, Tricos, Pheasant tails, hares ears, and mainly caddis larvae. But then my buddy got the idea to put a wax worm on a size 14 scud hook and it surprisingly did the trick.I’ll send a photo of the one of guys he caught"- Brian Urias

Clear Creek

USGS Gauge

Clear Creek Map

Clear Creek is up and muddy as we speak. Looks like it may crest here and may be fishable Sunday? We'll try to keep an eye on it and let you know with an update here....or call the shop.

Ryan has been fishing a bit down there and is struggling. He's not finding many holdover fish which is not a great sign. With the Summer that we had, it's not overly surprising. Hard to say.

With the change in the weather and a bit of water hopefully we can get some quality time on the stream and learn different.

If you get out, please let us know how you do!

Erie Steelhead

Gauge Links and Maps

Finally, some rain that actually brings hope of Steelhead!

Here is what we know as of Friday night-

The Vermilion is coming up and pretty well blown out. Hard to say at this point when it will fish. We haven't heard of many fish in the river yet though which is common. May be a few weeks yet and a few more pushes of water before we start thinking about fishing her.

The Rocky and Chagrin are blown out and will probably be the 1st of the week before we think about fishing. Once they do drop though there should be some fish around.

The Grand has also shot up and is a bit high. Hoping we can get out there on Sunday for the Class with Jeff. We just spoke to him and if not, the group will head over to the Conneaut.

The Ashtabula and Conneaut are both up and muddy right now but if they crest this evening, these two could be the HOT ticket in Ohio for the weekend....especially come Sunday.

Elk and the PA tribs are a bit blown today but should come down and fish this weekend. Most reports should have fish spread throughout PA with this water. It's game on over there but will also be a zoo. 

As with anywhere else in the state right now, leaves will be a problem. Mostly stick to nymph fishing and you should be fine. The streamer bite can be good to great though this time of year if you get a break from the leaves.

Once the leaves are gone though, we should see the water "green up"....and that's when things really kick-in around here.

Several of our guides have been communicating with Charter Captains out on the lake and they are doing VERY well at the mouths of the creeks. Seems that fish are stacked-up out there and ready to run. More so than in years past. This is good news for the season and this push of water should kick things off here in Ohio.

In the meantime, we are looking forward to our visit from Jeff LIskay this weekend. Should have some reports and pics up on Social Media as it happens. Thrilled to offer this level of instructor to our clients!

Mad River Outfitters

Fly Shop, Guides, Schools and more!

813 Bethel Rd.

Columbus, Ohio 43214

www.madriveroutfitters.com
www.midwestflyfishingschools.com

614-451-0363

New Scott FLEX Fly Rods

"You will be hard pressed to find a better US made rod for under $500. Scott nailed this one"- MRO

Introducing the all new Scott Flex series, rods so light, effortless, and forgiving, they let you focus on fishing better.

Flex rods generate line speed and tight loops effortlessly, helping you cast accurately and control your presentations. And, their powerful butt sections help with quick, positive hook sets and fish control.

Incorporating many of the innovations found in their award winning Radian and Meridian rods, Flex rods combine high performance with top quality components. And, each Flex rod is handcrafted, start to finish, in our shop in Montrose, Colorado.

Fish better….fish the rod that works hard for you.

Features

X-Core-  Enhanced feel, incredible stability and unequalled performance. X-Core combines the industry’s leading composite technologies with cutting edge design.

Diameter is proportional to stiffness and strength, and X-Core, or Expanded Core, technology delivers blanks that transmit feel and maintain stability better than any other design approach.
We use fast taper mandrels with low-mass, thin-walled blanks and proprietary ARC reinforcement to create rods that have stiffness with feel, and stability with sensitivity.
This design helps the rod come alive in your hands. It’s a superior approach to the slow taper, thick walled designs that deliver stiffness at the expense of feel.

Multi-Modulus- Fibers with different modulus designed into specific sections of the rod fine tunes flex and recovery. Scott pioneered the use of multi modulus fiber lay ups in blank design.
By varying the fiber tensile modulus along the length of the rod, They’re able to precisely control the stiffness and recovery speed of their blanks. The result is a rod that loads and unloads more smoothly.

ARC- Strong, low mass walls are made possible by ARC technology. Advanced Reinforced Carbon reduces torque and increases strength. Scott is the leader in carbon blank reinforcements. Their latest ARC technology adds hoop strength to our blanks without adding weight, and counteracts torque that can reduce casting accuracy and line control.

Natural Finish- Walk down a rod rack at your local fly shop and you'll notice something different about Scott rods. Like everything they do, the Scott Natural Finish is all about making your rod lighter, more durable, and better performing. Most other rods on the shelf are run through a belt sander, tearing away the outside power fibers of the blank and introducing variance. Inadvertent flatspotting during the sanding process will weaken a blank, and blanks are designed with a margin of error to accommodate for oversanding. After the blank is sanded, a glossy paint is applied to add shelf appeal. Natural finish blanks aren't subjected to the rip through the sanding belt, nor are they covered with heavy paint to add pop in your fly shop. The folks at Scott are firm believers in the natural beauty of graphite. A natural finish blank is built to exacting tolerances. Scott's advanced resin systems permeate the blank, leaving a durable finish that will stand up to years of abuse.

Made in the USA- Every Scott rod is made from beginning to end in Montrose, Colorado.
They take our mission to handcraft high performance rods very seriously. They use the knowledge gained from forty years of design experience with their commitment to handcraft every fly rod they make to give you top performance and benchmark quality. It's in all the little details that exceptional rods are distinguished from merely good rods.

Building a Scott rod is a special experience just like fishing one. They think your experience at a fly fishing pro shop should be too. 

That's why they only partner with a very select group of specialty fly fishing retailers who are committed to exceptional service and have a passion for sharing their knowledge and expertise. 

You won't find Scott fly rods in every fly shop, or in any big box retailer. After all, they wouldn't be special then, would they?

Check out the new Scott FLEX Fly Rods HERE!

Check out the 10' FLEX Salmon and Steelhead rods HERE!

Mad River Outfitters

813 Bethel Rd.

Columbus, Ohio 43214

614-451-0363

admin@madriveroutfitters.com

www.madriveroutfitters.com

Proud to be one of the "select group" of Scott Fly Rod Dealers.