* 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.
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.
From all of us at Mad River Outfitters!
We'd like to wish you and your's a very Happy and Healthy New Year.
Thanks again for all that you do for us. We wouldn't be here without YOU!
Be safe and we'll look forward to seeing you all in 2017. Gonna be a GREAT year!
Brian, Andy, Pat, Linda, Ryan, Kevin, Judy, Dick, Roger, Cristina, Josh and Rogue
News
* Tons of stuff to be reported after the 1st of the year. Be sure that you are signed-up for E-News to stay informed. You can find a link to regsiter along the right of the top bar on our website.
* Gearing up for Spring trip season:
Things get started in two weeks with Pat Kelly heading up the annual trip to the Amazon for Peacock Bass. He has a group of 11 anglers along with him and will have full pics and hopefully some good video upon return. Stay tuned and check out the details on the trip HERE. 2018 dates should be announced shortly.
Then, in February, Brian will be headed to Andros Island for bonefish. This will be our 19th year at the Andros Island Bonefish Club and as usual, we can't wait to get there. A great escape from the Winter in the North and not to mention some of the best Bonefishing on the Planet! Some spots still open if interested...check it out HERE.
Already time to start thinking about Spring Steelhead as well! In addition to guide trips locally, we will be running our bi-annual trip to the Muskegon River Lodge in Michigan. Luxury accomodations and gourmet food right on the banks of the "Mighty Mo". You'll walk right out the front door and onto the jet sleds of the guides. This trip is limited to only 4 anglers so don't delay! Check out the details HERE.
Find all of our Great Fly Fishing Trips on our Mad River Travel Page.
* New to the Shop! Hatch Outdoors- you know the reels but have you seen the Nippers and Pliers? Holy Crap! Check out Hatch products HERE.
* Winter/Spring Classes and Events are up on the Calendar page.
* The Fly Fishing Film Tour returns to Columbus! The event is scheduled for Thursday, March 9th and full details and tickets should be available on the website by mid January.
* Proud to announce new sponsorships for the Midwest Fly Fishing Schools. Full details will be announced after the 1st of the year as well as dates of all schools for 2016. In the meantime, we'd like to thank Scientific Anglers, Scott Fly Rods, TFO and Patagonia for their support. It's an honor to have companies like these believing in what you do and willing to lend their blessings.
* Be sure to mark your calendars for the Columbus Fishing Expo coming up on February 10-12th, 2017. Mad River Outfitters has tripled the booth size and will be a "Fly Fishing Feature" to the show this year. Brian will be doing daily seminars on the "Hawg Trough" and Jerry Darkes, Jeff Liskay and Donnie Knight will also be doing seminars as well. We will be joined in the booth by Scientific Anglers, Korkers Footwear, Smithfly, Patagonia and more. Check out the details on the show HERE.
Mad River
There have been many people in the shop heading to and from the Mad this week. The bump in water was a welcome sight, but as usual it did not last long. There were a few people who did find some success fishing streamers, but it really only lasted a few days. We are still hoping for a good streamer push but not looking good at this point.
With the stream back down and clear the usual winter nymphing has and will be the key into the weekend. Most people have been focusing on the lower river. Do not over look the upper and tributaries when the water does come up again.
Right now your winter trout fishing is pretty consistent across the state. Indicator/bobber, a shot or two, big nymph, and then a smaller soft-hackle or lighter weighted nymph. Flies of choice: Guides Choice Hare's Ear, Cranefly Larva, Jimmy Legs, Copper John, Psycho Prince, Flashabou Caddis, and Soft-Hackles in various colors.
Streamers with the low clear water is usually not very productive, but never hurts to give it a try if clouds move in or with the rain on Monday and Tuesday.
If things change during the week we'll try to update as best we can. Thanks a ton for reading this year and also for your contributions and pics. We are very proud of the community of anglers that have joined together to help us with this Blog. Keep up the good work!!!!
Clearfork River
We havent heard much from reports this past week, but the few people who have checked-in have been doing well. Down in the park they have just slowed letting water out from below Pleasant Hill Lake so the streamer fishing should still hang on through the weekend. The upper river is clearing and should fish well with nymphs, but is on the low side.
If you are wanting to fish streamers take a look at our Modern Streamer page and pull out the Rio Streamer Tip fly line. Make sure you have a few different colored streamers in your box to switch around. Nymphing below the dam is also very effective. Right now your winter trout fishing is pretty consistent across the state. Indicator/bobber, a shot or two, big nymph, and then a smaller soft-hackle or lighter weighted nymph. Flies of choice: Guides Choice Hare's Ear, Cranefly Larva, Jimmy Legs, Copper John, Psycho Prince, Flashabou Caddis, and Soft-Hackles in various colors. As for streamers Dungeons, Peanuts, Barely Legals, Clousers, Silk Kittys, Boogieman, Zoo Cougar...man they are all good! Just have a good selection.
Thanks again for reading this year and for your generous contributions and photos. We really appreciate all that you do to help us with this Blog!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!
Clear Creek
The rain did the stream well. There was a lot of water push through the creek the past couple of weeks. The small amount of rain last Friday and Saturday did color up the stream, but it has finally cleared out. Conditions are perfect going into the weekend with streamers and nymphs doing the trick.
Focus on the slower water close to faster runs. Right now your winter trout fishing is pretty consistent across the state. Indicator/bobber, a shot or two, big nymph, and then a smaller soft-hackle or lighter weighted nymph. Flies of choice: Guides Choice Hare's Ear, Cranefly Larva, Jimmy Legs, Copper John, Psycho Prince, Flashabou Caddis, and Soft-Hackles in various colors. Streamers consists of your traditional trout stuff like Black Nose Dace, Muddler Minows, buggers, Clousers, Zoo Cougers, Cactus Wooly, Butt Monkeys, Barely Legals and on and on!
Cover some water and enjoy the scenery!
Thanks again for all the contributions and photo submissions this year. We really appreciate when folks help us out with this Blog. We hope that you all have a great New Years and look forward to hearing about your Ohio fishing adventures in 2017!!
Focus on the slower water close to faster runs. Right now your winter trout fishing is pretty consistent across the state. Indicator/bobber, a shot or two, big nymph, and then a smaller soft-hackle or lighter weighted nymph. Flies of choice: Guides Choice Hare's Ear, Cranefly Larva, Jimmy Legs, Copper John, Psycho Prince, Flashabou Caddis, and Soft-Hackles in various colors. Streamers consists of your traditional trout stuff like Black Nose Dace, Muddler Minows, buggers, Clousers, Zoo Cougers, Cactus Wooly, Butt Monkeys, Barely Legals and on and on!
Cover some water and enjoy the scenery!
Thanks again for all the contributions and photo submissions this year. We really appreciate when folks help us out with this Blog. We hope that you all have a great New Years and look forward to hearing about your Ohio fishing adventures in 2017!!
Erie Steelhead
The melt and rain over the last week was much needed. Although the Western streams are on the low side they are not clear. The Vermilion is still pretty cloudy and will not be fishing for a bit here altough it would probably be a good idea to swing a few flies down low. It's time for this stream to come on strong...we just haven't heard much as of yet.
The Connie and Ash are on the low side, but fishing well. The Grand will also be a long time out as it is still high and off color. The Rocky and Chagrin should also fish well this weekend. Folks that have been out have been doing pretty well and we typically see a nice push of fresh fish right about this time of year.
This is your weekend to get out and do some Winter Steelheading. With the day temps above freezing and not much snow predicted everything looks to be lining up right to start out the new year with some Steel.
There is some rain in the forecast for Monday and Tuesday this will most likely bump the streams and color things up. If you like to swing flies for Steelhead then that small window should treat you well. Sink tips and big contrasting colored streamers can do the trick on your single hand rod. Make sure you are fishing close to the bottom and swinging steady and slow. This is a great time to pull out the Skagit head and either MOW or straight "T" material and your switch rod also. It is a small window, but is a great opportunity give your Indicator rod a break.
As for flies the usual winter setup will put numbers in the net. Indicator/bobber, shot, bugger or zonker in white, olive, or black then followed by an Glo-bug, Trout Bead, or Sucker Spawn. If you do happen to find some clear water then you might swap out the bugger for a heavy nymph like a Steelhead Candy, Great Lakes Caddis, Jimmy Legs, or Guides Choice. If you want to swing then the A.I., Flow Rider, Hare Leech, or Dolly Llama is a good choice. Don't over look some of your large trout streamers also. If you are hitting the vice before you head out tie up lots of buggers, eggs, and give some swinging flies a try especially patters that are sparse, but large using Finn Raccoon, Arctic Fox, and Bucktail.
If you are planning on heading make sure to check out our Steelhead Central page for maps, tips, and gear.
Congrats to Jacob Jesionek who got his 1st ever this week on an MRO Guide trip with Josh McQueen
Same for his buddy Brendan Nenni. 1st ever! Thanks guys for the booking and glad we could help!!
Thanks again to all of our friends who contribute reports and pics to this Blog. We truly appreciate your willingness to help with these reports. We couldn't do it without YOU!!!
Happy New Year again to all and here's to a FANTASTIC 2017! We can't wait!!!!!!
Mad River Outfitters
Fly Shop, Guides, Schools and more!
813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-451-0363
