* 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.
* Some crazy weather eh? Hot, cold, sun, snow, rain, wind. Ohio
* With the warm weather we WERE experiencing, it's been really crazy to hear the reports of good to excellent smallmouth fishing. A TON of folks were getting out locally and the smallmouth bite was on. Seems to have slowed up a bit with the cooler temps but no question that our season is starting early.
* Also good reports of folks catching largemouth and bluegill in ponds. Bluegill in particular have been very active and very aggressive from most reports. Even some decent surface activity.
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.
* Some crazy weather eh? Hot, cold, sun, snow, rain, wind. Ohio
* With the warm weather we WERE experiencing, it's been really crazy to hear the reports of good to excellent smallmouth fishing. A TON of folks were getting out locally and the smallmouth bite was on. Seems to have slowed up a bit with the cooler temps but no question that our season is starting early.
* Also good reports of folks catching largemouth and bluegill in ponds. Bluegill in particular have been very active and very aggressive from most reports. Even some decent surface activity.
Mad River
With the rains the past few days the river did spike up....big time....but has dropped right back down and is clearing.
As we get into the weekend the streamer bite will be switching over to the typical nymphing. There have been quite a few people in the shop buying sink tips and streamers for today and tomorrow, but we havent heard any reports yet. Saturday will be tough stripping streamers with the air temps so nymphing will be the ticket although it doesn't hurt to try.
Sunday will be a transition day was the stream will be clear, but warming. Mix up your game for the day and you will be rewarded.
The warm conditions last week had the stream fishing very well. Some reports of caddis and plenty winter stones had the fish very active. As soon as the weather warms again we will be keeping an eye out for Hendricksons...crazy, but it we were not far from now last year.
The fly list will be the usual: As for Nymphs fish big nymphs followed by smaller nymphs and soft hackles. For patterns in the Nymph category Guide Choice Hare's Ear, Prince Nymph, Copper Johns, Hares Ears, Prince, and Pheasant tails also and don't overlook the San Juan. Also time to start tossing Hendrickson specific nymphs as they are maturing and getting active. Won't be too long now and we'll start "Hendrickson Watch".
As for streamers supply yourself with a good mix of colors and rotate through them as needed. Pick up any Galloup pattern that is big and articulated. Dungeons, Barely Legals, Bottom Up, Cougars and Totally Articulateds will produce. Make sure to have your sink-tip lines and 6-8wts!
A report from the 21st of February from our friend and customer Bill Rice:
"Went to the Mad river yesterday and fished from 1:00 to 6:00. The river was low and very clear, but the overcast skies probably allowed the fish to feed a bit more confidently. There were substantial numbers of black stoneflies flitting around and a few rising fish noted in slow current areas. I fished most of the time with small streamers and had decent success. My best catch of the day was an 18” Brown with a liking for grizzly wooly buggers."
As we get into the weekend the streamer bite will be switching over to the typical nymphing. There have been quite a few people in the shop buying sink tips and streamers for today and tomorrow, but we havent heard any reports yet. Saturday will be tough stripping streamers with the air temps so nymphing will be the ticket although it doesn't hurt to try.
Sunday will be a transition day was the stream will be clear, but warming. Mix up your game for the day and you will be rewarded.
The warm conditions last week had the stream fishing very well. Some reports of caddis and plenty winter stones had the fish very active. As soon as the weather warms again we will be keeping an eye out for Hendricksons...crazy, but it we were not far from now last year.
The fly list will be the usual: As for Nymphs fish big nymphs followed by smaller nymphs and soft hackles. For patterns in the Nymph category Guide Choice Hare's Ear, Prince Nymph, Copper Johns, Hares Ears, Prince, and Pheasant tails also and don't overlook the San Juan. Also time to start tossing Hendrickson specific nymphs as they are maturing and getting active. Won't be too long now and we'll start "Hendrickson Watch".
As for streamers supply yourself with a good mix of colors and rotate through them as needed. Pick up any Galloup pattern that is big and articulated. Dungeons, Barely Legals, Bottom Up, Cougars and Totally Articulateds will produce. Make sure to have your sink-tip lines and 6-8wts!
A report from the 21st of February from our friend and customer Bill Rice:
"Went to the Mad river yesterday and fished from 1:00 to 6:00. The river was low and very clear, but the overcast skies probably allowed the fish to feed a bit more confidently. There were substantial numbers of black stoneflies flitting around and a few rising fish noted in slow current areas. I fished most of the time with small streamers and had decent success. My best catch of the day was an 18” Brown with a liking for grizzly wooly buggers."
Nice "Winter" catch for Bill Rice
Clearfork River
The upper River is going to still be off colored into the weekend. If you have permission the mouths of the feeders will treat you well.
Saturday and Sunday will be nymphing with the usual for this time of the year. Sunday has the look of a good streamer day throughout the system.
As for nymphs keep Trophy Nymphs, Guides choice Hares Ears, and plenty Prince Nymphs in your boxes. Also make sure you have some small stone imitations as there are still a few Winter Stones around.
This winter our streamer boxes have been getting a workout on the Clearfork. Make sure to have all of the usuals Dungeons, Barely Legals, Bottom Up, Cougars and Totally Articulateds will produce. Make sure to have your sink-tip lines and 6-8wts!
Clear Creek
Clear Creek had a good washout this week! The gauge says it came up almost 10'...We didnt make it down that way to verify, but we are sure some things have shifted around a little.
Not much going to be happening down that way, but if you are in the area bring your streamer rod and sink tips and have some fun. The same streamers as for everywhere else, but make sure to have a few smaller versions also. With the forecast and current conditions we do not expect the creek to clear out for a while. Muddy to off colored water is what you will encounter this weekend, but fish can be caught!
Not much going to be happening down that way, but if you are in the area bring your streamer rod and sink tips and have some fun. The same streamers as for everywhere else, but make sure to have a few smaller versions also. With the forecast and current conditions we do not expect the creek to clear out for a while. Muddy to off colored water is what you will encounter this weekend, but fish can be caught!
Erie Steelhead
The past couple weeks have been some of the best steelheading we have had in years! Fish are well distributed and in good supply everywhere. Before the heavy rain this week our guides have been putting clients on some very nice big fish. These high flows are just going to continue to add fresh fish to the system.
If you are looking to get out this weekend there will be a small window, but should be some of the best fishing of the year so far. Saturday is looking very cold up north so look for the middle of the day to provide the best opportunity. With the high temps still below freezing you will be dealing with ice in the guides. Remember to bring some Stanley's Ice Off Paste, long nymphing rods, long belly lines and lots of split shot. Trying to keep from stripping line through the guides as much as possible. Nymphing with a double fly rig is the name of the game for numbers of fish. Usually we run a Crystal Bugger or Zonker and then follow it with a Glo Bug, Sucker Spawn or Crystal Meth.
As we get into Sunday the temps will be in our favor along with even better flows. Sunday will also be a better day to take advantage of fresh fish on the swing. There will still be some color to the water for most part and the warmer weather should fire these fish up. Make sure you have a good variety of colors in flies, but dark colors have been the ticket in the off colored water. Senyo's A.I and Flow Ryder are our common staples. Make sure you have a good set of different sink rates for tips and 12-15lb tippet.
As for locations...everything but the Grand is going to be fishing. The streams are not all going to be clear, but that is how we like it. Make sure to get your name on the calendar being that we are starting to fill up quickly.
We are having one of the best winter seasons we have had in years. So clear out those schedules and plan on heading up to the Alley!
Mike Billow from Cleveland on a guide trip with Josh this past Monday. He's a graduate of the Midwest Fly Fishing School this last season and has been killing it since!
Our good buddy Tim Greiner out enjoying the fantastic steelhead fishing this week.
Interested in a guide trip this coming Spring Season?
Our guides can provide most equipment and are available most any time.
Click HERE for information and pricing on an Erie Steelhead Trip.
Mad River Outfitters
Fly Shop, Guides, Trips, Classes, Schools and more!
813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-451-0363
