Friday, April 28, 2017

Matt Supinski Fly Tying Class


Learn to tie the patterns of one of the Great Masters of Spring Creeks!

Join Matt Supinski at Mad River Outfitters

Saturday, May 6th

8:00 a.m.- Noon

Bring your vise and basic tools!







Part of our "Spring Creek Weekend" with special guest: Matt Supinski

Click Here for details on all of the Events


Mad River Outfitters
813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214

614-451-0363





Saturday, April 22, 2017

Not just Trout........


Our good friend and customer Bobby Davis sent us this report via e-mail today:

I was fishing the shad run in the Potomac and landed this beast on a size 6 shad dart.  I was using the 7wt TFO Impact Brian sold me a year ago, which has become my workhorse.  That rod kicks ass.  Also landed about 25 shad and a schoolie striper.  It was a good day.


We LOVE getting fishing reports, especially when they are using gear that was happily purchased at Mad River Outfitters!

Thanks for the report Bobby and as promised in our Fishing Reports from yesterday, your "Fly Fish Ohio" Sticker is on the way to you.


Mad River Outfitters
813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214

614-451-0363

Send reports to:





Friday, April 21, 2017

Fishing Reports- 4/21/17


* 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.

Across the board most of the streams are on the drop and fishable.  There is some rain in the forecast for Sunday and the middle of next week.  The amounts are changing by the hour so make sure to contact us if you head up early in the week.  This is a great time of the year as almost everything is active.  Get out there and fish.  


Got plans this Summer? How about a trip to Montana?

Join Brian Flechsig and Kelly Galloup at the Slide Inn on the banks of the Madison River

July 30th- August 5th



Warm Water

Smallmouth Bass fishing has been on fire lately!  With the temps forecasted for next week it will not be long before they start to spawn.  Many of the local streams are off colored.  The fish are aggressive and feeding, but with low visibility make sure to have a wading staff with you.  We do guide for smallies so get your trip on the books to take advantage of this pre-spawn bite! Bass and Panfish have also been the talk as the ponds continue to warm.  Look for the Largemouth Bass to start thinking about spawning in the next couple weeks also.  


Local ponds are really starting to produce. Our good friend and customer Joe Olivas sent us this pic just the other day


Gear for Smallmouth Bass would be 6-8wt rods, Intermediate sinking lines, and flies 4-6" in length(Kelly Galloup style Modern Streamers).  These same flies and rigs can be used for Largemouth Bass as well.  Panfish or small pond Bass will be fine on a 4-5wt with floating lines. Flies will be small traditional sized trout streamers (Black Nose Dace, Muddlers, Matukas, Mickey Finns), Wooly Buggers, big nymphs (Prince, Hares Ear, Bears PM Caddis) and San Juan Worms



MRO Guide Pat Kelly on the Water today with clients


Hybrid stripers and white bass are also running throughout the region and we've been hearing some GREAT reports. Josh, Pat and Donnie have been scouting some new waters and are now ready to start booking trips. Anybody interested in catching a mess of these "white" fish, let us know. Interested in searching them out on your own, we can point you in the right direction there as well. A ton of fun on a fly rod and lots of opportunities around.

Send us pics this week to use in the reports? Be sure to include your address and such and we'll send you a FREE MRO "Fly Fish Ohio" sticker.


Click Here to view our full selection of "Cool Stickers".



Mad River


The Mad continues to be very productive!  Look for lots of rising fish in the late afternoons and into the evenings.  These fish are keying in on the tail end of the Hendrickson hatch.  If you want to take advantage of this dry fly fishing stock up on Rusty Spinners in various sizes, Parachute Adams, Thorax/Traditional style Adams, Red Quill, Quill Gordon, and Irrisistibles.  With the cloudy forecast into the weekend make sure to have some Blue Wing Olives in your box also.  In the next coming weeks stock up on Light Cahill, Sulfurs, March Browns, and Caddis. 

Yesterday, Brian and Donnie were both out on the water with clients. It was pretty windy so the hatch really didn't come off at all but the spinner fall was GREAT in the evening so the bugs are still around. Tons of fish eating the spinners from 7:30 till about 8:15 or so. We are truly experiencing a great dry fly season here with the best activity by far in the evenings, an hour or so before dark. Did also see a handful of March Browns and Light Cahills. No Sulphers yet.


Brian got to float in the AuSable boat yesterday with John Fisher from Batavia, Ohio

Anybody interested in a float trip in this boat, or with Donnie or Pat in their drift boats?

Let us know, we have some dates open and it's a great way to fish the river.

Click Here  for details and pricing on our guide trips.


Fishing in the mornings have also been good.  The most productive has been nymphing and swinging Soft Hackles of various colors.  Nymph with Pheasant Tails, Hares Ear, Copper Johns, and Prince Nymphs.  

With the low clear water the streamer bite has not been the best so we suggest getting your streamer fix on one of the many Smallmouth Bass streams in the state.  If you insist, the smaller stuff like muddlers, buggers and small sculpin patterns are the way to go.





Dear Mad River Outfitters, 

I visited the Mad recently and the water level was around 250 cfs and held a light green stain, the conditions were absolutely perfect for stripping streamers. The hot streamer for the morning was a red, white, and blue clouser minnow.  Fish were rising in many of the locations I stopped at, and the morning was action packed. Many fish were caught, and it was the best morning of fly fishing I have ever had. Here are pictures of my two biggest browns for the day.

Keep doing what you're doing at the shop, its always a blast going in and being surrounded by those with the passion of fly fishing.

Tight lines, and sincerely,

-Murphy Coan



Clearfork River


Clearfork Map

The Clear Fork is starting to fire up.  Dry fly fishing has been good to excellent in the evenings. Much like the Mad River report: These fish are keying in on the tail end of the Hendrickson hatch although it seems to still be going strong up there. Best activity has for sure been the evening spinner falls. Some reports of EPIC numbers of bugs and rising fish.

 If you want to take advantage of this dry fly fishing stock up on Rusty Spinners in various sizes, Parachute Adams, Thorax/Traditional style Adams, Red Quill, Quill Gordon, and Irrisistibles. With the cloudy forecast into the weekend make sure to have some Blue Wing Olives in your box also.  In the next coming weeks stock up on Light Cahill, Sulfurs, March Browns, and Caddis. 

Most of the consistent fishing has been in the upper river focusing on the afternoon and into evening hatches.  The lower river below Pleasant Hill Dam offers you a good mix bag of fish. 


Clear Creek


Clear Creek Map

The recent rains have made the creek raise, but the levels are now dropping and will be good into the weekend.  Saturday will still provide small streamer fishing along with nymphing.  Look for Hendrickson, Caddis, Blue Wing Olives and midges to continue Sunday and into next week.  
If you want to take advantage of this dry fly fishing stock up on Rusty Spinners in various sizes, Parachute Adams, Thorax/Traditional style Adams, Red Quill, Quill Gordon, and Irrisistibles.  With the cloudy forecast into the weekend make sure to have some Blue Wing Olives in your box also.  In the next coming weeks stock up on Light Cahill, Sulfurs, March Browns, and Caddis. 

Nymphing is always productive.  Nymph with Pheasant Tails, Hares Ear, Copper Johns, and Prince Nymphs.  Also make sure to have a variety of sizes and colors of Soft Hackles.  



Erie Steelhead

Everything is blown out currently.  the weekend outlook is not looking very good, but if you know the smaller rivers then the second half of Sunday will be your only bet.  Early next week though is looking very good!  With the high water and lower temps look for a fresh push of fish.  From what we have been seeing over the past few weeks we are on a steep downward slope to the end of the season.  Looking ahead at the air temps for the end of next week combined with the lack of significant rain the season will be close to over very soon.  If you want to get a last trip or two in then make sure you clear out your schedule for Tues or Wed of next week.  Conditions can change very quickly so we will keep you posted.  

Rigs for this time of the year are the typical nymphing with two fly rigs and long rods and swinging setups.  Indicator nymphing is a numbers game.  Either rig a bugger/Zonker and egg or the double egg under a float.  Focus on the faster deeper runs (waste and deeper) below the spawning riffles.  If you want to swing this time of the year you can be rewarded with hot drop back/spawned fish and Lake Run Smallies.  Swinging Dolly Llamas, Senyo's A.I. Intruders, and Flow Ryders are the best choices.  



Repeat customer Mario Vezza on a guide trip with Josh earlier this week. He called us up the other day and signed he and his father up for the Alaska Trip this Summer hosted by Josh and Jerry Darkes.

Click Here for info and pricing on our "Alaska Sampler" Trip- July 22nd- 29th


The Smallmouth fishing has been fantastic in the Tribs and should only get better as we get into May.  If you want to focus on these fish look at the lower few miles of the rivers.  Stripping big streamers is our go to tactic.  Streamers like Kelly Galloups Dungeons, Monkeys, Peanuts, Totally Articulated, Fat Head Minnows and Deceivers.  Load up your 6-8wt, Scientific Anglers Titan Sonar Clear Tip, heavy tippet and have fun!  



Mad River Outfitters
Fly Shop, Guides, Trips, Classes, Schools and more!

813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214

614-451-0363

Friday, April 14, 2017

Fishing Reports- 4/14/17


* 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.

Congrats!

We'd like to extend a HUGE thanks to all of our friends and supporters...especially those who attended the Fly Fishing Film Tour this year.

On Wednesday, we announced the Proceeds from the event that are being donated to The Mayfly Project.

We SHATTERED last year's record!


If you haven't seen it already, hop on over to Facebook and you can watch the repost of a Facebook LIVE that we did of Brian calling Jess Westbrook to give him the news! Needless to say, he was thrilled.

Even if you didn't attend, just supporting and shopping with Mad River Outfitters, you are helping us to make things like this possible. We truly appreciate the opportunity to serve you, and in turn, serve our community.

THANKS and Congrats Columbus!!!!



**Across the board most of the streams are on the drop and fishable.  There is some rain in the forecast for Sunday and the middle of next week.  The amounts are changing by the hour so make sure to contact us if you head up early in the week.  This is a great time of the year as almost everything is active.  Get out there and fish.  

Warm Water

The ponds and streams continue to warm and the fish are very active.  While the reservoirs are not quiet prime focus on the ponds for large mouth bass and bluegills.  Crappies are also starting to move shallower in these smaller waters.  There has been reports of White Bass also starting to move up into the feeder streams of the reservoirs.  For all of these fish stripping streamers will get the job done.  Grab some Wooly buggers, Clouser Minnows, Half and Halfs, Decievers, Deep Shad, Murdich Minnows and Skiddish Smolts to name a few. 


Smallmouth Activity picking up both inland and on the Erie Tribs




Mad River


The Mad River is fishing very good.  Look for typical clear water and active fish.  The hatches continue to be the main topic this past week.  Hendricksons have been thick.  Normally we have seen these mayflies from the 11am-2pm range, but lately the brunt of the hatch has been later in the day.  There have been some large blanket spinner falls into the evening also.  Currently the weather is overcast with spotty drizzle.  Conditions like this we always have a good size range of BWO (Blue Wing Olives) on hand.  Streamer fishing continues to be great during the low light periods and on cloudy days.  If you happen to head out mid-morning and there is no visible hatch going on make sure to have a nymph rig ready.  

As for rigs being diverse/prepared is always the best bet this time of the year.  Streamer fishing low light times will require 4-5 different colored patterns with varied designs.  Flies for this style are Barely Legals, Articulated Monkeys, Dungeons, Bottoms Up, Silk Kitty, Boogie Man, and others.  Smaller streamers also get the job done: Cougars, Dirty Hippies, Wooly Sculpins, Near Nuff Sculpin, and other traditional streamers.  Nymphing will be our typical Hendrickson Nymphs, Guides Choice Hares Ear, Pheasant Tails, Prince, Copper Johns, and Galloup's Peacock Hares Ear.  These will need to be in the #12-18 size range.  Grab a Lemer Lead Selector pack, Airlock Indicators, and some 3-4x tippet leaders to get you ready.  Dry fly fishing is pretty simple: Beck's Henny, Bear's Para Henny, Hendrickson Sparkle Dun, Borchers, BWO- paracute, Adams, and Quil Gordon.  



Clearfork River


Clearfork Map

Not much happening on the lower river with the recent high water, but we expect that to change in the next few weeks.  The lower river below Pleasant Hill Dam is a great place to have a mixed bag of fish.  

The upper river id dropping nicely after the rain earlier in the week.  Look for good hatches of Hendrickson to be the main focus in the next few days.  Nymph the mornings and keep an eye out for rising fish then switch to dries into the evening.  As for dry flies stock up on Beck's Henny, Bear's Para Henny, Hendrickson Sparkle Dun, Borchers, BWO- paracute, Adams, and Quil Gordon.  Nymphs to focus on are Pheasant Tail, Copper Johns, Galloups Peacock Hares Ear, Prince, and Guides Choice Hares Ear.  There is some rain in the forecast.  If the river comes up then streamers will be a great choice.   Flies would be Barely Legals, Articulated Monkeys, Dungeons, Bottoms Up, Silk Kitty, Boogie Man, and others.  Smaller streamers also get the job done when the water is clear.  Stock up on Cougars, Dirty Hippies, Wooly Sculpins, Near Nuff Sculpin, and other traditional streamers.



Clear Creek


Clear Creek Map

The creek is starting to clear out from the mid week rain making for good conditions this weekend.  Clear Creek is not the same fishery as the Mad or Upper Clear Fork, but if you are down in that part of the state it makes for a beautiful outting.  Rummors of some Hendrickson, Blue Quil, and BWO are hatching, but not in the quantity as the Mad River.  

Dry flies to have in your box are Beck's Henny, Bear's Para Henny, Hendrickson Sparkle Dun, Borchers, BWO- paracute, Adams, and Quil Gordon.  If you want to focus on numbers then nymph with Pheasant Tail, Copper Johns, Galloups Peacock Hares Ear, Prince, and Guides Choice Hares Ear.  Streamers would be single hooked patterns like Wooly Sculpins, Cactus Sculpins, Wooly Buggers, Big Hole Bugs, and Clousers. 




Erie Steelhead

Lots of traffic through the shop this week from people heading up to the 'Alley.  Seems that the streams are pretty crowded here this week. 

Most of the streams are clearing out well and should be great for the weekend.  There are a lot of fish on or heading to gravel.  As standard in the industry we do not advise disrupting these fish as they spawn.  There are plenty of fish eating eggs in the runs below the spawning riffles and that is where we fish.  

With the forecast we should still have decent numbers of fish for the next few weeks.  If nymphing is your game then focus on eggs and nymphs as the streams clear.  A bead headed nymph followed by an egg is a great place to start in clear water.  Nymphs that we like are the Steak and Eggs, Bloody Mary, Psycho Prince, Chicken Little, Sparkle Maggot, Steelie Stone, and Guides Choice Hares Ear.  As for eggs Glo Bugs, Glo Bugs, Glo Bugs.  Have them in bigger and bright colors for dirty water and then smaller pastel colors for clear water.  Swinging is still an option even in lower water.  Using intermediate iMOW tips on your skagit heads or an integrated switch line is a good choice.  In low water conditions we swing flies like Skiddish Smolts, Wooly Buggers, Chicken Little, Cross Dresser, Zonkers, and Classic salmon style flies.  If the water is on the rise or drop your typical Greg Senyo flies like the Flow Ryder and the A.I. Intruder will get the job done.  


THE SMALLIES ARE IN!!!  There is a good number of Lake Run smallies in the lower rivers already!  If you are heading up to Steelhead Alley do not leave the streamer rod and sink tip at home.  Here you will want to fish the Kelly Galloup articulated streamers stripped though likely holding water.  These fish are fat mad and a blast to catch.  Also do not be surprised if you come in contact with a Chrome or spawned out (Drop Back) steelhead.  This is a great time to book at trip on the 'Alley!  




A Good Friday for Bob Berner- Guide trip today with MRO Guide Josh McQueen



Mad River Outfitters
Fly Shop, Guides, Trips, Classes, Schools and more!

813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214

614-451-0363

Saturday, April 8, 2017

Spring Creek/Selectivity Weekend with Matt Supinski

Very Special Guest:



Noted author, angler, lecturer, guide, historian, lodge owner, master chef...this guy does it all. We are thrilled to have Matt as a guest here at the shop for this very special "Spring Creek" weekend. Matt is probably the world's foremost authority on Spring Creek angling. His latest book, "Selectivity" is one of the best books ever written on the subject. He will be with us to help all of us to become better and more technical anglers.





Friday, May 5th- 6-9 p.m.- Special Presentation: Selectivity

Join us in the shop for a great presentation and some beer and pizza. Matt will blow your mind with the information in this program and you will come away a better trout angler. We will also be running a special price on his "Selectivity" book and a great chance to get it signed by the author himself. Tickets to this event are only $10.00. Pizza and beer starts at 6:00 and the program should start right around 7:00.

Register Online HERE


Saturday, May 6th- 8 a.m.- Noon- Fly Tying Session: Favorite Spring Creek Patterns

Matt is an epic fly tyer and instructor. This class will cover some of his favorite patterns for finicky trout. Bring your vise and tools and we'll do the rest. Class is limited to 6 and the cost will be $50.00.

Register Online HERE




Saturday, May 6th- 3 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.- On-Water Spring Creek/Selectivity Clinic

This class will be half-classroom learning and half on the water experience. It will be held at the legendary Zanesfield Rod and Gun Club so you will get to practice over some of the finest trout fishing in Ohio. Again, Matt will blow your mind with intermediate and advanced concepts and techniques that will make you a much better trout angler. Sample topic outline listed below. A unique opportunity here to fish this club for the "evening hatch" as we would expect the insect activity to be at a peak and offer a great chance for picky fish on dries. We will be grilling some burgers and dogs and take a break from 6:30 -7:00. This class is limited to 10 anglers and the cost will be $125.00. 

Register Online HERE


Sunday, May 7th- 9 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.- On-Water Spring Creek/Selectivity Clinic

Can't make it Satruday? We'll do it again on Sunday.

This class will be half-classroom learning and half on the water experience. It will be held at the legendary Zanesfield Rod and Gun Club so you will get to practice over some of the finest trout fishing in Ohio. Again, Matt will blow your mind with intermediate and advanced concepts and techniques that will make you a much better trout angler. Sample topic outline listed below. Should be a great chance to witness first-hand some terrestrial fishing which Matt is very fond of. Lunch will be provided from 12-12:30. This class is limited to 10 anglers and the cost will be $125.00. 

Register Online HERE





Mad River Outfitters
Spring Creek/Selectivity Weekend with special guest Matt Supinski

614-451-0363

Friday, April 7, 2017

Fishing Reports- 4/7/17


* 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.



* Thought we'd start off with a "superstar kid" this week:

"Dear MRO,
Haven't fished in Ohio in way too long. However, I was in Colorado over spring break and thought I'd send in a quick email. My dad and I fished the Uncompahgre River in southwest Colorado for a day and a half. Caught 7 cutthroat, 2 rainbows and a cutbow in total. Almost all of them on midges. Super clear water meant a little bit of sight fishing too. Stalked a cutty for a while in a calm pool, till I stripped a streamer right by the log he was under. Watched him come out and eat it, and landed my first ever cutthroat. All in all, it was an awesome time!- Thanks,
Ann Heuerman"



Thanks as always Ann! Hope to see you soon and keep up the good work!!


Warm Water

Not too many reports this week with the cold and rain. We're hoping to get some reports and pics going. Send them in! Let's get this started!!!

Next week looks great for pond fishing and even some local stream pre-spawn Smallies.  Key in on the shallower ponds and smaller creeks.  Fish streamers in both and you will be rewarded.  



Mad River


The Mad is currently high and off colored, as you'd expect.  This is actually one of the only times in the past year that the river has not dropped back down quickly.  The big news this week continues to be Hendrickson.  Pat was out on a streamer trip a few days and they were coming off thick....like super thick.

If you are looking to take advantage of the dry fly bite look at Sunday afternoon being your closest opportunity.  With the forecast dry fly fishing should continue to be great through the next week.  As for flies make sure you have Adams, Parachute Adams, Henny Sparkle Dun, Bears Para Henny, Becks Henny, Mr Rapidan (for HiVis), Irresistible all in size 14-16.


Guide's Choice? Beck's Hendrickson


If there is nothing hatching nymphing will be the ticket.  The Hendrickson nymph will be your top choice.  Other nymphs to fish are Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ear, Prince, Caddis, Copper Johns, Trophy Nymphs and soft hackles.

The big talk in the shop and with calls today has been streamer fishing.  The main question has been when will the stream drop back down?  Should be in play tomorrow, but you are looking for flows under 240cfs at Urbana.  This weekend has the making to be a great opportunity for streamers throughout the river.  The most productive flies have been Galloups Stacked Blonde, Bottoms Up, Dungeons, and Peanuts.  We have a big shipment of new streamers here in the shop.  We are working to get them online, but stop by and take a look. 



Clearfork River



As for most of the other streams in the state the Clear fork is high and muddy.  Fishing streamers can be very productive though and should be.  Look for the streamer bite to be best late Sunday and into the early part of next week.  As the stream clears keep your dry fly rod and flies handy.  Again nymphing will be the most productive until you see fish starting to rise, then switch over to the dry.  Make sure you are getting permission if you are fishing on the private water in the upper river.  

As for the lower below the dam the streamer bite should continue well into next week and with a good mix bag of fish species.  Make sure you are using your big rods, sink tips, and articulated Kelly Galloup flies.  As for nymphs the usual Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, Trophy Nymphs, Hare's Ear, Prince, Caddis, soft hackles and the must have Hendrickson nymph.  Your dry fly box should be filled with Adams, Parachute Adams, Henny Sparkle Dun, Bears Para Henny, Becks Henny, Mr Rapidan (for HiVis), Elk Hair Caddis and Irresistible all in size 14-16. 


Clear Creek


Clear Creek is dropping well, but still high and muddy.  Look for the creek to fish maybe by Sunday for the streamer bite.  Into next week as the stream settles out look for the midge hatch to continue as well as a few Hendrickson.  Nymphing will be the most productive until the stream clears.  Nymph with your usual trout nymphs: Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ear, Prince, Caddis and soft hackles.  Make sure to have a good variety of sizes and colors.  

As for dries you will need Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis and a lot of Hendrickson.  Keep some streamers handy for early in the week:  Wooly Buggers, Clousers, Black Nose Dace, Matuka, Zonkers, and Trick-or-Treats are the way to go.  



Erie Steelhead


This season has been unique to say it politely!  Fall started out with low to no water, "winter" ice lasted maybe a week combined, Spring started warm and now very wet.  The good thing has been the amount of fish from mid December till now.  All of the streams have plenty of fish and they are well distributed.  The only issue right now is high water.  We are not saying that you cannot catch fish in high water though.  These high conditions just cause for very dangerous wading and visibility to almost zero.  We do not suggest anyone to cross the streams in flows like we currently have.  If you do just want to get out and enjoy the good predicted weather this weekend though simply take caution.  Use a wading staff and keep close to the shore and out of the main current.  The best fishing conditions will be later in the week and into next weekend.  

As for the predicted forecast next week looks fantastic.  If you are planning on fishing for steelhead this spring you need to be looking at the next few weeks.  There is not/little rain in the forecast so the current levels will be dropping quickly and fish will start to be looking for gravel.  We are not saying that the season is over, but this is the time to get your sick days and guide trips lined up.  Make sure those fly boxes are fully stocked and the gas tank full.  As soon as these flows come down you have the best chance at having some of the best fishing days of the season.  With all this being said we will need to see significant rain and temps out of the 70's to keep the season going good into May.   

Gear:  If you are new to this game, then a 10' 6-8wt is what we prefer for nymphing. Indicators/floats/bobbers what every you want to call them with a double fly rigs underneath will keep you in the numbers game.  Indicator lines are going to make things much easier for you. As for swinging a switch rod in the 6-8wt class is preferred.  Give us a call to help sort all of this out!  

Flies: Eggs Eggs Eggs!  Glo Bugs and Otters Eggs are the go to, but Scrambled Eggs, Cyclops, and Crystal Meth are always good to have in the box.  Trout Beads are something we also carry giving us the ability to switch out hooks if needed.  Start with bigger and brighter eggs then move to more pastel colors and smaller paterns as the visibility clears.  For swinging any streamer can work, but we prefer to swing Senyo's A.I. and Flow Ryders or Dolly Llamas in higher water.  Once the streams start to clear we will swing Buggers, Skiddish Smolts, Zonkers, and single hooked streamers. 



Mad River Outfitters
Fly Shop, Guides, Trips, Classes, Schools and more!

813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214

614-451-0363