* 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.
* 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.
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.
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
