* 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.
Warmwater
Mad River
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.
Know anyone that is looking to get started in Fly Fishing?
Wednesday, August 30th- 7-9 p.m.
Warmwater
Wow! The past few weeks have been fantastic! The Smallmouth Bass fishing throughout the state has been off the charts. Although most of the streams are currently clear and low they are still higher than normal for this time of the year. This has helped us continue to do float trips. Floating is by far the best way to fish for bass as you can cover plenty of water. With these cooler nights the bass are starting to move out of Summer patterns and put on the feed. We look forward to fall all year as it is when we catch a lot of large bass. Also the Hybrid Stripers start to push up stream and feed heavy on baitfish. Pull out the 7-8wts, sink tips and big streamers for the most success. We are booking heavy for the fall right now so make sure to shoot us a call soon.
Random pig from local waters!
"Smallmouth on streamers all day long!"- Martin Lindeboom
Guide's Day Off!
Mad River Outfitters guides Pat Kelly and Donnie Knight got out yesterday over near Dayton and crushed the smallmouth.
"Cooler weather and smallmouth are on fire! Several over 17" and 3 over 18"....had a blast with Donnie and his Dad as well."- Pat Kelly
If you aren't familiar with the fantastic smallmouth fishing in the Southwest portion of the state.....let us show you. Guide Donnie Knight is available for walk-in and float trips on a variety of waters in and around Dayton.
Click Here to learn more about our Ohio Smallmouth Guide Service featuring the talents of Pat Kelly, Donnie Knight, Josh McQueen and Ryan Ratliff.
With the lower clear water the carp fishing has been fantastic as well. The Olentangy has been great for us around here and will continue into the fall as long as we do not get too much rain. Having a carp box that is diverse in color, size, weight, and fly design will prepare you for any situation. Look for feeding fish and pick a fly that fits the situation. As the boat traffic slows the lakes will also start to become very successful. Sight fishing for these fish is one of the most challenging, but rewarding adventures you can get into. Stealthy well planned tactics will get you a shot. So if you are wanting a challenge that requires accurate casting and perfect positioning give Andy a call at and he will teach you how it is done on his boat.
Ohio Buffalo!
Columbus Carp!
"Found a good amount of carp feeding while Smallie fishing...switch spools, build out a leader, pull out the carp box and game on. Finally caught my first ever Buffalo too!"- guide
Ryan Ratliff
Ryan Ratliff
Ponds and lakes are are also a great place to spend some time as the Largemouth and Panfish also start to prepare for winter. Bass right now are on the move out of the deep summer water holding areas and into the shallower flats and weed edges. Fishing swimming style flies on an Scientific Anglers Titan Clear tip will be our go to tactics. AEP really fires back up this time of the year giving you the best chance for big bass on the fly.
"Have been crushing bass on big streamers and poppers."- Luke Tzagournis
Tricos continue to be the main attraction for the morning fishing but we are also starting to see some evening activity picking up again as well.
Matching the hatch with size 20-26 and 5-7x tippet will get your started. This hatch is a first light and the spinners fall a few hours later situation. After that its a midge game. Griffiths Gnats or Splitsvilles will cover you for the midge dries with Zebra and Blood midges for the nymphs.
Heading into the evenings you will want to have plenty of caddis for the White Miller Caddis hatch. This will continue into fall so having plenty of Fat Head Moths, October Caddis, Elk Hare, Goddard and Stimulators are a must for the dries and be sure to hang a #14 green Soft Hackle behind.
Nymphs will be the usual Nitro Caddis, Flashabou, Softhackles, Sunken Caddis, Zudbug, Prince, and the crossover Hare's Ear. The Ephrons "White Fly" will start to come into play also. Here you will want some White Wulfs and pull your Light Cahills back out.
Water is a little low and clear for consistent streamer fishing but you should always have them with you as described by our friend Bill Rice here:
"Went to the Mad river yesterday afternoon and found the river low and very clear as expected. I knew the fishing would be challenging and started with nymphs and soft hackle flies . The fish were not cooperating and I had tallied exactly 1-10” trout in 3 hours. As I worked my way downstream I switched to a white wooly bugger thinking that I could reach the slack water and bank areas better with a streamer.. Around 4:45 I cast near a submerged log in a shaded area with no more than 2’ of water and a 20” brown trout decided to eat a fake minnow. It was a good battle and I was thankful I had opted for 3x tippet rather than 4x at the start of my outing. This was the highlight of the day but I did see some action around 8:00 as the caddis flies became active ."- Bill Rice
Clearfork River
Clearfork Map
The Clear Fork is currently very low and clear. Trout fishing has been very tough the past few weeks though. The cooler night temps are helping the water temps, but these fish are currently very spooky. Light long leaders and small flies will get the job done. Take a look at the Mad River report for the rundown on hatches.
Below Pleasant Hill dam has been the most productive. This time of the year that fishery is mostly a Smallmouth bass and panfish area. Most of the reports have been coming form people camping in the area and fishing the morning and evening. Poppers, Ants, and Hoppers have been the best choice. Fishing a small streamer at first light or in the evenings can be very productive especially as we head further into Fall.
Below Pleasant Hill dam has been the most productive. This time of the year that fishery is mostly a Smallmouth bass and panfish area. Most of the reports have been coming form people camping in the area and fishing the morning and evening. Poppers, Ants, and Hoppers have been the best choice. Fishing a small streamer at first light or in the evenings can be very productive especially as we head further into Fall.
Clear Creek
Clear Creek Map
For as long as we can remember this is the first Summer that we have been able to fish this many days. The creek is currently very low, but the water temps have stayed for the most part under 70 degrees. At temps above 70 we try to keep pressure to a minimum. Take a look at the Mad River Report for specific tactics. The main focus into the fall will be small streamers, caddis dries, and caddis nymphs.
Make sure to stay until dark, just like the Mad, as this is when things really get going down there.
Mad River Outfitters
Fly Shop, Guides, Trips, Classes, Schools and more!
813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-451-0363
