Saturday, September 30, 2017

Fishing Reports- 9/30/17


* 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.



New Orleans Redfish Update-

The trip was a smashing success! Great group of guys enjoyed a fantastic adventure at Woodland Plantation. 2018 dates are already up on the website and we expect that most that attended this year will repeat. It simply doesn't get any better!


The 2017 Woodland Plantation Group- Left to right: Mike Billow, David Ellis, David Kitchen, Al Carnes, John Raisbeck, Jeremy Moore, Ralph Rothfelder, host Brian Flechsig, Phil Clay, Ed Yen and Woodland owner Foster Creppel.


Trip host Brian Flechsig. Hands-down his favorite destination on the planet!


CLICK HERE to view the full photo album.

CLICK HERE to check out the details and pricing on the 2018 trip.



"Naktoberfest" Alaska Update-

The group, hosted by Jeff Liskay,  is just arriving back in Anchorage here this afternoon and then dispersing to their hometowns so we don't have a ton of photos yet....but we will. Preliminary reports have this as an "Epic" week of swinging up trophy rainbows and more. It does look like they did a fly out for Arctic Char as well so we can't wait to dig into the photos once the guys get home and start sending. Keep your eyes on the Photo Albums as well as Social Media for updates.


The "Naktoberfest" group had a surprise visit from none other than Jerry Darkes. Here is long-time friend and great customer Bill Previty and Jerry with a trophy rainbow.


MRO Trip host Jeff Liskay and James Johnson from the Katmai Trophy Lodge/Blue Bonefish Lodge 


Jeff Liskay twisting up some bugs for the group this week at Katmai Trophy Lodge


CLICK HERE to learn more about our Alaska Trips- 2018 dates already posted



Next up in October: Peacock Bass in Brazil-


Pat Kelly hosts 8 lucky anglers in Brazil for Peacock Bass- October 21st- 28th


CLICK HERE to learn more about our legendary trips to Brazil


Warmwater


Low Low Low!  Across the state everything is running low and clear.  That does not necessarily mean the fishing is bad.  We now have good temps, but we just need some rain to make the fishing even better.  

Smallmouth Bass fishing has been very good.  Pencil poppers and small streamers provided the most consistency.  With this cold snap we are all excited to hunt for big fish.  The stream fish will start to put the feed on like a few weeks ago.  Float trips right now are pretty tough due to the conditions, but we can still run a few on certain waters.  If you want to target some big Smallmouth Bass then make sure to get a date setup before the leaves start to come down.  

Lake and pond fishing will fire back up into next week.  The Largemouth Bass have been in summer mode holding in deep water.  Most of the lake temps have been in the upper 70s and lower 80s.  Once the fish adjust to these cooler temps they will be much easier to catch.  These big fish will start to move shallow searching to fatten up before the water temps fall.  

Ohio Power/AEP is a great place to catch a good number of large bass and panfish. The fishing there can be FANTASTIC in the Fall. 

Not familiar? Hit this link here:

https://www.aep.com/environment/conservation/recland/


Pike fishing continues to be strong as well and should continue through the fall. Interested in a trip? Let us know. Pat and Josh have a few openings yet in October and November and would love to get you out on the jets or drift boats.

Josh was out today scouting some new water on some smaller creeks. He's reporting that we should have some new options in the rotation soon. 




Mad River



As with everything else the flows are low.  We will need a steady rain over a couple days to fire the streamer bite back up.  This doesn't mean that the fishing has been bad, just very technical.  
Euro style nymphing, long leaders, and Tenkara have provided the most success.  There are a few caddis and small mayflies around, but the dry fly fishing has been inconsistent.  As Fall progresses nymphing will be the best tactic.  We prefer a longer rod for nymphing something like the Redington Hydrogen 10' 3 or 4wt, 10' 4wt BVK, or Sage ESN.  Flies for nymphing will be the usual Hares Ear, Pheasant Tail, Prince Nymph, and the caddis imitations like the Nitro Caddis, Swinks Core Caddis , and the Flashabou Caddis.  Trail these bead headed nymphs with a soft hackle and you are set.  Once we get some water you will want to add a Double Stone to the mix to get your rig down. 

Keep a few caddis dries in your box and maybe add a few small Blue Wing Olives or Parachute Adams......although the dry fly bite has been pretty tough here the past week or so. 

Like in earlier reports you will need to use all of Mat Supinski's tactics from Selectivity.  Stealthy approach is nothing new for the Mad, but with these conditions you will have to be extra careful.  



Clearfork River


Clearfork Map

Nothing much has changed over the past month.  The creek is very low.  If you are up that way there are trout around, but you will have to use very long drifts and casts.  Fish very small caddis and midges both dries and nymphs on long leaders.  Euro or High Stick drifting will be the most productive presentations also.  

Down in the park below Pleasant Hill Dam there have been a good mixture of fish being caught. A few trout with plenty of Smallies and Rockbass are the norm.  If you are looking to cross off a new species on the catch list then take advantage of the great Yellow Perch fishing.  These panfish are plentiful and of good size.  Fishing small streamers like Buggers, Zonkers, Clousers, and gummy minnows will keep you busy with the mixed bag.  

The forecast does not look like much will change in the flows.  As soon as the water levels do come up then fishing bigger streamers will bring the bigger fish to hand. 



Clear Creek

Clear Creek Map


Same story for this little creek.  The water temps have been better than we have ever seen them this year.  At flows in the teens we need some rain to get the fish more fired up and not so skittish.  Very stealthy approaches have been needed.  Tenkara has been the most productive allowing the individual to naturally drift a fly with little to no line on the water.  Also tight line nymphing will get the job done and allow you to fish even deeper.  

As for flies for nymphing will be the usual Hares Ear, Pheasant Tail, Prince Nymph, and the caddis imitations like the Nitro Caddis, Swinks Core Caddis , and the Flashabou Caddis.  Trail these bead headed nymphs with a soft hackle and you are set.  If you are in the Hocking Hills enjoying the changing leaves and want to trout fish then study up on your weary trout tactics or grab Matt Supinski's book Selectivity.  There have also been a few smallies caught on those fishing small Clousers and Classis trout streamers like the Black Nose Dace, and Grey Ghost. 



Erie Steelhead

Gauge Links and Maps


Steelhead Season is right around the corner in the Great Lakes Region!


Nothing has changed other than the air temperature.  These cooler night temps will push the fish even tighter to the beaches.  Once we get some significant rain there will be a good push of fish.  Keep an eye here and we will keep you updated.  There have been a lot of people in the shop gearing up for fishing the Alley.  If you want to get a Spey casting class in make sure to contact the shop before the run starts!


Interested in a guide trip this coming Fall 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
Mad River Travel
Midwest Fly Fishing Schools

Fly Shop, Guides, Trips, Classes, Schools and more!

813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214

614-451-0363

Friday, September 22, 2017

Fishing Reports- 9/22/17


* 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.



Busy September for MRO!

San Juan, "Naktoberfest" and New Orleans

* Shop manager Andy Jensen just returned from hosting the San Juan River trip and he can't stop talking about it! We have been hosting trips at the Soaring Eagle Lodge for about 8 years now and can't say enough about the place. We should be posting the dates for 2018 within a week or so and the host next year will be Brian Flechsig himself. In the meantime, check out the updated photo album HERE.


MRO shop manager Andy Jensen- 2017 host of the Soaring Eagle Lodge Trip


* Today the "Naktoberfest" Alaska group left the lower 48 and should all be arriving into Anchorage shortly. Tomorrow they will take the flight from Anchorage to King Salmon and be whisked off to the Katmai Trophy Lodge on the banks of the Naknek River. There they will be met by MRO Trip Host Jeff Liskay and will spend the week swinging up Trophy Rainbow Trout! Dates are already in place for the Alaska Trips 2018 and you can find those and the details HERE.


"Speymaster" Jeff Liskay is hosting our Alaska "Naktoberfest" Trip


* And last but certainly not least, Brian Flechsig is heading up our annual New Orleans trip to the Woodland Plantation. He and a group of 9 lucky anglers will spend the week chasing GIANT Bull Reds, eating cajun home cooking and enjoying some cocktails. Truly one of our favorite trips! He should have good internet access so stay tuned to Social Media for videos and pictures throughout the week.


He's fished "few places" in his career and swears this is the BEST!


Warmwater


Smallmouth fishing has been good despite the low water.  A successful smallmouth fishing trip requires some homework understanding water temps and river features.  Streamer fishing will produce the most fish, but poppers are still producing.  The new Double Barrel poppers have been a big hit and going fast.  

Looking at the forecast things are going to continue to be fantastic.  Temperatures are remaining warm keeping fish in shallower water.  The local streams have been producing thick Caddis hatches and the small panfish and minnows have been raising to them.  Fishing a Fat Head Moth or Elk Hair caddis can be a fun change and add a few new species to your catch list.  

Tactics include fishing smaller patterns like more trout sized streamers, smaller poppers, and crawfish patterns.  Your boxes should include Black Nose Dace, Natural colored Wooly Buggers, Dirty Hippies, Dave Whitlock's Near Nuff patterns, Pencil Poppers, Double Barrel Poppers, Hoppers, Fat Head Moths, Lt Cahills, and large Stimulators.  

Largemouth/Lake fishing has been stable.  The local lakes are still rather warm so look for the fish to be in summer patterns or following schools of baitfish.  Sinking lines and slow jigging style flies will produce.  Stock up on Super Worms, Half and Halfs, Bottoms Up, J-Pigs, and Reapers.  Poppers at low light can also be a great choice.  Now that the boat traffic has slowed fishing the main lakes has been much easier. 




Mad River



The river is very low and with the forecast things are not going to change for a while.  That doesn't mean that you can't catch fish, but it does present challenges.

Fish midges and small caddis for the most productive dry fly action....although with the weather we are experiencing an extension of our terrestrial season. With the temps next week do not overlook your ant and beetle box also.  We have also been seeing good numbers of the Pseudocloen mayflies and there have been some fish feeding on them. A #20-22 BWO or Sulpher pattern works fine for these but make sure you are fishing a long leader and 6X or 7X tippet.

You will need to pull out all of your Spring Creek and stealth tactics....but it can be done. Long leaders, light tippets, drab clothing....all important right now.  If you are new to fly fishing or your casting needs improvement then make sure you get a lesson in before heading to the river.  Stealthy approaches with little line on the water are the keys to success.  

These conditions are also a great time to hone your Tenkara skills.  There are plenty of fish to be caught if you follow these recommendations.  As always if you need any help with this we will set your straight.

Streamer anglers will want to scale things back and revisit some classics like Gray Ghosts, Muddler Minnows and smaller Wooly Buggers. The Galloup style articulated stuff will probably have to wait until the leaves come down and we get some water.

Nymph fishing is of course your best bet and we have been doing extremely well on Green Caddis Larva, Green or Red Copper Johns as well as small Prince Nymphs. Also a good time to fish the Cranefly Larva as there have been a bunch of the adults around.



Clearfork River


Clearfork Map

The Creek is VERY low.  If you are heading that direction and just to fish trout,  then very early mornings will be the most productive.  As with the Mad you will need to "be on your best behavior" and fish as stealthy as possible.

At well under 15cfs and the predicted temps it might be more ethical to head below Pleasant Hill and fish for Smallmouth Bass and Panfish. 

Let's hope for some rain and cooler temps so that we can get back to business on the CF.



Clear Creek

Clear Creek Map


Despite the great water temps the creek is very low and extremely challenging.  Most of the trout have been very weary requiring little to no fly line on the water.  If you happen to be down in the Hocking Hills taking in some early Fall colors and want to fish make sure to have your Tenkara rods or Redington Hydrogen 10' 3wt.  

Soft Hackles, midges, ants, and beetles will cover your dry fly fishing with small Pheasant Tails and Hares Ears for nymphing. Streamers are pretty much out of the question until we get some water.



Erie Steelhead

Gauge Links and Maps


Steelhead Season is right around the corner in the Great Lakes Region!


We are still a ways out from good fishing.  With the forecast also things are not going to progress in the coming week.  If you are up that way focus on the Jettys and Beaches at the creek mouths.  This is a game of sinking lines/shooting heads, stripping baskets and shiner patterns.  Hit these areas at first light.  This is not a high percentage game, but is great to hook a fish stripping at streamer when it has the whole lake to fight in!  Once the sun comes up over the tree line your better off sight fishing for Sheephead or targeting Smallmouth on the lake shore or in the lower rivers. 


Interested in a guide trip this coming Fall 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 and The Midwest Fly Fishing Schools

Fly Shop, Guides, Trips, Classes, Schools and more!

www.madriveroutfitters.com

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Fishing Reports- 9/2/17


* 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.



Harvey remnants have brought up the flows or blown out a few of the local streams.  Despite a minor wrench in a few of our plans for this weekend we are quickly reminded of what many people are going through down south...Our thoughts and prayers are with our many friends, customers and fellow Americans down in Texas.


* Also a friendly reminder that we will be closed on Monday to celebrate Labor Day with friends and family. Back in the shop on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. Have a great Holiday!





Warmwater

Most of the local streams are showing a slight bump in flows while some are actually blown out.  Make sure to call the shop or check the flow charts before heading down to the river.  The Olentangy and Scioto are totally controlled by the Army Core of Engineers.  Look for a possible bump in flows once the natural runoff tapers off.  With how dry the past month has been any bump in flow should not last very long.  Most of the Smallie waters should be back fishable by Sunday or Monday.  Into next week keep an eye on the predicted storms into Tues.  Once the weather stabilizes look for the fishing to be fantastic.  We like to start pulling out the bigger streamers and loading up the 7-8wts as Summer slips away.  Especially on the bigger water we are always looking for those Hybrid Stripers to start pushing up out of the lakes chasing shad.  The smaller creeks will still allow those that only have lighter 4-5wts.  On the light rods focus on smaller poppers and more trout sized streamers.  

Carp fishing has continued to be great and once the flows settle this will continue.  Have a diverse fly box and plenty Flouro tippet.  This game requires delicate casts and presentation to feeding fish.  If you are new to this game make sure to stop by or give us a call.  Andy has been excited about the boat traffic slowing down on the lakes allowing for easier poling of his carp rig the "Flying Carp."

Pike and Smallmouth fishing continues to be great and the guys have been putting clients on fish consistently!  With the weather change our calendars have been filling fast so make sure to give us a call with your prospective dates.  



Rodney Zoyhofski was out with Pat yesterday.....again! He can't get enough of Ohio Pike on the Fly!


New! The Award Winning Surface Seaducer Double Barrel Poppers are now in stock!

Click Here to check them out along with all of the other great products from Flymen Fishing Company




Mad River



The Mad continues to fish great over the past week and looking at the forecast....it should remain good to even better  The rain did little to raise the flows, but any amount of stain is always welcome.  

Looking at the weather this weekend we will be focusing on the evenings skating Fat Head Moths and other caddis patterns.  The White Miller Caddis have been active and is always an exciting hatch to fish.  A great rig is the Fat Head Moth with a #14 Green Soft Hackle behind it...and don't be afraid to swing/skate it. Can bring some explosive strikes.

We have not heard any reports or witnessed first hand on how the Tricos are doing over the past week so let us know if you are still seeing any. Chances are that they will begin to slow up with this cooler weather. The White Mayflies (Ephrons) have still been pretty good in the evenings but these may begin to slow up here as we get into September as well.

 If you can only make it out in the mornings make sure to have plenty of caddis nymphs and soft hackles as these are the most productive right now.  Also always have your small trout streamer box handy.  Fishing small streamers are a great way to cover water and hunt for fish.  

We have guides out scouting and with clients so we will keep you updated on what is happening if things change.  


Our good friend and customer Jacob Arima sent us this photo this week of a decent Brown caught on the Mad. He's been taking a bunch of classes from us this year and really growing as an angler. He wouldn't tell us what he caught this fish on so he's learning well!!



Clearfork River


Clearfork Map


The creek is currently very low and clear.  The rain did not amount to much of anything up that way, but there is another push of water in the forecast.  This weekend looks great up there, but your best bet will be focusing on a mixed bag below the Pleasant Hill Dam.  The trout fishing in the upper river will only improve once we get some consistent rain totals to bring the flows up.  There are fish to be caught up there, but you will need to pull out Matt Supinski's book Selectivity to make it happen.  

Tactics for fishing below the dam will be poppers (we have a big load of the new Flymen Double Barrel poppers now in the shop and online store)and small streamers like "Buggers, Autumn Splinder, Clousers, Big Eyed Buggers, Glass Buggers, and Meat Whistles. 

These flies will keep you busy with Bass, Rockbass, Panfish and even Perch.   



Clear Creek

Clear Creek Map


The shot of rain has brought the stream up slightly...it is still only around 30cfs!  The falling temps and additional rain in the forecast should be a good "shot in the arm" for this little creek.  We will keep you updated with changes as the week goes on.  Although the water temps this summer have been great, the trout fishing has been slow.  With the low flows we have had to use every technical tactic in the book to have a good day.  Covering lots of water, perfect drifts and little to no water disturbance has been the game.  

Most people have been playing the Smallmouth game with good success.  (Or just heading over to the Mad to stay in the trout game)

Afternoon and Evenings are the key time right now.. Skate TINY caddis with a soft hackle dropper to cover water.  Nymphing is always a good choice.  A Guide's Choice Hares Ear followed by a caddis nymph or Prince will get you going.  Also do not over look small streamers like Black Nose Dace, Muddlers, 'Buggers and the like.  



Erie Steelhead

Gauge Links and Maps


Steelhead Season is right around the corner in the Great Lakes Region!


We are going to start Updating this category little by little as we move further into the fall. 

September marks the beginning of the Steelhead season in the Alley.  Although the streams are low and clear for the most part this month we do start to see a few fish showing up on the beaches and making their way into the tributaries.  PA will see the first fish and we will see a few of those fish showing up later in the month.  Don't get too excited as we are at least a month out (if the weather cooperates) from our fisheries being worth a trip, but there are a few things to keep in mind.  Right now is a great time to start dusting off those steelhead fly boxes, 10' nymphing rods, and signing up for those refresher two-handed casting classes.  We have some exciting news coming in the near future focusing on new fly lines, flies, and rods.  As usually we will keep you posted.  Guiding dates are starting to fill even this far out!  


Interested in a guide trip this coming Fall 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