* 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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
