* 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
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
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.
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.
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
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
