* 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
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/
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.
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.
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.
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
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
