Mad River Outfitters: October 2018

* 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.

**Sorry for the long lag in fishing reports. No excuses other than we have been extremely busy. We are working very hard at keeping everything running smoothly and regret that these reports have taken a back seat. Most of you have been calling in to get the most up-to-date report and we love hearing from you. We will continue to supply these reports and commit to getting back on schedule! **

What a Summer!

To say that we have been busy is actually an understatement. Seems hosts and guides are always coming and going these days.....and we love it!

Our Summer "officially" kicked-off in Labrador in early July. Brian hosted an amazing group to a remote lodge called Three Rivers Lodge for trophy brook trout and pike. Not only was this a fantastic fishing trip but it was HIGH ADVENTURE at it's finest. He's already got dates reserved for 2020 and details should be on the website soon.

Then, as Brian was on his way back from Labrador, Jerry Darkes and Ryan Ratliff were on their way to Katmai Trophy Lodge to host the "Alaska Sampler" trip. As always, a GREAT time was had by all and this trip is already close to a sellout for 2019 already.

Late July and early August found Pat Kelly on his "maiden voyage" to Montana. Our annual pilgrimage to visit our good friend Kelly Galloup at his famous "Slide Inn" This was Pat's first trip out West....believe it or not...and he's hooked. He's already set up to host the Soaring Eagle Lodge trip on the San Juan next September and can't stop talking about it! Of course, Pat always forgets to get a group photo. He's always too focused on fishing but says he'll work on it.

September found us in New Mexico on the San Juan River as the guests of the Soaring Eagle Lodge. What a group! What a place! What a river! If you are a trout fisher and have never experienced the San Juan.....PLEASE DO IT! Brian finally got to host this one and made a ton of videos that should be on the YouTube Channel soon!

"Naktoberfest" 2018. The BEST "swing" fishing for trophy rainbow trout on the planet. Jerry Darkes and Jeff Liskay hosted 9 lucky anglers back at the Katmai Trophy Lodge for this Fall Classic. Just now wading through photos from the week and should be getting some on social media shortly. Dates already booked for 2019.

Early October of course found us in Louisiana at the famous Woodland Plantation. Brian will tell you this is his favorite trip of them all! Although we faced some tough conditions, a good time was had by all as usual. Dates posted for the 2019 trip which will again be hosted by Brian (he won't give this one up!).

Despite tough conditions, like 5' of extra water in the marsh kinda tough, a few nice fish were caught. The Woodland Plantation trip continues to be a highlight of our hosted trips!

Upcoming-

Muskegon River Michigan

November 11th-14th

1-Spot OPEN

Click Here for details and pricing

Andros Island Bonefish Club

February 16th- 23rd with host Brian Flechsig

Watch the video and Click Here for details and pricing

Hosted fly fishing trips designed to EXCEED your expectations!

Click Here to see a full listing of our trips!

Warmwater

Smallmouth fishing continues to be fantastic as the fish are fattening up for the winter. Despite the cold temps fish have been eating poppers with regularity. The local streams are very low and clear. This has caused some issues with finding fish for those unfamiliar with certain water systems. Understanding migratory patterns of bass at certain water temps has played a major factor in finding quality fish. Most people have been fishing shad streamers on a sinking line like the SA Clear Tip, Rio Big Nasty, or SA Titan sink tip. We still have a few weeks of great Smallmouth fishing so make sure to get out there or book a trip.

Lake fishing also continues to be fantastic. Bass and panfish are bulking up on baitfish making streamer fishing good right now. Most of us are fishing shad patterns on our larger rods with sinking lines. The window of productivity is getting smaller as the air temps are dropping fast, but if you adjust your technique then you will find fish.

Frank Zubel on a recent guide trip with guide Josh McQueen

Pike fishing continues to be fantastic, but for this year so far it has not slowed down! These fish are packing on the pounds right now making fishing really good. Expect good numbers and big fish this time of the year. Seeing the pictures coming from guide trips we are exceeding our client’s expectations. Make sure to get on our calendars now before you miss out on any of these warm water opportunities.

Forecast:
COLD! We are not getting a break from the cold…seems like just a few weeks ago we were saying the same thing about the heat…well it was just a few weeks ago. The good thing is that we have decent flows on our warmwater rivers and not many leaves as of yet. If you can keep your mind off of Steelhead and Trout this time of the year a diverse bag will be your reward. The cold night temps are going to get the leaves changing fast so make sure to take advantage of clearer water and feeding fish before you miss out. We have a few open spots for the Smallies and Stripers left and a quickly shrinking window for Largemouth. Pike season seems to go on all year, but the best is right now. Guide Pat Kelly is also in FULL ON Musky mode in case you were interested in chasing these Apex Predators.

Make sure to contact us now if you want to book a guide trip. Take advantage of some great fishing right in town on your own also before water temps drop and the bass get into winter mode.

Seasonal:
Fall fishing in Ohio means change. Being flexible will keep you on fish. We have many streams that have great Smallmouth fishing. This time of the year the fish are starting to school up and push around baitfish. Your summer 5wt or even soft 6wt gets up away and out comes the better bass rod sizes of 7-8wts. Sink-tip lines like the new Rio Big Nasty and SA Titan are your best bet. If you fish the big rivers then a SA Sonar sinking line with a longer head is a better choice especially out of a boat. Most of these fish are targeting dense schools of Shad. Flies like Whitlock’s Deep Shad, Clousers, Half & Halfs, Bottoms-Up, Dungeons, Peanut Envy and Double Barrel Baitfish poppers are great choices for a floating line. While fishing the more productive sink-tips lines we focus on flies like Bang Tails, Modern Deceivers, Murdich Minnow, Gummy Minnows, Zoo Cougars, Wooly Sculpin, Todd’s Wiggle Minnow, Stacked Blondes, and EP Minnows.

Smallmouth Bass will feed heavily for the next couple months but you will need to target different water than where you find them in summer. Look for the deeper water with good flow around large hard structure. Bridge pilings, rip rap banks, large boulder fields, or other rock structure. As long as we stay out of the 40-degree temps at night, fishing will continue to be fantastic.

Pond and Lake fishing also continues to be fantastic as long as the water temps stay in the mid-50s and up. Largemouth will also start to school and cruse feeding on baitfish. Sinking lines like a SA Clear Tip or Rio Big Nasty are great options for these fish. Flies like the Barely Legal, Bang Tail, Todd’s Wiggle minnow, Dungeon, and Boogie Man work great for fishing fast. If fish are not chasing then slow down with the same lines, but change flies to Super Worms, Reapers, Bottoms-Up, and Gulley Worms get the job done. Do not overlook the Bluegill and Crappie bite also. Fish poppers with nymphs or Crappie Specials under them and keep them close to drop offs with structure. As temps cool down swap out the popper for a float and add a dropper to your other sub-surface fly.

Mad River

USGS Gauge- Urbana

USGS Gauge- St. Paris Pike

Mad River Map

***PSA: This time of the year the ODNR stocks small Brown Trout at various bridges along the River. These fish are the future of our fishery and need extreme care when handling. They are easy to catch, but take a beating from the pressure. We advise if you do find yourself catching a couple dull colored fish in the 10” range change locations to another stretch of river far away from the bridges. Fall also means spawning time for Brown Trout. During this time some of the biggest fish in the river are in shallow water on gravel. Out of ethics these fish should be observed, but not pestered with fishing pressure.***

Flows have been a broken record for many months…low and clear. With the cold temps the fish have been more cooperative and prepping for their Fall spawn. Leaves continues to be an issue as the Sycamores and small bushes are dropping. Most of the leaves have not even begun to turn so we are in for a prolonged leaf hatch this year. Combine these with low flows and fishing can be a challenge. Success has come to those who are willing to be diverse in technique and stealthy in approach. With the amount of baitfish in the river this time of the year a lot of fish have been caught on small streamers dead drifted close to structure. Despite the low water some very nice fish have come to those who fish far from the stockers at the bridges and target ideal holding areas with flow.

Forecast:

Looking at the forecast we are not going to get any relief from the low and clear conditions. Make sure to be very stealthy and plan out your approach as you cover water. Caddis and a few very small mayflies will be your main dries. Nymphs will be caddis like Nitro, Core Caddis, Drowned Caddis, Net Builder and the like. Mayfly nymphs will be small Pheasant Tails, Peacock Hares Ear, Spanish Bullets, Purple Hot Spots, and Gray Quill jigs. Cover a lot of water and maybe explore a new section of the river with your “A” trout game and you will be rewarded.

Seasonal:

The past few years we have had prolonged low and clear water in the Fall. We love streamer fishing, but with the low water streamers can be difficult. Nymphing is a better choice during these water conditions for numbers of fish. Euro nymphing is big talk around the shop and industry. There is a little learning curve, but we can get you into the game with the basics. We have the rods, nymphs, leaders, and lines to get you started. Typically jig style nymphs are the flies of choice, but fall nymphing is not just a bug game though. Nymphing Sculpin colored streamers like the Peacock Bugger, Strawberry Blonde, Autumn Splendor, Trick or Treat, Orange Blossom Special, T.B. Jig Bugger, Teds Swimming Hex, and Conehead Muddlers are great choices. Drop a Soft Hackle, Nitro Caddis, or Swing Nymph off the streamer and you are set.

"Made a trip to the Mad River yesterday with modest expectations because of windy conditions that can dump lots of leaves in the river. As expected, the leaves were an issue with half of my drifts catching twigs, branches and leaves. I did however persevere and had a so-so day with several 12" trout landed from deep riffles later in the afternoon. Around 6:00 I decided to head back to the car and tied on a white streamer for my trip downstream. After 30 minutes I had not seen a strike and figured my day was over . As I approached a shallow glide downstream from a large log , I thought I saw a dimple on the surface of the water. I assumed it was a small - medium trout feeding on drifting insects and it occurred to me that a soft hackle fly would be a better choice than my white streamer. I made the change and swung the fly through the area . After several casts I was surprised by a 24" Brightly colored male Brown. Not sure if he would have eaten the streamer or if the surface dimple was a different fish, but it worked out OK. One of my better days on the river."

- Bill Rice- from October 4th

"A picture of a fish taken on a cell phone is just that. Dear friends let tell you i had a $1000 day at the Mad river today. I think because most of the canoe traffic has slowed down considerably. Today i caught ten brown trout that put as much bend in my rod as any smallmouth. My three flies that did the trick were the Adams dry fly, the Henryville special and the bwo. Two years ago when i took the entomology class (with Brian at the shop) i rejected all the flies. One by one a purchased each one of the top 5 flies. I fished them until i caught a trout. I began tying my own flies about one year ago. It seemed overwhelming at first when i priced out the cost of materials for just one or two flies. I just began collecting materials with an allowance i gave myself. I can only say that being able tie and put fresh flies into my flybox is more than worth it. The fish in the picture was caught on a size 14 Adams."

- Jacob Arima from October 3rd

Clearfork River

USGS- Upper Clearfork

USGS- Lower/Mohican State Park

Clearfork Map

***PSA: This time of the year the ODNR stocks small Brown Trout at various locations along the upper river and Rainbow Trout below Pleasant Hill dam in the lower river. These fish are the future of our fishery and need extreme care when handling. They are easy to catch, but take a beating from the pressure. We advise if you do find yourself catching a couple small dull colored Brown Trout in the 10” range change locations to another stretch of river far away from the bridges. The same goes for the lower river Rainbows. If you find yourself catching a couple fish change locations as to spread out your impact on these fish. It is legal to keep the Rainbows, but if we would like to catch fish through late Spring then putting them back is the best bet. Fall also means spawning time for Brown Trout. During this time some of the biggest fish in the river are in shallow water on gravel. Out of ethics these fish should be observed, but not pestered with fishing pressure.***

As usual this time of the year we have had a few more reports and guides out over the past few weeks. Brown Trout fishing in the upper river has been very slim with the very low and clear water. Those that have had success have permission to fish close to the feeder creeks. The public fishing sections have produced a few fish, but mostly late in the day on small nymphs or very small dries. Again, the water is very low so approach has been the most challenging factor in success. Small dries like BWOs, Parachute Adams, Henryville Specials, Elk Hair Caddis, and RS2’s have produced. Nymphs that have provided results are Nitro Caddis, TB Jig Pheasant tails and Hares Ear, Purple Hot spots, Spanish Bullets, Swing Nymphs and Peacock Hares Ear. Reports from the lower river has continued to be a mixed bag of warmwater fish for the most part. Streamers have been the most productive for these fish.

Forecast:

No relief from the low and clear is in sight. There is a slight chance of some rain late next week, but that can change from day to day. Look for a continuation of very small dries late with a few caddis sporadically in the mix. Euro nymphing, very small yarn indicators, or a beetle with a dropper will be your best bet. We will keep you updated if conditions change.

Seasonal:

Like on the Mad the past few years we have had prolonged low and clear water in the Fall. In the lower river Rainbows are easily caught by small streamers, bright egg patterns and nymphs. Once the fishing pressure picks up or we get a few rain events these fish will spread out and get selective. If you are targeting Brown Trout then nymphing is a great choice during low water conditions for numbers of fish. Euro nymphing is big talk around the shop and industry. There is a little learning curve, but we can get you into the game with the basics. We have the rods, nymphs, leaders, and lines to get you started. Typically jig style nymphs are the flies of choice but fall nymphing is not just a bug game though. Nymphing Sculpin colored streamers like the Peacock Bugger, Strawberry Blonde, Autumn Splendor, Trick or Treat, Orange Blossom Special, T.B. Jig Bugger, Teds Swimming Hex, and Conehead Muddlers are great choices. Drop a Soft Hackle, Nitro Caddis, or Swing Nymph off the streamer and you are set. If you do decide to try a small streamer during low water, then you should focus on small white or natural colored flies with a little weight. No need to pack the sink tip and 8wt here. A 4-5wt rod matched with a size 6-12 streamer is all you need for this small creek at this point.

Clear Creek

USGS Gauge

Clear Creek Map

***Rainbows are scheduled to be stocked this fall. Once fish do get stocked these fish are the future of our fishery and need extreme care when handling. They are easy to catch, but take a beating from the pressure. These fish are totally legal to keep, but we always encourage catch and release so we have productive fishing through Spring.***

The creek continues to be low and clear. Success has been diverse along with the species. There are some Brown Trout still around and the cool temps have them more active. There also have been reports of some Smallmouth bass being caught. Most of these bass are small, but we still have a few weeks left before they slow down for the season. We have also seen a few reports of other species being caught. Most have been nymphing, but those fishing small streamers have been catching the most diversity.

Forecast:

We really need some rain. The creek is slightly higher than normal, but is still very low and clear. We had some serious wind this past weekend so expect a few new trees to have found their way into the creek. Cold temps and very little rain is forecasted. Next weekend will give us some of that needed rain, but so far does not look like very much. So as usual for the past few years Fall has been dry so let’s hope this pattern ends soon.

Fall trout fishing in Ohio means prolonged low and clear water. Rainbow Trout are slotted to be stocked starting this year. Rainbows are easily caught by small streamers, bright egg patterns and nymphs. Once the fishing pressure picks up or we get a few rain events these fish will spread out and get selective. Nymphing is a great choice during low water conditions for numbers of fish. Euro nymphing is big talk around the shop and industry. There is a little learning curve, but we can get you into the game with the basics. We have the rods, nymphs, leaders, and lines to get you started. Typically jig style nymphs are the flies of choice, but fall nymphing is not just a bug game though. Nymphing Sculpin colored streamers like the Peacock Bugger, Strawberry Blonde, Autumn Splendor, Trick or Treat, Orange Blossom Special, T.B. Jig Bugger, Teds Swimming Hex, and Conehead Muddlers are great choices. Drop a Soft Hackle, Nitro Caddis, or Swing Nymph off the streamer and you are set. If you do decide to try a small streamer during low water, then you should focus on small white or natural colored flies with a little weight. No need to pack the sink tip and 8wt here. A 4-5wt rod matched with a size 6-12 streamer is all you need for this small creek.

Erie Steelhead

Gauge Links and Maps

MRO Guides have been out scouting and are ready to go when you are!

Click Here for information and pricing on booking a guide trip along "Steelhead Alley"

STEEEEEEEEL!!!! We are a long way away from the run being at full force, but there are some fish around and we are booking guides! With every rain we are getting a few fish pushing into the streams. Now is the time to pull out your gear, make sure your two-handed casting is tuned up, and your fly boxes are filled. Guides have been out scouting the rivers and have been rewarded with fresh fish. The conditions have been very low with clear water. Those that have polished up their casting, refined their rigs, and came prepared to adapt have put fish in the net. These conditions have not been ideal so lets hope for some rain every few days to help with flows.

Forecast:

We did receive a slight bump in flows which will bring in a few more fish. Look for some good fishing in the next few days. Despite this rain the streams will be back to low and clear by mid-week. Technical casting and rigs will provide the most productivity. The next significant rain event is not until next weekend, but anything can happen this time of the year. Focus on the lower rivers and make sure you cover a lot of water. Nymphing rigs with either a small yarn indicator or Hopper/Indy Fly will be a good choice. If you are versed in your two handed game then pull out your Scandi lines using small streamers with intermediate tips or just a packaged leader. This also is a great time to swap out your indicator line on your 10’ rods for a Wulff Ambush or SA Spey Lite Scandi and use a single-had spey approach.

Seasonal:

This time of the year we usually have very low and clear water. Small indicators pastel colored Glo Bugs, Scrabbled Eggs, and Chicken Littles combined with Elk Creek Caddis, Wiggle Stones, and TB Jig Buggers are the name of the game. Drop down to 3x tippet if needed and even have a few Chubby Chernobyl’s or Indicator Flies for “hopper dropper rigs.” If you do find a pod of fish try stripping a Bugger through the pod looking for an aggressive fish. Once temps drop and flows pick up we will be back to usual nymph rigs and bright eggs. Do not over look swinging in the lower rivers also. Scandi heads or Skagits with intermediate tips and small sparse flies will get the job done in the clear water. Once flows raise pull out the denser tips and big flies. If you need any help with any of these setups do not hesitate to shoot us a call! Our guide calendars are filling up fast so make sure to give us a call to lock down your dates!

"Steelheading Made Simple" now available on our YouTube Channel: