* 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.
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.
**The report is running a little late this week due to the fluid change of the weather forecast for this coming week. Although this past week has been fantastic fishing it appears that things are going to change for a few days.
* Special THANKS to those who attended the F3t this past Thursday. It was again a fun night and it looks like we broke the donation record by quite a bit. We are still paying a few bills but should have an announcement within the next few days. Looks like Brian will be doing a Facebook LIVE sometime this week to announce.
The BIG highlight of the night was learning about The Mayfly Project. Founder Jess Westbrook was on hand with his family and came in all the way from Arkansas. He educated the crowd on TMP and what they are doing. This guy is a true Hero and making a positive difference in this world. We were honored to have him there and honored to support this wonderful cause.
Jess got to hang out in the shop for a bit before we headed to the Gateway for the show.
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Sold out show as usual! Thanks again for the support! |
The Mayfly Project founder Jess Westbrook addressing the crowd.
MRO Guide Donnie Knight along with Mike McNeese putting The Mayfly Project in action here in Ohio on Friday
Again, stay tuned for the announcement of the donation amount to The Mayfly Project and also stay tuned for info on how you can get involved.
Mad River
* The Madmen Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be holding their Annual Membership Meeting this coming Saturday, March 18th. Will be held at the Champaign County Library and will last from 9:30- 1:30. Special guest Matt Supinski!!! Matt is the author of some great books like Selectivity and Steelhead Dreams as well as a guide, instructor, lodge owner, chef, scholar….etc. Should be a great time as they also have some great raffles in store as well.
Click Here for more info on the meeting
* Matt will also be joining us here at the shop on May 5th- 7th for a Spring Creek Weekend! He’ll be putting on some classes and clinics both in the shop and on the water. We should have details announced this week. Watch here or Social Media.
The Mad did get a bump of water last week, but it was very short lived. Lots of traffic through the shop heading that way this week. Most reports from our guides and customers were of tough fishing….which is for some reason the case in March. Those that did get out during the prime water conditions were rewarded with a few streamer fish.
The main focus has been nymphing for most though. Many reports of the Little Black/Winter Stones still out in force. As we go into the actual “Winter” weather for the next few days focus on nymphing with our usual weighted flies: Double Stones, Trophy Nymphs, Cranefly Larva, and Guides Choice Hares Ear. Off the hook bend tie on a dark nymph: Steelhead Stone, Pheasant Tail, Copper John, Soft Hackle, Hendrickson Nymph and ZugBug or Prince.
Its going to be cold this week with the beginning of Monday and Friday only being above freezing. In these condition we focus on using Stanleys Ice Off Paist and minimizing the amount of line stipped through the guides. A long nymphing rod: Redington Hydrogen, Sage ESN, or even your light Switch rods will get the job done. Also we leave the yarn style Indicators in the box and focus on Airlocks, and Float Masters as they will still float with a little ice up.
Let us know how you do!
Clearfork River
A few anglers have made it up north to fish for trout, but most are adding a few more minutes to the trip and fishing for steelhead right now. Those that have been fishing the Clear Fork have been rewarded with a few fish though. Much like the Mad the Winter stones have been the fly to match. Here is the rig set up from that report: Double Stones, Trophy Nymphs, Cranefly Larva, and Guides Choice Hares Ear. Off the hook bend tie on a dark nymph: Steelhead Stone, Pheasant Tail, Copper John, Soft Hackle, Hendrickson Nymph and Zug Bug or Prince. Looking into early this coming week focus on the upper river as the lower is just now being dropped to fishable levels…but that can change as the Army Core of Engineers feels the need to let out more water…
Today (Monday) will present a few hours of Streamer conditions on the lower river, but the window will be small. Snow will move in and bring colder conditions forcing us to switch to the tacktics mentioned on the Mad River report. In these condition we focus on using Stanleys Ice Off Paist and minimizing the amount of line stipped through the guides. A long nymphing rod: Redington Hydrogen, Sage ESN, or even your light Switch rods will get the job done. Also we leave the yarn style Indicators in the box and focus on Airlocks, and Float Masters as they will still float with a little ice up.
Clear Creek
The past couple weeks have been hard on this little stream. Water levels high with some in flood stage. This time of the year Clear Creek can be finicky as the water temps fluctuate dramatically. There are fish to be caught, but each day provides its own challenges. There is some rain in the forecast Monday night with cold temps following. If the stream does raise it will take a few days for things to clear out. The small window Monday morning will provide nymphing and streamer conditions. The rigs are the same across the state this time of the year: Double Stones, Trophy Nymphs, Cranefly Larva, and Guides Choice Hares Ear. Off the hook bend tie on a dark nymph: Steelhead Stone, Pheasant Tail, Copper John, Soft Hackle, Hendricson Nymph and ZudBug or Prince. We usually drop down one hook size compared to the Mad. These nymph sizes vary, but the smaller nymphs will need to be #16-18 and midges into the 20’s.
Streamer fishing will be mostly dead drifting traditional patterns: Black Nose Dace, Muddlers, Black Ghost, Buggers, and other small weighted streamers like Autumn Splendors and Clousers.
Streamer fishing will be mostly dead drifting traditional patterns: Black Nose Dace, Muddlers, Black Ghost, Buggers, and other small weighted streamers like Autumn Splendors and Clousers.
Erie Steelhead
Fishing has continued to be the best we have seen in years! If you do not have a guide trip on the Calendar then make sure to call the shop this week as slots are filling fast. Many people have been catching the biggest steelhead of their life and our guides are having a blast!. Eggs Eggs Eggs!!! have been the ticket as usual, but many have been taking advantage of the higher water to catch a fresh fish on the swing! If this is something you are interested in learning make sure to give us a call and we will take the confusion out of the Two-Handed game.
It is still winter and this week will be a big reality check up north. The forecast as of now looks like a lot of snow and sub freezing temps. This will make it tough dealing with ice in the guides and possible slush. There are plenty of fish to be caught if you are willing to deal with the conditions. Make sure to have your Capilene, Cold Weather pants/ Nano Puff pants, Exstream gloves, Stormy Kromers, and wool Buffs.
Indicators will be the ticket with a double fly rigs. Focus on either double eggs in contrasting colors or a bugger egg dropper. Ice in the guides will be the biggest challenge this week so use the Stanleys Ice off Paste and your 10 footers or switch rods. Swinging can be done, but one tug will be a good day. If you prefer to swing select flies that have a big silhouette as these fish will not be moving far for the fly. The Flow Rider is a good choice, but Senyo’s AI always gets attention. Swing slow and deep covering lots of water and you should at least get a tug. Take a look at the Spey and Switch page for setups or give us a call.
Good friend and great customer Mike Gray on a guide trip last week.
“Awesome day in steelhead alley. Thanks guys at MRO for the advice”.- Ryan Fisher
MRO guide Patrick Campbell sent us this gorgeous shot from the Rocky last week. Swinging flies has been pretty productive with the warmer temps we WERE having.
Here’s a little commercial we put together. Ohio’s “Steelheadquarters”.
Interested in a guide trip this coming Spring 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