* 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
Mad River
The river has been dropping nicely the past few days and looks to be a good weekend ahead. Sounds like it will be a bit chilly….but it shouldn’t affect the fish much. The lower river is still a bit on the high side which only makes for good streamer water anyways. By the time tomorrow rolls around it should be really good.
Some good reports here the past few days. Frequent contributor Jose Olivas got some nice fish on St. Patrick’s Day and our new friend Bryan O’Mally finally got his 1st Mad River trout to the net-
From Jose Olivas- “I’m not Irish but I am Lucky! Best of 4 landed today”
From Bryan O’Malley- “Hooked 3 but landed only this one. Thanks for the help”
As you probably read last week in the updates, we did have confirmed BWOs and Blue Quills as early as last Tuesday. Fish were feeding on them, especially the Quills. Not any confirmed reports since then but with the warmer temps they have surely been hatching sporadically. Might not see much with the cool down this weekend but worth having a Blue Dun dry in size 16 and some BWOs 18-20 just in case.
Otherwise, it will probably be a nymph and streamer game this weekend. The lower river should still be good to great streamer water so have the articulated junk along if you head that direction. For sure you want to have some Hendrickson nymphs along with you and the fish should be focusing on these. A #14 Pheasant Tail or the standard Hendrickson nymph that we sell are must haves for the next few weeks. If that doesn’t do it, try a San Juan Worm or Cranefly Larva…..they always work this time of year.
If the warmer temps come back next week, “Hendrickson Watch” will be back on. If we do see them in the month of March, it will be the 1st time we can remember this happening in about 12-15 years or so. Just like old times!
Let us know how you do out there!
Clearfork River
The Clearfork is in good shape and should fish well this weekend. The upper is right about normal flows and they did drop the lower down this afternoon. It might even be a bit on the low side..
Not too many reports the past few days but would be looking for some dry fly activity up there. Have some midges and some 18-20 BWOs just in case. Otherwise, standard nymphs like Princes and Pheasant Tails 14-16 should be the hot ticket. Still decent enough water for streamer fishing in the upper as well. This stretch of water has been fishing extremely well and surely worth stripping an articulated fly through there and see what happens.
Let us know how you do if you get out……should be good!
Clear Creek
Clear Creek is also looking good for the weekend. Water is back down to fishable levels. Still enough to toss a streamer through the deeper holes and hunt for a larger fish.
Again, have some dry flies along just in case although the temps this weekend might prohibit bugs from hatching….we’ll see. Regardless, have some midges, some BWO types, 18-20 in the event of rising fish. Otherwise, stick with nymphs below an indicator. Pheasant Tails or Hendrickson style nymphs will be the best bet although flies like Copper Johns, Princes and others will work well too. If dead drifting isn’t doing it, try swinging a soft hackle. This is a great tactic down there (and anywhere). Start with green and if that doesn’t do it switch to a yellow or orange.
Get out there and let us know how you do! We need some pics from Clear Creek for the collection! Send us a pic this week from Clear Creek and we’ll send you an MRO Hat! How about that?
Erie Steelhead
Unlike last weekend, this weekend is “game-on”.
The streams are just coming into shape the past two days and all indications point towards a banner weekend for steelhead anglers along the Lake Erie shorelines. Good reports the past few days….mostly from the feeders to the Grand. Here is an e-mail we got from our good friend and customer Dan Dunkley:
Hello all.
I just wanted to let you know how this past Wednesday turned out for us steelheading.
I took my brother and son in law up to our comfortable spot on the Rocky but as expected the water wasn’t cooperating, fortunately I took Ryan’s strong suggestion and headed to a tributary off the Grand that I knew of.
I’m glad we did.
Our best day to date. We landed 19 steelhead between the three of us. It was my son-in-law’s first time and he ended up landing the most of us all-9 total, his first and largest and freshest was 28″.
Because of Ryan and Andy’s encouragement, I got out of my fishing comfort zone and explored and it sure paid off.
Thanks again to all the folks at Mad River Outfitters for all the knowledge, encouragement and time you spend with us. It is greatly appreciated.
To a great spring season.
Dan Dunkley
The Vermilion has come down to fishable levels but it is still really muddy. Might think more along the lines of late tomorrow or Sunday for the V. Might be good swinging water though if you have the 2-hand and some big flashy flies.
The Rocky and Chagrin are looking good and should fish very well this weekend. Conneaut and the Ash are actually perfect right now but will start to get a little low as the weekend progresses. If you hit the Ash and it’s too low, head over to Connie.
The Grand is still too high and muddy but as you have read here and in previous reports, the tribs to the Grand have been pretty good. They have saved the day for quite a few folks this past week.
A variety of techniques have been working. Folks have been swinging and stripping flies as well as dead drifting nymphs and eggs. Hot nymphs have been the Brer Possum, Bloody Marys and Black Stones. With the off colored water we have also had some success on the Steelhead Candy. Bright colored Scrambled Eggs have been hot this week but we might see a trend towards the more neutral colors like Oregon Cheese or the Peachy Cream. Guide Josh McQueen swears by that Peachy Cream version…..better get to them before he does.
We do have guides out all weekend and we’ll check in 1st of the week. Send reports and pics!!!! Always helps.
The streams are just coming into shape the past two days and all indications point towards a banner weekend for steelhead anglers along the Lake Erie shorelines. Good reports the past few days….mostly from the feeders to the Grand. Here is an e-mail we got from our good friend and customer Dan Dunkley:
Hello all.
I just wanted to let you know how this past Wednesday turned out for us steelheading.
I took my brother and son in law up to our comfortable spot on the Rocky but as expected the water wasn’t cooperating, fortunately I took Ryan’s strong suggestion and headed to a tributary off the Grand that I knew of.
I’m glad we did.
Our best day to date. We landed 19 steelhead between the three of us. It was my son-in-law’s first time and he ended up landing the most of us all-9 total, his first and largest and freshest was 28″.
Because of Ryan and Andy’s encouragement, I got out of my fishing comfort zone and explored and it sure paid off.
Thanks again to all the folks at Mad River Outfitters for all the knowledge, encouragement and time you spend with us. It is greatly appreciated.
To a great spring season.
Dan Dunkley
The Vermilion has come down to fishable levels but it is still really muddy. Might think more along the lines of late tomorrow or Sunday for the V. Might be good swinging water though if you have the 2-hand and some big flashy flies.
The Rocky and Chagrin are looking good and should fish very well this weekend. Conneaut and the Ash are actually perfect right now but will start to get a little low as the weekend progresses. If you hit the Ash and it’s too low, head over to Connie.
The Grand is still too high and muddy but as you have read here and in previous reports, the tribs to the Grand have been pretty good. They have saved the day for quite a few folks this past week.
A variety of techniques have been working. Folks have been swinging and stripping flies as well as dead drifting nymphs and eggs. Hot nymphs have been the Brer Possum, Bloody Marys and Black Stones. With the off colored water we have also had some success on the Steelhead Candy. Bright colored Scrambled Eggs have been hot this week but we might see a trend towards the more neutral colors like Oregon Cheese or the Peachy Cream. Guide Josh McQueen swears by that Peachy Cream version…..better get to them before he does.
We do have guides out all weekend and we’ll check in 1st of the week. Send reports and pics!!!! Always helps.
Mad River Outfitters
Fly Shop, Guides, Schools and more!
813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-451-0363