* 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
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
Fishing in the city is still limited to the smaller streams as the Scioto and Olentangy are still off. The fish are eating if you are familiar with the rivers and take along a wading staff. The conventional gear guys are fishing and doing well. The smaller streams have been producing though and the fish are taking flies well. Most of us have been fishing streamers, but make sure to bring your poppers as they have also been producing. With all of the warm weather we have had this spring we are all glad to finally be fishing poppers. Boogle bugs are our go to for poppers so make sure to have plenty as they are going fast!
Other flies to be well stocked with are the Murdich Minnows, Skiddish Smolt, Clousers, Nancy P, Bottoms Up, Dungeons, Peanut Envys, and Tequeely. These streamers will require a 6-8wt pared up with the SA Titan Clear tip and 12-16lb Rio Bass tippet. Stop in the shop or shoot us a call if you want some more information about Smallmouth bass fishing. We have been busy guiding for Smallies so make sure to get your trips planned now. Smallmouth fishing will continue to be great as we get into summer.
Other flies to be well stocked with are the Murdich Minnows, Skiddish Smolt, Clousers, Nancy P, Bottoms Up, Dungeons, Peanut Envys, and Tequeely. These streamers will require a 6-8wt pared up with the SA Titan Clear tip and 12-16lb Rio Bass tippet. Stop in the shop or shoot us a call if you want some more information about Smallmouth bass fishing. We have been busy guiding for Smallies so make sure to get your trips planned now. Smallmouth fishing will continue to be great as we get into summer.
“Few good pics from guide trip with Alex. Smallmouth fishing has been excellent! Popper bite was great all day.”- MRO Guide Pat Kelly
Pond fishing also has been fantastic. Largemouth Bass are out of their post-spawn funk and are looking up for a popper or diving fly. The panfish are finishing up with their spawn and will continue to readily take poppers and dry flies. Largemouth Bass flies are much like Smallmouth flies, but we like to fish flies with more marabou in the still waters. A sink-tip line and flies like a Swimmy Jimmy, Articulated Fathead Minnow, Dirty Hippie, Ted Brook Trout, and the Peanut are the go-to’s. Boogle Bug poppers are always a good choice also.
The BIG news is…….it’s Carp season! Carp fishing has been picking up as they are off the spawn and on the feed. Great time to get out and chase these magnificent gamefish all-over Ohio. Andy has been guiding out of the Fly-n-Carp for a few weeks now and doing well. Reports are starting to pour in from locals doing well. Carp fishing will remain strong throughout the summer but don’t miss the incredible Mulberry action. The “hatch” should be good through the 1st week or so of July.
“In between the low temps, clouds, threatening rain and wind still had a great day on the water a few nice carp where caught “I believe one was Tom’s personal best and Johnny is very new to carpin on the fly”.- MRO Guide Andy Jensen
Sunday, July 2nd at the Muzzy Lakes Club with guide Andy Jensen
9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Register Online HERE
Mad River
The Epic Brown Drake fishing has slowed way down and with the high temps in the coming days what bugs that are left will be well into the night. There are still some small Sulfurs and Light Cahills around in the evenings. The best dry fly fishing on bugs right now will be in the upper river, well above Urbana. Should still see decent numbers of Sulphers and Cahills but the Drakes will be sporadic at best and if they happen at all, it will be well after dark.
If you are looking to get out in the next few days make sure to have a very diverse dry fly box. Terrestrials are the next category to either dust off or add to the box. Earlier in the day most fish will be keying in on midges and caddis and will transition to the beetles, crickets, and ants into the afternoons.
Flies to have will be Griffiths Gnats, Goddard Caddis, Elk Hair, Henryville Special, Ant Acid, Fur Ant, Splitsville Flying Ant, and Dave’s Cricket. We like to drop a small unweighted nymph behind these dries and skate them on the end of the drift. Other than Matt Supinski’s Statute of Liberty technique, Tenkara is the best way to mimic a Caddis on the surface.
Streamer fishing takes a back seat for the summer, but if you just need a fix and the Smallmouth waters are not cooperating then focus on the first and last light times with smaller natural streamers. Also skating a mouse at night can be a lot of fun.
“Fished the middle river on Tuesday hoping to take advantage of sulphur, caddis activity and had decent success with nymphs and soft hackles in riffle areas. In the late afternoon I decided try something different and switched to a Grizzly wooly bugger and hit the banks in medium current areas. I was a bit surprised that the trout had larger items on the menu along with the size 16 insects. I landed two 12-13” Browns and this 20” beauty.”- Bill Rice
Clearfork River
Clearfork Map
The upper river is currently low and clear. There have been some great reports of hatches and fish. Truth is, the Upper Clearfork has probably been the best trout fishing in the state the past week or so. Dry fly fishing in the evenings especially has been fantastic…..Brown Drakes, Light Cahills and Caddis have been the fare.
As the water temps climb though here the Oxygen levels start to fall due to many issues. We try to focus on fishing early mornings or at night in the summer. The hatches have continued to be good with Sulfurs and Light Cahills being the main evening and caddis the morning and mid-day. There also was some great Brown Drake hatches, but they have seemed to slow way down.
The lower river flows are good and the mixed bag of fish has been great. If you are down there camping make sure to bring the poppers, beetles, ants, and small streamers.
The upper river is currently low and clear. There have been some great reports of hatches and fish. Truth is, the Upper Clearfork has probably been the best trout fishing in the state the past week or so. Dry fly fishing in the evenings especially has been fantastic…..Brown Drakes, Light Cahills and Caddis have been the fare.
As the water temps climb though here the Oxygen levels start to fall due to many issues. We try to focus on fishing early mornings or at night in the summer. The hatches have continued to be good with Sulfurs and Light Cahills being the main evening and caddis the morning and mid-day. There also was some great Brown Drake hatches, but they have seemed to slow way down.
The lower river flows are good and the mixed bag of fish has been great. If you are down there camping make sure to bring the poppers, beetles, ants, and small streamers.
Clear Creek
Clear Creek Map
The creek is VERY low currently. The temps are OK, but with the 90’s forecasted look for the water temps to climb quickly. Thick morning midge hatches and then small caddis into the afternoon. Sulfurs, Cahills, and a few Brown Drakes have been hatching, but the fish are keyed in on Midges and Caddis as usual. Dead drifting and swinging a Drowned Caddis, Core Caddis, Sunken Spinners, and Swing Nymphs will produce. Make sure to have a thermometer with you to make sure your not fishing water in the 70 degree range. These warm temps have low Oxygen levels and the fish have a hard time recovering. Keep them in the water and fight them quickly.
Mad River Outfitters
Fly Shop, Guides, Trips, Classes, Schools and more!
813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-451-0363