* 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.
Anybody up for some Bahamas Bonefish this Winter?
Join host Pat Kelly at the Andros Island Bonefish Club- “Land of the Giants”
February 17th- 24th, 2018
You get to Andros Island and we’ll do the rest!
Click Here for further details, pricing and photos
Warmwater
Well for the past week or so have really put a damper on the Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass fishing. With the night temps being so low most of the water is in the upper 40’s to mid 50’s. This has really made it tough to have good number days. Fishing during the warmest part of the day in typical Fall holding water will treat you well if you take your time thoroughly covering water. Fish this time of the year are focused on putting on weight before winter comes. Targeting the local streams you will need at least an Intermediate sinking line like the Scientific Anglers Sonar Titan Clear Tip and large Shad color/style flies. We really like the Modern Deceivers, Half and Half, Big Fish Deceiver, and really any Kelly Galloup articulated streamers.
Pond fishing has definitely slowed down as the water is cooling off fast. Fish deep with slow swimming motion flies like the Super Worm, Reaper, and J-Pig for bass. Panfish are still being caught, but most are using an indicator and flies like Clousers, Crappie Specials, or big trout nymphs to get the job done.
Pike fishing continues to be the best we have ever had. Right now we are having a little problem with leaves especially if using the Jet Boats…good thing we have Drift Boats and rafts! We have a couple more months of great Pike fishing, but we can fish all winter as long as the weather treats us well. Make sure to contact the shop to book your dates!
Speaking of Pike, we had the pleasure of spending some time on the water with Ryan Shea who owns Brookdog Fishing Company up in New York. Here is what he had to say on his Blog:
EXPLORING A SLICE OF OHIO
It’s been nearly a year now since I started following Josh McQueen of Mad River Outfitters on social media. I began following him because he was posting pics of some beautiful pike – all caught on the fly. Over time, only looking at those fish on a little screen became too much for me to take. When I found out they were natives and Josh gave me the back story on the fish – I had to experience this place for myself. What an awesome experience!
Small, clear rivers. Tons of timber and over hanging trees. Numerous challenges for the fly caster. My kind of place. It’s a tough watershed to fish even for the best of casters. However, all the risky casts and snags that sometimes follow are well worth it. Missiles shoot out of nowhere, startle the hell out of you, and just destroy your fly. This pattern persists throughout the day. Every down tree, root ball, and impingement presents an opportunity. We caught over 400 inches of fish in 2 days.
Accompanying great fishing was an even better guy. Josh is an awesome guide. He’s passionate about his fishery and his craft. I felt like I’d known him for years within minutes of meeting him. Oh yeah – within minutes of meeting him, I caught a pike over 30 minutes and the action didn’t stop all day. Josh told me that this place fishes well year so I’m already planning on another visit during the winter. Stay tuned!
Thanks Ryan for the kind words and for the shout out on your Blog.
Be sure to check out the Blog HERE
Check out Ryan’s website HERE.
Mad River
Finally a little bump in flows on the Mad has pushed out some of the leaves and moss. The only issue is that there are still leaves on some trees. Unless we get a hard freeze after some rain we will be dealing with the leaves for another week or two. There have been some fish caught, but with the low flows the fishing has been slow. Look for fishing into the weekend to be better because of the slight raise of flows.
Nymphing will be the best option if the water continues to drop. For this we like to fish long rods, indicators, and two flies. We have multiple options for great nymphing sticks. Take a look at the Sage ESN, Redington Hydrogen, and the new Peiroway Renegade 9’6″ 5wt to name a few. The forecast looks good for a few chances of rain. If we do actually get more rain pull out your streamer rod, sink tip line, and big flies. We really like the Rio Streamer Tip, short leader, and articulated streamers fished on our 6-8wts.
Flies to have going into late fall will be nymphs like Double Stones, Cranefly Larva, Guides Choice Hares Ear, Trophy Nymphs, Psycho Prince and your typical trout nymphs like the Prince, Copper John, and Hares Ear. Streamers will be Bottom’s Up, Dungeons, Modern Deceivers, and Bunkers to name a few.
**Public Service Announcement** The ODNR stocked trout during the month of October. Most of the stockings are at the bridges. There are many people who actually get to catch their first trout taking advantage of these stocking. Keep in mind that these fish are the future of the fishery and must be treated with the utmost care. We suggest keeping the pressure off or at least very light on these fish. Make sure to pinch your barbs and handle them delicately keeping them in the water as much as possible.
Clearfork River
Clearfork Map
We have finally gotten a push of water to fire things up in the upper river. Although it is not much look for the fish to start moving. With the chance of rain in the forecast hopefully we will get the water table filled back up keeping good flows in the river. They are letting water out of Pleasant Hill giving the area in the Park a good flush out of the leaves. It is currently high, but as long as it stays under that 1.5′ range it is safe for experienced waders who take care.
Nymphing will be the best option in both sections. For this we like to fish long rods, indicators, and two flies. We have multiple options for great nymphing sticks. Take a look at the Sage ESN, Redington Hydrogen, and the new Peiroway Renegade 9’6″ 5wt to name a few. For streamers we pull out the 6-8wts Rio Streamer Tip and the biggest streamers we can cast on these rods.
Flies to have going into late fall will be nymphs like Double Stones, Cranefly Larva, Guides Choice Hares Ear, Trophy Nymphs, Psycho Prince and your typical trout nymphs like the Prince, Copper John, and Hares Ear. Streamers will be Bottom’s Up, Dungeons, Modern Deceivers, and Bunkers to name a few.
**Public Service Announcement** The ODNR stocked trout during the month of October. Most of the stockings are at the bridges. There are many people who actually get to catch their first trout taking advantage of these stocking. Keep in mind that these fish are the future of the fishery and must be treated with the utmost care. We suggest keeping the pressure off or at least very light on these fish. Make sure to pinch your barbs and handle them delicately keeping them in the water as much as possible.
Nymphing will be the best option in both sections. For this we like to fish long rods, indicators, and two flies. We have multiple options for great nymphing sticks. Take a look at the Sage ESN, Redington Hydrogen, and the new Peiroway Renegade 9’6″ 5wt to name a few. For streamers we pull out the 6-8wts Rio Streamer Tip and the biggest streamers we can cast on these rods.
Flies to have going into late fall will be nymphs like Double Stones, Cranefly Larva, Guides Choice Hares Ear, Trophy Nymphs, Psycho Prince and your typical trout nymphs like the Prince, Copper John, and Hares Ear. Streamers will be Bottom’s Up, Dungeons, Modern Deceivers, and Bunkers to name a few.
**Public Service Announcement** The ODNR stocked trout during the month of October. Most of the stockings are at the bridges. There are many people who actually get to catch their first trout taking advantage of these stocking. Keep in mind that these fish are the future of the fishery and must be treated with the utmost care. We suggest keeping the pressure off or at least very light on these fish. Make sure to pinch your barbs and handle them delicately keeping them in the water as much as possible.
Clear Creek
Clear Creek Map
Clear Creek has not bumped as much as the other streams in the state, but is fishing ok. With the forecast the levels should continue to raise. The leaves are getting really bad so some water would be very helpful. Like the other trout streams in the state nymphing will be the best option unless we get some streamer water. For this we like to fish long rods, indicators, and two flies. We have multiple options for great nymphing sticks. Take a look at the Sage ESN, Redington Hydrogen, and the new Peiroway Renegade 9’6″ 5wt to name a few. For streamers we pull out the 6wts Rio Streamer Tip and streamers like Mini Dungeons, Wooly Sculpins, Buggers, Barely Legals, and Stacked Blonde. Nymphs like Double Stones, Cranefly Larva, Guides Choice Hares Ear, Trophy Nymphs, Psycho Prince and your typical trout nymphs like the Prince, Copper John, and Hares Ears will get the job done.
**Public Service Announcement** The ODNR stocked trout during the month of October. Most of the stockings are at the bridges. There are many people who actually get to catch their first trout taking advantage of these stocking. Keep in mind that these fish are the future of the fishery and must be treated with the utmost care. We suggest keeping the pressure off or at least very light on these fish. Make sure to pinch your barbs and handle them delicately keeping them in the water as much as possible.
Erie Steelhead
Gauge Links and Maps
We are now officially offering Float Trips on several Ohio Tributaries for steelhead. Click Here for details and pricing on booking a guide on Steelhead Alley.
Man are we fielding calls and booking trips for the past few days. Thanks!!! It appears that folks in the region have “Steelhead Fever”. With the new SA Spey Lite, Jerry French Renegade rods, and Scott L2H and T3H rods in the shop everyone has Steelhead on the mind. We are really excited to “Get this going”.
Our partner and steelhead mentor Jerry Darkes always says: “Steelhead season starts once the leaves are down and the water ‘greens-up'”. Looks like we are about there so get ready!!!
We have gotten a push of water and there are fish moving into the tribs. This weekend looks really good especially with the forecasted rain. Indicator fishing with tandem fly rigs bring the numbers to hand. If this is your game then make sure your 10′ 7wt is ready with a reel with good drag and a Rio Trout/Steelhead line. Organize your egg box and make sure to have a good assortment of Wooly Buggers and Chicken Littles. If you are new to steelhead fishing booking a guide will take years off the learning curve. Grab Nagy’s Steelhead Guide book and do a little homework before your trip. It’s pretty much the Bible for Erie Steelheaders.
Flies for Indicator fishing will be Glo Bugs, Scrambled Eggs, Meth, and others. In conjunction with these we like to fish nymphs like Wiggle Stones, Psycho Prince, Formally Known as Prince, and Steelhead Candy. We also fish Wooly Buggers in the place of the nymphs in many situations.
If you like to swing we have a load of new items in the shop. SA Spey Lite lines, new flies, and rods have been keeping us busy. Make sure to give us a call or stop in the shop to help you sort through all of this as it can be overwhelming on your own. If you are looking to swing make sure to have pleny of Senyo’s A.I and Flow Ryder along with the new Sili Leg Intruder for flies.
Looking ahead things will continue to be great as long as we get some rain every few days. We are booking guide trips daily so make sure to contact us soon to get your name on our calendar.
A few shots from a successful float trip last week. Things are starting to happen!
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
