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ohio trout fishing

Fishing Reports- 5/2/17

* 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.

Spring Creek/Selectivity Weekend

May 5th- 7th




Noted author, angler, lecturer, guide, historian, lodge owner, master chef…this guy does it all. We are thrilled to have Matt as a guest here at the shop for this very special “Spring Creek” weekend. Matt is probably the world’s foremost authority on Spring Creek angling. His latest book, “Selectivity” is one of the best books ever written on the subject. He will be with us to help all of us to become better and more technical anglers.










Friday, May 5th- 6-9 p.m.- Special Presentation: Selectivity


Join us in the shop for a great presentation and some beer and pizza. Matt will blow your mind with the information in this program and you will come away a better trout angler. We will also be running a special price on his “Selectivity” book and a great chance to get it signed by the author himself. Tickets to this event are only $10.00. Pizza and beer starts at 6:00 and the program should start right around 7:00.


Register Online HERE




Saturday, May 6th- 8 a.m.- Noon- Fly Tying Session: Favorite Spring Creek Patterns


Matt is an epic fly tyer and instructor. This class will cover some of his favorite patterns for finicky trout. Bring your vise and tools and we’ll do the rest. Class is limited to 6 and the cost will be $50.00.


Register Online HERE






Saturday, May 6th- 3 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.- On-Water Spring Creek/Selectivity Clinic


This class will be half-classroom learning and half on the water experience. It will be held at the legendary Zanesfield Rod and Gun Club so you will get to practice over some of the finest trout fishing in Ohio. Again, Matt will blow your mind with intermediate and advanced concepts and techniques that will make you a much better trout angler. Sample topic outline listed below. A unique opportunity here to fish this club for the “evening hatch” as we would expect the insect activity to be at a peak and offer a great chance for picky fish on dries. We will be grilling some burgers and dogs and take a break from 6:30 -7:00. This class is limited to 10 anglers and the cost will be $125.00. 


Register Online HERE




Sunday, May 7th- 9 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.- On-Water Spring Creek/Selectivity Clinic


Can’t make it Satruday? We’ll do it again on Sunday.


This class will be half-classroom learning and half on the water experience. It will be held at the legendary Zanesfield Rod and Gun Club so you will get to practice over some of the finest trout fishing in Ohio. Again, Matt will blow your mind with intermediate and advanced concepts and techniques that will make you a much better trout angler. Sample topic outline listed below. Should be a great chance to witness first-hand some terrestrial fishing which Matt is very fond of. Lunch will be provided from 12-12:30. This class is limited to 10 anglers and the cost will be $125.00. 


Register Online HERE



Warm Water

The rivers are currently high making for the pond fishing to be the best choice.  This cold front setting in for the next few days will have the fish a little sluggish and moved out of the shallow water to suspend over near shore drops and bay mouths.   

Before the rain and high water currently we have been continuing to have great Smallmouth fishing.  The fish are currently in spawn mode.  Earlier last week Ryan checked on the Scioto and found many bass on beds in the riffles.  Make sure to take a good look before heading right into a riffle to cross the stream.  Ryan found himself having to carefully walk around beds making sure to not further disturb these fish.  We suggest crossing just below these riffles.  

Many of the local ponds also have been fishing very well.  The Largemouth Bass are very close to spawning also.  This time right before they spawn can be some of the best fishing of the year.  We do not advise disturbing fish when they are on the spawning bed, but there are still plenty of fish to be caught before they transition to these areas.  

Fishing streamers is always a top producer.  Dirty Hippies, Boogie Man, and Bottoms Up are the guides Go-To, but do not overlook the Ehlers J-Pig, Foam Tail Superworm, and Grim Reaper.  While these flies are also great river Smallmouth flies we usually focus on Half and Halfs, Little Swimmers, Modern Deceivers, and Clousers.  Make sure to line up your 6-8wts with a Sonar Titan Clear Tip for a sinking line or SA MPX and Rio Smallmouth line for a floater.  Stock up on the Rio Bass or SA Hard Mono Leaders and tippet.  



Josh continues to put clients on the Hybrid Striper game.  The rain has messed things up for a few days, but we will keep you up to date as conditions change.  This fishing only lasts a short period so make sure to get a trip on the books while it lasts! 




Mad River



Many people have come into the shop sharing frustrations with the muddy water.  Individuals looking to have some streamer action over the weekend were greeted with poor conditions due to runoff.  Many of the local farmers have or were in the process of planting crops.  With the heavy rain and the loose freshly planted fields caused the water clarity degrade worse than usual.  Look for a small streamer window to happen Wednesday and then quickly close with the predicted weather later in the week.  We will keep you posted as things change.  


Take a look at our past Social Media posts to see some on stream videos and photos.  We are looking forward to some of the best Dry Fly fishing we have seen in years!  


As far as the bugs go, the big news is that we DID have Sulphers as of last Tuesday. They didn’t come off super strong, but they came off. We did also see some March Browns and some LIght Cahills as well. It is pretty likely that the Hendrickson hatch is mostly over except for the upper reaches of the stream. Hopefully we’ll know a bit more once the water clears and we get back to dry fly fishing. One thing is for sure is that we have quickly moved into the “Evening Game”.


If you can make it out midweek focus on streamers and nymphs to make the most of this small window.  Streamers consists of the usual Barely Legals, Articulated Monkeys, Dungeons, Bottoms Up, Silk Kitty, Boogie Man, and others.  Smaller streamers also get the job done: Cougars, Dirty Hippies, Wooly Sculpins, Near Nuff Sculpin, and other traditional streamers.


While nymphing make sure to have plenty Pheasant Tails, Hares Ear, Copper Johns, and Prince Nymphs to fill in the gaps.  Your main nymphs will be Brown Drake Nymphs, big Hares Ear, Guides Choice Hares Ear, and San Juans though.  


Dry fly fishing will be limited here for a few, but this time of the year you never want to travel without your dry fly rod and flies.  3-5wts with a Wulff Triangle Taper, Rio Suppleflex Leaders and a good mix of size 12-18 Rusty Spinners in various sizes, Parachute Adams, Thorax/Traditional style Adams, Red Quill, Quill Gordon, and Irrisistibles.  With the cloudy and rainy forecast on Thursday  make sure to have some Blue Wing Olives and Sulphers in your box also (Sulphers will go all day in overcast/drizzly conditions as well).  In the next coming weeks stock up on Light Cahill, Sulfurs, March Browns, and Caddis. 




Clearfork River

Clearfork Map

With the past rain the upper and lower river are high and muddy.  Only those who know the river and have the proper access to float the upper will have good streamer action.  This window is going to be very small looking at the forecast.  They are currently letting water out of the dam at a high level creating unsafe wading conditions.  Look for this to continue into the weekend.  


If you are in this area focus on some of the ponds for bass and panfish.  There is a cold front setting in that will push these fish off the shallow water to suspend over near shore drops and bay mouths. 


Clear Creek

Clear Creek Map



Look for the high water to continue into the weekend.  It is highly unlikely that there will be a fishable window through the rest of the week, but we will keep you updated if things change.  


Erie Steelhead



There are posts of a few fish being caught here and there, but they are few and far between. Our guides have moved on to other species to focus on till this fall. Not to say that you couldn’t still find a few steelhead around, but professionally speaking, we’re calling it a season for now.

The Smallmouth fishing has been fantastic in the Tribs.  If you want to focus on these fish look at the lower few miles of the rivers.  Stripping big streamers is our go to tactic.  Streamers like Kelly Galloups Dungeons, Monkeys, Peanuts, Totally Articulated, Fat Head Minnows and Deceivers.  Load up your 6-8wt, Scientific Anglers Titan Sonar Clear Tip, heavy tippet and have fun!  



Mad River Outfitters
Fly Shop, Guides, Trips, Classes, Schools and more!

813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-451-0363

Fishing Reports- 6/3/16

* 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
Warmwater

Friends- we are looking for any and all reports on warm-water fishing here in the state or region. With the fantastic warmwater fisheries that we have here, it would be crazy not to add something here from time-to-time.

We obviously can’t keep up with standard reports for all waterways so we are asking you folks to send us reports and pics! We would appreciate it and we know that are readers will as well.

Send pics and reports to [email protected]. If you include your address, we’ll be sure to send you out one of the MRO “Fly Fish Ohio” stickers so you can show your Ohio pride.


* Big news is that Carp season around here is really picking up! The Cottonwood Seeds are flying and that always marks the un-official start. Also getting some reports as you will read that the Mulberries are starting to ripen.


Dan Dunkley sent us this report and pic:


“Hello Guys. Went out tonight chasing carp for the first time this season. Several feeding on floating cottonwood seeds. This one took on top on a “seed” pattern that I tied up. At least all that cottonwood flying around is good for something.  Have a great spring season- Dan”


***Interested in learning more about Carp fishing with a fly- Why not join Andy Jensen for Carp School– coming up on Saturday, June 25th. Held at the Muzzy Lakes “Carp Sanctuary” and the Mulberries should be ON!

* We have been hearing really good reports of smalllmouth and warmwater fishing on the Scioto, Olentangy and both Darby creeks locally. Most fish eating baitfish imitations but the “Boogle” fishing heating up as well. 

Rob Compher sent us this great and varied report with pics:

“Some pics from this past weekends kayak trip to Paint Creek and Lake Katherine. The white and chartreuse gurgler is still my go to fly for big bull gills. It just continues to produce for me. And I have still been getting into the crappie in the Paint Creek area using minnow patterns and while dumbell eyed Wooly Buggers fished deep. Also those nice purple berries are starting to show up so it’s time to get those carp rods out and catch some rubber lips! Thanks- Rob”

* Memorial Day “Pike Camp” was….well…..interesting. Let’s just say you’d better ask Brian or Pat how it went. Regardless, you will be hearing about it soon as we HAVE decided to put it on the schedule later in the Summer.

Guide Pat Kelly at “Pike Camp”

* Lots of reports of decent to HUGE Cicada hatches as well the past week or so. They seem to be concentrated in the Southeastern part of the state but the boys up at Pike Camp last weekend had them as well up near Dover. Tons of carp and smallmouth eating them. No reports on the Mad, Clearfork or Clear Creek yet.

* Have folks headed out to the AEP Recreation lands this weekend armed with Cicada flies looking for Bass and Bluegill. We’ll let you know how they do and hopefully get some pics!!!

* Good friend and great customer Mark Coldiron sent us this note a few days ago:

“A big shout out to, Ryan Ratliff and Mad River Outfitters.!!!  Ryan set me up with my first new Fly Rod and Reel… And within 3 hours of buying it, I landed my first fish.!!  I truly appreciate the great customer service I receive at MRO… Best Fly shop around….Thanks again.!!”

Thanks for the kind words Mark! Glad to have you as a customer and always happy to help!



Mad River

Mad River Map

Brown Drakes spotted TODAY!!!! Next week or so the best dry fly fishing of the season!


6-4-16– Weekend Update-


“Here’s a hanger on from the car this evening. The fish weren’t really keying in on the duns and spinners yet this evening. Probably take a day or two. Did well on the #18 quill Adams again. Looking forward to the next couple of days!- Ed Muldoon”

6-3-16- Pretty much the same report as last weekend with two exceptions…..The water is lower and Brown Drakes are ON!!!


Just had the 1st confirmed sightings this afternoon. Not sure whether we will get a spinner fall tonight or not. Should be plenty of folks out the next few days looking for the monster bugs so we’ll try to update. If the spinner fall doesn’t happen for you though, no worries as there will be caddis, Light Cahills and #18 Sulphers to choose from!


If you get to the river and don’t see risers or bug activity, for sure have some Brown Drake nymphs to bounce along the bottom. Want to better your chances? Hang a #14 or #16 Green Soft Hackle off the BDN and you’ll slay fish!!!


Keep in mind that the Drake hatch usually lasts under a week or so. Better get out there and get a hall pass to come home late!


Here’s a few reports from this week-


Ed Muldoon sent us this report and pic:


“It’d be nice to get some rain and get a good bump in flows, yeah? Took this large fella from below 36, size 18 quill Adams of all things. Sporadic sulphurs, handful of large ones but mostly #18s, many caddis, been swinging caddis larva deep and doing moderately well. Have yet to see the sulphur spinners.  Large fish have been sipping starting around 6:30 but it’s a tough time – I’m at my max length on a 14” leader, everything is glassy, low, and slowwww.  Drakes soon. Talk to you soon. Ed Muldoon”


Ed was in the shop the other day and also shared this pic:

He had hooked this fish on the Sulpher dry…and the knot slipped on him. Lost the fish. Two days later he came through again fishing the nymph (famous Brer Possum), and hooked the same fish, this time landing him. Congrats Ed on getting your Sulpher back. Check those knots!

Jon Horn, COFF President, sent us this report:


“Hope everyone had a good weekend!  A few quick trout reports to share:

UCF: fished great on Saturday during the morning and afternoon.  Fish looking up for caddis, cahills, and a few leftover spinners.  Dry fly fishing has been good up there the last couple of weeks (especially early and late with plenty of caddis and a smattering of spinners). A couple of stretches have been downright excellent on top.  Sunday was blown out.

LCF: low water Saturday put the fish in low gear, despite a monster spinner fall between storms that evening/night.  Sunday fishing was much better (water came up to slightly better levels), with a mild sulphur spinner fall and A LOT of sz 18 tan/brown caddis out in the evening.  Some fish looking up, but most were eating subsurface.  Caught a holdover fish in the middle of the park (14” – only holdover so far this year).   Not much bass activity for me.

Mad:  Friday night the sulphurs were good, not great near 55.   No drakes by 10:45pm.

Whew!  Must be May!

(now, it’s cicada time!)

Jon Horn”


Ann Heuerman wrote in last weekend:


“Went up to the mad last week and caught six  browns between me and my three friends. Caught mine on a copper john and although it wasn’t big, it was still my personal best for the mad. Once the sun started going down, others caught them on sulfers and rusty spinners. Sincerely, Ann Heuerman”


Way to go Ann!


Get out there and enjoy the weekend and let us know how you do! 

Clearfork River

Just like the Mad, pretty much the same report as last weekend. A big ol’ crazy mix of bugs!!! Low water, but fishing has been good to excellent. Mostly evening fishing but some activity during the day and we have been getting a few reports of decent morning fishing as well. 

No Drakes yet but should be any moment now…..especially with sightings on the Mad today. Keep your eyes out for them and let us know if you see them. Most likely on the Upper with Light Cahills and Caddis being the main fare on the Lower.

Along with the mix of mayflies and caddisflies though, it’s time to start thinking terrestrials up here as well. Don’t leave home without ants and beetles in particular.

Frequent contributor and good friend Mike Letizia wrote in this week:

“Steve and I fished the UCF last evening. A few Cahills, some midges, small mayflies and Caddis seen. Steve got 7 on top, two real nice fish and had a good one break him off. I got 4.”

Josh Trammel sent us this note on Wednesday:

“Fished the lower Clearfork last Saturday evening for about 5 hours and landed around 25 browns with several decent fish brought to hand! A small olive nymph under a caddis dry was the ticket. Thanks a bunch!- Josh”

Glad to see a great report from the lower. Caddis all the way down there although should be seeing good to Epic Light Cahill hatches in the evenings.

Get out there and enjoy the weekend and let us know how you do! 

Clear Creek
Again, pretty much the same report as last weekend with the water even a touch lower. Low and clear to say the least. There have been plenty of bugs though and the dry fly fishing has been good to excellent. Mostly early or late with the best fishing coming right before dark.
Most activity has been on caddis and midges, as you read last week. Also don’t forget your soft hackles. A few decent fish taken this week on them but that’s not news…..
You may need to go longer and lighter on your leaders with these flows and the clarity. A gorgeous time to be in the park down there!
Let us know how you do this weekend!
Erie Steelhead
Low and Clear water throughout the region but still plenty of Lake Run smallies to be had!

Heard of some ginormous fish being caught this week!!! The popper fishing in particular has really picked up. They are smashing Boogle Bullets and Poppers!

Didn’t get guides out as we promised last weekend as the clients opted for Pike fishing instead but hoping to get some pics for our next report.

Should be a great weekend for smallmouth fishing around the state but of course we LOVE the Erie tribs when the lake fish are in!

Send a report and photo….get a sticker. Make sure to include your address to send to.


Check back tomorrow afternoon for an update.


Mad River Outfitters
Fly Shop, Guides, Schools and more!

813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-451-0363

Fishing Reports- 5/13/16

* 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 Mad is a bit high and cloudy today but should be coming into great shape for weekend fishing. The upper river could be good to excellent dry fly fishing and the lower river prime for streamers. 


The Big news this week is that we have seen Sulphers in very good numbers and fish responding to say the least. This is the early, #14-16 ephemerella invaria which at this time of year is almost a greenish color. Actually a Blue Winged Olive pattern in #14 or 16 works better than a traditional Sulpher. We probably won’t see the #16-18 dorothea for another week or so but you never know…..especially this year. Please keep in mind that these bugs hatch almost exclusively in the evening, like 8 p.m. on. We have seen a few in the afternoons this week but with the temps we are getting it will pretty much be an evening hatch from here on out. Also keep in mind that if you get a cooler, overcast day, you can see them hatch all day! Look for the spinners in the evenings as well mixed in with the hatch.


(Did also get a few reports of some straggling Hendricksons in the upper river but they are most likely on the wane.)


Caddis have been strong and prolific in the late afternoons and also some good reports of strong March Brown hatches in the late afternoons. These could be strong here for 2-3 weeks right along with the Sulphers. Also a few reports of Light Cahills showing up as well. Great time of year to be a dry fly fisherman!!!


Pick your technique this weekend and go for it. If nymph fishing, have some #16 Pheasant Tails for the Sulphers, Swink’s Clinger Nymph for the March Browns and Cahills #14-16 Green Caddis Larva and for sure have some Brown Drake Nymphs which will be a HOT ticket during May in anticipation of this monster hatch in early June. 



Regular and friend Don Gregory on a float trip yesterday with Pat Kelly. Could be a great weekend for streamer fishing in the lower river!

Reports from this week:

Jeff Kreager from Monday:

“FYI,  Last night’s hatch was pretty awesome.  Photo included.”

Mike Letizia also from Monday:

“Light Sulphur hatch and a few Cahills yesterday midday at Rt 36. Also some14- 16 ovipositors. Low and clear, got a few on small mayfly emergers and duns.”

Daniel Church from Sunday:

“Went out today for a couple hours in the later afternoon. Got really surprised by this catch! Upper river, Elk Hair Caddis.”

A bunch of rainbows have been caught recently. They love dry flies!

Jerry Rodgers from Thursday:

“Fished north and south of Pimtown Rd this morn.(9 AM- 2 Pm)…Still Hendricksons about also some lighter pale yellow mayflies -n- seen a couple larger brown mayflies……The trout were very cooperative and really liked  a 14 Adams variation that I tie caught 5 and missed 3…. Largest was a fat 14″ the rest were between 9″ -12″.”

Thanks as always friends for the reports. We are now approaching 1,000 people per day that are reading this Blog and we all appreciate the feedback. Keep the reports and pics coming!!!!!

Clearfork River

The Upper Clearfork is a bit high and off color right now but should be coming down to very fishable levels for the weekend. It is prime streamer water today and should be tomorrow as well. As the weekend rolls on we should be looking at good nymphing and possibly excellent dry fly fishing.

Should be a mixed bag of bugs. Although we have not made eye contact with any Sulphers yet, they should be on the water at any moment. Same with March Browns. We have heard of a ton of caddis in the late afternoons and evenings. Don’t leave home without caddis both dry and wet. #14-16 Green Soft Hackles are also a must to imitate the pupa which the fish have been feeding on.

The lower stretch is a bit up but fishable as we speak. As of right now we would predict that they would keep it at a fishable level but hard to guarantee. We’ll watch it over the weekend and do an update if things change. The anglers we have spoken to this week that have fished down there were doing very well on dries and smaller nymphs. Should also be a mixed bag of Caddis, Sulphers, March Browns and may start to see a few Cahills as well. Late afternoons and evenings will be best and don’t be afraid to stay until dark and hunt for spinners!

Sean Clancy from Indiana sent us this report this week:

“We went down to the Clear Fork for the first time ever. The water clarity was fair, water temp was 55 degrees and air temp 67 degrees. Appears wadeable to us Clear Fork rookies. We saw caddis and possibly sulphers in the air. No evidence of feeding or insect acction on the surface for the 4 hours fished. Had many short strikes and rolls on streamers. I caught a small brown on a Green Nosed Dace…no picture with the prompt release. Other popular streamers for the fish to swing and miss on were Dirty Hippies and Mini Double Bunnies. Was had a great day trout fishing Ohio. Thanks!”

Thanks for the report Sean. Your MRO “Fly Fish Ohio” sticker is on the way!

Thanks as always friends for the reports. We are now approaching 1,000 people per day that are reading this Blog and we all appreciate the feedback. Keep the reports and pics coming!!!!!

Clear Creek
Clear Creek did come up with some of the storms that moved through last night. It is pretty dirty right now. It  may fish tomorrow but probably safer to bet on Sunday. If you go tomorrow, it will probably be a streamer game and be careful wading. We’ll keep our eyes on things and do an update here as we know.
Elliot Cantwell sent us this report from yesterday:
“I fished today from 11-6. Sulphers, flying ants, midges, small caddis and one March Brown. Fished mainly the midgesmid-day but fishing a size 14 mayfly as an indicator did bring a few fish to net. Most though were taken on the usual Hare’s Ear nymph. Will be out tomorrow. Fingers crossed for a good Sulpher hatch. Water clarity improved greatly today.”
Sulphers should be strong on the Clear Creek for a few weeks. Fish the evenings!!!
Thanks as always friends for the reports. We are now approaching 1,000 people per day that are reading this Blog and we all appreciate the feedback. Keep the reports and pics coming!!!!!
Erie Steelhead
Rains last night West and into Cleveland brought the Vermilion, Rocky and Chagrin up. The Grand, Ashtabula and Conneaut are all looking good though and should fish well this weekend.

Quite a few reports from anglers up that way this week and it’s all Bronze….hardly any chrome at all. We did get a few pics of steelhead from folks but they weren’t “Post Worthy”. Pretty ugly.

We do believe that it’s safe to say that steelhead season is over and smallmouth season is on! Should be good to excellent smallmouth fishing for at least a month or more here. Anybody interested in getting up there, let us know! We have gudes available who are as or more excited about smallmouth than steelhead.

We’ll keep updating periodically and posting some pics of bronze, but probably seen the last of the “pink pics” for the season.

From the past week of guide trips:



Mad River Outfitters
Fly Shop, Guides, Schools and more!

813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-451-0363