According to Google Maps, Urbana is about 2hr 45min from where I live, so if I'm going to head that-way, I figured I'd check on here to see if you folks had some suggestions on what parts of the Mad River to hit up.  We do have waders now, so if there are shallow fast bits, we're good to do those.  

 

ODNR has a map, which is why I knew to look around Urbana, but I have 0 knowledge of the bits it talks about.

 

https://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/Portals/wildlife/Maps/Rivers & Streams Maps/madriver.pdf

 

Any insight/assistance you folks can provide would be greatly appreciated.

I think from Springfield to Urbana is your best shot for trout in the mad river. I haven't fished it but read reports on local forums about it. Powerbait trout dough works pretty good from what I hear. 

2 minutes ago, Arobb2012 said:

I think from Springfield to Urbana is your best shot for trout in the mad river. I haven't fished it but read reports on local forums about it. Powerbait trout dough works pretty good from what I hear. 

 

That's good to know - I picked some up a few weeks ago, the green kind.  What size hook?  Like a #3 or so?

 

 

#3 seems giant to me.  I use #8 to #12 for trout that often surpass the DD mark.  Raven tackle makes a good hook.

29 minutes ago, J Francho said:

#3 seems giant to me.  I use #8 to #12 for trout that often surpass the DD mark.  Raven tackle makes a good hook.

 

I've got the floating green powerbait dough stuff - a couple #8-#12 hooks, anything else you suggest?  It's been raining so I anticipate the water to be fast.  Get some flourocarbon line too.  6lb test sound right?

Powerbait dough works well.  If the flow is crazy, you might want to look up float rigs, but my bet is bottom bouncing will be fine.  One tip, I put split shot into parachute cord, with the core removed and the ends sealed with a lighter to make a slinky weight.  I use one of those 3-way snaps to attach the weight to the line around 18" above the hook.  It's mush less apt to hang up.  Yes to the fluoro leader - I use 4-10#, depending on the situation, but 6# is most usual.

 

Here's a link to the float rigs: http://raventackle.com/shotting_patterns.php

 

Here's the gist of the bottom rig:

I driver over the mad daily on my way to work and it's pretty high in the dayton area so you might want to give it a few days for the water level to drop a bit. I definitely wouldn't try wading it right now.

38 minutes ago, Arobb2012 said:

I driver over the mad daily on my way to work and it's pretty high in the dayton area so you might want to give it a few days for the water level to drop a bit. I definitely wouldn't try wading it right now.

 

We're looking to hit it up on either Friday or one of the weekend days - think that'd be enough time to let it settle a bit?

It's been all rain. And gonna be cold again tomorrow. Monday looks best. In the low to mid 50s. 

Just now, Yeajray231 said:

It's been all rain. And gonna be cold again tomorrow. Monday looks best. In the low to mid 50s. 

That's a bummer - I work Monday through Thursday.

High water - go upstream.

Looks like we'll be hitting up Clear Creek Metro Park instead tomorrow.  Only about an hour and a half away.

I live just outside of Marietta

 

I have property in WV if you want to do some trout fishing this spring let me know