Spring has finally sprung in Southwest Ohio and the cold blustery days are behind us. With the rising air temperatures, the waters are slowly gaining some heat the fish are venturing out of their deep-water holes. Along with hot temperatures, bugs are consistently available for fish to snatch as well as for angler to mimic. We're sticking with the craws if we're getting into our local bass waters.
Mad River
Conditions: Excellent conditions at Mad River especially in the late afternoon to dusk.
Flies: Stick with the Hendrickson hatch and as the day gets longer. Dark Hendricksons should be your go-to pattern. If you're not having much luck then hang an emerger about 18-20" off of a dry dropper with your dry sticking with the Hendrickson patterns.
Rod Recommendations: 4wt or 5wt, most of our staff is grabbing a 4wt though.
Stillwater River
Conditions: Prime conditions to hit some early bass during spawn. Water is near the low level which makes the Stillwater even more wadable than normal. Stain from the farm runoff typical of the area is effectively gone and the bass are responding to a wider range of flies.
Flies: Baitfish but your best bet is using craws as the bass is really targeting on crayfish on the bottom. Low Water Crays, Schultzy's Cray, Ditch Witch, Full Motion Cray, Cray Cray
Rod Recommendations: 6 or 7wt for most bass but if you're swinging chunky craws or large deer hair poppers you might wanna grab that 8wt stick.
Great Miami River
Conditions: Average to above average conditions. Water is still a little high but you can still get in there and you'll still be able to find some fish which are held out in smaller creeks.
Flies: Craws and Baitfish. Low Water Crays, Schultzy's Cray, Ditch Witch, Full Motion Cray, Cray Cray
Rod Recommendations: 6-8wt depending on the size of your flies.
Little Miami River
Conditions: Very poor fishing conditions. The Little Miami has been extremely slow to drain from the frequent rains in the last couple weeks. Caesar Creek is reluctant to let off too much water because the Ohio River is still bloated from the last couple weeks of rain.
Flies: N/A just skip the LMR this week and check back later.
Rod Recommendations: N/A