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A day of trout fishing on the Mad River

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By By Brian Plasters, Staff Writer 11:22 PM Friday, June 5, 2009

My quest: I want to catch one fish — any fish — at the Springfield area’s waterways. I’ll be fishing from the bank; no boats for me. So far I’ve caught bluegills at Hosterman Lake and Clark Lake, and crappies at C.J. Brown Reservoir. Now I’m fishing the Mad River, which bisects Champaign and Clark counties from its source north of West Liberty.

Date: Friday, June 5

Temperature: 63 degrees, warming to 70

Wind: N, 6 mph

Sky: Sunny

Start: 9:57 a.m.

Finish: Noon

The Mad River in Champaign County is Ohio’s premier brown trout and fly fishing destination. I’ve never caught a trout or whipped a fly rod, but will that stop me? Heck no. The good people at the Ohio Division of Wildlife tell me you can catch a trout with a Rooster Tail, or even a red worm. I park at the pull-off on U.S. 36 west of Urbana and head south.

9:57: Ever see those guys on TV standing in the middle of a river waving a 9-foot fly rod while wearing chest-high waders and a fancy hat? That ain’t me, babe. I’m wearing rubber hunting boots, a pair of jeans and an old visor. Hillbilly fly fishing, for sure. I am 100 percent sure I have zero idea about what I’m doing.

9:58: I wade in a couple steps — the Mad River is COLD, but my boots are warm. For the next 45 minutes I launch a white Rooster Tail. There’s something very calming about this crystal-clear water. It looks to be only a couple feet deep and moving steady, but not fast.

10:49: I’ve got a huge bird’s nest in my reel. The river is shredding my casting skills. Time to regroup.

11:13: I move 100 yards north of the bridge over 36. It’s a gorgeous day and the water feels good around my feet, so I don’t really mind I haven’t had a single bite.

11:21: I wonder, why is this lure called a Rooster Tail? Should be called Trout Repellent.

11:25: Bird’s nest No. 2.

11:32: I switch to a red worm on a small hook, and immediately see a problem. The river is too swift for bobber fishing, and it ends up bouncing in the middle of the river.

11:54: I wander north, and now I can’t see the bridge. In fact, I can’t even hear the cars. Just me, a couple of ducks, and the river. I keep trying the worm, but still can’t get a bite. I’m OK with that.

Hours fished: 2

Bird’s nests: 2

Fish caught: 0

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