President's Message
As you may recall, in last June’s newsletter I was pretty upbeat regarding the possibility of things returning to “normal.” With the distribution of the various vaccines, the pandemic was seemingly becoming manageable; businesses were beginning to open up and people were going out to restaurants and meeting up with their friends and families again. We scheduled a stream water quality monitoring session and a big cleanup event in mid-July. We were even discussing the possibility of starting our quarterly Chapter meetings back up again.
Well things have changed a bit in the past couple of months. With the advent of the Delta variant (and others), coronavirus cases have begun to ramp up in pretty much every part of the country. Although I still go out to stores when I need to, I personally have started wearing a mask out in public again. And I still have been meeting up with fully-vaccinated friends and family members on a more normal basis, but still not as often as I would like.
At this point, we are not going to resume our quarterly meetings and we are leaving whether or not to schedule other activities such as trail-clearing, group outings, stream water quality monitoring, habitat improvement, etc., up to the discretion of the various program leaders and coordinators.
All that being said, we did have our first stream water quality monitoring session on July 10th. (The first session scheduled for May was cancelled due to high water.) It had been a while since the last one back in 2019 and we were anxious about what we might find. Look for the article later in the newsletter for the detailed results.
Conservation Leader, Tom Allen, and Stream Project Leaders, Dave Dailey and Mike Palatas, have held a few trail-clearing and honeysuckle removal projects this summer and those types of activities will probably continue as they are obviously outside and it’s fairly easy to maintain social distancing. Read all about these efforts in the Conservation Corner of the newsletter. We are always seeking volunteers, so if you’re comfortable doing that type of work, please contact Tom to volunteer your services.
In conjunction with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Ohio Women on the Fly, and Champaign County Farmland Preservation, we held a big cleanup event on July 18th. There was a great turnout — volunteers of all ages, many trash bags, and numerous pick-up trucks. We were able to clean up every access point along the river from just north of West Liberty Park all the way down to Eagle City. A dumpster located at US 36 was filled with all manner of trash by noon. At that time, many of the volunteers met up at the Mad River Farm Market Pub & Grille for food and libations. A longer article from the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers website is included later in the newsletter.
Of course, our other cleanup efforts are ongoing. We encourage everyone who spends a day on the Mad to take a few trash bags along and clean up their access point(s) before they leave. Also, if you see a location where someone has decided to dump all of the stuff that they’ve cleaned out of their garage, please contact any of your Madmen Board members and we will work with local officials to take care of the problem. If you’re willing to adopt one or more of these access points, please contact Tom Allen.
Regarding the current water levels, even with the recent rains, the levels are low. They are actually right at the traditional median level which is normally low at this time of year. If you go out, be sure to check the USGS Real-Time Water Data first and take a stream thermometer if you have one. If the water temperature gets up to the high 60’s, maybe give the fish a break and wait until the temperature goes down and the water levels go up. It may sound like blasphemy to some, but now’s a really good time to test your fishing skills out in the numerous warm water fisheries throughout the area.
Tight lines everybody!
Rick
|
|
|
It was a cloudy overcast day on July 10th; a perfect day for monitoring. Thirteen adults and two youngsters from The Central Ohio Mayfly Project were in attendance. Air temperature was in the 70s and water temperature was 61F at all 6 sites (US 36, 29/296, Watson’s, Pimtown, Mac-o-chee Creek, and West Liberty Lion's Park).
Things got off to a slow start with skimpy findings at US 36 (a few Hydropsychid caddis and Baetid mayflies; score of 26*). At 29/296, the score was as low as we ever recorded there (20). At the Watson Property, we found several case-caddis (more at this location than any other that we monitor). We also found several finger-nail sized mussels at the site. At Pimtown we found several damselflies. The score at Watson was 30 and 27 at Pimtown.
Moving on to Mac-o-chee Creek, we ran into lots of Hydropsychid caddis larvae and the scores improved (28). Hopefully this means the Mac is coming back from the trauma caused by the beavers a few years back. The excitement came at West Liberty Lion’s Park. Mike Palatas found a stonefly! It was keyed to the family Perlidae, Genus Perlesta, or Golden Stone. Determination of the species from morphological characters of this genus is difficult, but the best guess would be Perlesta adena (see ohiostoneflies.org). There was lots going on at West Liberty Park. Many fingernet caddis larvae, which were pupating and emerging as we were collecting. The adults are little black caddis (size 16). Kevin Ramsey nailed it when he said they were in the Family Philopotamidae. They keyed out to be Chimarra aterrima (see ohioaquaticmacroinvertabrates.org, click on “Caddisflies” on left panel). There was an abundance of other aquatic macroinvertabrates. The final score for West Liberty Park was 35.
Ask yourself, what does this mean when many people search 5 hours at 6 locations (multiple samplings per location) and come up with one stonefly? In case you think we just had an off day, here are our records of finding stoneflies on the Mad and its tributaries over the last 10 years:
- July 10, 2021-- 1 Perlesta stonefly at West Liberty Park
- May 5, 2018 --2 small Leucridae at Mac-o-chee Creek, and two Perlids at West Liberty Park
- June 17, 2017-- 2 Leuctidae at Mac-o-chee Creek
- June 24, 2012 --1 Perlesta stonefly at Mac-o-chee Creek
- October 4, 2011 -- several Perlestra stoneflies at Pimtown
- June 25, 2011 -- this was a big year with Perlesta stoneflies at 5 locations on the Mad and on Mac-o-chee Creek
That said, winter stoneflies (Taeniopteryx ) are common on the Mad and its tributaries. Stoneflies are one of the most sensitive aquatic insects to pollution. Compared to the Clear Fork, where you might find several stonefly larvae on every stone you pick up, the Mad River is woefully lacking.
Notice that the Pollution Tolerance Scores given below are not in agreement with our assessment of the Mad. This Level 1 scoring system over estimates the quality of a stream. We would rate the Mad as somewhere in the low “Good” range because of the low abundance of quality indicator species.
* Pollution Tolerance Scores: 23 +, Excellent; 17-22, Good; 11-16, Fair; 10 or less, Poor.
|
|
|
|
TU Teens of Gallipolis Return to the SOHO River in Tennessee
Shannon Mayes, TU Madmen Member and TU Teens Coordinator, Gallipolis, Ohio
TU Teens of Gallipolis, Ohio returned to the SOHO River to fish the great tailwater. Eight young fly fishermen took to the waters of TN July 16-19, 2021. The group from Gallia County drove down and stayed at Cherokee Trails Campground. While there in the area they fished the South Holston River, Watauga River and a small TN mountain stream. A few brooks, browns, and rainbows were caught and released, but not a lot of fish were brought to the net due to the low waters. The streams were warming and quite low. Fishing was tough, but everyone managed to catch a few. When the students were not fishing, they spent time passing football and playing wiffle ball. The students are already talking about a fall trip. We may find ourselves adventuring down into the Virginia Mountains in the late fall, who knows?
|
|
Conservation Corner
Take care of the stream and the fishing will take care of itself
|
|
|
For the future of the Mad River watershed, sustaining the existing riparian zones and restoring the impacted areas on the mainstem and tributaries is an especially important issue to address. It is going to take a long term, coordinated effort and it begins by working with the landowners; as a part of building collaboration and cooperation, there must be respect and understanding of their needs with a variety of options to encourage them to protect and restore these areas. Also, we will need to have cooperation and collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies, groups and organizations, elected officials, community and local business leaders. On July 18th our chapter teamed up with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and Ohio Women on the Fly to clean up the Mad River. Backcountry Hunters and Anglers is the sportsmen's voice for our wild public lands, waters and wildlife. According to Tony Ruffing, President of the Ohio Chapter, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is the only sportsmen’s conservation group focused on protecting big, wild country so important to America's hunting and fishing heritage. They want to make sure their kids and grandkids can experience the solitude, challenge and freedom of the backcountry, just as they have been able to enjoy. They focus on protecting and restoring security habitat and clean, free-flowing rivers from inappropriate development and motorized traffic. They do this through education, boots-on-the-ground knowledge and hard work. The following article is a reprint of the article originally posted on the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers website on August 19, 2021. |
|
|
MAD RIVER CLEANUP:
CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS TEAM UP FOR A BETTER RIVER
Posted by Dustin Lindley | August 19, 2021
On a warm July Sunday, a group of people gathered in the morning light near the banks of the Mad River, not to fish or float, but to pick up trash. This joint effort included Ohio BHA, Madmen Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Ohio Women on the Fly, and Champaign County Farmland Preservation, and was attended by approximately 30-40 people, along with 3 or 4 dogs. The oldest of these organizations, the Madmen Chapter of Trout Unlimited, has cared for these waters for many years. Their projects have ranged from stream restoration to macroinvertebrate studies, and they have been integral to the development and preservation of a unique trout fishery. Another important local organization, the Champaign County Farmland Preservation, which works to preserve farmland, scenic land, forests, wildlife habitat, and other lands of significant natural and historical value. They were joined in this cleanup by members of Ohio Women on the Fly, an active organization of women anglers who do all kinds of good stuff from cleanups to fishing trips, and members of the Ohio chapter of the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, who tromp all over the state protecting and cleaning up public lands.
The Mad River is a publicly accessible gem in central Ohio. It flows south from its headwaters near Bellefontaine, through glacial plains and rolling hills of rural Ohio, to its confluence with the Great Miami River in Dayton. In its upper reaches, it is fed by glacial fens (wetlands that drain water) and other cold water seeps which provide water cool enough, even in the heat of midwest summers, to sustain healthy populations of brown and rainbow trout. With abundant forage including various insects for rainbow trout and larger sculpins and chubs for trophy size brown trout, the many trout fishermen who visit have ample opportunity for a good or even great day on the river. It is a really unique place, and one that deserves care and protection.
With an excellent system of 19 (!) ** river accesses where the river is crossed by various country road bridges, increases in usage that have come in the past year or so have left some of the parking lots and adjacent areas with more trash than would be typical. While most of the trash that was removed from these accesses was typical river garbage (beer cans and disposable water bottles), we also came across a broken shelving unit, a wide assortment of very old condiment bottles, and a few worms that were eventually cast in the river on a hook. A large dumpster was filled up with what would have been polluting eyesores on the river bank.
The people (and dogs) all had a good time and celebrated their hard work with food, beer, and at least a couple of good jokes at the Mad River Farmers Market. This clean up was a great experience for all, and many who participated look forward to further collaboration among these like-minded organizations.
** Mad River Drift Editor's note: Not all of these access points are open to the public.
ABOUT DUSTIN LINDLEY
I'm a southwest Ohio outdoor generalist, chasing hybrids and spoonbills and deer and turks, and make it out to Colorado once a year.
|
|
|
|
Conservation Work on the Mad Continues
In addition to the cleanup event, several TU Madmen and Ohio BHA members cleared the trail at US 36 on July 18th. Since June members have worked to clear trails at the State Route 29 and Pimtown Road bridges, remove logjams near West Liberty and address down trees above the Pimtown Road bridge and below the Millerstown bridge. Thanks to all the volunteers of the ADOPT-A-BRIDGE/STREAMWATCH Program. It is making a difference and there is always room for more volunteers. Contact Tom Allen at ptallen111@insight.rr.com if you want to help. |
|
|
|
Beecher’s Brook is a small direct tributary of the Chagrin River, draining about 1.2 square miles. Stretches of this stream contribute excessive sediment into the Chagrin River, a significant steelhead fishery.
While some tributaries to the Chagrin River are home to Ohio’s native Brook Trout, Beecher’s Brook is not one of them. However, steelhead and other native stream-dwelling species like rainbow darters are reproducing there. It’s important for these tributaries to be restored and protected.
With the assistance of Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Cleveland Metroparks received an Ohio EPA Section 319 grant, and additional support from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Trout Club, to stabilize the streambanks, improve in-stream habitat, restore floodplain riparian habitat, and restore fish passage in a stretch of Beecher’s Brook and work was completed in July 2021. |
|
|
On August 7, I and five others boarded a water taxi to head to a remote forest service cabin in Southeast Alaska. We had a week's worth of food, fishing gear and camping gear. I was ready to be off the grid and hang out with some very fishy people.
Before the trip, I did a little research on the area and the fishing. When I discovered there wasn’t much fishing information out there, I decided not to look too hard. I didn’t scroll through pictures on the internet or look up hashtags on social media. The internet can make or break a trip before you get there. It can tell you all the cool spots before you find them or give away fishing information you’d rather find out on your own. I was looking to explore and figure it all out when I arrived.
After an hour and a half boat ride we arrived at the cabin during high tide. I was in awe. I couldn’t believe the location of our cabin. We had the ocean in front of us and a river right beside us. After we unpacked, we fished the creek beside the cabin. Pinks were in the system! Later that afternoon, a few of us checked out the nearby trail and discovered we also had a nice size lake and a creek (large creek) above it. We explored for a while then made our way back to the cabin to fish low tide.
|
|
|
Each day brought something new, and I was glad I stuck with my decision to not dive too deep into what the fishing was like in the area. The only information I read was that there were rainbows, dolly varden, steelhead and salmon. Knowing that much, I set a goal to catch rainbow’s and dolly’s. I decided my best chance to make that happen would be to fish the creek close to the cabin.
|
|
|
As we all know, things don’t always go according to plan with fishing. The creek hit 900 CFS the day we left the main island (average that time of year is 200). I tried to fish it on the second day and after a couple hours got shut down by the heavy flow. I left frustrated and on the hike back stopped at the lake to take in the view. That frustration led me to rising fish and I caught my first coastal cutthroat. Instead of exploring the same creek every day, I looked for rainbow’s and dolly’s in other places like mountain lakes that took some serious bushwhacking to find and a creek you could only access during low tide. I never found what I was looking for, but I was content. Each day was raw, rough and always filled with fishing. I caught my fill of pink salmon, landed a few beautiful coastal cutthroats, and even came across a couple baby steelhead. I was there to discover what the area had to offer, and I did just that.
|
|
Dave Whitlock's Hopper is a perfect fly for late summer, early fall. TU Madmen Member, Tom Allen has had the pleasure of meeting Dave several times and treasures these personal examples of Dave's talent.
In the April 2010 Field & Stream, senior editor Colin Kearns interviewed Dave Whitlock, a flyfishing legend who practically invented flyfishing for bass and created some of the sport’s most popular and best fly patterns–most famously Dave’s Hopper. Here, Whitlock explains how to tie the fly that’s fooled untold numbers of trout, bass, and panfish.
Hook: TMC (Tiemco) 5263 (the best all-around size is No. 8 or 10)
Thread: Wapsi 140 Ultra Thread in Hopper Yellow
Body Foundation: Mason Hard Nylon (same diameter as the hook wire)
Tail: Course red deer hair
Body: Yellow polypropylene yarn
Hackle: Grizzly brown
Underwing: Natural deer hair, dyed yellow
Overwing: Speckled brown turkey secondary wing quill
Legs: Ringneck pheasant tail
Collar & Head: Natural deer hair
Cements: Zap-A-Gap and Dave’s Fleximent and Flexament Thinner
References:
Whitlock, Dave. “Dave Whitlock Explains How to Tie His Most Famous (and Deadliest) Trout Fly, Dave’s Hopper.” fieldandstream.com. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
|
|
|
10/16/2021 -- Meet at US 36 Bridge at 9:00 am. We need volunteers. Come learn about the food supply and stay to fish in the afternoon.
|
|
|
Articles Needed!! I could use your help with future newsletters. If you've been on a fishing trip, or have something else you'd like to share, like a fly recipe, we'd love to hear about it. Write an article and send pictures to me at pamallen@tumadmen.org; it's that easy :)
|
|
|
|
|
|
