President’s Message
Happy Holidays and Merry Fishmas!
Wow, it seems like yesterday I was waiting for the first good hatches of spring, and here we are approaching the end of 2024. My first year as President of the Mad River Chapter of Trout Unlimited has been an enjoyable journey, and I’m excited to see how we can keep our good work going in 2025!
This year has been busy and productive for TU Mad River. Our main goal remains aligned with the Trout Unlimited mission to conserve, protect, and restore our coldwater fisheries. Thanks to our amazing team of volunteers and board members, we’ve been able to carry out a variety of activities all year long. We’ve worked tirelessly on the Mad River with habitat restoration, clearing log jams, and cleaning up the streams. We’ve also continued our regular water monitoring efforts to ensure our work helps maintain and improve the quality of our waters. Additionally, we had some successful fundraising events, including a fun evening at the International Fly Fishing Film Festival at Nocterra. Our Trout in the Classroom program has also made a positive impact on the next generation!
I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to our board members and volunteers for their dedication and hard work on every project and event. Their efforts are essential to our success. I also appreciate the individuals and retailers who donate time and resources, enabling us to fundraise effectively for our activities!
Looking ahead to 2025, we have an exciting year planned. One of our first big events will be the Greater Cincinnati Fly Fishing Show, hosted by our friends at Buckeye United Fly Fishers. This fantastic event will take place on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Oasis Conference Center in Loveland, Ohio. We invite everyone to join us!
We will also again be hosting the Mad River Gala alongside our Annual Meeting. This event is scheduled for the evening of Saturday, April 5th, at the Simon Kenton Inn, located at 4690 Urbana Road, Springfield, Ohio. Our last Gala in 2023 was a great success, and we expect this one to be even better! Stay tuned for more details coming soon, but please save the date!
One last note, we are always looking for articles! Pam would appreciate your help for upcoming newsletters. If you’ve been on a fishing trip or have something interesting to share, like a fly recipe, we want to hear from you. Just write an article and send pictures to Pam at pamallen@tumadriver.org.
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season. I encourage everyone to visit “Steelhead Alley” and take some time to fish the Mad during the winter. Finally, share the warmth of the season with your loved ones, and above all, live your best life.
Tight Lines!
Steve Moore, President
What an amazing day we had on September 21st! A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the River cleanup.
The turnout was fantastic, and together we made a real impact. A special shoutout to our incredible partners and sponsors – your support is invaluable! When we come together with a shared goal, there’s no limit to what we can achieve. Let’s keep up the great work and continue to protect our beloved Mad River.
We are grateful for each and every person who contributed to this successful event!
October Monitoring Results
by Tyler Wright, Monitoring Director, TU Mad River Chapter
On October 19th we held the final stream monitoring sampling of the year. Thank you to all that attended! Numbers this year were down from 2023, where each of the sites averaged over 20 on our sampling scale. This year we only saw the West Liberty Park site score over 20 with a 34! Along with our normal sampling activities, we performed a test run at collecting fish and plant samples in the West Liberty Park. Special thanks to Paul Gaston and Noah Ganson for taking the lead on the fish and plant sampling. It was a big success and we hope to incorporate broader samplings in the future. If anyone is interested in volunteering for the stream monitoring team, please reach out so we can get you on the list. Hope to see everyone again next year!
US-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . (20) Good
OH-29/Kings Creek. . . . (18) Good
Watson’s Property . . . . Not sampled
Mac-o-Chee . . . . . . . . . (14) Good
Pimtown Rd . . . . . . . . . (19) Good
West Liberty Park . . . . (34) Excellent
(The above numbers are values for a Pollution Tolerance Index rating. The higher the number, the higher the quality.)
TU Teens Take on the Mountains of West Virginia
by Shannon Mayes, TU Teens Lead, TU Mad River Chapter
On May 31, four student fly anglers and three adult guides from Gallia County set out for an unforgettable weekend fly fishing adventure in the mountains of West Virginia.
Our destination was the picturesque Seneca Rocks area, where we stayed at Seneca Shadows, a charming state-owned campground nestled beneath the towering cliffs. With its hot showers and ample shade, it was the perfect base for the boys to explore and connect with nature.
Friday: Brook Trout in Small Mountain Streams
Friday morning began with fishing in small, secluded mountain streams. Armed with 3-weight rods and dry flies, we targeted native brook trout in tight, challenging conditions caused by low water levels. Despite these obstacles, each student managed to land several of these stunning native char, showcasing their remarkable beauty. Thanks to the guidance of Jamie Eggers and Nate Russell, the students gained valuable experience and confidence.
The day ended around a crackling campfire, where stories of the day’s catches and challenges were shared, setting the tone for the adventures to come.
Saturday: Spruce Knob Lake
Saturday morning started early as we made our way to the summit of Spruce Knob Mountain, home to the stunning 25-acre Spruce Knob Lake, the highest lake in West Virginia at over 3,800 feet in elevation.
The lake offered an incredible variety of species, including smallmouth bass, catfish, trout, green sunfish, and stocked rainbow and brown trout. The boys caught a mix of species on dry flies, streamers, and even poppers, with green sunfish providing non-stop action. The day was filled with excitement and laughter, and the evening brought another campfire gathering to relive the day’s highlights.
Sunday: Potomac River Finale
Sunday dawned hot and sunny, but we had one final adventure before heading home. We split into two groups to fish the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River. Low water levels tempered our expectations, but the river surprised us. The students caught several trout, including a golden trout—an unforgettable moment!
As we regrouped on a footbridge over the Potomac, we reflected on the weekend and dreamed of a return trip to pursue the brook trout again.
A Weekend to Remember
This trip was a resounding success: no injuries, no trouble, and plenty of fish caught! The mountains of West Virginia offered adventure, camaraderie, and a chance for these young anglers to deepen their love for fly fishing. What more could we ask from the mountains of West Virginia?!
Quality of the Mad River Watershed Depends on Groundwater
by Tom Allen, Conservation Chair, TU Mad River Chapter
The Mad River Watershed is a unique cold-water habitat shaped by its glacial history. Ancient river systems were filled with up to 200 feet of sand and gravel, creating terraces of fractured or karst bedrock. These geological features provide a steady supply of groundwater to the tributaries and main stem of the Mad River, playing a vital role in the quantity and quality of water in the streams.
This year, during the drought, the Mad River’s flow relied heavily on groundwater discharges. The streambed interacts with groundwater from the glacial outwash in the valley, while surficial discharges emerge from springs associated with bedrock, wetlands, and fens. Over time, however, land use changes have diverted, covered, or diminished these critical groundwater contributions to surface water systems.
Despite these challenges, many springs with year-round groundwater discharges still exist, particularly in wetlands and fens across Logan, Champaign, and Clark counties. These areas are essential not only for their groundwater contributions but also for their ecological and environmental significance. The boggy cold-water habitats they create support a diverse and unique biological environment, including native aquatic life like the Stickleback and the Tongue-Tied Minnow.
One exceptional example of this glacial legacy is Cedar Bog, a rare fen featuring continuous groundwater discharge into Cedar Run, a tributary of the Mad River. Cedar Bog offers a glimpse into the region’s environment at the end of the last Ice Age, approximately 12,000 years ago. A visit to this remarkable area provides an opportunity to hike and explore its unique features.
Efforts to protect and preserve Cedar Bog have been ongoing for years. The site is currently managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Natural Areas and Preserves (DNAP). Recently, the Appalachian Ohio Alliance (AOA) Land Trust has also contributed to conservation efforts, helping safeguard this critical habitat for future generations.
Protecting the Mad River’s groundwater resources, wetlands, and fens is essential to maintaining the watershed’s ecological integrity and supporting its rich biodiversity. These efforts ensure the continuation of this unique cold-water habitat and its role in Ohio’s natural heritage.The following article is from a recent issue of the Appalachian Ohio Alliance Land Trust Newsletter.
ODNR-DOW Now Stocking the Crawford Strain of Brown Trout
by Tom Allen, Conservation Chair, TU Mad River Chapter
The Mad River and the upper Clearfork River are stocked annually with brown trout raised at the ODNR-DOW State Hatchery in London, Ohio. Under the leadership of Superintendent Doug Sweet and his dedicated team, the hatchery has consistently delivered healthy trout to these streams, providing anglers with exciting fishing opportunities.
The hatchery sources its eggs from the USFWS National Fish Hatchery in Saratoga, Wyoming. A portion of these eggs is also distributed to schools in the Mad River watershed that participate in the Trout in the Classroom (TIC) program, helping to educate and inspire the next generation of conservationists.
Historically, the hatchery has raised the Plymouth Rock strain of brown trout (pictured above on the left). However, in 2023/2024, they introduced the Crawford strain (pictured above on the right), which has quickly proven its advantages. The Crawford strain grows faster than the Plymouth Rock strain, prompting ODNR to transition exclusively to the Crawford strain for the 2024/2025 season.
The timing of egg delivery played a critical role in this decision. While Plymouth Rock eggs wouldn’t have arrived until January 2025—resulting in trout only 5–7 inches long by the October stocking—the Crawford strain eggs arrived in November 2024. This allows the hatchery to raise trout to 9 inches or larger before stocking, significantly improving their chances of survival. Research shows that larger trout have higher survival rates, making this change a win for both the fishery and the anglers who enjoy it.
In addition to larger fish, several factors can further enhance trout survival and carryover:
Regulations: Abiding by the two-trout limit (12 inches or larger).
Ethical Fishing: Using single-hook artificial lures and handling fish carefully to minimize stress and injury and practicing catch-and-release techniques.
Habitat Improvements: Stabilizing streambanks, reducing erosion and sedimentation, and enhancing in-stream habitat and riparian zones.
To encourage sustainable fishing practices, we’ve installed educational signs at select locations, reminding anglers of these recommendations. But improving the fishery is about more than just regulations—it’s about ongoing conservation efforts to create healthier ecosystems for future generations.
By embracing these initiatives, we can ensure that our streams continue to provide exceptional fishing opportunities. For me, this is about leaving a legacy for future anglers, like my grandchildren, who will enjoy a thriving fishery for years to come.
A Busy Year on the Mad River
by Tom Allen, Conservation Chair, TU Mad River Chapter
This year has been a productive one for the Mad River Chapter, with significant progress made on various projects thanks to the hard work of dedicated volunteers and partners. Special thanks to Mike Palatas, Lee Southern, Randy Kirchner, our volunteer work crews, and Bo Ward Excavation for their efforts.
Much of this year’s work focused on honeysuckle removal and trail clearing at key locations, including Pimtown Road, US-36, State Route 29, and Riley RiverPlay Reserve within the Clark County Parks system. Notable achievements include the clearing of multiple logjams, one of which was a substantial beaver lodge causing full obstruction of flow.
At Riley RiverPlay Reserve, honeysuckle removal was part of a larger project that included the construction of a new observation deck, built by Ashbaugh Construction (see photos).
Looking ahead, plans are in motion to tackle additional honeysuckle removal, bank stabilization, riparian area restoration, and in-stream habitat improvements. The work may continue at Riley RiverPlay Reserve, in collaboration with Clark County Parks, but there’s also a focus on the West Liberty area and the headwaters of the Mad River watershed.
A key milestone this year was our collaboration with the Village of West Liberty and their consultant, Burgess & Niple (B&N), to develop a 9-Element Nonpoint Source Implementation Strategic Plan (HUC 12 NPS-IS). This plan, now submitted to the Ohio EPA, could open the door to additional funding for addressing critical watershed issues.
if you’re interested in helping with these efforts, please contact Tom Allen, ptallen111@insight.rr.com. Can’t help, but still want to contribute? Make a donation to our Chapter.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Greater Cincinnati Fly Fishing Show
Loveland, OH
Saturday February 1, 2025
Workshops on January 31. See website for details.
The Mayfly Project Columbus Social Hour/Fundraiser
Thursday, February 6, 2025, 6-8 pm
Nocterra Brewery-Audubon, Columbus, OH
Three Rivers Fly Fishing Show
Fort Wayne, IN
Saturday, Feb 8, 2025
2024 Northern Ohio Fly Fishing Expo
Kirtland, OH
Saturday, March 1, 2025
Mad River Gala
Simon Kenton Inn, Springfield, OH
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Upcoming Events
Latest News
- 10/16/26 -International Fly Fishing Film Festival at Nocterra Brewing, Powell
- Mad River Drift Newsletter - June 2026
- Cancelled — Saturday’s Stream Water Quality Monitoring
- Reminder: Mad River TU Annual Meeting – April 18
- Mad River Drift Newsletter - March 2026
- Mad River Drift Newsletter - December 2025
- Help our local fly-fishing community!