Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Upcoming Fly Tying Classes

 


Wednesday, February 4th

7-9 p.m.


Many folks say they are interested, but don't know where to begin. This class will help take the mystery out of Getting Started in the hobby of fly tying. This will be a 1 1/2 to 2 hour lecture/demonstration that will cover the basics!

We will cover the equipment needed, basic materials, necessary techniques and, we will demonstrate several types of flies. Several handouts will be included.

You will come away from this seminar with a much better understanding of the next steps you need to take to get started tying your own flies.





Starts Saturday, February 14th

9-11 a.m.


THE class for Beginners! Learn the basic fundamentals of fly tying with a night spent on each, Wet Flies, Nymphs, Streamers and Dry Flies. Geared towards trout flies but the skills and concepts can be used on any types of flies. A 4 week course, 2 hours each class, one night per week for 4 weeks. Classes include all hooks and materials, you need to bring your vise and basic tools.

Saturday mornings from 9-11 a.m. starting February 14th with instructor Paul Johnson

February 14th, 21st, 28th and March 7th

Week 1: Introduction of fly tying tools/basic mechanics. 

Week 2: Nymph Patterns

Week 3: Streamer Patterns

Week 4: Dry Fly Patterns

All hooks and materials are provided. Each class will have patterns sheets with recipes and steps for each fly tied. Students need to bring a fly tying vise and basic tools. Class is limited to 6 students. 





Starts Wednesday, February 18th

7-9 p.m.


More intermediate/advanced patterns and concepts will be covered: Material blending, articulation, hollow tying techniques. Understanding silhouettes and shapes. Impressionistic patterns. Intro to Deer Hair. Classes include all hooks and materials, you need to bring your vise and basic tools.

Students are required to have sound fly tying mechanics and fundamentals. For those who have taken our 4 week Beginner course or are looking to take their fly tying to the next level, this is a great next step!!   

Wednesday nights from 7-9 p.m. starting February 18th with Ryan Ratliff.

February 18th, 25th and March 4th and 11th

Week 1: Various articulation techniques

Week 2: Understanding shapes and silhouettes

Week 3: Impressionistic Patterns

Week 4: Intro To Deer Hair


All hooks and materials are provided. Each class will have patterns sheets with recipes and steps for each fly tied. Students need to bring a fly tying vise and basic tools. Class is limited to 6 students. 







833 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214

614-451-0363

admin@madriveroutfitters.com

www.madriveroutfitters.com

Friday, January 9, 2026

2026 Fly Fishing Film Tour!



Mad River Outfitters is once again bringing the F3T to Columbus, Ohio. This year will be held at Studio 35 theater and the proceeds from the event will benefit the Be Cheechy Foundation. Tickets are available exclusively at www.madriveroutfitters.com or in the shop.

The Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) presented by Costa, YETI and others is proud to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2026, marking two decades of unforgettable stories, breathtaking landscapes, and a community bound by a passion for fly fishing. This milestone year promises to be a landmark event, as the tour kicks off with a fresh collection of the finest fly fishing films from across the globe.

This year’s lineup dives deeper than ever—spotlighting wild places, inspiring conservation stories, and the dedicated individuals who live and breathe fly fishing. Whether you’re a lifelong angler or new to the sport, the 2026 tour delivers a cinematic journey that’s sure to cast a lasting impression.

Anglers, explorers, and outdoor enthusiasts are invited to experience this special edition of the tour as it travels to cities nationwide. Featuring stunning cinematography, compelling narratives, and adrenaline-filled moments on the water, the 20th Annual F3T is a tribute to the spirit of adventure and the enduring fly fishing culture that has grown with the tour over the past twenty years.

The F3T is the original and largest fly fishing film event of its kind. Come for the action and stay for the giveaways and camaraderie that will feed your fishing addiction.


Get Tickets HERE!


Proceeds

Proceeds from this event and the raffle will go to the Be Cheechy Foundation.


Based out of Ohio, the Be Cheechy Foundation is a registered non-profit inspired by the life and light of George "Cheechy Boy" Howley, the Be Cheechy Foundation lifts others through unexpected acts of kindness called Cheeches.

What's a Cheech?

A "Cheech" is an act of kindness inspired by George "Cheechy Boy" Howley, funds go towards things like helping students with laptops and books to groceries for a family and many more ways to give back to our community.

Learn more about George's story
www.becheechy.org


Raffle Information

Raffle Information will be released as we get closer to the film tour. Keep your eyes on our website!

Click here to sign up for our newsletter to be the first to find out!


Watch the Trailer





Studio 35 | Cinema & Drafthouse
3055 Indianola Ave, Columbus, OH 43202
Get Directions

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Top Lessons of 2025

 


"Top Tier Fly Fishing Lessons of 2025"


Featuring our own Brian Flechsig, Ryan Ratliff, Josh Trammell and Dustin White


Thanks to our special guests in this episode: Flip Pallot, Tim Rajeff, Ian Rutter, Charity Rutter, Tim Flagler


Stay tuned for our "Year in Review" for 2025!



833 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214

614-451-0363

admin@madriveroutfitters.com

www.madriveroutfitters.com

Monday, December 22, 2025

Mad River Outfitters Gift Cards


 Use online or in the shop for any product, service or trip that we offer!

Can be e-mailed to you up to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve!

Click Here to get an MRO Gift Card delivered to your inbox.....or directly to the recipient.

Shopping Made Easy!




Thank you for supporting a small, family owned specialty shop like ours this Holiday Season!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!



833 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214

614-451-0363

admin@madriveroutfitters.com

www.madriveroutfitters.com

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Holiday Softgoods Promo- through December 16th!

 


Get a Discount on Soft Goods This Holiday Season!

Here's how you can save on all apparel site wide this holiday season.


On Tuesday, December 2nd through Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 you can get 10% off Clothing/Soft goods purchases over $200.00. Can be combined "Marked" items over $200!

No coupon or code needed, this will automatically be calculated at checkout, once your cart reaches the $200 mark of eligible items.


Look for this: 10% OFF $200.00 Softgoods Promo- Auto Applied at Checkout!


*More details and some restrictions below


Please let us know if you have any questions or require assistance.


Online orders received between 12:00AM EST, on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 and Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 that have over $200.00 worth of softgoods or clothing on their order will receive an automatic 10% off.

All qualifying purchases during the promotional period will automatically receive the discount upon checkout. No coupon or code required!


In-Store purchases during normal store hours on Tuesday,  December 2nd, 2025 and Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 will be eligible for the promotional discount as well.

 

Online Categories where you will find "Eligible Items"-

• Men's Department
• Women's Department
• Rain Gear
• Insulation
• Outerwear
• Shirts
• Pants
• Shorts
• Hats and Gloves
• Socks
• Fish Belts

Basically if you can wear it... it qualifies for the promotion and will be marked as such. Just spend $200.00 on marked items and the discount will be automatically calculated at checkout.

*Waders, boots and footwear do not quality and are not marked as such on the website*



Thank you for supporting a small, locally owned family business this Holiday Season!



833 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214

614-451-0363

admin@madriveroutfitters.com

www.madriveroutfitters.com

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Happy Belated Birthday MRO!


 

We were so busy with Black Friday/Cyber Monday goings-on that we forgot to wish Brian, his family, and the rest of the team a very Happy Birthday.

MRO first opened it's doors on December 1st of 1994! 

31 years so far!

Here's to many more!


Here's a throwback to our 30th Anniversary video:






833 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214

614-451-0363

admin@madriveroutfitters.com

www.madriveroutfitters.com

Monday, December 1, 2025

Cyber Monday at MRO!

 


Cyber Monday 2025 is here!

Here's how you can save on all of your favorite fly fishing tackle, gear and apparel.


Our Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deal is site wide and applies to all merchandise purchases online and in-store at or above the following amounts:


• Spend $100.00 or more, get a $20.00 Gift Card

• Spend $250.00 or more, get a $50.00 Gift Card

• Spend $500.00 or more, get a $100.00 Gift Card

• Spend $700.00 or more, get a $150.00 Gift Card

• Spend $1,000.00 or more, get a $200.00 Gift Card

• Spend $2,000.00  or more, get a $400.00 Gift Card

• Spend $5,000.00 or more, get TWO $400.00 Gift Cards



• Promotion applies to "in stock" merchandise purchases only
• Services - Trips, Classes, Schools, Guide Trips are not eligible for rewards.
• Gift Card purchases themselves are not eligible for rewards
• Purchases made WITH a Gift Card as payment, or with a Coupon Code of any sort are also not eligible for rewards
• Gift Card rewards will be issued on a physical Gift Card and either included in the shipment (for online) or received at the time of purchase (in-store).

Please let us know if you have any questions or require assistance.


Online orders received between 12:00AM EST, on Black Friday, November 28th, 2025 (Midnight on Thanksgiving) and Midnight Monday, December 1st, 2025. That's 4 full days of Gift Card rewards!

All qualifying purchases during the 4 day period will automatically receive the Gift Card in the order shipment. No coupon or code required!


Gift Cards will be included with the order shipment. Due to the huge volume of orders, we cannot e-mail these as we normally offer on Gift Card purchases. They will be included in the order shipment only. Sorry but no exceptions. 


In-Store purchases during normal store hours on Black Friday, November 28th, 2025 and Small Business Saturday, November 29th, 2025. (Remember that we are CLOSED on Sundays and Mondays). Gift Card will be issued at the point of sale.

Remember that our local friends can still shop online on Sunday or Monday and choose "In-Store Pickup" and stop by Tuesday or after. 



833 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214

614-451-0363

admin@madriveroutfitters.com

www.madriveroutfitters.com