Wednesday, May 30, 2012

MRO and Ohio Musky

For those that don't already know......Ohio is one of the top producing Musky states in the country. Huge populations of wild muskies exist in a variety of watersheds throughout the state and we have been doing extensive research (fishing) for a number of years now! There are Musky all over the place, and MRO is your source for catching this fish on the fly!

Our very own Pat Kelly is guiding folks for these fantasic gamefish in a few select locations in Southern and Central Ohio. He guides out of his "Clacka" driftboat and can accomodate 1 or 2 anglers although he prefers one as it allows for a better chance for folks to land the fish of a lifetime.

MRO's Patrick Kelly and his "Unofficial" World Record Musky caught on a Fly in Ohio


Pat charges $425.00 for one angler and $500.00 for two for a float trip. All equipment and flies can be provided and you need to bring your own lunch. He will meet you at a designated location which will be determined a day or so before the trip depending on current conditions. He will not tell or advertise the names of the rivers that he fishes...and he shouldn't. He won't even tell us and we appreciate that...if you know what we mean.

You won't find a ton of information on this service on our website and this is on purpose. We are looking for a small, select group of dedicated Musky anglers and he only guides 1 day per week during the prime seasons....if that much. We are not looking to overfish or take advantage of this incredible fishery here in Ohio. If you are interested, please give us a call at the shop, 614-451-0363 and we'll be  happy to answer any questions.



Below is a short story written by our friend and customer Don Gregory. Don has been out with Pat three times now and this is an account of his trip on Monday, May 21st:

"The musky, fish of 10,000 casts, fish of dreams--- mine anyway.
While sliding the drift boat into a small Appalachian creek barely ankle deep at the put-in, I find it hard to believe that the piscatorial predator at the apex of the food chain could actually be living here. But always trust the hunch of Musky Pat, particularly when he guided you into your first musky on the fly.

Well… 10 minutes later, and within sight of the truck, a musky t-boned my oversized fly and I actually remembered to strip set. A musky caught, the pressure off. Did I sleep through my alarm?
A few dozen casts later, a second take. The hook set led to a series of gill rattling jumps and ferocious headshakes. A thick female well over 3 feet long eventually yielded to my sage 10 weight, and my personal best landed in the oversized net. Should we stop with perfection having only fished the length of a football field or simply sip a cold one to calm down before pressing on? Not a hard decision.

Another vicious strike and a THIRD musky fought with attitude all the way into the net. 3 for 3. A perfect day—right here in the Buckeye State.

My daddy taught me that it is sometimes better to be lucky than good. Well with Pat Kelly as your musky guide, you are lucky indeed."

Don Gregory- Columbus, Ohio

Don Gregory on a guide trip with Pat on 5/21/12


Please remember that we also feature Musky fishing up on Lake St. Clair with Captain Brian Meszaros. He is a Musky "Guru" in his own right and St. Clair is regarded as one of the top Musky destinations in the country.

Captain Brian and a Happy client on a St. Clair guide trip.

Musky season opens June 1st on Lake St. Clair and trips are booking now!!!

Click Here for information on Fly Fishing Lake St. Clair with MRO
 
 
Mad River Outfitters
Your source for Musky on the Fly!
813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-451-0363


Wednesday, May 23, 2012

MRO Featured in Local Newspapers




"Retail and Internet Presence Pays
Off with Record Sales"

By Andrew Miller - ThisWeek Contributing Writer

(originally published in local "This Week" papers on Tuesday, May 15th)

Cincinnati native Brian Flechsig has helped define central Ohio as a fly-fishing mecca while building one of the top fly-fishing shops in the country.


Mad River Outfitters, at 813 Bethel Road, consistently records national sales in the top 10 for fly fishing, thanks to a thriving Internet business as well as a professional retail shop, according to Flechsig.

“We’re one of the top 10 fly-fishing operations in the country,” he said. “Most people think of a fly store as a mom-and-pop shop with just a few things and people sitting around talking and tying flies.

“But we’re very serious here, with a full-time shipping manager and full-time web manager. So not only do we maintain an extensive retail store, but also

an extensive online store with dozens of packages shipping out around the world daily.”

Flechsig said one of his keys to success is what he calls the umbrella.

Mad River Outfitters offers retail and online sales, guides fly-fishing tours locally, nationally and internationally, and produces instructional courses and DVDs.

“I’m hosting our annual spring Tarpin trip in the Everglades right now,” he said earlier this month. “We do these trips all over the world, South America – a lot of trips to Brazil for Peacock bass, in the Bahamas.
“We operate a full-blown guide service, including about 16 guides working for us throughout the Great Lakes region, so if you can’t afford a week to Montana or wherever, there are trips you can hop in your car and do on a weekend.”

According to Flechsig, fly-fishing has always been labeled as something that is only for trout fishing.

“Everyone associates fly-fishing with trout and snow-capped mountains, but I produced a video about 10 years ago called ‘Carpin’’ that was all about catching carp on a fly rod,” he said. “I got a lot of hate mail about it because people didn’t like that I was catching a trash fish on a fly.

“If you’re open to fishing for things other than trout, then Columbus becomes a fly-fishing heaven. There’s carp and bass all over the place here.”

Being innovative, such as teaching people to fly-fish for the local fish population, working hard, and hiring committed employees, Flechsig said, are the other keys to his success.

“I was 24 years old when I quit my job, borrowed money to start this business, and opened the doors that December in 1994,” Flechsig said. “I paid the bank off in two years and haven’t owed anyone a dime since. I’ve been very lucky, but it took a lot of hard work and thinking outside the box.

“I have some very loyal and hardworking employees who have believed in me and my dream. If it weren’t for their help and the help of great friends, I don’t know where we’d be.”

The retail store was recently remodeled and expanded and Flechsig said a new website design is under way.

“I think the future holds growth for us, that expansion will be at the remodeled store but mostly through the Internet,” Flechsig said. “After 18 years, I’m just really learning how to do this now, so if we’re halfway through, then the second half is sure to be even better.”

For more information visit www.madriveroutfitters.com.“If we can play even a small part in that, we want to. We want to keep doing this because we truly believe in it.”

Mad River Outfitters
813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-451-0363


Tuesday, May 8, 2012

News and Specials

Howdy Friends! Just a quick update on the "new" shop and some great promotions for May.

Well, our shop "remodel" is finally complete and we couldn't be more excited!! It's a whole new ballgame around here. We have greatly improved the look and feel of the shop here in Columbus and it's working! We have seen a significant impact on Sales....especially in the clothing departments.

Now...we move on to the website. Our site will be getting a major facelift and improvements in the months to come. Keep your eyes on www.madriveroutfitters.com.

Here's a few shots of the "New" Mad River Outfitters






Shop MRO for Mother's Day?

That's right friends! Think of MRO for your Mother's Day Gift and we'll save you 20%

Stop in the shop and pick up a coupon.....or simply place an order online and mention the "Mother's Day Promotion" in your "Order Notes"


Test Cast an Orvis Fly Rod



Suncloud Eyewear Promo


*place the order online and mention this promo in your "Order Notes". The website won't calculate but WE WILL when we ring you up!

20% OFF Orvis "Outfits"


Order any Orvis Helios, Access or Superfine Rod along with an Orvis Reel and Orvis Fly Line and we'll knock 20% OFF!!

Let us know which hand you reel with and we'll get it right!!


Mad River Outfitters
813 Bethel Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-451-0363
www.madriveroutfitters.com
admin@madriveroutfitters.com