Learn everything fly fishing from passionate professionals with hundreds of years of combined knowledge and experience. We have a wide range of educational opportunities including fly fishing classes, schools, private lessons, fly tying classes, and more. With Mad River Outfitters and the Midwest Fly Fishing Schools fly fishing education programs, you don't just learn fly fishing- you experience the rich rewards of the sport.
Click an icon below to view class descriptions, pricing and available dates and always feel free to give us a call at the shop if we can answer any questions.
See our Calendar page for a full listing of schools, classes and events!
See our Fly Fishing Education page for details and pricing on all of the classes and schools that we offer!
Two hour program in the shop that will take 5 years off of your learning curve!
These schools take over where our intro classes leave off. Take your skills to the next level! These 2-day intermediate fly fishing schools will be held at Sunnybrook Trout Club near Sandusky, Ohio. Centrally located for students from Detroit, Indianapolis, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, Dayton and Cincinnati! Day 1 * Intermediate Fly Fishing * Gear for Specific Techniques * Fly Casting Part I, II, III- Fly Cast Review * Lunch (included) * Knots and Leaders II * Fly Casting Part IV- Advanced Casting Techniques and Video * Fishing!! Day 2 * Understanding Fish * Advanced Entomology and Fly Selection * Video Casting Review * Lunch (included) * Fly Casting Part V- More Advanced Casting Techniques * Fly Fishing the Midwest and Beyond * Fishing! Included: All equipment necessary, class information packet, lunch on both days, professional instruction, fishing Not included: morning and evening meals, lodging if needed Cost: $450.00 per student. Includes instruction, gear, info packet and outline, lunch & fishing. (See below for 20% OFF Coupon) Upon completetion of the course students will also receive a coupon packet good for significant discounts and special offers at Mad River Outfitters and/or www.madriveroutfitters.com should you decide to purchase some gear. Pre-Requisites: Some experience and a basic understanding of the topics covered in our 1-Day and/or 2-Day Schools. This class is designed to take anglers from the beginner stage and introduce intermediate and advanced concepts and techniques. Recomended Gear: None. We have you covered although at this stage you probably have some gear and you are welcome to bring it along. * Fantastic fishing, lodging and dining available on these 2-day excursions. Lodging booked separately through Sunnybrook Trout Club. For more information please see www.sunnybrooktroutclub.com. A detailed information packet will be provided upon sign-up that should answer most questions on these arrangements.
Brian Flechsig and Jerry Darkes- Instructors Brian is the founder and operator of the Midwest Fly Fishing Schools and is highly regarded as one of the best fly fishing instructors in the country. Jerry is a well known guide, author, lecturer and industry rep....in addition to being a lead instructor for the MWFF Shools. Together they bring with them nearly 90 years of fly fishing expertise and experience. You won't find a better way to "up your skills" than with these two!!
ENJOY
20% OFF
As a thank you to past students and our loyal customers, register for this fun and exciting class now and get 20% OFF. Use Coupon code: intermediate * insert this code on the 1st page of the shopping cart and the discount will be applied- please call if any questions REGISTER NOW
*
Please remember to call us for more up-to-date or detailed information!
These reports are not meant to be your one and only, daily source of
information. They are typically general, even seasonal type reports and
we currently don't have a set schedule as to when we update. Please,
just because we don't update as often as we like, it doesn't mean that
we don't care.
There
are many different approaches you should take in order to get a good
game plan for a trip or a day of fishing. Also remember that things
change and these reports are what we know at the time of posting only.
Keep in mind that we do express opinions and personal preferences from
time-to-time which may be different from yours or what you may read
elsewhere. Thanks for checking and don't forget to call us if you need
any further information or a more up-to-date report. 614-451-0363 Thanks
as always for reading our reports friends. As the weather gets more
conducive we should be reporting more regularly....but we need your
HELP! Send any and all reports to admin@madriveroutfitters and we'll do our best to get them up.
Summer Classes
Our Summer season kicks-off on Monday with our FREE Beginner's Fly Fishing Program and then runs through early July.
Can't
make it to the shop for the class? You can now watch the 15 Episode
Series...."Getting Started in Fly Fishing" on our YouTube Channel.
Here's a breakdown of the schedule:
Monday, June 4th- FREE Beginner's Fly Fishing Program- 7-9 p.m.- Click Here
Saturday, June 9th- Basic Fly Casting Clinic- 9-11 a.m.- Click Here
Wednesday, June 13th- Basic Knots and Rigging Class- 7-9 p.m.- Click Here
Saturday and Sunday, June 16th and 17th- 2-Day Fly Fishing School at Sunnybrook Trout Club- Click Here
Monday, June 18th- Basic Fly Casting Clinic- 6-8 p.m.- Click Here
Saturday, June 23rd- Knots and Leaders Class- 9-11 a.m.- Click Here
Sunday, June 24th- 1-Day Fly Fishing School at Zanesfield Rod and Gun Club- Click Here
Wednesday, June 27th- Entomology 101 Class- 7-9 p.m.- Click Here
Sunday, July 1st- "Carp School" with guide Andy Jensen at the Muzzy Lakes Club- Click Here
Monday, July 9th- Basic Fly Casting Clinic- 6-8 p.m.- Click Here
Sunday, July 15th- On-River Seminar: Smallmouth Bass with guide Ryan Ratliff- local river- Click Here
"Naktoberfest"
celebrates the end of the Alaska fly fishing season and the opportunity
to tangle with the largest rainbow trout of the year on the Naknek
River. In a river famous for its trophy trout, this is time when “in
the know” anglers show up. Each Fall the Naknek produces rainbows
pushing 20 pounds. These “coastal rainbows” travel the Naknek River
corridor between Naknek Lake and Bristol Bay feeding heavily all
season. By the end of the year they are at peak size and in prime
condition. If you love to fish streamers and swing flies on both
single-hand and two-hand rods for giant trout, you need to experience
Naktoberfest!
We LOVE getting photos, reports, reviews and feedback from our customers.....both locally and around the world!
Please keep it coming!
Our
good friend Doug Perrett from Johns Island, South Carolina sent us this
photo: "Flounder on the fly. It's not easy but it CAN be done.
Dear MRO, Stopped
in the shop before I left for northern Michigan, and Ryan helped me out
with a new line and some streamers for pike. Extremely happy to have
gotten my first pike on a fly, caught on a firetiger half and half.
Thanks for the help and the flies! Sincerely, Ann Heuerman
And from our new friend and recent Ohio transplant Mark Fryt:
Just
wanted to give a quick thanks to Pat. I stopped into the shop last week
to get some smallmouth flies and more advice and Pat hooked me up. All I
have for the time being is my 5wt so the advice and the
poppers/streamers that I got worked well with my fly rod. It was my
first time going for smallmouth on a river and I was able to catch a
pretty good size smallie and a bunch of smaller ones. I caught the
larger smallie right in some riffles and spooked a lot in the shallows.
I
started just below the Griggs reservoir and floated down to 5th Ave on
my paddle board...really makes me focus on my casting while trying to
balance on that thing haha! But made it work. Just a blast of a day!
So thanks again Pat!
P.S.-
Didn't have any pics this time, I was too busy trying to not fall off
my SUP lol. Once I get used to the paddle board I'll snap some.
Warmwater
Bass
fishing continues to be the big talk around here locally. Over the
past couple weeks most of the major streams have been producing some
really nice post-spawn Smallmouth. With the recent pop-up storms the
windows have been tight
though. Guides have been reporting a good number of fry in the shallow
areas close to spawning sections of the rivers. This is a great sight
being the tough conditions over the past few springs. Those anglers who
know locations were these fish migrate during different seasons have
been very successful. Streamers are still the best option, but there
have been some reports of great popper fishing right before most streams
"blew out" from the storms.
Guides
Josh McQueen, Pat Kelly, Ryan Ratliff and Donnie Knight are all
chomping at the bit to get you out on the water to experience the
amazing smallmouth bass fishing going on in Ohio right now.
Largemouth
fishing has been great in the ponds and lakes throughout the state.
Most of the bass are in post-spawn also, but this past week started to
put the feed on. The cottonwood seeds, flowering trees and shrubs, and
the algae bloom from the rapid warm weather has created tough pond top
water fishing. Look for days with a slight breeze to push the mat of
all this stuff to one side of the water.
Crappies are either in
full spawn mode or finishing up around the state. Many people have been
targeting them with double Clousers or Clouser with dropper rigs.
Fishing these flies on an intermediate sinking line for aggressive fish
or under a float for those inactive fish are the main technique.
Bluegills are either just hitting the beds or in full swing. These bed
fields are a great place to throw a popper if that is your thing. Look
for schools of panfish roaming the surface over deep water also. These
fish will continue this routine all summer. Fish small streamers to the
cruising fish and San Juans or Midge larva to the rising fish. Trout
dries can also be used in this situation, but make sure to have your
floatant and Loon Easy Dry handy to take care of the slime. These areas
are also great attractions for bass looking for an easy meal. Casting
streamers to the outside edge or weed line close to the spawning flats
will produce some nice fish. Choose flies like the Dirty Hippie, Monkey
Butt, Dungeon, Bang Tail, Bottoms Up or others in Olive or Bluegill
colors are top choices.
Pike fishing continues to be
fantastic. The popup thunderstorms have put a damper on a few streams,
but the fishing will continue to be great for the next couple months.
We have been seeing some really great fish lately too. This fishing is
not a leisurely float down a river though. If you are in for some
serious streamer fishing and big eats then make sure to get on the books
for one of these trips. Musky fishing also has been very good. The
rains have been tough on the streams lately, but this should help
lengthen the season for a couple more weeks.
Friend,
customer and frequent contributor Don Gregory was out with Pat on a
Pike guide trip last Friday. "This fish ate 5 times before we finally
hooked up. He wouldn't take no for an answer! He really wanted to make
it to the MRO Social Media pages!
Hybrid
Striper fishing also continues to be fantastic. Josh has this game
dialed in, but what doesn't he have dialed! Streamers, Jet Boats, and
sink tips are the name of the game here. These fish are strong and love
to put a deep bend in a flyrod! We have many great fisheries in the
state that are growing some big fish. Shoot us a call with some dates
and we will get you on Josh’s boat!
Midwest
Fly Fishing School grad Roberto Noden was out on a Wiper Trip with Josh
last weekend and scored big. This kid has been on a tear since his 1st
school last June. Not the last time you'll be seeing him for sure!
The cottonwood seeds have been fallling pretty good for about a week now. You know what that means!
Carp Season!
Let's get some photos up for the next reports!!!!
How about this-
Send us a 2018 caught Carp Photo and we'll send you out this cool camo MRO Hat for FREE! Send to admin@madriveroutfitters.com
Be sure to include your name and address in the e-mail so we can send your hat out.
In the meantime......
Brian's
legendary Carpin' DVD is now being released by chapter on our YouTube
Channel. It features Dave Whitlock, Jim Andrix, Michael Bennett and
Jerry Darkes. New chapters released each week. Be sure to subscribe
while you are there.
Watch Chapter 1 here:
Forecast: With
the popup storms we have had lately, Largemouth Bass will be the main
target this weekend and into early next week. Most of the local ponds
stay clear providing a fun day of sight fishing. Water temps are way up
so look for the bigger fish to be in those deep weeds or in thick
vegetation. Fish slow swimming flies on a sinktip or lake line for the
most success. Flies like the Bottoms Up, Super Worm, Reaper, Half and
Half, Mud Puppy, and Peanuts will get the job done. If you are just
looking for numbers then target the shallow flats for smaller bass and
panfish. On the flats fish sparse streamers like Wooly Buggers, Black
Nose Dace and Stacked Blonds with a quick jerk-strip technique.
Once
the streams drop look for great Smallmouth fishing to pick back up.
The smaller streams are just about back to perfect conditions with this
weekend or early next week being good depending on the location. There
also are still a few Lake Run fish up north, but they will be moving
out soon from the increasing water temps up there. Popper fishing will
pick up by next week also. The new Double Barrel poppers have been a
big hit so far as they are loud and very durable. Channel Catfish have
also been targeted while fishing these streams. This is the rare time
of the year when these fish readily eat a fly. Do not be surprised if a
few of these show up on your Smallie trip.
If you are looking to give Pike or Stripers a shot make sure to shoot us a call. Josh and Pat continue to add new waters and theirboats are wamed up and ready
to go at a moments notice. Also as for anything else you are looking
to target make sure to get on our calendar soon before your wanted dates
are gone. Most of our schedules are filling fast, but there are a few
slots open.
The Mad continues to be a bit perplexing here this Spring. We are certainly catching fish, just not in the manner that we are accustomed to. The hatches have been "off" this year and the number of rising fish has been way down. Not sure why but surely has something to do with the strange, cold Spring we had. As stated, we are still catching fish, but most have been on nymphs and soft hackles and a handful on streamers when the water has been right.
The BIG news as we speak is that we have Brown Drakes and hopefully the next week or so will make up for the lack of dry fly fishing. Hatches have been decent in the lower parts of the river and will be moving upstream over the next week or so. No reports of huge spinner falls yet so the fishing the next week or so could be fantastic to EPIC.
Be sure to have some Brown Drake nymphs if fishing in the afternoon before the hatch. Then around 8:00 p.m. start looking. Make sure to look up at the sky as well for the spinners. Those of you who have experienced this before, you know what we are talking about!!! If you love catching big trout on big dries, drop everything and go fishing in the next week and plan to stay until dark or after.
By the way, the "top secret" fly that our guides have been hoarding the past few seasons is now available to the public:
The
Glo Drake Spinner actually has a Glow-in-the-Dark parachute post wing.
Charge it up with a flashlight or better yet a UV light and you can see
it on the water.....even after dark.
This fly is a MUST have if you are chasing Drakes.
You
could also experience a buffet of different bugs starting in the early
evening, depending on where you are on the river. Plenty of Sulphers
still around, both #16 and #18 but will most likely be an upper river
event for the next few weeks. Mostly an evening thing although on an
overcast day you could see them hatching all day. Also a few March
Browns still around as well as some Light Cahills. The spinner falls
though have been about the only activity that has been getting the fish
interested. We haven't seen strong hatches of either bug but the
spinners have been falling right before dark and some fish have been
paying attention.
Decent
numbers of caddis flitting around during the day as well and wouldn't
hesitate to throw an Elk Hair or a Galloup's Butch Caddis #14-16 to try
and bring fish up. They have been eating pupa in the afternoons so no
big secret that a green soft hackle will produce fish.....as always on
the Mad.
All
that being said, our focus will on the Drakes for the next week or
more. Brian will be out on the water two or three times at least next
week and will surely update on Social Media as he often does.
Stay tuned and let us know what you find out there. Nothing like Drake season!!!!
The
upper river has been producing very well. Good hatches of March
Browns, Light Cahill and Sulphurs. No word yet of any Drakes but should
be any moment. These will mostly be in the Upper stretch and can provide for some amazing evening fishing just like the Mad.
Caddis
have also been active and they make for a great choice while you are
waiting for a mayfly hatch. Mid-morning can be a great time to skate an
Elk Hair Caddis or Stimulator to see if you get a response. Trail one
of these with a Soft Hackle and you will usually find a few fish. The
lower river has also produced some fish, but the warm water fish have
been more willing to cooperate. Water levels are slightly high
providing good streamer water. If you make a trip up that way make sure
to let us know if you see some bugs hatching or stream conditions.
Mohican State Park offers some camping opportunities right on the river
and there are many other family activities.
Forecast: Expect
Sulphurs and Caddis to be the main hatches. We are on Brown Drake
watch also. Keep an eye out for these big mayflies late in the
evenings. Make sure to have your dry fly box stocked and ready for
anything. Keep a few ants and beetles handy also as the thermals start
to pick up and drop a few bugs into the water. Flies to have are the
Quick Sight ant, Hi-Vis Para Ant, and Ant Acid for terrestrials. For
mayflies Sulphurs are king. Have plenty of the Thorax, Compara Dun,
Parachutes and Spinners. Caddis will be Elk Hair, Stimulators, Butch
Caddis, Goddard, and Henryville Special. For Drakes take a look at the
new Glo Drake Spinner, Compara Drake, Para Drake, Brown Drake nymph…they
are all good.
Have a few March Browns, and Lt Cahils also, but those are coming to an end in the Upper river. Cahills will continue in the lower stretch for a few more weeks, especially in the evenings.
Earlier
last week the creek was in great shape but producing very few quality
fish. Most trout were taken on small Hares Ear or Pheasant Tail
nymphs. Midge and small caddis dries also have produced. Smallmouth
Bass have also started to show up. Striping a streamer has been the
most successful for these fish. Water temps continue to be great.
Forecast: The
storms have put a damper on the creek this week, but looking ahead
Saturday should start good streamer fishing for those who know the creek
well. Early next week will be your best bet. Look for Sulphurs, Lt
Cahills, and caddis to be your dry flies if the fish are keying in on
them. Fishing a small streamer can produce trout and a few Smallies.
If you are visiting the Hocking Hills area and want a chance at a trout
(despite the size) Clear Creek is worth a quick detour. This time of
the year there are many other opportunities down there for Smallmouth in
the Hocking or Largemouth in the numerous area lakes.
