We also offer a series of Fly Fishing Classes in conjunction with our partners at Mad River Outfitters. These range from two hour clinics to full-day seminars on a variety of subjects. These are held at Mad River Outfitters store in Columbus, Ohio as well as various locations around the state. Below is a listing of those classes as well as the pricing and the dates and times of the Classes can be found on the Calendar page of this website.
Beginners Program
This is a great way to get introduced to the sport! This two-hour session will take years off of your learning curve. We guarantee it!!!
Join us for an informative session on Getting Started in Fly Fishing which covers the basics on what you need to do to get the ball rolling, where to go, and what further steps to take to become a proficient fly fisher. We will take a look at the 6 basic things that you need to understand and also clear up some of the common myths and misconceptions that surround the sport.
These are scheduled periodically throughout the season. Please refer to our seasonal newsletter or the Calendar page of this website for future dates. Please call or register online to reserve a seat.
This class is well worth the investment.
* no equipment or experience necessary. You may want to bring along a notepad and pen. A basic handout that outlines the program will be provided.
Class will last approximately two hours and will cost $5.00 per student
The scheduled classes are held at Mad River Outfitters in Columbus, Ohio and the dates can be found on the Calendar page here or on www.madriveroutftters.com.
Basic Knots and Rigging
One of the 1st 3 classes any Beginner should take. Free Beginner's, Fly Casting and Basic Knots and Rigging can easily get you out on the water and fly fishing in no time!!!
This class is designed to teach you the basics of "putting things together". We will cover how you put together your outfit, how to properly attach leaders and tippets, basic rigging and will cover some basic knots. Will also go into basic rigging techniques for dries, nymphs and streamers as well as talk about some warmwater rigging techniques.
* No equipment required and a basic handout that outlines the program will be provided. Class is limited to 6 students.
Class will last about two hours and will cost $45.00 per student.
The scheduled classes are held at Mad River Outfitters but this program can be brought to your club, organization or function for a small travel fee. Please call for details.
Basic Fly Casting
Fly casting is simple....really..... but it can also be a complete disaster if some basic fundamentals aren’t understood. Let our instructors take the mystery out of fly casting!
We offer a two-hour Basic Fly Casting Class designed to teach you these fundamentals and we guarantee you will learn to be a better fly caster. Private instruction is also available by appointment if you have any specific questions or problems. Please call or register online to sign up for a class or to schedule a private appointment!
* A rod, reel, line and leader set-up is recommended. It is typically best that you learn on your own equipment but if you don't yet have an outfit, we can easily provide one for you. Just kindly let us know in advance and we will have the gear waiting for you.
Basic Class: $45 per student and classes are limited to 6 students
Private: $65 per hour/per student * call to check availability
The scheduled classes are held at Mad River Outfitters in Columbus, Ohio. Dates can be found on the Calendar page here or on www.madriveroutftters.com
Entomology 101
This class is designed to take the mystery out of fly selection!
One of the biggest challenges that beginner and intermediate angler's face is trying to determine what fish are eating....and how that relates to the flies that you should be using. You will learn alot about bugs and their life cycles as well as other food organisms that fish eat. After getting pretty in-depth though, we will simplify things for you and make the process seem much easier and understandable than you ever imagined.
* no equipment or experience necessary- a basic handout that outlines the program will be provided and you may want to bring along a pen to take some notes.
$45.00 per student and the class usually lasts right about two hours. Limited to 8 students.
The scheduled classes are held at Mad River Outfitters in Columbus, Ohio. Dates can be found on the Calendar page here or on www.madriveroutfitters.com
Knots and Leaders
Two of the most mis-understood.....and most important aspects of the sport. Join Brian Flechsig for an intesive two hour class that will completely take the mystery out of both! He will cover proper leader design and selection for all types of fishing situations and then show you how to attach everything.......easily. You will come away from this class with the skills needed to become a much better fly angler!!!!!!
This may be the most important class that you ever take regarding fly fishing......period.
* no equipment necessary and two handouts are provided. This is not a beginner's class. You will want to have a basic understanding of rigging, leaders, knots etc. before taking this class.
$45.00 per student and the class usually lasts right about two hours. Limited to 6 students.
The scheduled classes are held at Mad River Outfitters in Columbus, Ohio. Dates can be found on the Calendar page here or on www.madriveroutfitters.com
Advanced Fly Casting
This will be an intensive, three hour class, geared towards taking your casting to the next level. Brian Flechsig has had the pleasure of studying fly casting with the likes of Flip Pallot, Lefty Kreh and Dave Whitlock and has come up with a system of teaching that is like no other. One hour will be spent in classroom.....looking at the different components of the cast on a chalk board. Then, the final two hours will be spent working on the techniques with fly rod in hand. The techniques learned will be advanced such as the double haul, and will be geared towards saltwater fly casting although certainly apply to all types of casting.
Students are recommended to bring a 5-6 wt rod and an 8-9 wt rod although one or the other will work if that is all you have. Equipment can be provided if needed! This class is limited to 6 students and will be offered three times throughout the season, Spring, Summer and Fall.
* If you don't think that this class greatly improves your fly casting, we'll give your money back!!!
$75.00 per student and the class usually lasts right about three hours. Limited to 6 students.
The scheduled classes are held at Mad River Outfitters in Columbus, Ohio. Dates can be found on the Calendar page here or on www.madriveroutftters.com
Spey/Switch Casting
This will be a two hour program designed to give you the basics of working with a two-handed rod. One hour will be spent in classroom setting going over definitions and some rigging helps. The second hour will be in the field with demos and trial on some basic casts. All equipment can be provided for this introductory class.
$45.00 per student and the class usually lasts right about three hours. Limited to 6 students.
Private: $65 per hour/per student * call to check availability
The scheduled classes are held at Mad River Outfitters in Columbus, Ohio. Dates can be found on the Calendar page here or on www.madriveroutftters.com
Getting Started Fly Tying
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.
We will cover the equipment needed, basic materials, necessary techniques and, you will wind up tying a simple fly before the night is over.
* No equipment necessary although if you have a basic vise and tools, you are welcome to bring them along. This class will last approximately 2 hours and is limited to 6 students.
* no equipment or experience necessary. You may want to bring along a notepad and pen. A basic handout that outlines the program will be provided.
Class will last approximately two hours and will cost $5.00 per student
The scheduled classes are held at Mad River Outfitters in Columbus, Ohio. Dates can be found on the Calendar page here or on www.madriveroutftters.com
Basic Fly Tying
Fly tying can be a very fun and rewarding hobby and it brings the sport of fly fishing full circle. Nothing is more fun for a fly fisher than catching a fish on a fly that they have tied. We are proud to offer a full range of classes designed to teach you to tie your own flies when you can't be out fishing. A basic vise and a tool set are all that are required for the class although you will need to purchase some basic materials to practice with at home. A book and manual are included with the cost of the class.
Our Basic Fly Tying Course runs for 4 weeks and the classes are two hours each. These are almost always held on Monday or Wednesday nights and occasionally on Saturday mornings. We typically run one Basic class in November, one in January and one in February.
Necessary equipment:
Functional vise designed for fly tying
Bobbin (for thread)
6/0 and 8/0 thread (color doesn't matter)
Hackle Pliers
Scissors
Hair Stacker
Half-Hitch tools and/or a whip finisher
Basic Fly Tying Course- Fall 2023 Sessions TBA
Private: $65 per hour/per student * call to check availability
The scheduled classes are held at Mad River Outfitters in Columbus, Ohio. Dates can be found on the Calendar page here or on www.madriveroutftters.com
Tying Tube Flies
No two ways about it....tube flies are hot! Tube flies are easy, they are smart...and they will catch anything that swims.
Fly Tying manager Ryan Ratliff will teach this "Intro to Tube Flies" seminar/class for the coming season. He will cover all of the tools and components and then the students will tie two types of tube flies.
The class will include the use a Pro Tube adaptor so just bring your standard vise and basic tools. We will of course provide all the tubes and materials as well.
$45.00 per student and includes the use of a ProTube adaptor and all materials. This class will last around two hours and is limited to 6 students.
Private: $65 per hour/per student * call to check availability
The scheduled classes are held at Mad River Outfitters in Columbus, Ohio. Dates can be found on the Calendar page here or on www.madriveroutftters.com
On-River Seminars
Spend a day on the water with the guides that fish there! These seminars are geared towards intermediate to advanced fly fishing for trout and smallmouth bass in streams, largemouth bass in lakes and carp in both. They are a full-day of intensive learning- half-day classroom and half-day on the water with techniques and principles applied to actual fishing situations. A great way to learn more about the sport and about local waters.
Highly Recommended beforehand is one of our FREE beginners programs and a some basic fly casting skills. Rod and reel set-up and some basic equipment is required. These classes should be viewed as intermediate to advanced and not geared towards "rank beginners". Lunch is not included, please pack one for yourself and bring along.
Recommended Equipment:
Fly rod and reel set-up (4-6wt for trout schools, 5-7wt for smallmouth, 7-8wt for bass school)
Appropriate selection of leaders and tippet and flies
Other basic accessories (nippers, hemostats etc.)
Appropriate waders (if needed for specific school)
Fishing vest (personal preference)
Polarized sunglasses
* A detailed listing of equipment as per the type of school (trout, bass/stream, lake etc.) will be sent to you upon making a reservation.
Topics covered in each school will be fairly extensive. Bring a notepad!
On-river seminars: $225.00 per student- seminars are limited to 6 students and usually last from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
The scheduled classes are held at various "fishing spots" throughout the state of Ohio.
Carp School
Join us on the hallowed carp waters of the Muzzy Lakes Club near Urbana, Ohio for a 6 hour "Carp School".
Our "Carp Guru" Andy Jensen will meet the group at 9:00 a.m. and spendabout 3 hours going over the "ins-and-outs" of carp on the fly.He will cover topics like: carp history, carp feeding and behavior habits, lake vs. stream fishing, basic equipment, flies and presentation and much more!
The group will then head to the water for some 1st hand experience!
Some basic equipment (6-8 wt fly rod) and a few carpy flies are really all you need for this....and a pen and note pad!!!!
Carp School: $225.00 per student- limited to 6 students and usually last from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
This school is held on location once or twice a year. See the Calendar page here or over at www.madriveroutfitters.com.
Private Lessons
Need some help with your casting......or maybe want to perfect the double haul? Maybe you have a particular fly pattern...or fly tying technique that is giving you fits?
Let us help you! Our experienced instructors are available by the hour for private instruction on just about any subject related to fly fishing. Private One-Day Schools availalbe for groups of 1 or more anglers and equipment can be provided!
Private Fly Casting Lessons:
$65.00 per hour/ per student meet at the shop
Prviate Lessons- Any subject:
$65.00 per hour/ per student meet at the shop
Prviate One-Day Schools:
$595.00 for 1 student
$695.00 for 2 students
$100.00 per additional
* call for pricing on larger groups ***equipment can be provided.