Swinging flies for steelhead is an extraordinary way to spend a day. These fish violently strike swung flies throughout the fall, winter, and spring -as long as the river isn’t iced over, we can swing flies! I’ll show you how we tactfully present flies to fish in different water conditions to increase our odds of hooking up.

We employ switch rods in lengths between 11 and 12 feet paired with short skagit heads and sink tips, and carry a range of battle-tested fly patterns to entice the most aggressive fish in the system. Single hand rods can also be used to swing flies when preferred or when conditions dictate.

The smallmouth bass may be the best freshwater fly rod fish on the planet for its willingness to attack flies under a wide variety of conditions, and for its ferocity when hooked. We are fortunate to have excellent angling opportunities for smallmouth in our region, and we can target them in a variety of ways. Wade and float trips are available in the late spring, summer, and fall for both fly and gear fishing.

Largemouth bass inhale oversized topwater bugs and streamers. We can find them in many inland lakes and reservoirs or wade for them in corners of Lake Erie. 7 and 8-weight rods are standard for bucket mouths.

Freshwater drum, while historically overlooked, have grown in popularity in the fly fishing community in recent years. They are big, aggressive, and plentiful in our local waters. These brutes can be effectively targeted in a number of ways. Dense, sinking lines and shooting heads help us access these brutes in the main lake, but they also appear in the lower rivers at times. Trips for freshwater drum are available in the mid and late summer months.

Cast and Catch

Learn to cast and catch your first fly rod fish in the same day! We’ll cover all the basics of equipment, casting, and the mechanics of hooking and fighting fish. This course is suitable for anglers of all ages, and includes pond fishing for bluegill and largemouth bass.