Our Guides

Mad River Trout, Largemouth Bass, Muskie, Trip Host, Lead Instructor

Along with serving as lead instructor and a guide for Mad River Outfitters, he is also the founder and President of the company! Brian started his guiding career right here on the Mad River in Ohio in 1989. He also spent most of the nineties chasing steelhead up along Lake Erie and in Michigan. Most famously, he spent 9 years guiding folks in hot pursuit of trophy largemouth at the Wilds and was featured as such on an episode of the Walker's Cay Chronicles with Flip Pallot.

Although not a full-time guide, he does occaisionally still find a few days a season to float the Mad River in his AuSable River boat when requested. Brian is also planning a return to the largemouth bass business and the musky business in the 2018 season along with his usual teaching of classes and schools for the shop on a regular basis.

For the 2018 season, Brian is slated to host the Peacock Bass Trip in January, the Labrador Brook Trout trip in July, the San Jaun River trip in September and his new favorite trip....the New Orleans Redfish Trip in October. He is also working on several special trips with his friend, mentor and business partner Flip Pallot. See our Travel page for more details on these trips and don't hesitate to call Brian directly at the shop for details on any trip or guide trip.

Justin grew up in the Cleveland area and has been fishing since he was just a kid. Ten years ago, he picked up fly fishing for the first time and it has grown to be a life passion of his.

Inspired by Bob Popovics and Blane Chocklett, he has become an avid fly tyer fishing many of the flies and streamers he ties himself. He's particularly fond of Stealhead with Smallmouth and Brown Trout following close behind here in Ohio, he also loves to fish Musky when the opportunity arises

Guides For: Steelhead Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Brown Trout, Muskie

Follow Justin: @JustinJChris

Andy serves as our head carp guide. A position that nobody else wanted! Seriously though, he is a carp fishing expert and a true professional at what he does. Our carp trips are one of the most unique fishing trips you can experience!

Andy can be found in our shop serving as our General Manager when not out on the water! He has a genuine passion for carp and we’re proud to have him as a guide and manager at the shop.

Guides For: Carp

Follow Andy: @Otter1939

Pat Kelly has been fishing in Ohio since he was a young boy. Honing his skills in recent years, he has become one heck of a fishing guide. We’re thrilled to offer his services to our clients.

To say that he is a multi-talented guide is quite an understatement. His loyal following books with him season after season and if you get a chance to fish with him, you will too. Pat guides drift boat trips on the Mad River for Trout, jet boat and drift boat trips for smallmouth bass, pike and his specialty musky trips in Southern Ohio.

Guides For: Smallmouth Bass, Muskie, Pike, Brown Trout

Follow Pat: @PatKellyFishing

While on a trip in Alaska, Katie got a taste of fly fishing for the first time. From then on, she was hooked. With a heart for the outdoors and staying active, you can often find Katie spreading her love for the sport of fly fishing with her friends, fishing from her SmithFly and chasing smallies when in Ohio.

Co-Founder of Ohio Women on the Fly, she has a passion for brining women in Ohio's fly fishing community together and inspiring more women to get on the water.

Guides For: Smallmouth Bass, Steelhead Trout

Follow Katie: @_KatieJohnstone

Josh Grew up chasing smallmouth bass on the Kokosing River. Fishing Lake Erie at 11 for the first time left him hooked. He has been fly fishing since age 14 and his passion for fish on the fly has never stopped growing.

At 24, Josh began guiding and teaching fly fishing and has been guiding now ever since. His jet boat and raft can get you into places where you will see more bald eagles than anglers! Josh also holds a 25 ton masters license with the U.S. Coastguard and uses his 16ft Lowe deep v to guide near shore warm water and steelhead harbor trips and also inland lake Muskie trips.

Guides For: Steelhead, Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Muskie, Hybrid Striped Bass, Carp

Follow Josh: @TheGreatPikesby

When Ryan’s not bringing in steelhead trout or brown trout on the fly rod, he’s honing his skills in the traditional Japanese method of fly fishing called Tenkara.

He serves as an instructor for our fly tying classes and being a help with everything fly tying around the shop. When you’re out on the water with Ryan, you can expect a trip of great technique and years of knowledge.

Guides For: Steelhead Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass

Follow Ryan: @o_h__fly_o

Donnie grew up in Miami County and has fished the rivers and creeks throughout the Great Miami River watershed since 1988. He’s a full-time wildlife biologist that guides fly fishing on the side.

He owns a Hyde Rocky Mountain Skiff for the big waters and a Smithfly Big Shoals raft for smaller tributary fishing and low water situations. He loves to target Smallmouth bass and Brown trout with frequent by catches of Saugeye, Pike, Carp, Rock Bass, channel catfish and Largemouth not uncommon.

Guides For: Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass

Follow Donnie: @OhioFlyByKnight

"Dr. Steelhead"

Michael was one of the original "Steelhead Pro Staff" members.....launched in our Fall 1998 newsletter. Very close friends with Jerry Darkes and Brian Flechsig- their steelhead addictions in the 90's were of legendary proportions. Being a psychologist, many knew him as "Dr. Steelhead" and he was simply one of the finest fishing guides you would ever fish with!

Not only was he a guide for Mad River Outfitters...he was a friend, a mentor...and..."Head Mental Health Specialist".

Michael unfortunately passed away on May 9th of 2003. He retains a permanent spot on Mad River Outfitters guide staff! He is sorely missed to this day and is always on guide trips in spirit!