WELCOME TO YOUR DRIFTLESS FLY FISHING ADVENTURE

A BIT ABOUT US!

Established in 2009, and with over 500 client days under my belt, I cater to vacationers and day visitors to the Driftless Region of Western Wisconsin, NE Iowa, and SE Minnesota. My primary vision is to provide a relaxed, friendly, and non-intimidating fly fishing experience based on your desires. No two days with me are the same. I take into account your physical ability and fishing background to tailor-make a day expressly for you. I also enjoy sharing information on the area's history, current events, and the overall beauty of "THE DRIFTLESS."

For the NOVICE or first-timer who wants to learn a few skills, I offer experiences that provide the patience, assistance, and equipment needed to have a great DRIFTLESS day. I will share some "how-to" fly fishing basics, including the fly casting basics, understanding and reading water, fly selection, all while visiting a comfortable access stream. Then, as our day progresses, we will offer some helpful suggestions while providing the same level of client services and benefits that our more experienced clients have come to expect.

For the more SEASONED fly angler, I offer my extensive local knowledge, clean, reliable transportation, a tasty tailgate, or stream-side lunch, all while delivering you to the harder to find Driftless "honey holes." We will give some assistance with fly selection, help to land fish, and take a picture or two. But, unlike some, our first goal is to offer the friendship of a fellow local angler. We promise not to be critical, try to coach, or press an unwanted "lesson."

Meet Mike Warren

Mike has been a resident of the Driftless Region for over 50 years, but his fishing adventure started in central Idaho, where he caught his first trout as a youngster growing up on the Hagerman National Fish Hatchery where his father worked as a regional fisheries pathologist.

Mike started fly fishing the Driftless Region with an Orvis Rocky Mountain 5wt in the early 80's long before today's vast fisheries improvements. Today, Mike either guides or fishes about 150 days a year throughout the tri-state area, be it Western Wisconsin, SE Minnesota, or NE Iowa. If he's not guiding, he's seeking new secluded spots or learning every curve, rock, or log, and the subtle nuances of his favorite streams to visit with clients.

On the days he's not knee-deep in a stream, he might be camping, playing golf with friends or taking care of his onion, tomato, and peppers garden on the far south side of La Crosse, WI in the home he and his wife Donna have lived in over the last 34 years.

NEW for '22 - DRIFTLESS DIY in PARTNERSHIP WITH TROUTROUTEs

DIY or SELF GUIDE TRIPS

We know some folks take pleasure in doing things independently, but the Driftless area can be a daunting place! So many streams, access points, and different degrees of stream difficulty can be overwhelming to those visiting the area for the first time. We can help you skip straight to the good stuff with a phone call!

With that in mind, we, in partnership with the folks at TroutRoutes have developed an all-new DIY or "virtual" self-guided program. For the round figure of $100, we provide you with:

A one-year subscription to TroutRoutes PRO provides public fishing easement markers, parking spots, stream classifications and even gives you directions through Google Maps. (A $40 value)
A Driftless gift package including a hat made in an environmentally friendly fabric, a Driftless bumper sticker, a dozen flies from our friends at Barbless Flies UK, and a one-year introductory membership to Trout Unlimited. (An $80 value)
A 45-minute phone or Zoom consult covering the use of the TroutRoutes App, lodging suggestions, and some good conversation pointing out streams and access points you may enjoy based on your abilities and desires. (A Value of -- sorry, you can't put a value on local knowledge.)