Tonto Tom

"Extreme Fly-fishing and Life-Long-Learning"

I was fortunate enough to have met Mike and Mickey at the beginning of 2009 when I signed up for the beginning/intermediate class. In the beginning course we learned subtle techniques that Mike has perfected over a lifetime of constantly catching fish. But more importantly I was "BORN" into a journey of Life-Long-Learning!
Mike's approach breaks down every fundamental skill into manageable techniques that everyone can learn at their own pace from a beginner skill level all the way up the ranks to what I would call Master Level fishermen. In the beginning course we learned to cast, how to select appropriate patterns for all seasons and most importantly we learned Mike's proven & reproducible nymphing technique that all but eliminates days or years of frustrating times on the rivers. We were given the tools needed to
properly construct leaders, strike indicators and tie fly patterns that match the exact food that fish are feeding on from actual screenings of bugs. Mike and Mickey go the extra mile by taking everyone to local rivers that they have researched and they aid us in polishing our skills. They ensure that everyone has the chance to work through the challenges of fishing real water in natures classroom. Mike and Mickey also invite many "Red Hat" helper to the river days to help ensure that each individual has the necessary one-on-one assistance needed to help hook-up on healthy fish and they teach how to safely handle and release them so that we can catch them another time.

The next immersion into my Life-Long-Learning of flyfishing was Mike's Advanced class. This course truly takes it to a whole new level. We compound what we have already learned with strategies of dry fly fishing, streamer fishing and many other advanced techniques required to fish more
technical waters. Again, Mike and Mickey go the extra mile to provide everyone with the needed skill sets and most importantly the hands on time in real fishing conditions on rivers and on still waters. Mike and Mickey take you on a journey to some beautiful destinations that they have researched extensively and they teach the necessary patterns and techniques that work at all skill levels. This course is a must see!
Finally, the ultimate fly fishing experience is Mike's Extreme Class. This course has to be the "Deal of the Century". This class has 8 scheduled trips ranging from catching trout in the San Juan river in New Mexico, Steelhead in Idaho to bass fishing in Oregon. This course is where you will graduate and join a team of Master Level fishermen who all have the same love affair with consistently catching fish in any weather/water condition. This group of fishermen have all experienced the thrill of landing big fish and I'm convinced that they get more satisfaction in helping new members catch and land fish at destinations that they otherwise would have never experienced without the Extreme Class. This course pushes the limits of skill but be assured that Mike, Mickey and now the Extreme Team are all there along with you in the journey of Life-Long-Learning.

Tom Martin