Fly Fishing Clinic with Jeff Blood at The Grand Resort

The writer Washington Irving once said: “There is certainly something in angling that tends to  produce a serenity of mind.” Here’s your chance to find serenity while picking up a new sport.

Organizers of the 2022 Fly Fishing Clinics are inviting all anglers, novice and experienced alike, to two weekends surrounded by nature, new friends, and wine, while learning what has been known as “the contemplative man's recreation”.

To be held at The Grand Resort, the premier Roman-inspired leisure hotel and spa destination set in Warren, Ohio, the weekend events are aimed not only at teaching fly fishing but at fostering life-long friendships and community.

“We want to introduce experienced anglers to the most exciting flight on a fly rod: Great Lakes Steelhead!” according to event organizer Lucas Carter Smith, owner of fly-tying and guiding operation What That Vise Do.

Fly fishing is an angling method that uses artificial flies composed of natural and synthetic materials which mimic the food source(s) of your targeted species. Fly fishing utilizes casting techniques that maximize the potential energy of the fly line propelling the flies to the best possible position to catch fish. During the clinics, these techniques will be discussed in theory as well as in practice on the water. 

The first event, dubbed Wading for Wine will be held from April 8-10, 2022. After the Steelhead presentation held on Saturday morning, it will be highlighted by wine-tasting, apart from a two-night stay at the Grand Resort. Here, guests will be treated to breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A round of nine-hole simulator golf or spa treatments are also included. The event will be topped off with a full day of fly fishing that Sunday, April 10th, shuttled by the Grand Resort and concluding around 2 PM. If you'd like to drive separately and fish longer, you're more than welcome to do so.

The focus of the second weekend will be the Steelhead Seminar held April 15th - 17th. Similar to the Wading for Wine weekend, we'll begin Saturday with the Steelhead Presentation, immediately followed by lunch and then a half day of steelhead fishing and instruction shuttled by The Grand Resort. You'll return that night for dinner with a cash bar and final thoughts immediately following.

The Steelhead Seminar will be topped off with a full day of fly fishing that Sunday, April 17th, once again shuttled by the Grand Resort and concluding around 2 PM. If you'd like to drive separately and fish longer, you're more than welcome to do so.  

Both events, Wading for Wine and Steelhead Seminar, will be conducted by world-renowned fly fishing expert Jeff Blood. The event's participants will take on a deep dive into fly fishing for Great Lakes Steelhead guided by a veteran who has been fly fishing Steelhead Alley for over 40 years. Go check out Jeff's popular Youtube videos with The Fly Fisherman as well as Orvis's Tom Rosenbaugher for an introduction to his knowledge about steelhead fishing. Jeff is also an originator of popular Great Lakes Steelhead flies such as the "Blood Dot" and "White Death" - two must-haves in your fly boxes. 

“Our goal is to give you our knowledge and tools to be able to fly fish for steelhead on your own once the weekend is completed,” said Lucas Smith, organizer of the event. “We'll do  this through our presentation, the take-home packets we hand out, and on-stream guiding  and instruction.”

A future float-and-wade Colorado guide for the 2022 trout season with Blue Quill Anglers, Smith attended the Sweetwater Travel Co’s premier fly fishing guiding school in 2020, where he received thorough training from an array of experienced guides. The avid fly fisherman and fly tyer began fly tying in  2016, and has designed unique, durable and effective flies for Steelhead Alley. Drawing inspiration from Steelhead Alley legends like Greg Senyo and Jeff Blood, he too hopes his fly patterns can reach similar success. 

With a dedication to conservation, Lucas and Jeff commit themselves to the delicate ecosystems they guide to ensure future generations have the same opportunities. This pair of patient teachers love sharing their passion for fly fishing and fly tying with new and experienced anglers all the same.