*Owner/Servant FOM Outfitters
*B.S Biology, Marshall University
*D.P.M., Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine
*34 years Fly Fishing Experience
*Fly Fishing Guide, Steelhead, Trout, Salmon, Smallmouth Bass
*Christian Men's Retreat Coordinator
*Fly Casting Instructor (Certified Casting Instructor of the Joan Wulff method)
*Pro Guide Program Member: Temple Fork Outfitters, Rajeff Sports (Echo & Airflo), Orvis, Simms, Hareline, Spirit River, Royal Wilff Products, and Flymen Fishing Company
I grew up in central Ohio in Champaign county. There were not a lot of fly fishers in my neighborhood. I have been obsessed with fishing since I was given my first cane pole as a 3 or 4 year old. Back then, a little bread on a hook kept me captivated with bluegill for hours fishing in the pond on our family farm.
The first fishing shows I remember watching were on PBS in the early 70s and once in a while someone would be fly fishing on those shows. The first time I saw someone on TV with a fly rod, I knew that was for me.
By the time I was 9 or 10 years old, I was just big enough to start working some on the family farm and earning a little money. After saving up some cash, I had my mom take me to K-Mart to buy my first fly rod. It was fiberglass with a mechanical reel. That rod was huge, I'm guessing a 6wt. I bought whatever fly line they had and some prepackaged flies and a few poppers. My leaders consisted of any monofilament line we had.While I was in Bible College I met a fellow named Darren and he helped me take my fly fishing to the next level. Darren taught me a lot about casting and even more about catching. I'll never forget Darren's best secret fly. He called it a "bee moth." That was simply putting a live wax worm on a small hook. We used to catch some great fish out at the local lake in those days.
After years of ungrad and a year of graduate school, I finally entered Medical school. I found myself in Cleveland Ohio and started hearing about steelhead. I had just enough money to purchase a nice fly outfit. I found myself out at the Backpacker's Shop in Sheffield Lake and they set me up with a 6wt Orvis Silver Label TL and a classic Orvis Battenkill 5/6wt reel.
When my daughters were born, I started spending a day a week out of the office home with them. Wow, did they grow up fast. The 7 years I spent a day a week at home with them went too quickly. Once they were all in school, I had to decide what to do with my time. I could have went back into the office and worked another day. But, I decided to start preparing for a time when I could walk away from medicine.
I wanted to be able to spend quality time with people doing something I love. The obvious answer was fly fishing. I began to prepare to take folks fishing, specifically fly fishing for steelhead.
I'm currently a Pro Staff member of TFO Rods, Simms, Orvis, Hareline Dubbin, Rajeff Sports (Echo & Airflo) & Flymen Fishing Company (makers of Fish-Skull), Royal Wulff Products, and Spirit River.And here we are. I currently see patients in nursing homes 2 days a week and spend the rest of my time guiding and developing men's conferences. There are few things in the world better than wading the creeks and rivers of Steelhead Alley and hooking into a 10 pound bruiser lake-run rainbow trout on a fly rod. Come spend a great day on the water with me. LET'S GO FISHING!
Ryan "Buff" Ratliff
*Fly Tier Extraordinaire
*Christian Men's Retreat Staff
*Fly Fishing Guide for Southern Ohio Smallies
Buff is a graduate of Kentucky Christian University where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Bible, Intercultural Studies, and a minor Wilderness Leadership. He has tremendous experience as a camp manager and wilderness guide. Buff has served as a children's minister for the past several years and is now transitioning to a new phase in his life.
If you need quality flies for anything from smallmouth bass to steelhead and Salmon, shoot Buff and note to buff@fomoutfitters.com and he will hook you up with what you need.
Derek Eberly
*Christian Men's Retreat Staff
*Fly Casting Instructor (Certified casting instructor of the Joan Wulff method)
*Fly Fishing Guide for Central Pennsylvania Trout
Derek is our trout guru from Lancaster, PA. He might be the most down-to-earth guy you will ever meet. Those are always easy people to be around. Derek is a fly casting fanatic. He has spent a large amount of time over the past few years getting certified by Joan Wulff as a casting instructor, giving casting lessons, and working at the Orvis Shop in Lancaster. And all of that was secondary to chasing fish!
Derek is a great host and loves to help folks with their casting concerns. He is great with beginners to fly casting, but he is equally great helping experienced fly casters work out any issues they may have.
Chelsea Campbell
* Future Fly Casting Instructor & Guide
My baby girl's casting is coming along and she can land big steelhead on fly gear like a pro. She's already talking about guiding trips some day. It's been fun watching my best fishing buddy grow up!