Defrank's Flies - Tying Classes and Demos

To book a trip with any of the guides below please call Don Mathews at 330-565-5457. He handles our central booking calendar at steelheadschool.com You may also call the guide of your choice at anytime with questions or to check on availability.

Guide Don "dfishinfool" Mathews

330-565-5457

All guides listed below are self employed. We have joined forces. We believe that by networking together on the stream our group of local guides can give the best steelheading experience possible. We guarantee it. Feel free to call any of us at anytime to check on availability or to just talk fishin. Don't be fooled by the NEW wave of guides in Ohio. These guys are your true local steelhead pro's.


Guide Jeff Novak
330-984-7406

Guide Mark DeFrank
724-317-8582

Guide Dick Keagy
330-646-8150

Guide Travis McAllister
330-399-2746

Greg Lum

Tying Classes and Demonstrations

I know how intense the frustration can get! Thirty five years ago i embarked on a journey into fly tying with only the limited instruction of a teacher at school in a small tying club. The rest was years of hair pulling nights at the vice until the bobbin and scissors became extenstions of my fingertips - learning do's and don'ts, shortcuts and neat little tricks to make the flies come alive - thus spawning the interest in tying competitions and later, commercial tying for a living. Join me for time and money well spent on cutting the learning curve in the art of fly tying. I feel one-on-one is the best way to go for it is what it is - a one-on-one experience tailored to the student and their needs. Large group classes are still beneficial but do suffer some downfalls. The fact that your instructor has to spend time with each individual leaves less time per student per session. Some down time is expected at a group class. One other downside to a group class is that you pay for a set number of sessions up front and if you miss a class - tough luck. One-on-one classes with me are scheduled to fit the student's life style and needs. All private classes are held in my home office in Uniontown, PA. I supply all materials, including vice, scissors, thread, etc., for all classes held in my office, but the student is always welcome to bring their own equipment. Scheduled appointments are not limited to the evening and weekends.
Email Mark or call 724-317-8582 to schedule your class now! A complete list of various flies & applications are too expansive to layout for each level. What is given below is based on an instructor's standpoint. Some applications listed in Beginner & novice carry over to the advanced levels.
Beginner Class $25.00 per hour
Wooly Buggers Wet Flies Simple Nymphs	Dubbing techniques Hackle types & applications Proper proportions
Novice Class $30.00 per hour
Dry Flies Hair Wings Emergers Complex Nymphs Streamers Muddlers	Dry Fly Wings Hackle Techniques Multiple Wing Cases Various Leg Applications Dubbing Loops Blending Dubbing
Advanced Class $35.00 per hour
Foam Bodied Dry Fly Extended Body Dry Fly Burnt Wing Dry Fly Semi Realistic Nymphs Woven Nymphs Wiggle Nymphs Complex Streamers	Bullet Heads Parachute Techniques Needle construction Foam Bodies Synthetic Substitutes Multiple Burnt Wing Nymph Cases Weaving Techniques Marker Asthetics Epoxy Applications
Email Mark or call 724-317-8582 to schedule your class now! Sponsered Group Classes
I prefer not to catagorize the group classes. I've determined in my past experience, it is too difficult to do this, because each student portrays their ability different. I refer to them not as basic, but a general tying class that I assess and alter to match the class at hand. Each session is adapted to advance the class to the utmost extreme of their abilities.

4 Week Course.....4 - 2 Hour Sessions - $240.00 6 Week Course.....6 - 2 Hour Sessions - $360.00 8 Week Course.....8 - 2 Hour Sessions - $480.00	An additional travel fee of $.50 per mile for each night will be accessed for class locations in excess of 20 mile radius from my base location of Uniontown, Pa
I supply all materials other than Vises Bobbins Thread Scissors Stackers Additional lighting
Any additional tools students may need to bring will be assigned on a need to know basis
Email Mark or call 724-317-8582 to schedule your class now! Tying Demonstrations
Fly Shops Trade Shows Seminars Featured Tyer Clubs/Organizations
Up To 1 Hour Flat Rate - $ 90.00 * Travel expense applies 2 - 4 Hours Flat Rate - $ 180.00 * Travel expense applies 4 - 8 Hours Flat Rate - $ 320.00 * Travel expense applies
*An additional travel fee of $.50 per mile for each night will be accessed for class locations in excess of 20 mile radius from my base location of Uniontown, Pa