About

My name is Randy Cochran, and I'm a Wisconsin-licensed guide and graduate of the Yellowstone Outfitters and Guide Academy (now Hubbard's Guide Academy). With over 25 years of fly fishing experience, I'm sure I can help you have a very memorable and enjoyable time on the water.

Drag-Free Fly Fishing offers guided fishing and instruction, specializing in fly fishing for trout in and around the Driftless area of Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota. If salmon or larger lake-run fish are what you're after, I can help out there too.

What's included?

  • Fly rod & reel rental (you are welcome to bring your own outfit as well)
  • Leaders
  • Tippet
  • Flies
  • Digital photography (images from your trip will be given to you at the end of the day or emailed at a later time)
  • Snacks
  • Lunch (provided on full day trips only)
  • Water/juice/soda (beer or wine is BYOB)

What do I bring?

  • Waders
  • Wading boots
  • Seasonal clothing (layers, as well as an extra pair of everything)
  • Neoprene or fleece fishing gloves (for cold-weather conditions)
  • Rain shell or wading jacket
  • Polarized sunglasses
  • Hat
  • Insect repellent
  • Sunscreen (SPF 20 or higher)

Rates

Trout

  • ½ day - 1 person: $175, 2 people: $300
  • Full day - 1 person: $275, 2 people: $400

Salmon / Steelhead / Lake-run Trout

  • ½ day - 1 person: $150, 2 people: $275
  • Full day - 1 person: $250, 2 people: $375

Seasons

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Trout
Wisconsin   Early C&R season - First Saturday in March through last Sunday in April
Regular season - First Saturday in May through September 30th		  
Iowa Year-round
Minnesota Multiple seasons - check MI DNR Regulations for details.
Salmon and Lake-run Trout
Wisconsin Year-round in Great Lakes tributaries up to the first dam. Consult WI DNR regulations for exceptions.

Lake-run timing

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Kings   Late August - middle November  
Cohos   Middle October - late November  
Steelhead   Early March - late April   Middle October - ice-up
Browns   Middle October - ice-up

Hatch chart

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Early Brown Stone      
Early Black Stone      
Blue-Winged Olives        
Little Black Caddis          
Spotted Sedge          
Midges      
Small Black Stone      
Hendricksons          
Gray Drake          
American Grannom        
Brown Drake          
March Brown      
Sulphurs          
Ginger Quill      
Hexagenia        
Light Cahill      
Terrestrials      
Tricos      
White Mayfly          

Hatches are dependent on weather and other factors. Hatch chart information is generously provided by Frank Nardomarino, © 2002.

Reservations

To reserve a date, call me at 312-504-9454, or just drop me a line here: dragfree at dragfreeflyfishing dot com.

Reservations for weekday trips should be made at least 1 month in advance, as I work a 9 to 5 in order to pay the bills and need to clear time off with the big boss man. Weekend trips are generally no problem, but I do ask that you try to book as far in advance as possible. A 50% deposit - payable via check or PayPal - is required to hold a date, with the remaining 50% due upon completion of the trip.

Payment / Cancellations

Payment is accepted in cash, check or credit card via Paypal.

Trips may be cancelled up to 5 days before the date of the trip. If for any reason I have to cancel, you will have the option to either reschedule for a later date or receive a full refund on your deposit.

Deposits are completely refundable up to 5 days before the date of the trip.

Photo Gallery

Coming Soon!

Drag-Free Fly Fishing is a proud supporter of Trout Unlimited. 10% of all proceeds go towards supporting their efforts here in the Midwest and beyond. Please consider joining TU or renewing your membership today to ensure the health of our fisheries now and well into the future.