Outdoors Unbound.
Owner-operated fly fishing guide trips for beginners on the Bighead, Sturgeon, and Mad Rivers near Barrie, Ontario
The brief.
Outdoors Unbound is an owner-operated fly fishing guide service running beginner-focused day trips out of the Barrie area in south-central Ontario. Founder Ethan and second guide Lucas — who has 10+ years of fly tying experience and ties flies for Bass Pro events — rotate through three Rainbow Trout rivers: the Bighead, the Sturgeon (the closest to Barrie), and the Mad, which also offers a Brook Trout window in early September. All trips include fly rods, reels, lines, flies, and waders, plus on-the-water instruction and a river safety briefing — guests need only an Ontario fishing licence and Outdoors Card. Ethan also works with the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority on local habitat-building. Currently booking its founding spring season.
3. ways in.
- 01
Half Day Experience
For: Beginners and new anglers; under-18s with a parent or legal guardianWhen: Spring dates currently bookingA 4-hour guided river trip covering casting instruction, water reading, and fly selection. All gear is provided — rods, reels, lines, flies, and waders — along with on-the-water instruction and a river safety briefing. Trips run on one of three rotation rivers (Bighead, Sturgeon, or Mad) and target Rainbow Trout. A 25% deposit holds the date; balance is due on trip day, paid cash or e-transfer.
$250 (1 angler) / $425 (2 anglers) / $575 (3 anglers)
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Bread N' Butter Experience
For: Beginners and new anglers; under-18s with a parent or legal guardianWhen: Spring dates currently bookingA 6-hour middle-length trip — the same beginner-focused fly fishing instruction as the Half Day, with extended time on the water to put it into practice. All rods, reels, lines, flies, and waders are supplied; guests bring an Ontario fishing licence, Outdoors Card, and weather-appropriate layers. Booking is by 25% deposit, with e-transfer to Ethan@outdoorsunbound.com or cash on trip day for the balance.
$325 (1 angler) / $475 (2 anglers) / $625 (3 anglers)
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Full Day Experience
For: Beginners through more committed new anglers; under-18s with a parent or legal guardian; groups of 4–6 anglers get a second guide on requestWhen: Spring dates currently booking; Brook Trout window on the Mad River in early SeptemberAn 8-hour guided day covering casting mechanics, water reading, fly pattern selection, and angling tactics, with extended practice time built in. River choice rotates between the Bighead (free-stone river with rocky shores and large pools), the Sturgeon (the closest option to Barrie), and the Mad (a smaller waterway flowing through the Niagara Escarpment). All gear is provided. Larger parties of 4–6 anglers get a second guide on the water.
$400 (1 angler) / $525 (2 anglers) / $650 (3 anglers); groups of 4–6 contact for custom pricing
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Worth knowing.
- 01Owner-operated by founder Ethan, with second guide Lucas who has 10+ years of fly tying experience and ties flies for Bass Pro eventsSource ↗
- 02Founder Ethan is involved with the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority in habitat-building workSource ↗
- 03All trips include fly rods, reels, lines, flies, waders, on-the-water instruction, and a river safety briefingSource ↗
- 04River rotation covers the Bighead River, Sturgeon River, and Mad River — three Ontario streams holding Rainbow Trout, with seasonal Brook Trout on the Mad River in early SeptemberSource ↗
- 05Sturgeon River is the closest river in the rotation to BarrieSource ↗
- 06Guests must hold a valid Ontario fishing licence and Outdoors Card (ages 18–64)Source ↗
- 07Under-18 participants must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the full trip; the guardian must be physically capable of wadingSource ↗
- 08Booking requires a 25% deposit; cancellations 5+ days out get a full deposit refund, within 5 days deposit may be forfeitedSource ↗
- 09For groups of 4–6 anglers, a second guide is provided; custom pricing arranged by emailSource ↗