Welcome To Flying High Retrievers
Hey everyone,
If you love retrievers, their endless drive, big hearts, and the way they come alive the second there’s a bird in the air, you’re in the right place. I’m Ryan, and I want to share how this whole thing started and why I’m so excited to build Flying High Retrievers into something bigger than just my own dogs.
Back in 2021, I brought home my first retriever puppy, Apollo, a bouncy black Lab with zero chill and all the potential in the world. I had no real plan. I thought we’d do some basic obedience, throw a few bumpers in the backyard, and enjoy having a dog who acted like I’d been gone for years every time I walked through the door. That was it. I was just happy to have him.
Pretty quickly though, Apollo showed he was different. The natural marking instinct, the nose, the sheer enthusiasm, he had the raw ingredients of something special. Friends nudged me toward hunt tests, and even though I was nervous and completely green, we gave it a shot. Our first test was messy, exciting, and unforgettable. When he nailed those retrieves and we walked off the line together, I was hooked.
From there, the journey kept expanding. I started spending time around people running field trial dogs, watching those clean, high-level performances at long distances, with dogs handling triple blinds like it was nothing. It was inspiring, and I realized Apollo had the talent to go further if I was willing to put in the work.
So we did. We started traveling upstate regularly to train with some of the most successful amateur handlers in the game, people who’ve campaigned multiple FC dogs and know exactly how to bring out the best in a retriever without ever breaking their spirit. Those trips became the heartbeat of our year: long drives, cold mornings, whistle work, and the quiet satisfaction of watching Apollo get sharper and more confident with every session.
That path, from total beginner to traveling, training, and competing, changed everything for me. I fell in love with the process, the community, and most of all, the partnership you build with these incredible dogs.
That’s why Flying High Retrievers isn’t going to be about my dogs anymore. I want this to become a real community of retriever enthusiasts who are all in this together, whether you’re starting with your first pup, running local hunt tests, or chasing the biggest ribbons out there. Everyone’s welcome.
We’ll share the things that have helped us most along the way:
• Practical training strategies that hold up in real fieldwork
• Drill setups and diagrams we’ve refined over time
• Clear, progressive training plans for different levels
• Honest takeaways from the successes and plenty of mistakes
• Tips from the road and encouragement when things get tough
I’ll be here to offer guidance, oversight, and occasional hands-on help when we can make it work, but the real strength will come from all of us learning together, sharing videos, asking questions, swapping ideas, and cheering each other on.
This is about building better dogs and better handlers as a group, drawing from the best amateur knowledge out there, and creating a place where we all get to grow.
So welcome to Flying High Retrievers. Grab your whistle, your bumpers, and your four-legged teammate. We’ve got a long, exciting road ahead.
Let’s fly high together.
Ryan Fisher
Follow the journey and join the conversation on Instagram: @flyinghighretrievers
