Guide Service - Meet your guide - It’s me again.
I guide one angler at a time on a very shallow draft Skiff/SUP from Sea Eagle (See pic on this page). I use paddle, push-pole, and a small motor to get to and fish shallow waters in Eastern and Western Washington (I am still looking for a quality carp lake in western Washington). This is sight-fly-fishing only. On rare occasions when the water is very riled up, we will use an indicator method that is very effective in windy and muddy waters when fish are known to be around. This is very stealthy, quiet, safe and fun fishing (Fishing Like A Heron), giving us many opportunities to observe wildlife along the shoreline and in shallow waters. Eastern Washington provides the best and most Carp fly fishing opportunities, but I will be exploring Western Washington waters also, and will hope to have a few places in 2022.
This is open to those who are new to fly fishing as well as experienced fly fishers. If you are new to fly fishing, I am happy to give you a short lesson on the water. But this is not easy fly fishing; very challenging. You can be proud of every carp and shallow water fish you catch. We pole or paddle along silently hunting for fish that we can see. Even in muddied-up waters we can “see” where they are by looking for clues showing us where they are feeding.
Numbers of fish are not the goal. If you have to show big numbers of fish by the end of the day, this is not the trip for you. Keep this in mind when booking a trip. It is the experience of sight-fishing, possibly learning a new fly fishing sport and wildlife viewing that is important. It is a popular conception that carp are easy to catch. This is not true. Sight fishing is so exciting, and it takes a while to “see” the fish. It is a skill, just as casting is. The more you fish and look for fish, the better you get at it. We are hunting wary, alert fish first, then fishing to them.
I work with a few other guides in Washington, Idaho, and Montana, for those of you who prefer boat or wade fishing for trout and steelhead. I will list them at the end of this.
Season - May-September, Shallow waters for carp and other shallow water fishes. Year ‘round for trout and steelhead (for the guides listed below).
Price: $400 + Wash St Tax for one angler. $750 plus Wash St Tax/2 days in a row for one or two anglers, each angler fishing a day each or however you want to split it. You may pay by check to Bill Marts Fly Fishing, 6526 41st Ave SW, Seattle, Washington 98136
Fish Like A Heron
Provided:
All fishing gear; rods, reels, lines, leaders, tippets, and flies.
Lunch and water, plus a cooler for your favorite snacks or beverages.
Licensed and insured guide for your fishing - Me
Personal flotation devices.
Personal equipment list and map to fishing site.
A dry bag to keep your personal gear from getting wet and keep it safe.
You provide:
Fresh water Washington state fishing license.
Waders in early and late season.
Any snacks you prefer. Any beverage besides water (like soda pops or beer).
Sun protection clothing and lotion.
Polarized sun glasses. MUST HAVE. Plus a spare set.
A wide brimmed had to shade your eyes. MUST HAVE.
Rain gear. Make sure you have clothing to keep you comfortable in very hot temps to cool, windy, rainy days.
Wading shoes - sometimes we will get off the skiff and wade-fish when it is more effective.
I also work with other guides and shops. These are people I have fished with and trust to give you an awesome fishing experience. They have different prices and provisions. I will list them here and you can contact them to make arrangements:
Emerald Water Anglers - Washington - Trout, Steelhead, Sea Run Cutthroat in Puget Sound. located in West Seattle, Wash. Complete fly shop and guide service. info@emeraldwateranglers.com, 1+206.708.7250
Jarrett’s Guide Service - Idaho - Steelhead and Salmon. I have fished with Jeff for over 20 years, great sense of humor, super knowledgeable about the Cearwater and Salmon Rivers. He grew up on the river and lives there now in Orofino. He has guided longer on the Clearwater than any other guide. info@wefishhere.gmail, 208.476.7244
Karlie Roland - Idaho - Trout, Henry’s Fork. Grew up fishing Henry’s Fork. Guided in Washington State building a large following of women anglers and very active in getting more Women into fly fishing.
Kara Tripp - Montana - Trout, various rivers. Kara has an outfitter’s license to fish Montana’s Blue ribbon and storied rivers. An awesome person to spend time on the river, so knowledgeable and always has a laugh ready when needed. She conducts women’s classes for casting, casting and fly tying. She is also co-owner with her sister Lynae of Damsel Fly Fishing. I can’t enough good things about this sisters business ethics, honesty and customer service. Contacts: Kara@damselflyfishing.com for guiding, schools or presentations; Lynae@damselflyfishing.com for orders and website questions. Check out their shopping.
Bruce Kruk - BC Canada, on the upper Columbia River huge Rainbows. Spey Casting instructions. An absolute expert on spey casting and fishing the upper Columbia River. you can reach him at: info@ruggedpointlodge.com, 1+866.9645220 or 1=250.332.5220
Red Shed on the Clearwater. If you are on the Clearwater River in Idaho, you owe it to yourself to stop by and say hi to Poppy and Linda the the folks there and get up to the date info. Maybe buy a few things to show your appreciation. They are THE most down-to-earth people I know. Contact: redshedflyshop.com, 1.208.486.6098 or 208.486.7050
High Desert Fly Angler in Ephrata, Washington. Darc Knobel is fishy and probably has more knowledge about fishing carp and trout and steelhead and various saltwater destinations than any guy I know. If you are ever in that area, you have to stop in and say Howdy. Tell him I sent you and ask him for a fishing story and recommendations for equipment, lines, leaders and flies. He has many patterns to his credit. darcknobel@gmail.com, 1+509.750.00.
Rain City Outfitters, based out of Seattle, Cole Leishman guides several watersheds and the sound for Sea Run Cutthroat, Trout, Steelhead and other fishes around the state. You can reach him at 425-591-1585. Cole is super fishy and a knowledgeable guide and fly fishing instructor.
I don’t charge you or the above guides or shops a penny for their appearance here or my testimony, but wouldn’t mind a mention if you end up booking with any of them or stopping by to stock up on local flies, leaders and knowledge. They are all good friends and I’ve know them for years.
