Friendship from Salt to Fresh

Patrick and I with a March redfish

  Fly Fishing is something that can take two strangers and turn them into very good friends. There is some sort of connection that seems to bring fly fisherman together, and creates a bond that is unbreakable. Whether its a conversation on where they fish, what kind of tackle they use, which flies they tie, or simply a story about landing a big fish. No matter if your in an air port, local fly shop, or just standing in line at a grocery store, fly fisherman will hold a conversation on fishing. These conversations can become friendships and also business relationships as I found with my good friend and fellow Orvis Guide, Patrick Fulkrod.

  About four year ago I traveled to east Tennessee to a town called Bluff City for an Orvis get together where Orvis Endorsed shops from all over the east coast meet to talk about products, go fishing, and just plan old hang out. This was a new adventure for me because I've never been fresh water fly fishing, which in my case was a mystery. To me fly fishing was about seeing the fish, using big weight gear, and poling a flats boat along the edge of the marsh. Little did I know that there was a whole different world out there when it comes to fresh water fly fishing and how this trip to East Tennessee would create such a great friendship.

     We arrived at the Rivers Way lodge and soon met all sorts of other guides and dealers from across the east coast. Tuck and I seemed to be the outcast's in the group since we were the only salt water guides there, but soon found that it brought up a lot of good conversations between salt water fly fishing and fresh water fly fishing. Guys had questions for us and we had questions right back in return for them; learning new things from both sides of the door when it came to salt water and fresh water. The difference in the two fisheries was great, but the passion for it was all the same. After eating a spectacular dinner prepared by the great Tim Landis, we had a few beers, shared some more stories, then hit the bunks for a little sleep for the upcoming day of fishing.
   The next morning we awoke to the smell of fresh pancakes and bacon along with brewing coffee. Had a bite to eat then started to get ready for a kind of fly fishing I've never experienced. Being the only guy in the whole cabin who's never been fresh water fly fishing was intimidating, but the excitement of learning had me geared up and ready to rock and roll. As Tuck and I were outside getting our tackle together we saw the guide who we were chosen to go fishing with pull up in his white 4Runner with a drift boat towing behind it. Patrick got out of his car and kindly introduced himself and off we were! Three total strangers in a car on the way to fish, but with the passion for fly fishing we all had, we weren't strangers for very long.

Patrick putting his boat in 

A nice Brown Tout wading

  Patrick was new to guiding at the time, and had only been doing it for a few years, so right away him and I had a lot in common. The way he talked about fishing and being a guide was something that I connected with right away. His passion for what he does was obvious by the excitement and positive attitude he had for everything, and that was something that I really idolized. Catching fish wasn't the only important part about fishing, but enjoying it and having a great time was something Patrick was very good at. He not only put us on tons of fish through out the day, but taught me a lot when it comes to always having fun on the water, and how to be the kind of guide that everyone wants to fish with.

My trophy Brown Trout

    Patrick introduced me to the world of fresh water fly fishing, and really helped me to understand how it all works when it comes to the right drift, mending, techniques, fly selections, and most of all reading the river. He knew these waters like the back of his hand, and you could see that he absolutely loved what he does. Not to mention my first cast of the day I caught my first Rainbow Trout! Fresh water was new to me and I soon found out that Patrick had never been salt water fly fishing. This led to a lot of conversations, and soon after a friendship between fresh water and salt water.
   A few months later Patrick came down to Hilton Head with his wife for a vacation, and his first experience of salt water fly fishing. The difference in rods, tackle, flies, and casting was quite different than what Patrick was used to, and I was excited to introduce him to a new fishery just like he did with me. We fished a low tide flat that day on a big school of reds, and got Patrick his first Redfish on the fly! The excitement and energy on the boat was incredible, and a feeling I will never forget. Being able to thank somebody for introducing me to fresh water fly fishing by introducing them to salt was a really good feeling, and the start to a great friendship.

Patrick and I with his 1st Red on the Fly!

    The bond between us as guides was great, and the difference in fisheries made that bond even stronger. We soon started fishing together a lot in the upcoming years, and making great memories in the process. Some of favorite memories of fishing are with Patrick up in Tennessee, and down here in Beaufort, SC. Patrick was a huge influence on my attitude towards guiding and showed me what it was like to always stay positive, and to always have fun. Whenever were on the boat together the feeling I get is unique because its almost like your with someone who truly understands the passion for guiding, but in complete different fisheries, which to me is incredible. We not only fish together yearly, but stay in touch as good friends, and also as fly shops.

Patrick with his 1st Tailing Redfish

   
   Our relationship as friends and also as guides is not only fun, but is good for business. Being able to send customers to a destination to catch fish in fresh water or in salt water is a good thing to have when you know they will have a great trip. We talk about products, and shop business a lot as well since we both work in local Orvis Endorsed fly shops. In our industry its important to have these kind of relationships because it brings business to both sides of the table. Orvis is a great company, and if it weren't for Orvis, Patrick and I would have probably never met.
  Our friendship and passion for fishing will never change, and to me that's important. Being able to fish together in totally different fisheries is fun and created a bond that Patrick and I will have for a very long time. It shows that fly fishing can bring people together in a way never imagined. Its not only a sport, but in cases like Patrick and I; a way of life. If you want to experience a great fresh water fishery give Patrick Fulkrod a call, I guarantee you will have a great experience on the water catching Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, or Small mouth Bass. His number is (276)-492-9614 or you can reach him at Mountain Sports Ltd at (276)-466-8988
    Check out this recent video of our last trip up to East Tennessee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix2W2KfXRWw&feature=autoshare