South Dakota on the Fly

1st Trophy Carp on a 7wt

     I recently made a trip up to Sioux Falls, SD in search of Carp and Northern Pike on the fly, and yes I did say Carp! My friend and also past client Dan Fraiser was the one who got me hooked on the idea of targeting Carp on the fly, which most fly fisherman think is pointless. To them a carp is the last fish they want to target, but to me it was the new freshwater fish on my list to catch. Dan would send me all sorts of pictures of these huge 25-35inch, 8-15lb Carp, that he was catching on a 7wt. Casting to these fish is very similar to redfish, because your seeing the Carp cruising is shallow water, then laying an accurate sight cast to them, watching them chomp down your fly.
   Soon after seeing constant pictures, the urge to catch a Carp soon became a reality. The dates were set, plane tickets purchased, and tackle packed for Souix Falls, SD. Tuck Scott who is a friend and also a guide at the shop joined me for the trip, and off we were to South Dakota.  Dan and his brother Mike picked us up at the air port, knowing Tuck and I had high hopes of catching our first Carp and Northern Pike on the fly. Dan is one of, if not the best Carp fisherman in SD, he had the tactics, flies, streams, and knowledge to produce for a great trip. Dan and Mike are not guides so it was a ton of fun watching them share with us the knowledge they had of there fishery, and treating Tuck and I as if we were paying clients.

   Our first spot of the trip was the tail waters of the Vermillion, which consisted of small freshwater streams full of Carp, Pike, Waleye, Small Mouth, Gar, and Mooneye. The flies of choice for the trip were an assortment of wooly buggers, streamers, crab patters, minnow patterns, and dry flies. We wet waded through these streams looking for the carp tailing, swimming around, and mud clouds were they had been sitting. Working these streams was pretty difficult at times do to all the high banks, so adjusting our cast from the bow of a flats boat took a little time. We mainly used 7wt rods, and 3x tippet do to the carp being liter shy.
    In the first few hours I sight casted to quite a few carp and had some trouble getting them to eat the fly, we must of switched flies 5 or 6 times till finally the choice was right. I laid a 30 foot cast out along a bank that I saw a fish come up and eat, after my 1st strip my line got tight, I stripe set, and BAM! The first fish of the trip was on, and putting up quite a fight. As the liter started to show, so did the fish with a huge surprise! It was a nice 28inch Northern Pike, which had me super pumped. Mike did an excellent job putting me on the fish and landing it with the net like a pro, he also informed me that it was a trophy Northern Pike for the waters we were fishing which had me double excited!


Trophy Northern Pike

      Soon after I caught the Trophy Northern Pike we went in search of more Carp. Mike put me on an area where I saw a group of about 5 huge Carp feeding and tailing in some really skinny water. I laid the fly in front of the fish 3 times and on the 3rd cast, first stripe, one of the carp chomped down my fly! Instantly I stripe set the fish and the fight was on, pulling and shaking his head, the carp fought surprisingly very well, and similar to a redfish. Mike netted the fish and I proudly stood with my first carp on the fly at 25in, weighing around 8lbs. The elusive carp met all of my expectations, and I could tell that Mike was very relieved to see me land both of my goals within the first 2 hours of the trip.
   Through out our adventure in SD we caught Carp, Pike, Gar, Bluegill, and Mooneye. Yes there is a fish called a mooneye, and a very interesting fish at that. We targeted these fish with small dry flies on 5wts as they were rising, which was exactly how you fish for trout. The mooneye were very aggressive fish, and had small sharp teeth that made it tough to land. We caught quite a few of the mooneye through out the trip, mainly focusing on them at sun down to end the day with some fun action.


Mike with a nice Mooneye

    Mike did a great job of guiding me, and Dan helped out a lot as well with fly selections, and area's for Mike to take me. After my epic first couple hours of the trip, I decided to give Dan and Tuck a hard time, naming our team "Team Big Fish" do to all the big fish we were catching. Tuck and Dan weren't to happy about that the first day do to a lot of bad luck with liters breaking, and hooks bending, causing them to lose some nice fish. There team name for the trip was Fire and Ice, and made for quite a few good jokes through out our trip! Team Fire and Ice soon caught up with up on the big fish by getting Tuck his first Carp and also Northern Pike the next morning we went out, which was a good way to make up for losing so many fish in bad situations, or what we call "Bad Fish Juju".
   At the end of our trip to South Dakota, Dan and Mike did an absolute great job guiding, and put Tuck and I on tons of fish through out the 3 days of fishing. We did lose a lot of big carp, and pike, but that's always part of fishing. The competition of Team Big Fish and Team Fire and Ice made the trip a lot of fun, and very humorous at times. All in all when you have 4 friends fishing together and having a great time, those are the memories that matter the most.

Mike, Me, Dan, Tuck
The Crew

    


Dan with a nice Northern Pike

               

The Best Equipment = The Best Results

 
 When it comes to the equipment on my boat as a Professional Fishing Guide, my motto is always "The best equipment produces the best results." Some people say that spending more money on a product that does the same thing as another product for the 1/2 the price is pointless. But little do most people know that the reason one product is more expensive is because its a better made product, resulting in performing better and lasting longer, when the product for the 1/2 the price wont even compare. When your on the water 4-5 days a week, or simply just a weekend warrior,  having the best equipment is the key.

    The right boat is always the number one impact on any fisherman. As a fly fisherman I run a 17' Scout Costa Tournament Edition Flats boat thats light, fast, well built, and drawls only 8 inches of water, desighned to fly fish out of and sight cast in very shallow water. Powerd by a 90 Yamaha 4-Stroke motor that runs like a train while also being very quiet, fast, and is also fuel effeciant. My boat is set up to fish shallow water, so the upgrades I have for it allow me to do just that. A Hydrolic Jack plate that allows me to run my boat in mere inches of water at full speed. The 20ft Carbon Fiber push pole to pole the boat around on shallow water flats sight casting. And also a 6ft Signature Series Power Pole which I use as a shallow water anchoring system for holding the boat in place without have to deal with setting the anchor, saving time and allowing more fishing.

   Rods and Reels are always one of the most important peices of equipment for a fishing guide. I carry Orvis, Sage, and G-Loomis fly rods, which are all the flagship rods of the fly fishing industry. Anywhere from 7-12wt rods, all having a different purpose for different situations here in Beaufort, SC. Some of the favorite rods on my boat  include the 8wt Orvis Helios, 9wt Sage XI3, and the 11wt Orvis Hydros which is a Cobia magnet. I use all Orvis fly reels including the Battenkill and new Hydros reels, which all hold up great in saltwater, and offer a smooth drag on a nice redfish. In the world of spinning rods I carry Falcon and G-loomis, all equipted with Shimano Stradic Reels, and power pro braided line. All of the rods and reels on my boat have great warrantys that are true to what they offer.

  When it comes to tackle, always make sure its new to date, and not worn out. Losing a fish to failed tackle is never a good feeling, and something you dont want to experience. All of my fly lines are either Orvis or Rio, all replaced at the necessary time. A fly line that is too old will coil up which makes it hard for casting, and also has the risk of breaking under a lot of pressure. My light tackle lines are all power pro braided lines which hold up great in our salt water, and also are very abbrasion resistant in the grass and on oysters.

   All of the equipment on my boat holds a warranty. Whether it is a 1 year, 5 year, or life time warranty, thats always something to look for when buying new equipment. Because if the company can back up there product that always means its built well, and will last a long time. For example the Orvis Helios costing $775.00 brand new which is a pricey fly rod, but has a 25 year warranty on it. So if your dog bites it in half, breaks on a big fish, or you slam it in your car door, orvis will always repair or replace it for those 25 years of owning it. So really spending the extra money is worth it in the long run, and kind of an investment for your fishing equipment, and also having the best equipment in the industry. Warranty's help me out tremendiously as a guide, and save me quite a bit of money every year. Boat problems, engine problems, broken rods, reels, and so many more problems that are invloved with your equipment happen, so make sure you buy the best and you wont be dissapointed. Companys like Orvis, Sage, G-Loomis, Tibor, Simms, Scout Boats, Yamaha, Power Pole, Falcon, shimano, Columbia, Patagonia, Chaco, Costa Del Mar, Power Pro, Rio, all have great warrantys.

  
   

Cobia on the Fly

     When it comes to saltwater fly fishing there is nothing more exciting than having a big fish gulp down your fly and Cobia are the big fish we have here locally in Beaufort, SC. There are a lot of different pieces that come together when sight casting to a cobia. The slick calm water, sighting the fish on top of the water, a great cast, and of course the right fly. Our cobia fishery here in so unique do to the fact that these big offshore fish come inshore to my home waters, the Broad River to spawn for 2 months out of theyear, which gives you an easy opportunity to fish for them inshore rather than running 20 miles offshore to fish.
   Cobia are a very strong and most times aggressive fish when it comes to sight casting for them. They range anywhere from 10-80lbs and can put up quite a fight on a 10-12wt rod, with a 2 piece section of 52 and 35lb liter. Looking for these fish is one of the most exciting parts of the action because you are looking for them pushing on top of the water either feeding, or simply just cruising. When we have calm, slick water, that's the time to look for them. The push or wake they put up is very noticeable, and looks like a huge V in the water. You are able to spot these fish 30-100yds away from the boat, and running the boat about 5mph is the easiest way to spot them them cruising.

A Cobia Cruising on top

        After you spot a Cobia, you then simply direct the boat towards the fish, staying on either the left or right side, about 30ft away so you don't spook them. Surprisingly Cobia are not a very smart fish, and do not get spooked by boats. Once you are within casting distance, you simply lay the fly about 2 feet in front of the fish, then strip as fast as you can. The Cobia will then turn and chase your fly down, which is a very exciting moment, but the key is to stay focused and be ready to set the hook. When you see the fish take the fly you simply give it a nice strip set and BAM the game is on. Letting the line go through your hand until it hits the reel, then your on for about a 45 minute to an hour and half fight. The fly of choice on my boat is the flashtail whistler.

The Flashtail Whistler

   Cobia fight like a bull, and tend to dive pretty deep, so the key is have your drag set tight, and be ready for sore arms the next morning. When landing the fish it is important to make sure the Cobia is worn out, because they are a very strong fish and can go pretty wild in the boat. A gaff or boga grip are the best ways to put the fish in the boat. It is a very rewarding feeling when you catch such a big fish on the fly, especially one that you watch eat your fly.
   One of my favorite experiences with a Cobia on the fly was last year on fathers day. I was out with my dad looking Cobia and after about an hour we spotted 2 big females cruising together, both around 40lbs. As I threw the fly out, the fish on the right turned right away, and NAILED my fly, game on! I fought the fish for around an hour then finally got him to the boat. Once he saw the boat he took off with sheerr force and broke my 11wt in 3 pieces! I thought we had lost the fish, but sure enough he was still on! For the next 30 minutes I pulled him to the surface with just the reel and butt section of the rod, my dad gaffed him, and we landed a 43 pound Cobia on the fly, which made for a great fathers day!
    The feeling of pulling that fish to the surface was amazing and one I will never forget. The reason my rod broke was because about 2 weeks prior to that I had a client break of a 50+ pound Cobia, and the ferrel's of the fly rod got cracked when that happened. Cobia are a ton of fun, and very exciting to fish for on the fly, one of my favorite times of year here as a local. Seeing a big fish eat the fly is something I recomend to anyone who like to fly fish, and Cobia are a great way to do it.


My dad and I with the Cobia and broken 11wt



A Guide and Friend

A friend of mine Bryan Bowers from SC Sportsman Magazine

          When it comes to building a relationship with a client on my boat the main goal is to become like a friend to him or her. From the time we leave the dock by boat, till when I drop them off, I treat my customer as if they were not only a paying client but also as a friend. There are quite a few different things that create that friendship while out on the water, and after my first year of guiding it became very easy for me to have customers who become friends. From not only being very serious when it comes to fishing, but also joking and laughing a little, having some very good conversations, and most of all catching fish.

Rich a client from Alabama on Thanksgiving Day

       Being serious on the water is one of the main ways I gain the trust of clients. Staying focused on finding fish either at low tide out of the boat, or high tide walking through the marsh. When they can see that I'm focused on finding them fish, and showing them how the process works, it makes them feel more comfortable being with someone they just met at the boat landing. Once they know I'm a local and grew up on the water, that usually gets there attention and trust in me as a guide, which also helps me out on the first impressions.
    One thing that has never been a problem for me is conversation, and if you've ever met me in person you'd know that I love to talk. Whether its about fishing, sports, cars, story's, memories, dogs, news, government, boats, and so many other things many people enjoy talking about. The fun part as a guide is to figure out what my client enjoys, and what he or she would be interested in talking about as the day goes on. Almost like reading someone by certain things they say or do, then making a conversation from it. Every day on the water with a client is a fun day, and I cant even start to tell you how many crazy story's Ive heard, awesome people I've met, and also friends I've made. All because of my job as an Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide.

A friend of mine Matt on my day off

       Being positive at all times on the boat is another main way to be a good guide. Always having a smile on your face, telling fun story's, and not letting anything interrupt a good day. The key to being positive is to have patience and be excited about everything going on no matter what it is. Whether I get hooked by a customer, have a guy who cant cast a fly rod well, or someone who simply is hard to fish with, I always keep a positive smile on my face.
    When you take all of these things I've talked about and put them into action on a 4 hour charter, the end result is excellent. Ive had days when guys are extremely happy because they caught a tailing redfish, 50 trout with there son, or a lady who catches her first fish. Then I also have days that a guy cant fly cast, or the weather is bad, and we don't catch much, but at the end of the trip they are still extremely happy with the day even with out a lot of fish. As a guide I feel accomplished in every charter when a guy gets off the boat with a smile, a hand shake, and my favorite quote from customers, "I will be back to fish with you soon! We had a great time!". Which return customers is my goal as a guide, and is the way you have a successful career in guiding.

    From these days on the water with clients not only do I gain a lot of friendships, but also a lot of connections. Places I can stay for free, fish, or simply help with an issue on something. I keep in touch with a lot of clients through email, facebook, and of course a phone call if the the weather is right and the fish are really on. I still learn something new every day with a new client, and thats always one of my favorite parts about being a fly fishing guide, its always changing, and never the same day in the office.

The Story of Influences and Idols

A client from Japan

   Most happenings in life are brought upon people by the influence of others. Some influences can be good, and some can be bad. Another big impact on a persons life is seeing somebody as an idol, and wanting to be like them. Becoming a Fly Fishing guide was a hard decision for me to make at the age of 18, but what I realized was that I had an opportunity to do something I loved to do as not just a job, but a life style. Now  looking back, I couldnt of made a better decisicion in my life.
   It all started out with my father. Ever since I was a small child my dad had me out on the river fishing, and teaching me the ways of the Broad River. Frank is probly my biggest idol, not only when it comes to fishing, but in the way he has lived his life. Because of him I'am the person that I've dreamed of being, and I owe that all to my dad. My mother Therese was also a huge support and influence for me growing up. She is the one who taught me that anything is possible as long as you have the heart to do it. From her experiences, she gave me a sense of adventure to life, that every day should be the best day, and to never let something bring me down. I couldnt of asked for a better family, and parents that are both a huge influence on my decision to be a guide.


My Dad Frank with a nice Red

      Another major influence is the shop that I guide for called Bay Street Outfitters. Five years ago during my sophmore year of high school I started working for the shop, selling clothing and fly fishing tackle, which to me was the best job anyone could ask for! My manager Alice taught me how to be great with customers, and also how to learn the product I was selling. When you sell things like a fly rod, knife, or clothing you wear, it becomes fun to help people with the things you love as well. From Alice I learned how to be polite, and most of all helpful to people in the store. Before I knew it, I became one of those few people who love there job.
   Tuck is the head guide for the shop here, and ever since the first day I started, he was an idol of mine. A guy who took his passion and turned it into a career, which to me was better than being the president of the united states. Hearing his story's from trips, seeing the awesome pictures, and realizing how happy he was to be a fsihing guide was something that I looked up to. Tuck taught me a lot about guiding, and a lot about fly fishing for redfish and cobia in general. We soon became not only co-workers, but friends, strated to fish together, and learned new tactics from eachother.
   From working in the shop I realized that guiding was something that I was ment to do. My situation with Bay Street Outfitters was the best not only because I loved where I worked, but I had a chance to become an orvis endorsed fly fishing guide at a very young age, and do something not many people get to do. I graduated high school the summer of 2009, and never looked back. Tony Royal, who is the owner of the shop is the one who gave me the oportunity, and had the trust in me that I would be able to obtain the Orvis name. I knew the Broad River like the back of my hand, got my captains liscense, had a new boat, and the positive personality to be a successful guide. At the age of 18 my first charter was October 15, 2009, and for me it was the start to a new path in life, one that I loved.


Client with his first Red on the Fly

  Doug Gertis is another person who as always been an idol of mine. Doug is one of those guides who everyone knows, and everyone recomends. Not only is Doug one of the best fisherman in Beaufort, but he was born here just like I was. So I have always had a profound respect for him not only as a guide I've looked up to, but also as a true local to the waters here. I never had a chance to work with Doug here at BSO, but from the conversations and storys weve shared, he always seems to amaze me.
  Another guide I've always looked up to is David Murray, who is a Salt Water Fly Fishing Expert here in Beaufort. I can remember being a little kid and watching him do casting lessons down town, and remembering how amazed I was by the way he could cast a fly rod. When I though about Fly Fishing, David Murray is the guy who came to my mind. David doesnt guide any longer either, but he still does casting lessons for us here at the shop. Every time I watch him teach, there is always something new I learn. Ive done a few casting lessons for different clients, and it feels good to be doing something that I always thought was incredible, and never thought that I'd be doing the same thing David Murray was doing 15 years ago.
  I could go on for days about other people who have influenced my life when it comes to guiding, and most people know who they are. One day I hope to influence someone like all the special people have done for me.   
  

Schooling Up

Triple Hook up on Reds

    The weather here in Beaufort, SC is starting to cool down, the leaves are starting to fall, and the fishing has been excellent! As a local to these gorgeous waters the fall is by far one of my favorite times of year to fish on the fly and also with bait. As the air tempature cools down so does the water, which causes the bait to die off, and the water to clear up. During this change of weather is when the Reds and Trout are at there best!
   Most of the Reds during the end of October are starting to steer away from the high tide grass flats because most of the crabs are going into hibernation. From the lack of crabs these reds are starting to feed on shrimp and minnows on the low tide mud flats, and also schooling up do to the clear and colder water. The reason they school up in the real shallow water is basiclly to stay safe from predators like the Dolphin. You can find these fish in schools anywhere from 20-200 fish at a time, which is quite an exciting feeling.



Caught out of a school of reds

   Targeting these schooled up redfish is a very exciting way to fly fish or spin fish, and also one of the most productive ways to have a great day. As I always tell customers, "once your in the fish, your in em". When your fly fishing for the schooled up reds your throwing a few different flys including the dupre spoon fly, Bay Street Bunny, or any kind of good shrimp pattern thats visible. Casting 8 or 9wt rods with a 9ft 20lb monofilament liter is preferable. If your using spinning tackle the redfish magic, any berkely gulp, or a golden spoon will work great.


Sight Casting to a school of reds

    If you look at the image above you see exacly what the schools of reds look like. They create a large V in the shallow water which shows you where and at what direction there moving. The school of fish above is a small school of about 30-40 reds. The key part to sight casting to the schools of fish is not spooking them with the boat, your cast, and loud noises. Since they are only in about 8-12 inches of water spooking them can be very easy to do, but the key is to be silent and quick with your cast. When casting to these schools we are focusing the fly or artificial either a long way in front of the school and moving the bait in front of them while they pass, or focusing on the outside of the school and getting those fish to move away and come after your lure. Sometimes more than one red will try and eat your fly which can cause a lot of comosion and an awesome sight of the fish.

The Redfish Pointer

Hudson



     

    Almost 6 months ago I made the decision of getting Lilla my Weimaraner a companion to have when I'm not home. German Shorthaired Pointers have always been a breed I loved, and probably one of the few that could keep up with Lilla's ever lasting energy. The thought of getting another dog had been in the back of my mind as I watched Lilla get older, but I just never had the drive to really look hard for a good German Shorthair breeder. Then one day I was working our fly fishing booth at a weekend event on Brays Island which is a local shooting/ outdoor community here in Beaufort, and thats where the pups caught my eye. The 6 week old German Shorthaired puppy's were absolutely beautiful, and I could not resist holding one. Before I knew it the breeder had my number and was going to give me a call when they were 8 weeks old; I fell in the love with the gorgeous puppy's.
    Soon after I saw the pups the thought of getting one was stuck in my head, and wasn't leaving. There was only two things that were holding me back; the responsibility of having 2 very energetic dogs, and the expensive price of the high end German Shorthairs. Then 2 weeks later when I got the call my heart told me to get one, so I then ended up working out a deal with the breeder, and was off the next day to Myrtle Beach to pick out my new pup! With the help from a good girlfriend, I ended up picking out a handsome, healthy male, which we later decided on naming Hudson. Lilla and Hudson soon became best friends and played non stop, and I knew that I had made the right decision adding another dog to my life.


Landing one of the Fish Hudson Pointed



                                

   Whether I'm at the beach, on the boat, at the sandbar, or fishing, my dogs are usually with me when I'm on the water. Lilla and Hudson both absolutely love the water, but as Hudson got older I could tell he liked the water a little more than Lilla. Even if we weren't in the boat he would roll in mud puddles, jump in the pond at my house, and pretty much find anyway to get soaking wet, which made it quite interesting when it was time to come inside to sleep! Seeing Hudson love the water so much I soon decided to take him wade fishing with me for some tailing redfish on the fly, and thats where the Redfish Pointer started.

     The Fly Fishing adventure started out about 5pm on a Monday afternoon at a short grass flat where we waited for the tide to rush in so we could start looking for some tailing reds. As we walked through the marsh Hudson, now 6 months old, kept pointing at little blue crabs moving around in the mud, which he found out as the day went on there not much fun to play with. Watching him point the blue crabs I then started to wonder if Hudson could point the tailing redfish, which I'd never heard of a dog doing. As time passed the tide got higher and right when it got above my booties I spotted the first fish. Watching the tailing fish move through the spartina grass I looked over to where Hudson was and sure enough he was already in his pointing stance, starring down the tailing redfish.

    The smile that he put on my face watching him point a tailing redfish was incredible, I was a very proud father. Then I gave Hudson the command to stay, made the first cast, and BOOM! Hooked into the redfish, and couldn't believe what just happened. After fighting the fish for about 5 minutes, I gave Hudson the command to go, and sure enough he went jumping through the marsh with joy and curiosity. He was a little confused by the fish at first, but before I knew it he was licking and smelling the redfish all over. As the evening went on we ended up landing 6 tailing redfish on the fly, breaking my previous record, and Hudson pointing 4 of those fish. It was an incredible day of fly fishing with my new German Shorthaired Pointer Hudson, and a fishing experience i will never forget. Watching him patiently wade in the water next to me, looking for tailing reds was a ton of fun, and most of all it was something I've never heard of a German Shorthair Pointer do. Hudson is a great fishing partner, excellent dog, and when people ask me what kind of breed is he I just tell them, "he's a Redfish Pointer!" If your local to Beaufort, SC he will also be in the new Beaufort Lifestyles Magazine.





Hudson with a Tailing Redfsih