<a href="https://bit.ly/3TiWQJa">To fish with Bryant and see his Floyd 10WT in action, &nbsp;click here.</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://anycreek.com/tidalwatersguideservice">To fish with Conner</a> and see his Hell's Bay Guide in action (as seen in <a href="https://anycreek.com/academy/video-skiff-talk-4-the-hell-s-bay-waterman-feat-capt-charlie-mogul-fly-fish-charleston">Skiff Talk #4</a>), <a href="https://anycreek.com/tidalwatersguideservice">click here</a>.

Overview by Capt. Bryant Wilson and Capt. Connor Bryant

<a href="https://anycreek.com/slackwaterexpeditions">Capt. Bryant Wilson</a> is a professional fishing guide. He owns and operates <a href="https://anycreek.com/slackwaterexpeditions">Slackwater Expeditions Guide Service </a>out of Charleston, SC.&nbsp;

Fish with Capt. Bryant Wilson 

<a href="https://anycreek.com/tidalwatersguideservice?utm_source=academy&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=embed">Capt. Conner Bryant is a professional fishing guide</a>, and a Virginia DNR and USCG veteran. He owns and operates <a href="https://anycreek.com/tidalwatersguideservice?utm_source=academy&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=embed">Tidal Waters Guide Service</a> out of Charleston, South Carolina.

Fish with Capt. Conner Bryant

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Floyd Skiff Co is a specialty skiff boat builder founded in Florida. Known for their durability and easy handling, Floyd is a top name in the skiff boat industry. 

What is Floyd?

Skiffs are reliable, require much less maintenance than other types of boats, and are maneuverable in many conditions. 

Why fish from a skiff?

When choosing a skiff, consider its intended use, size and capacity, hull design, construction material, engine options, storage and accessories, and manufacturer reputation to ensure it fits your needs.

How do I choose a skiff?

Skiff FAQ

Skiff Talk Episode 8: FLOYD 7WT & 10WT (FEAT. Capt. Bryant Wilson x Men's Journal)

<a href="https://anycreek.com/stelleranglerguideservice">To fish with Ethan and see his Maverick HPX-T and Hell's Bay Marquesa in action, click here.</a><a href="https://anycreek.com/tidalwatersguideservice">To fish with Conner Bryant</a> and see his Hell's Bay Guide in action (as seen in <a href="https://anycreek.com/academy/video-skiff-talk-4-the-hell-s-bay-waterman-feat-capt-charlie-mogul-fly-fish-charleston">Skiff Talk #4</a>), <a href="https://anycreek.com/tidalwatersguideservice">click here</a>.

Overview by Capt. Ethan Bilderback and Capt. Conner Bryant

<a href="https://anycreek.com/stelleranglerguideservice">Capt. Ethan Bilderback is a professional fishing guide</a>. He owns and operates <a href="https://anycreek.com/stelleranglerguideservice">Steller Angler Guide Service</a> out of Eastern North Carolina.

Fish with Capt. Ethan Bilderback

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Maverick is a specialty skiff boat builder founded in Florida. Known for their durability and design, Maverick is a top name in the skiff boat industry.

What is Maverick?

Hell's Bay refers to a boatbuilder, particularly known for their high-quality and specialized design for shallow-water fishing craft, or it's namesake — Hell's Bay in the Everglades, Florida. Hell's Bay is a storied fishing destination known for its challenging and rewarding angling opportunities in shallow waters.

What is Hell's Bay?

Pass fishing boats with reduced speed and caution to avoid disrupting their activities and ensure safety for all on the water.

How do you pass a fishing boat?

Skiff boats are reliable and keep their shape. They have much less maintenance than other types of boats and are maneuverable in many conditions.

What are the advantages of a skiff boat?

VIDEO | Skiff Talk #5: MAVERICK HPX-T & HELL'S BAY MARQUESA (FEAT. Capt. Ethan Bilderback)

<a href="To fish with Charlie and see his Hell's Bay Waterman in action, visit the link here: https://bit.ly/4bSDPFl To fish with Conner and see his Hell's Bay Guide in action, visit the link here: ">To fish with Charlie and see his Hell's Bay Waterman in action, click here.</a><a href="https://anycreek.com/tidalwatersguideservice">To fish with Conner and see his Hell's Bay Guide in action, click here.</a>&nbsp;See the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBaU0iVcDoI">YouTube Description</a> for a written overview.

Overview by Capt. Charlie Mogul and Capt. Conner Bryant

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Hell's Bay Boatworks is headquartered in Titusville, Florida.

Where is Hell's Bay Boatworks based?

A microskiff is a small, lightweight boat designed for shallow water navigation and fishing. These compact vessels are often characterized by their fairly flat bottoms, minimal draft, and ease of maneuverability. Microskiffs are popular among anglers who need to access shallow or hard-to-reach areas, making them well-suited for inshore and flats fishing. They are most commonly defined as boats that are less than 20 feet in length that run on less than 70 horsepower.

What is a microskiff?

Boaters should slow down near recreational fishing boats to prevent disruptive wakes and promote a safer and more enjoyable experience for all on the water.

Why should boaters slow down while passing recreational fishing boats?

How should you pass a fishing boat?

VIDEO | Skiff Talk #4:  The Hell's Bay Waterman (FEAT. Capt. Charlie Mogul, Fly Fish Charleston)

This video covers the general layout of and specs of <a href="https://anycreek.com/AceOutdoors?utm_source=academy&amp;utm_medium=st3&amp;utm_campaign=link">Capt. Austin Young</a>'s Delta 18 skiff. Conner also walks us through the 6th Drake Outlaw microskiff ever made. Head over to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@anycreek?utm_source=academy&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=embed">AnyCreek YouTube for more skiff walkthrough content</a>, and for a full write-up on these two skiffs in the video description by <a href="https://anycreek.com/tidalwatersguideservice?utm_source=academy&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=embed">Capt. Conner Bryant</a>.

Overview by Capt. Austin Young and Capt. Conner Bryant

<a href="https://anycreek.com/AceOutdoors?utm_source=academy&amp;utm_medium=st3&amp;utm_campaign=link">Capt. Austin Young is a professional fishing guide</a>, and a United States Army veteran. He owns and operates <a href="https://anycreek.com/AceOutdoors?utm_source=academy&amp;utm_medium=st3&amp;utm_campaign=link">Ace Outdoors</a> out of Charleston, South Carolina.

Fish with Capt. Austin Young

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Drake Boatworks is based in South Carolina in the greater Charleston area.

Where is Drake Boatworks based?

Delta Boatworks and Xplor Boatworks are both based out of Columbia, South Carolina.

Where is Delta Boatworks based?

VIDEO | Skiff Talk #3: Delta 18 vs. Drake Outlaw (FEAT. Capt. Austin Young, Ace Outdoors Charleston)

This video covers the general layout of and specs of <a href="https://anycreek.com/browndogsportfishing?utm_source=academy&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=embed">Capt. Cleve Hancock</a>'s Maverick HPX-S. Head over to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@anycreek?utm_source=academy&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=embed">AnyCreek YouTube for more skiff walkthrough content</a>, and for a full write-up on this Maverick skiff in the video description by <a href="https://anycreek.com/tidalwatersguideservice?utm_source=academy&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=embed">Capt. Conner Bryant</a>.

Overview by Capt. Cleve Hancock and Capt. Conner Bryant

<a href="https://anycreek.com/browndogsportfishing?utm_source=academy&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=embed">Capt. Cleve Hancock is an Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide</a>, and operates <a href="https://anycreek.com/browndogsportfishing?utm_source=academy&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=embed">Brown Dog Sportfishing</a> out of Charleston, South Carolina.

Fish with Capt. Cleve Hancock

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A Maverick skiff is a company known for manufacturing shallow water poling skiffs designed for inshore fishing. Maverick is part of Maverick Boat Group — that also owns Pathfinder, Hewes, and Cobia.

What is a Maverick skiff?

VIDEO | Skiff Talk #2: Walkthrough of Capt. Cleve Hancock's Maverick HPX-S

This video covers the general layout of 2 technical piling skiffs — a 2001 Hell's Bay Guide, and a 2005 Hell's Bay Whipray. Head over to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@anycreek">AnyCreek YouTube for more skiff walkthrough content</a>, and for a full write-up on this skiff in the video description.

Overview by Capt. Conner Bryant

<a href="https://anycreek.com/tidalwatersguideservice">Capt. Conner Bryant is a professional fishing guide</a>, and a Virginia DNR and USCG veteran. He owns and operates Tidal Waters Guide Service out of Charleston, South Carolina.

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A microskiff is a small, shallow-draft boat designed for inshore fishing in narrow and shallow waters. These lightweight boats are popular among anglers for their maneuverability and suitability for navigating through flats and marshes.

Hell's Bay boats are expensive due to their exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and performance, as well as their specialized design tailored for demanding fishing conditions. Additionally, they often incorporate premium materials and construction techniques, contributing to their higher cost.

Why are Hell's Bay boats so expensive?

VIDEO | Skiff Talk #1: Hell's Bay Guide vs. Hell's Bay Whipray

Interview by Liam ThroppIf you peel back outdoor tech’s external layer of shiny screens and circuitry, you’ll unearth a rather complex underbelly — a frontier where innovation meets tradition. Here, business tools and guides are co-evolving to meet the needs of modern-day adventure seekers. Folks crave swift, safe, trustworthy, and efficient avenues to seek their next thrill in the wilderness. Outdoor acolytes and seasoned adventurers alike rely on expert guides who know how to best target the wild fish and game they seek, and life as an elite guide is no walk in the park. Each day is a dance with the elements, from dawn until dusk, pitting your skills against Mother Nature and your client's expectations. However, guides must do more than simply fish or hunt more to fully capitalize on this change in demand. AnyCreek’s guide tools help these outdoor entrepreneurs elevate their businesses and utilize lots of timesaving functionality — all through a simple, sleek interface that is a breeze to use. AnyCreek also presents anglers with the best source of truth, transparency, and security to book amazing guided trips with ease.Benjamin Lazarov, AnyCreek’s CEO and co-founder, comprehends this delicate balance. In this discussion, Ben sheds light on the necessity for guides to not only master the wild but also manage the logistical aspects of their business.<figure class="image"><img src="https://static.anycreek.com/content/IMG_0295_32419b8686.jpg" alt="IMG_0295.jpg"><figcaption>Ben on the hunt for trophy snook with <a href="https://anycreek.com/Mangrove-Maniacs">Capt. Drew Naeckel of Marco Island.</a></figcaption></figure>

Are guides losing clients due to their failure to update their business methods?

The short answer is, yes. There are certain customers who stop looking after a certain time because they aren’t getting responses from guides, or can’t find a guided trip easily. It's intimidating for some guides to make the switch from pen and paper and a real challenge in this industry. But they are missing an opportunity by not digitizing, and guides can get more bookings just by virtue of making it more accessible to their customers. 

Do you find that some guides are hesitant to use new advancements to improve their business?

Some guides have operated the same way for so long. Even some of the top guides in the country believe they are providing the best experience for their customers. What they don't realize is that in today's world, the customer experience doesn't start when somebody steps on the boat, or when they begin their trip. It actually starts well before that when they originally even considered booking a trip. By setting yourself up for more business online, you are increasing your customer base and providing a better overall experience.

Most guides agree that the best experience is a personal one between them and their customer. I think what's unique to AnyCreek is that we provide control to the guide. We allow them to run the business the way that they want, and maintain the relationships that they want. This keeps their business’ personal touch while leaning on technology to simplify.

How can guides maintain a personal touch and relationship if their entire booking process is automated?

The old way of doing things, like taking reservations and payments manually, doesn't make sense in today’s consumer-based market. Technology is enabling a lot of these guides to be more efficient. What we've learned is we need to build something that allows guides to be more effective, while also maintaining relationships. After all, this is a relationship business between guides and customers. 

We automate certain processes that are less personal, like putting your credit card down versus sending a check or calling a guy to see when they're available versus looking at that on their automatic calendar. On the flip side, we’ve created AnyCreek Messaging to help guides communicate with their clients, stay on top of ongoing conversations, and streamline bookings. AnyCreek is built to balance this personal touch while making the technicalities behind the trip organized and bettering their customer’s experience.

How important is it for guides to adhere to new technology in today's consumer-driven market?

I think part of being an entrepreneur is adapting to new trends and technology, and guides are entrepreneurs. The modern consumer wants guides that have new technology, both while securing their trip and while on a trip. You don't want to be on a boat with no GPS, an ancient motor, or old fishing gear. Most customers want the latest and greatest, which pushes guides to want that as well. Guides that are adopting new technology will make more money and they'll end up outpacing other guides who don’t update their business models.

What would you say is the most important takeaway for a guide looking to use AnyCreek?

It all begins with taking the customer booking experience as seriously as fishing or hunting. AnyCreek empowers guides to improve their customer’s experience and to elevate and scale as much as they want in the most efficient way possible. As a result, they will make more money, they will get more customers, and they will save more time. There are a lot of different ways that our tools can help. The best guides in the world put a value on their own time and their customer's time. Without a modern system to power your guide or outfitter business, you are wasting both.

Are there any upcoming AnyCreek features you’re excited to release?

We're a solution for the best outfitters in the world. The products that we're building right now will allow those outfitters to scale their business. Updates to guide availability, trip referrals, and calendar integrations across an outfitter’s entire guide roster, are on the horizon. This will make the customer-guide experience more fluid and accessible for both small- and large-scale outfitters.

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Navigating Technology's Influence on Outdoor Guides: Benjamin Lazarov, CEO of AnyCreek

Interview by Chris CollinsThe interconnectedness between our lives with technology is ever present, and important to address with purpose. For guides who spend their days outdoors — and for the adventure seekers who wish to join them — digital technology should be nothing more than an easy to use toolset to get those adventures underway. In building that perfect platform, AnyCreek strives for simplicity.In this article, we spotlight an important face behind building our platform. AnyCreek’s CTO and co-founder, Nick Larson, loves highlighting the “why” while building this platform. Behind each feature lies careful analysis of pain points, and a deep understanding of what can make the lives of guides and adventure seekers easier.What drew you to AnyCreek after working in software engineering for the past twenty years?

The companies I’ve worked at have primarily been tech to tech, as I call it. A large majority of the userbase was already pretty familiar with technology to some degree. Many were even in the tech space themselves. I can’t stress how much I learned from these experiences, using the latest technologies and working with some of the best minds. However, I was interested in the challenge of guiding individuals less familiar with technology into the online realm to modernize their business practices. Seeing this outdoor community and seeing — from my experience  — the way an updated online platform could be the solution, I immediately knew there and then that AnyCreek needed to be built. For the guides whose lives could be easier, and for the customers who get more from their guided trip once their guides can focus all their time and attention on the experience. At the end of the day, I wanted to take what I love doing, and have been doing since I was a kid — writing code — and use it to create a tool to help people get outdoors and do what they love.

What are some of the main problems you set out to solve with AnyCreek?

Time wasted, miscommunication, lost communication, scheduling difficulties, organizational issues, how guide’s get paid… There were a lot of things that I saw that could be improved — solved really — by housing all the information for booking guided trips under one convenient, easy-to-use domain: AnyCreek. I’ve heard horror stories about guides not getting paid, trips getting canceled, and getting all this feedback from the guide community about what could be better. I started out by asking guides and listening to what was going wrong.

But beyond seeing what’s wrong or not working and fixing it, we’re being proactive. We’re thinking about what isn’t a problem now, but what could make a guide’s life easier down the road, as they scale. We’re trying to remove anything that might get in the way of getting outdoors. We’re creating a network of guides right at your fingertips and providing both the adventure seeker and the guide with the most up-to-date features possible to do what they love.


How do you know when you’ve improved functionality or simplified the booking process — for guides and adventure seekers?

We’re testing everything all the time. Dogfooding — funny word — but great practice. Essentially, everything we put out we put through the ringer ourselves to see if it has the desired effect of making things easier. If there are bugs, hold-ups, or things aren’t as smooth as we imagined, we know because we feel it when we test it ourselves. Additionally, we know by having an open relationship with the guides on our platform. We want all the feedback we can get. We want to know what the experience is like using these tools to help earn their livelihood. Before, during, and after the process of implementing a new feature, we’re constantly having conversations with guides and users, getting constant feedback. We hear directly what works, what doesn’t work, and collect this understanding not just for what we’re implementing now, but to apply to future projects. Our goal is to stay in this loop of solving and improving, and it’s only made possible by having the open relationships that we do with the customers and guides who rely on AnyCreek. 

What tools are there in place now that make guides’ and customers' lives easier?

We’ve put in a lot of work across all of the features on our platform, from an easy-to-navigate home page for users, to a robust referral network for guides and outfitters, but the two that I’m most proud of are the calendar and Inbox features. With the calendar, guides can see all their trips for any given month at the click of a button, as well as integrate directly with their existing calendars. It makes scheduling easier, seeing how many trips you have, and how much you can expect to earn in a month; all the essentials as a guide right in front of you. When we make things streamlined for the guides, the clients can feel the results too. Guides can take more trips, spend the necessary time communicating with you, and prepare for upcoming trips without worrying about things getting lost in the shuffle and minutiae of small business management. With the Inbox feature, clients can get in touch with a guide before booking their trip, which is an absolute game changer. You can discuss any and all details, and get comfortable before committing to a trip. It’s this loop where, now, booking becomes really clear and streamlined for both parties. 

When you imagine a “completed” AnyCreek, what does it look like?

I don't think there will ever be a completed AnyCreek. We are and always will be building, coming up with new ideas, and improving existing ones. The goal is to keep things simple as we grow, and as our guides grow with us. Whether you’re an independent guide, outfitter, or full-service fly shop, we strive to keep scaling our product to make things as simple as possible at all stages of the trip experience. We have a team here at AnyCreek that I’m incredibly proud of and confident in. We are never satisfied with where we are. The whole purpose of this platform is where you can go with it, and that’s something we’re even more passionate about.  

Have an idea about what we could be doing better, don’t hesitate to reach out using the&nbsp;<a href="https://anycreek.com/contact">“Contact” feature</a> on our website.

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Engineering Guide Friendly Solutions: Nick Larson, AnyCreek Co-Founder and CTO

Interview by Liam Thropp.Technology connects us, enhances our lived experience, and guides us through unknown frontiers of all sorts. As in society more broadly, technology in the outdoor space has quickly formed the backbone of how we research, recreate, and shop. The advent of outdoor tech has redefined “the road less traveled,” revolutionized the gear we use, and unearthed countless opportunities for adventure that did not exist thirty years ago. Like it or not, technological advancement is a driving force in the outdoors, and it’s here to stay. In fact, some may say it always has been here. More on that in this article.While hard goods manufacturers and craftsmen are seemingly wed to the cutting edge of technology — in rods and reels, flies and lures, guns and ammunition, bows and arrows, clothing and gear — the modern adventure seeker is evolving as well. Hunters and anglers seeking unique experiences want faster, safer, more efficient ways to find their next hunt or fishing trip.New platforms and advancements by software companies like AnyCreek have eliminated many of the pain points experienced by both outdoorsmen and guides alike. Much like how Airbnb revolutionized the lodging search for travelers and homeowners, AnyCreek has changed the game by increasing the visibility of quality guided experiences for outdoorsmen — while giving busy guides an easier way to manage their business and find new clients. Guides are notoriously difficult to get in touch with, and this is partially by design. The best outdoor guides spend much of their time in the field, often from dawn til dusk, perfecting their craft so as to provide clients with an unforgettable experience. After all, cellular service is not a parameter for finding new lies for trophy trout, productive flats for fishing, or the best cover for upland bird hunting.In this article, we sit down with our own co-founder and CEO, Benjamin Lazarov, to dig deeper into his mission to create the best technology for finding and booking incredible outdoor experiences.&nbsp;

<img src="https://static.anycreek.com/content/OR_Any_Creek_Sept22_21_605eafcc6e.jpg" alt="OR_AnyCreek_Sept22_21.jpg">When was it that you realized the importance of a system like AnyCreek to facilitate the process of booking a guided trip?

It first came to me when I was on a trip to Manchester, Vermont for a wedding. I was alone and had given myself an extra day because I wanted to go fishing. I’d heard so much about the history of the rivers around that region, but had never had the opportunity to visit. When I arrived, I thought, surely I can just go to the front desk of the Orvis flagship store and book a guide. But when I asked the lady for guide recommendations, she looked at me like I was crazy. She disappeared into the back office and five minutes later came back with a piece of printer paper where she had printed out seven guides, phone numbers, and emails. “Here, go for it,” she said. This was her solution.

I spent the next 10 minutes calling down the list, and of course, nobody answered, because they were all out on the water. I kept thinking to myself “this system is ripe for improvement. I'm in this beautiful area. I've got a full day tomorrow. There’s got to be somebody that can take me fishing, but I can't find them.” 

There was no availability, no marketplace, and nobody called me back until the next day only to tell me that they were booked!  At that point, I really started to research and dig into why a cohesive resource for guides and their businesses doesn't exist.

Especially as someone looking for a guide, it’s hard when you have little to start with. Do you think there are any problems with the outdoor industry today?

The best parts about this industry are also fundamental problems with this industry. The guiding space is both incredibly diverse and incredibly fragmented. By design, the outdoor industry is both localized and intentionally offline. This can make it really difficult to understand much about a guided experience you want to go on. There’s been no real understanding of what a great guided operation looks like digitally — other than on social media —  until now.

Some folks view the outdoors and tech as inherently separate. How is AnyCreek avoiding the pitfalls of tech companies in other sectors?

AnyCreek is very different from a lot of other tech companies in that we're actually trying to limit your time online and maximize your time outside. Our goal is to minimize screen time and keystrokes while running an outdoor business or looking for your next adventure. Tech companies are now built to keep the user on the platform and keep them engaged. Instagram wants you to keep scrolling, Amazon wants you to keep shopping. Tech companies are investing right now to maximize the time you spend on their platform and pull you deeper into their virtual ecosystem. Why do that when you can go experience the most beautiful places on earth? Tech’s biggest value will always lie in facilitating connections that transcend the digital world and form meaningful connections between real people. This is how AnyCreek operates.

What has helped AnyCreek the most in striving to be best in class?

This business is fueled by passion. Each member of the team in some respect is active in the outdoors, wanting to showcase great experiences and make them accessible to all. Professionally, they come with expertise from some of the largest and most successful fast-paced businesses of all time like Dropbox, Uber, DoorDash, Costa Sunglasses, and Compass. This shows in the work and I’m thrilled to work alongside them. And that's not to mention our world-class guides and outfitter partners. These are some outstanding humans who trust us to help streamline their businesses, and provide constant feedback to help us improve our product each and every day.

How do you believe AnyCreek best limits time spent searching for guided experiences?

The process of finding and booking a hunting or fishing trip is so cumbersome that without a platform, you waste time searching, calling, texting, and waiting for responses. Without a marketplace, you spend more time on the screen, more time researching, and more time figuring out what place looks good and where you should go. You have to independently address the questions: “is it the right time of year to fish? Can I take multiple people on the boat or should I book two boats? Is this price the best? What about the reviews?” The answers to all of these questions have lived in different places until now.

AnyCreek makes it as easy as possible to find a worthy guided experience for whatever pursuit, locale, and price point fits the bill. Whether you’re a novice or veteran angler or hunter, you deserve to spend less time on your devices and more time afield.To learn more about guided experiences and life in the outdoors,&nbsp;<a href="https://anycreek.com/academy">explore the AnyCreek Outdoor Academy</a>, or&nbsp;<a href="https://anycreek.com/">browse our selection of guided fishing and hunting trips</a>.

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Tech in the Outdoors: Benjamin Lazarov, AnyCreek Co-Founder and CEO

words and imagery courtesy of <a href="https://anycreek.com/blueridgemusky">Sam Scott</a>My name is Sam Scott, and I’ve lived in Blue Ridge, Virginia my whole life — floating its rivers, fishing its streams, and chasing its game fish. Out of all those fish, there’s one that stands alone as top dog in these waters. The Virginia muskellunge, musky, or muskie, is the apex predator in the freshwater rivers of Appalachia, and is also my life’s passion.<figure class="image"><img src="https://static.anycreek.com/content/vyh7k_Pm_T_d72d439485.jpg" alt="vyh7kPmT.jpg"><figcaption>Captain Sam Scott takes a knee with trophy Virginia musky. Courtesy of Sam Scott.&nbsp;</figcaption></figure>

The Mighty Musky

As I first got my start guiding for musky, my friend, Tyler Young, was spearheading our state’s musky research program at the Department of Wildlife and Resources (DWR). We soon began working together to learn more about our muskies here in Virginia. Our healthy musky fisheries present an ideal place to conduct studies on the species. Tyler and I have been working together ever since the beginning. I’ve been guiding him through the rivers, showing him where the largest concentrations of muskies are, and he’s been getting me involved with the conservation studies. I’ve participated in electroshocking studies, brood stock harvesting, community engagement, and helped the DWR produce&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTYtSvYXv58">a how to video for new anglers looking to safely and ethically target musky in the commonwealth.&nbsp;</a><figure class="image image-style-side"><img src="https://static.anycreek.com/content/Dc_Q0ikju_e8bf73d5af.jpg" alt="DcQ0ikju.jpg"><figcaption>Virginia Fisheries Biologists with the DWR tagging a musky specimen. Courtesy of Sam Scott.&nbsp;</figcaption></figure>As my fascination with these fish increased with each day on the water, I sought licensing from the Virginia Department of Wildlife and Resources to start tagging fish on my own. I soon began scanning and implanting the fish I caught&nbsp;with a ‘Passive Integrated Transponder’, or PIT tag. Each tag has a sequence of numbers and letters unique to that fish. To date, I’ve been able to help collect data spanning 80 miles of river on roughly 600 specimens, and have tagged another 200 new muskies into the database.&nbsp;

Musky Tagging with Virginia DWR

At the end of each week of fishing, I got into the habit of reviewing and studying the data I had collected. Being able to track a fish’s growth and their movements from capture to recapture changed the way I looked at muskies. I started noticing patterns of movement, some incredible growth rates, and certain fish that seemed to find their way into my net more often than others.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://static.anycreek.com/content/Side_by_side_cee365bb70.PNG" alt="Side by side.PNG"><figcaption>Left: A 26 inch musky. Right: The same musky, now 34 inches in length. Courtesy of Sam Scott.</figcaption></figure>In April of 2021, I tagged D6706B2 at 26 inches long. Six months later in October, we recaptured this fish — in the same spot — at 34 inches long. 8 inches in 6 months is still the most impressive growth rate I’ve recorded on any musky specimen. It’s incredible to think of what this fish could look like down the line, in my own net or perhaps one of another angler. In another great example of musky growth — C014147 and I were first acquainted in 2018 on Thanksgiving Day when my client caught her at a healthy 47 inches. I struggled to relocate this fish for some time. Not until this past winter, almost five years later, did my client hook into an absolute brute in a long, deep pool. She had migrated 5 miles upriver and had grown into a massive 49.5 inch giant. Each fish — its habits, growth rates, migration patterns — is unique, and understanding each fish’s story helps to contribute to our understanding of the Virginia musky as a whole.<figure class="image"><img src="https://static.anycreek.com/content/Side_by_side_2_573ddac6d8.PNG" alt="Side by side 2.PNG"><figcaption>This musky was caught and recaptured 5 years later. Courtesy of Sam Scott.&nbsp;</figcaption></figure>While the last specimen was able to evade my capture for 5 years, there are other muskies, much more aggressive muskies, that seem to find their way into my net every 5 months. Take for instance BFEEBAC, a 40 inch male. This specimen was originally tagged by the DWR in 2017. Between 2018 and 2022, we landed this fish 7 times. Such fish are prime examples of how catch and release, when paired with proper handling practices, can succeed in sustaining musky populations for future anglers. It is also one of our most important tools in our study of the species.<figure class="image"><img src="https://static.anycreek.com/content/Side_by_side_3_4f5f9edced.PNG" alt="Side by side 3.PNG"><figcaption>Another tagged musky caught and recaptured 4 years apart. Courtesy of Sam Scott.</figcaption></figure>Despite our state's research, there’s not a lot known about musky when compared to other species of fish. New behaviors are constantly observed across the state and throughout the country. Biologically, we are only scratching the surface. As a southern state, and one of the warmest climates inhabited by muskies, Virginia has the important responsibility of continuing to study how these fish adapt to and are affected by the warmer climate. As a part of DWR’s progressive muskie program, I continue to study and understand the fish as we work together towards improving their survivability in warmer climates to come.&nbsp;<a href="https://anycreek.com/blueridgemusky">Sam Scott</a> lives in Blue Ridge, Virginia, and is the owner/operator of <a href="https://anycreek.com/blueridgemusky">Blue Ridge Musky guide service</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://anycreek.com/blueridgemusky">Click Here to Fish with Sam.</a>

Learning from the Data

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Virginia DWR's page on muskellunge is filled with great information and up to date resources to keep you aware of how you can engage with conservation efforts. Additionally, use the link above and reach out to Sam. With years of research and practical knowledge under his belt, he's a tremendous resource to pull from.

How can I learn more about musky conservation efforts?

Musky are located in the Northeast and Northern waterways of the United States. Go to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services website for a comprehensive guide and map of where you might find musky near you. Reach out to guides and local anglers to get on the ground wisdom on where might be best. 

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