Guide Highlights

EJ Stern grew up in a fishing family, exploring the remarkable fisheries across the Northeastern United States from an early age. He started fly fishing over thirty years ago and has developed a wealth of knowledge that he is passionate about sharing with others. Today, EJ guides in North Carolina and Virginia, introducing anglers to the Southeast’s exceptional warm and cold water fishing opportunities.

Dave Brown is a fly fishing and wingshooting guide, running trips in Montana, Arizona, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Dave grew up in Southern Ontario, and, though his path to guiding has certainly not been linear, his passion for the outdoors was established early and has never wavered.

Zac Brooks is a North Georgia fly fishing guide, conservationist, and avid outdoorsman. He’s spent most of his life exploring the Blue Ridge mountains and is passionate about sharing its remarkable scenery and fishing opportunities with his clients. As he puts it: “I became a guide to share and teach people the beauty of fly fishing and the therapeutic lifestyle around it.”

Meet Zac Horrocks, a 7th-generation Adirondack Mountains fishing guide and international angling host. He’ll be hosting a trip in August of 2025 to Brazil’s Kendjam Lodge, and he sat down to talk with us about all the things he’s looking forward to.

Zac Horrocks grew up in Lake Placid, New York, nestled in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. As a 7th-generation Adirondacks hunting and fishing guide, Zac's lineage in the region extends back to the 1790s. He’s been around the guiding industry for his entire life – Zac started working in his local fly shop, Jones Outfitters, as a kindergartener and hasn’t looked back since.

Capt. Tim Disano has fished the waters around Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina for his entire life. Growing up in the lowcountry, his passion for this place and its fish swiftly evolved into a career as a full-time fishing guide. Now, after years spent discovering spots, honing his craft, and leveraging the best gear in the business, Tim spends his days chasing fish with his clients — helping them reconnect to their roots and the outdoors through his life’s passion.

Captain Steve Friedman's journey from a fishing guide to an environmental advocate highlights his deep love for nature, his dedication to protecting Florida's delicate ecosystems, and his desire to represent the interests of the Florida Keys community. Friedman's experiences working directly on the water and witnessing the impact of environmental issues have shaped his political perspective and fueled his campaign for clean water and sustainable fisheries. This article will explore how Captain Steve's passion for fishing led him to become a voice for change in the Florida Keys.

Striped bass management is at a critical inflection point. The decisions you make today affect the productivity of our fisheries for years to come. Capt. Brice Contessa is the owner of Martha's Vineyard Outfitters, and has been a professional fishing guide on the bountiful waters surrounding The Vineyard since 2003. He recently put pen to paper on the topic of striper conservation to underscore the importance of our own actions in the face of tenuous resource management.

Our ongoing conversation with fishing guides who’ve found a love for waterfowl has revealed that camaraderie is one of the central draws to the sport, even if some find their hunting cohorts earlier in life than others. For Miami-based inshore fishing guide and self-described duck nut Honson Lau, the allure of both hunting and fishing has long been the culture of storytelling and community, as well as the personal growth he experienced as he honed his skills in both sports.

For small businesses, differentiation is key; this certainly holds true for fly shops. These angling establishments come in all shapes and sizes — ranging from small roadside shacks servicing local river-goers with the perfect regional tie to highly-scaled operations with tremendous selections and e-commerce presences. The U.S. is lucky to have so many great fly shops that strive for exceptional client service, something that is no small task to achieve.