Understanding how, when, and why brown trout eat a streamer is critical in a guide’s ability to translate any given set of conditions into success. Doing so often times requires a deep understanding of flies act in the water. Thousands of hours behind the vise go into the flies you fish, from the simple to the complex.

Fly design, tying, a big box of pretty streamers - these can catch eyes and clients, and arguably can catch fish. Ellis Ward has fished the Watauga and the South Holston on his own as much as he has guided over 5 years, giving an unfiltered, unbiased, and unparalleled depth to his knowledge of these river in all conditions and season, day and night.

Guiding, the way we treat it at least, is the juxtaposition of guide knowledge, client experience and goals, and conditions on any given day. Being able to translate knowledge, customize trips, and communicate a client-specific plan for each trip results in successful days on the water, knowledge gained, money and time well spent.