Great Fly Fishing Guides

FLY FISHING CONNECTICUT
FARMINGTON RIVER | NORWALK RIVER | MIANUS RIVER | SAUGATUCK RIVER

Fly Fishing Connecticut's guide Jeff Yates has been fishing the waters of Fairfield County for 20 years and has intimate knowledge of the Norwalk, Mianus, Saugatuck and Mill Rivers. He has also discovered the secret streams throughout the region for targeting native brook trout, and can guide clients to a successful day of fishing for these native New England gems. Jeff also guides on the Farmington River, and can help clients avoid the crowds and target trophy trout no matter the season or stream flow.

A master guide and fly tyer, Jeff's goal is for his clients to learn the access points and techniques that will make them successful anglers on their own future outings. Guiding sessions are catch-and-release only and include lessons on insect entomology, stream flows and conditions, reading the water, improving casting skills and conservation and history.

President of the Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited, board member of Friends of Mianus River Park, life member of Trout Unlimited and the Housatonic Fly Fishers Association, Jeff is also a member of the American Museum of Fly Fishing and the Catskills Fly Fishing Center and Museum. When he's not guiding or fishing, Jeff is leading river restoration projects or planning fishing and conservation events and clinics.

203-216-7078

guide@flyfishingct.com

www.flyfishingct.com

HOUSATONIC RIVER | DELAWARE RIVER | LONG ISLAND SOUND

Scott Loecher is equally adept in both fresh water, hunting trout in Connecticut’s Housatonic River, New York’s Delaware River system and other local waters, Steelhead in New York’s Salmon River, and Striped Bass and Bluefish in L.I. Sound in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Scott has spent a lifetime developing the knowledge, techniques and tips that allow him to guide and teach his clients into becoming successful anglers or improving key aspects of their fishing game. Scott is equally at home working with both beginners and seasoned anglers alike. He is a master-level fly caster and gives fly-casting instruction regularly though The Compleat Angler in Darien, Connecticut, as well as working with young people as well. Most importantly, Scott’s love of fishing is apparent in everything he does, and his clients always have a wonderful time!

203-246-4118; 203-220-9405 (Evenings)

HOUSATONIC ANGLERS
HOUSATONIC RIVER

Rob is a full time guide on the Housatonic and Farmington rivers, located in the Northwest corner of Connecticut, and has been operating Housatonic Anglers since 1993. Rob’s knowledge of the sport comes from 25 years of guiding and he has traveled extensively to Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, Labrador, Kamchatka, the UK, and the American West. Rob conducts his guiding mostly from drift boats but wade trips are also offered. He likes to mix it up when guiding, switching between 10’ nymphing rigs, streamers with sink tips, wet flies, and, of course, his favorite, dry fly fishing. All of these methods require different skill sets and Rob helps teach his clients how become more effective at catching trout on a consistent basis given current conditions.

In addition to guiding, Rob runs a booking agency called Angling in the Andes which focuses on the best outfitters and lodges in Argentina and Chile. Rob will give you the real skinny on what to expect if you travel to Patagonia and can assist you in finding the place that best fits your fishing preferences and budget. To see some images from his travels there you can find more at: www.anglingintheandes.com

860-387-3300

housangler@yahoo.com

www.housatonicanglers.com

SALMON RIVER | LAKE ONTARIO TRIBUTARIES

Rick is one of the most experienced guides on the famous Salmon river. He has spent over 30 years fishing and guiding clients to success targeting Salmon, Steelhead, and Lake Run Browns. Rick specializes in fly fishing and whether you are a beginner or seasoned pro, Rick has the skills and knowledge to help you make the most of your time on the water. He knows this river phenomenally well and has a stellar reputation for getting clients on fish. Not only is Rick an exceptional angler, he is also a great guy. Easygoing and fun to fish with, Rick checks all the boxes in what we look for in a great fly fishing guide. If you are thinking about hiring a guide for your next trip to the Salmon River or any of Lake Ontario’s tributaries, look no further than Rick Moscarello. Rod, Reels, and flies are included if needed.

C: 609-731-5557

P: 315-298-6460

moscarello@yahoo.com

SALMON RIVER and EASTERN LAKE ONTARIO TRIBUTARIES

Tony grew up in Pulaski, New York on the Salmon River and was lucky enough to have had a father who owned a local tackle shop. For a young angler, who was obsessed with fishing, it could not have been a better upbringing. With an intimate knowledge of the area and its fisheries, he has now been guiding the Salmon River and eastern Lake Ontario Tributaries for over 25 years. Tony takes pride in getting off the beaten path and avoids fishing around other anglers whenever possible. He has access to private waters and depending on the conditions and flows, these fisheries can be amazing. 

For the last 18 years he has also guided the summer months in Alaska. He is currently the head guide for the Royal Coachman Lodge in the Bristol Bay Region within the Wood Tikchik State Park.

C: 315 430-5046

tonygugino1@gmail.com

JAMAICA BAY, NYC

Since he stepped into the guide scene in 2024, USCG Certified Captain Wesley Phillips has added a unique perspective from which he views his target species. For a decade Wesley has been fly fishing and honing his craft, on foot, the NY Bight and bays. Bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience, he now pilots via skiff the waters of Jamaica Bay, NYC, alongside the renowned One More Cast guides. You will have a fun and memorable day alongside Wesley targeting Stripers, Bluefish, and False Albacore. If you fancy experiencing the unique and productive fishing oasis in the heart of NYC, ask for Captain Wesley. 

C: 914-844-4223

wesley.branch89@gmail.com

LIGHT BITE CHARTERS
LONG ISLAND SOUND

Mike up with a love a fishing, spending every waking minute fishing freshwater ponds, streams and the famed spring Striper runs of the Hudson River (and still does) in Westchester County, NY. Once he became old enough to drive, he found himself fishing the beaches and shorelines of Fairfield County, CT, where he caught my first Striper on the fly at age 16. Since that day Mike has spent the last 25 years in relentless pursuit of striped Bass, Bluefish, Bonito, albies (False Albacore) and Blackfish on light tackle in the Western Long Island Sound.

Mike says: “I can no longer call what I do fishing but rather a lifestyle. I live, eat, sleep and breathe this lifestyle. I am one of the area's only full-time guides with availability 7 days a week. Because, let’s face it; fishing is always best Monday through Friday. Fishing is not only good the weekends. Being that I am on the water most every day, I have an intimate knowledge of the current fishing conditions and techniques which translates into you getting into some nice fish.”

Mike is known for consistently finding fish, and nice ones at that. He targets large Stripers and is very good at it. Mike is a no-nonsense guide for anglers who are willing to fish hard to find quality fish. Fly or light spinning, he does it all with the knowledge and experience to put on fish. While he can’t make the cast for you, he will put you in the right place to give you best shot at a great day on the water.

914-393-8838

capt.mike@lightbitecharters.com

https://lightbitecharters.com/

AlbatrosS flyfishing

LONG ISLAND SOUND

Captain Patrick’s fishing approach is largely influenced by his time growing up surfing, fishing,and lifeguarding along the beaches of Cape Cod. After College, he pursued photography in NewYork City for over a decade, working for major names in the film and TV industry. When Patrick’s son was born his family opted to move out of the city into Fairfield County. Patrick took careful time to learn the local waters before starting his guide service and began to apply his years of knowledge from the Vineyard Sound and Cape Cod Bay into the waters of the Western Sound.He discovered what many others have before him, a unique fishery with multiple species to target and techniques to apply. Focusing primarily on shallow water, Patrick’s aim is to give his clients the best experience possible, immersing the fly angler in nature while providing visual opportunities to cast at fish in unlikely places. A camera is a staple on his skiff, so along with great memories, you will return home with photos as well.

www.albatrossflyfishing.com

860-416-1339

wanderingalbatrossff@gmail.com

LONG ISLAND SOUND

Born and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, Ben has over 25 years experience fishing on the Long Island Sound. An obsession with fishing saltwater began at a very young age. Ben’s earliest memories include spending long hours on his father’s 1989 20 foot Sport Craft, “Fish Byte”. During the mid-90s and 2000s, he primarily targeted Bluefish, Striped Bass and Bonito in Western Long Island Sound and around Nantucket. Since the 2010’s, Ben has shifted much of his attention to trophy Striped Bass and False Albacore inshore, as well as Yellowfin, and Bluefin Tuna offshore.

A Graduate of Fairfield Prep and Indiana University. Ben worked as a Marketing Brand Manager in New York City for over 6 years, commuting daily from Fairfield to the Empire State Building. At work, he became infamous for promptly leaving the office at 5:30pm during the months of June and July to ensure he could make it “from Midtown to Mid-sound” in order to catch the sunset bass bite. After March 2020, he began working from home which allowed him to fish even more, thus eventually leading him to pursue his life-long vocation of becoming a full-time fishing guide.

Ben is equally adept with a fly rod or spin rod, and guides anglers from expert to beginner level. He operates primarily in Western and Central Long Island Sound aboard his 20 foot Lefty Kreh edition Seacraft. Ben’s business moniker, Apex Angling CT, has a mission of making his clients the best anglers possible and to achieve their personal goals fishing saltwater.

203-394-7777

ApexAnglingCT@gmail.com

www.ApexAnglingCT.com