Ryan Burks
Owner & Head Guide
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Hi, I’m Ryan – the owner and Head Guide of this outfit. Fishing has been a part of my life since I was born. I was lucky enough to have a family who enjoyed time outdoors and started fishing with my dad and grandfather while I was still in diapers. While we mostly chased bream and bass, trout intrigued me from very early on. ​
Fog rolling off the cold river water early in the morning, the beautiful, vibrant fish and the magic of fly casting and watching my line lay out over the rippling water had cast their siren spell…and there was no turning back. I started fly fishing and tying flies about 20 years ago, and I’ve continued to tie flies commercially ever since.
If you’re looking to stock your box and you want hand-crafted quality, I’m your guy. While I can’t promise that I have 3,000 patterns to offer – what I can guarantee is that you will never get a fly from me that I wouldn’t fish myself. I believe in quality and craftsmanship. If I wouldn’t fish it, I won’t ship it. All the material is sourced by me, and I tie every fly I sell myself by hand in my workshop.
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I started guiding as a side hustle before side hustles were a thing. I was an extra boat for friends who were guiding larger groups on the Little Red River near Heber Springs, Arkansas. I really enjoyed teaching people new to fly fishing the ropes and showing clients with more advanced skills new techniques. Life got busy and pulled me away from guiding, but it was always there in the back of my mind….which brings me here.
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I’ve jumped into the commitment to guiding and tying flies full time and fulfilling a lifelong dream of sharing my passion for the water and the beautiful creatures below with others. I deeply enjoy teaching, whether it is the basics of casting or a deeper dive into fishing. We can work on matching the hatch, stripping a streamer, or mastering a mend mid-roll cast – we can try it all and there’s never judgment, just opportunity.
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I strive to make sure my clients get the experience they want. Maybe that means I’m working with a child to land their first trout or directing an intensely focused “zero or hero” trip targeting big browns. Regardless of what your skill level is, if you want to catch a lot of pretty trout or are aiming for just the big bad brownie, I want to give you the adventure that you’re looking for.