Founder and Owner: Jay Peck
“It doesn’t matter how much experience you have. You can always learn a new trick.”
Jay has been fly fishing for over 40 years and and for the majority of that time, he has been applying his experience as a licensed New York state fly fishing guide. Jay primarily guides anglers on the tributaries of Lake Ontario in search of salmon, steelhead, and brown trout although he also enjoys helping them chase “toothy critters” in the warm water months. In addition to instructing /guiding anglers, he shares his passion for the local watershed whether it’s fish habitat, the ecology of the watershed or the flora and fauna.
Jay is also an seasoned spey caster who has developed several fly patterns for fishing the Lake Ontario tributaries (a few of his flies are featured in the book Steelhead Guide by John Nagy) as well as technique for “the swing”. He and his team run a spey casting clinic every summer for those both new to two handed casting and veterans looking to learn something new.
While his passion is targeting lake-run fish, Jay is as accomplished in the arena of trout fishing. During the trout season, Jay spends his time on Western New York’s beautiful spring creeks and streams. Over the years, he’s acquired a vast knowledge on trout behavior / biology and the flies they feed on. Here too, several of his flies are featured in the book Trout Flies of the East: Best Contemporary Patterns from East of the Rockies by Jim Schollmeyer and Ted Leeson.
Lead Guide: Rick Smith
As a local resident of the Tug Hill and Salmon River region, Rick has personally fished the Salmon River and tributaries of Lake Ontario for 30 years – he’s been a licensed New York state guide for over 20 of those years (and worked alongside Jay for 16). Having worked under NYSDEC Special Fran Verdolvia as a River Steward, Rick has benefit from exposure to raising and stocking fish as well as conducting fishery surveys. This experience has given him a unique perspective into the steelhead and salmon we chase.
Rick has also operated Pineville Sports Shop as a manager since 2002. This experience has given him in-depth knowledge of fishing gear and tackle. Amongst his peers and clients, he is also highly respected for his spey fishing experience s and all the intricacies of this angling method from how to set-up two-handed rod / reel to casting and teaching the art of swinging flies. also has aspey fishing from the setup of two-handed outfits and casting to teaching the art of swinging flies.
Endorsed Guide: George Zervos
George is an accomplished fly fisherman whom has fished the Salmon River and the inland trout streams of Central New York for over 12 years. He obtained his New York State guide license in 2017 and takes great pride in being a teaching guide who promotes comradery and sportsmanship on and off the water. George guides on the Salmon River (including seasonally on the Douglaston Salmon Run) as well as on select trout streams of eastern New York
As a result of his positive attitude and friendly nature, George is highly respected amongst his peers. He is always willing to offer guidance and a hand to anyone he meets. In 2018, George was chosen to fish alongside the host of the nationally televised fishing show Reel Bragging Rights where his catch brought home the tournament win.
George also owns and operates On the Fly Guide Service where he has been the recipient of numerous happy clients and stellar reviews.