Meet Bryson Storie | Fly Fishing Guide and Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bryson Storie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bryson, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When it came down to starting my own fly fishing guide service, location, of course, was a big factor. People tend to associate fly fishing with trout in Colorado and Montana, or bonefish and tarpon in the Florida Keys. Even with the incredible resources (water and fish) in these well known areas, it can be difficult for a new guide business to break through due to the saturation of fishing guides. While researching many areas, Dallas-Forth Worth was thrown into the mix. DFW and fly fishing seemed a little odd I thought. While the DFW may not be on the on the fly fishing radar (for now), it does provide a multitude of lakes, creeks, and rivers, each with a variety of fish species to target. Recently, fly fishing has taken off in popularity and DFW has a large volume of participants. As with any business, creating a niche is important, even with little competition. As for my business, I specialize in sight-fishing for carp and gar, but have unique trips available to people of all experience levels and expectations.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was 11 when fly fishing became my passion. I like to say it skipped the hobby stage and it took over my life. If you were to ask me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I would say, “I want to be a fly fishing guide in Alaska!” Sure enough, I spent my first summer guiding there when I was 19. Eight seasons later, I’m the Head Guide at Iliamna River Lodge in Bristol Bay, Alaska. For the first few seasons, I would return to school where I earned my Bachelors degree at Cumberland University in 2019.

Being a great fisherman doesn’t always make for a great guide, and vice-versa. When I first started out in Alaska, I thought a ‘good’ guide always had to catch as many fish as possible and/or the biggest. I quickly realized this was only a small factor of the job, if a factor at all sometimes. To me, a great guide not only understands their fisheries but is flexible and takes the time to understand their customer’s goals for their day/days on the water. This is what personally sets me apart from other guides. Whether they have never held a fly rod or are a seasoned angler, I can specifically tailor a trip to meet their needs.

My guide service is also unique because of the variety of fishing options. I utilize a Maverick HPX-T technical poling skiff, which is typically associated with saltwater and can float in 7 inches of water (rightfully so, I get some interesting looks for people in sparkly bass boats). It is the perfect boat when sight-fishing for carp and gar, both of which can be quite tricky to target with a fly rod. It also allows me to teach/train clients before their upcoming saltwater expedition in a similar scenario. For novice anglers, I cater to their skill level with wade and/or boat fishing for bass and bream and lean heavily on the informational aspects like knot tying and fish behavior. Since there are many facets to fly fishing, I also teach fly fishing 101, fly casting, and fly tying classes. It is an awesome feeling to see a new angler catch their first fish with a fly rod on a fly they tied!

Pursuing a career as a full-time guide has not been easy, but it has opened the door for me to meet many wonderful people and see some amazing places. The fly fishing community is a wonderful community to be a part of. It reaches beyond age, race, and gender and unites people from all different walks of life in the pursuit of fish.

“Many men go fishing their whole lives without knowing it is not the fish they are after”
– Henry David Thoreau

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had a friend in town and had to create an itinerary, of course, fly fishing would be on it!

On our way to the lake, we would make a quick stop at Merit for coffee and grab a dozen tamales from Taqueria Taxco for lunch. If tamales weren’t an option for the day, I’ve learned how to make an awesome sub sandwich with fresh bread, fresh produce, meat from the deli, and special seasoning. Thanks to my favorite sandwich shop, Jersey Mike’s, for the inspiration!
Once on the water, we would pole the crystal clear, shallow flats in search of carp and gar with the fly rod. These places tend to look more like Florida than North Texas!

Enjoying the kitchen almost as much as the deck of a boat, I would make my favorite Thai noodle soup for dinner and finish with some cookies and ice cream.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I know that following my passion for guiding anglers is generally an unstable career. It can take its toll financially and relationally. I thank God for his blessings and his guidance.

I was 11 years old when my parents and I took a Fly Fishing 101 course with the Middle Tennessee Fly Fishers. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for supporting my passion and encouraging me to pursue it.

I thank all the members of the Middle Tennessee Fly Fishers brought me under their wing. They took me on fishing and hunting trips and shared a wealth of knowledge about fly fishing and life. You have had a tremendous impact on my life.

To the numerous people who has taken time to help me pursue my passion in one way or another, I thank you.

Website: www.brysonstorieflyfishing.com

Instagram: bryson_storie

Image Credits
Lawson Fish Sam Wells