I am grateful to two men, my Dad who stuck a Zebco push button rod in my hand when I was tall as weeds and John Bocchino "Director" of Fish-Camp where lessons were learned while waving a stick!
        Photo right - Steelhead from the Salmon river

  Thank you for taking the time to visit my web site Trout-Whispers.com.  My name is Joe Rist, I am a 3rd generation fisherman and a New York State licensed fishing guide. I have spent countless hours in the rivers of the Catskills.   For me there is no better place to fly-fish. In the Catskills are my favorite waters. In the Catskills, are the historic Beaverkill, Willowemoc and my all time favorites, the West and East Branches of the Delaware, a wild trout fishery for Rainbows and Browns that may be considered the best in the East!  I have had the pleasure of being the head guide for Catskill flies for many years where I met so many wonderful anglers from all over the world. Now I'm proud to say I am the owner of "Trout Town Flies", formerly Catskill Flies in Roscoe N.Y. where I will continue the same Philosophy. As a past President of Mid-Hudson Trout Unlimited, and currently active with the chapter.  I enjoy taking new anglers or seasoned anglers to the waters that I have learned to love.  It is a delight to share with them the secrets that I have learned over many years of fly- fishing.  Putting an Angler up close on a wild fish on the West Branch of the Delaware while wading, having them set their hook and watching the rod bend is the ultimate experience for the angler and I.  Does tying your own flies interests you?  I'm also a fly-tyer with a few secrets.  If you have the time to learn, I can teach you starting with the basic flies that will catch trout.  Fly-fishing is my passion; I am always trying to educate myself while fishing and exploring new ideas, so I can share them with you. 

 

                                          Tight Lines,   Joe Rist



Owner of "Trout Town Flies", in Roscoe N.Y.


Guided for Catskill flies, "Head Guide"

 

Guided for "Casting for recovery"

 

Guided for Wounded Veterans from state of Maine.

 

Member of Mid-Hudson Trout Unlimited

 

Member of the Catskill Fly fishing Museum


Member of AFFTA, "American flyfishing trade assoc.

 

 

                                                                                                    

                                                                       

 

 

 

 
Testimonials
Kind words, from Gary N.  
 I  Have fished with Joe Rist over the last 3 seasons in differing conditions and can say that my time with him has always been a pleasure.  You won't find a better guide than Joe in all the Catskills.  His knowledge of insect behavior and his skill in locating the prime places to fish is impressive.  Anyone who has fished for a good period of time knows that there are days that will test the limits of any guide and any anglers' abilities and catching one or two trout can be a major accomplishment.  I have fished these kind of days with Joe and he never gives up constantly analyzing the conditions to figure out what can give results.  On a recent 82 degree day the end of May with bright sun, there were no fish rising but Joe put me into fish swinging wet flies as well as using dry/dropper technique in fast riffles.  When the conditions are good, it is "fish on"!!  

Joe is a pleasure to spend time with having enormous patience and a good sense of humor.  I am certainly looking forward to my next outing with Joe. 

Gary N.  6/4/18
Joe,  Just wanted to say I had a epic day yesterday.  You can travel far and wide, spend a lot of money and not have a better experience than that.  
  The company, the setting and the fishing was world class!

       Thank you, Gene Currie
Joe, Thank you again for a great morning on the water and helping me catch my first few trout on a fly!  I appreciate all the tips and confidence you gave me. I wish I could go back tomorrow and try for the big one that got away but I'll have to wait for next year.  I look forward to fly fishing  back home.

Kevin Bouw

 Thank you from Russia:


Dear Joe,

It took me some time to get to my PC to send this note - I want to thank you very very much for the two unforgettable days in Upstate New York ! I spent fantastic time on the water and It would never be this without your friendly, professional and sharing companionship! Thanks a lot , I had a lot of fish, a lot of fun and new experience!

Sure we see each other again on those beautiful streams and maybe some others!

See you and wish you might lines!

With very best regards. Andrey

Thanks for everything Joe!

  We all had a Great time and all the guys were saying after that they gained a lot of experience on Saturday.  I think that having you spend time with each of us was extremely helpful to get us to the next level.


    Thank you, Ryan Quinn    4/26/15
Joe,
Thank you so much for today, even though it was cold and snowing it was a great day!! Thank you for all your work we will definitely be calling you again for guide services! If you don't mind when you get a chance could you email me the photos you took from today.:)

Thanks!!
Angie Jirik   4/25/15

Joe,

  Thanks so much for the awesome day!  You are a great fisherman and teacher.  I learned more from you yesterday than I have done in quite sometime.


                   Again Thanks,  Eric

    5/8/14

      

Joe
 
"Thanks so much for a memorable day 
I learned quite a bit"
What was the size hook on that emerger ? Hendrickson loop wing ? 
Could you describe again how you picked the winning fly? 
Thanks again and thanks for the photos
 
Cruz Goler  5/3/14

Joe,

  Thank you for your time and generosity for doing the seminar last night! I think it was enjoyed by all. I hope some of the members will take advantage of your services! I also think your offering of the ½ day trip was over the top…your passion for fly fishing is one to be admired and showed last night. I hope we have the opportunity to do some fishing together in the near future. If there is anything the club or myself can do to help you in the future please do not hesitate to ask.

 

Thanks again…….

 

Mike Savastano, Nelsonville Fish & Fur Club

 

 

Testimonial from client Rocco Pugliese:

 

Joe


 "I would like to thank you once again for your flyfishing guide services on our recent trip to the East Branch of the Croton River (Brewster, NY).  I was very pleased with my first guided trip.  
 
From this first outing, I have gained some practical stream experience fishing riffles to pocket water, and runs with both dries and nymphs. A testimony to your know-how in the art, I also landed a nice rainbow and two brownies (one nice size). That of course really was a bonus, considering the trip was primarily for teaching purposes. 
 
Also the book you lent me by Thomas Ames, Jr is terrific. This author combines both his knowledge of aquatic insects and their fly representations with actual fishing dynamics and techniques. It is one of the best hatch guide books I have seen so far. I was using the Orvis Trout Stream Insects book by Pobst, but now I will be getting my own copy of the Ames book."
 
I will be going to the next MHTU meeting and hope to see you there. 
 
Best regards, 
 
Rocco Pugliese

Joe, We really enjoyed the time we went out with you.  We really learned a lot.  It was truly fun and educational for me and Kyle.  Also, thanks for spending a lot of time with Kyle (teaching and helping him at the river).  I really appreciate it.  Thanks for sharing your knowledge to us made us appreciate fly fishing even more.

 

                               Thanks a Lot!!!

                                        Sam

Thanks, Joe. You did a great job. Thanks for all the pointers.

BEST REGARDS

 

JIM BOOTH

 

 

Life is grand when spent on a river or stream!  Seeing the whole spectrum is an awesome experience.  Sharing it with friends makes it more enjoyable.