"Having Brian Wise guide for ROLF
has brought professionalism
and positive
qualities to our business.
Brian's skills are tops,
his joyful personality
is contagious
and I have absolute confidence in him.
Brian trains our
guides, speaks publicly for ROLF
and leads our flyfishing program."
- Myron McKee, River of Life Farm
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Here is some background info and fishing tips from Brian
to let you
get a little better acquainted with him.
Background
Fly fishing is not a hobby for me, it is a way of life. I love every aspect of this wonderful sport, the river, the fish, and the feeling of peace. When I am not on the river, I am tying flies or reading everything I can to help my fishing and ultimately my guiding ... I spend around 150 days on the river yearly and I am as excited every time I hit the river as I was the first time.
Fishing History
Brian is an experienced North Fork of the White River guide with more than 6 years of guiding experience under his wading belt. He has been floating the North fork for more than 14 years and know the river very well. Growing up just minutes from the river helped him get acquainted with the North Fork at a young age. |
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Brian has the ability to cater to what ever kind of trip you are looking for. For beginner fly fisherman he can teach you the art of fly fishing in his laid back and fun style of teaching. For the experienced fly fisherman he can help work out the bugs and fine tune your skills. If all you want to do is CATCH FISH he can do that too!
At the end of the day he often stays to do casting instruction to help "tweak" your casting stroke. Working with casting champions & Master Casting instructors has helped him become an outstanding casting teacher. Whatever you are looking to accomplish out of your time with Brian he will give you 110% to achieve your goal. |
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Brian was recently invited to do a 2 hour seminar on fishing the North Fork of the White River for the St. Louis Parks and Recreation's "Gone Fishin'" program, the largest outdoor informational program in the state.

The Seminar was also written up in an article for the St. Louis Post Dispatch.
He also be spoke to the Capital City Fly fishers out of Jefferson City, Missouri in April 2005 and is available to speak to your club upon request.
Brian is American Red Cross certified in Advanced CPR, Wilderness First Aid, and Wilderness First Responder, so your experience fishing with him will be a safe & memorable one. |
| Fishing
the North Fork |
Fishing Tactics
The North Fork being a large river for Missouri Trout fishing has it's "good" water and it's "not so good" water just like any other body of water that holds fish so reading water is key. Here is what I look for in any given fishing spot:
- Seams -- Where fast water meets slow water.
- Drop Offs in a riffle or at the end of a riffle
- Eddys -- the slow water on either side of the fast water
These three things will produce the best numbers of fish.
I fish faster water and riffles 75% of the time....they are the better producers. But some of the slow deep pools hold some HOGS so you may not want to pass them up!
While nymphing faster water make sure the flies are deep. Split-Shot (weight) is a necessity on the North Fork.
But even with
weight it is very important to get a good dead-drift to get the fly down
in this fast water, and most importantly to get the most natural
movement out of the fly. I focus on the riffles, in the headwaters above
them, the tailwaters below them, and all through the riffle.
When using
a strike indicator be sure to use one that can be easily moved up and
down the line to move with the ever-changing river depth. |
Favorite Flies
| Nymphs: |
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| Prince * |
Size 14-10 |
| Kauffman Stonefly |
Size 10-4 |
| Hare's Ear |
Size 16-12 |
| Pheasant Tail |
Size 16-12 |
| Crackle Back |
Size 14-10 |
| *Ask Brian about his Teal Prince |
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| Streamers: |
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| Wooly Buggers - |
Olive, Black, Brown |
| Mohair Leeches - |
Olive, Tan, Rust |
| Sculpin Patterns |
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| Dries: |
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| Adams |
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| Elk Hair Caddis |
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| Stimulator |
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| Blue Winged Olives |
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| Cahills |
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| Griffith's Gnat |
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| Terrestrials: |
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| Near 'Nuff Crayfish |
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| Kyle's Pine Squirell Crayfish |
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| Madam X |
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| Dave's Hopper |
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Fly Tactics
As for dry flies I like using Elk Hair
Caddis, Griffith's Gnat, Stimulators, and Duns with the occasional
terrestrial in the summer and fall.
Skating the Elk Hair Caddis
through the riffles works real well, while drifting and skating
everything else.
When casting to rising trout try to "match the hatch"
or I like to use Griffith's Gnats because they can imitate so many
flies.
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If you are
interested in retaining the guiding services of Brian for your
next fishing adventure on the North Fork River, please call or email Myron for availability and details. Additionally, more
information is available on our Guides
Page. |
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For
guiding questions, Please call Myron at 417-261-7777 |
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