The Feathered Hook is proud to offer a world-class guide service providing a positive and personal experience day in and day out on the water. Our guides are well traveled, Pennsylvania natives who know our local waters and wild trout like the back of their hands. Whether you want to learn a new technique, explore new water, introduce a friend to the sport, or just go catch fish you are in good hands with us. From floating lines and indicators, to modern euro nymphing tactics, advanced nymphing techniques, properly presenting dry flies, pulling streamers, or swinging wet flies our guides have you covered. We will create a tailored, memorable experience exploring our Blue Ribbon trout streams for anglers of all levels.
Our Guides:
Raised in the heart of central Pennsylvania, MATT KOWALCHUK was drawn to fishing, hunting, trapping, and the natural beauty of the outdoors. At the age of 16, Matt joined the U.S. Youth Fly Fishing Team and competed in the 2007 FIPS-Mouche Youth World Fly Fishing Championship. After earning a Recreation Management degree and Environmental Studies minor from Lock Haven University, Matt learned the ins & outs of guiding through an internship with a local guide service. Today, Matt is the Head Guide for The Feathered Hook Guide Service on the banks of Penns Creek, just an hour drive from where he fell in love with the art of angling. Matt enjoys sharing his expertise with seasoned anglers, first-time fly fishers, families or corporate groups on Pennsylvania’s beautiful wild brown trout, smallmouth bass, and Central Pennsylvania muskie waters.
State College native and world-class angler Aston Boone has spent his entire life learning our local waters. As a U.S. Youth Fly Fishing Team from 2010-2013, Aston competed in the FIPS- Mouche Youth World Fly Fishing Championships in Italy and France, where the team took Gold and Silver in back to back years. A licensed guide since 2012, Aston spends his Summers guiding for trout in south western Montana and the Fall season in the same mountains guiding hunts for Elk, Mule Deer, and Antelope at Upper Canyon Outfitters.
After graduating from Penn State, TESS WEIGAND fell in love with the natural diversity of Penns Valley and the Penns Creek Watershed and decided not to leave. Starting her career in agriculture, she became interested in the relationships between farming and recreational communities and their surrounding natural resources.
A founding competitor of the US Women’s Fly Fishing Team, Tess competed at the first ever Fips-Mouche Women’s Fly Fishing World Championship in Norway where she finished in the top ten. But, no matter where in the world she finds herself, she always misses her home waters of Central Pennsylvania.
As a guide, Tess believes that the collective knowledge and experience found in local guides can be the key to improving your everyday experiences as an angler. She loves to highlight the importance of observing fish behavior in relation to how we target them and how their behavior is tied to conservation. Her goal is in the takeaway; a better or more rounded skill set, a few laughs, and some pictures to make your friends jealous. If you spot Eight, her Newfoundland on the streamside trail, Tess is never far behind.
Growing up a true local, with a creek in his backyard, Logan Stroup has been fishing, hunting, and enjoying the outdoors as long as he can remember. He is a true self taught fishermen, learning the best habitats, diets, and of course techniques for catching a variety of different species. Growing up in the valley, he has spent countless days learning our local waters. Logan has become an accomplished guide since he started working at The Feathered Hook in 2019. Today he still has the luxury and convenience of having a creek in his backyard at his home he shares with his wife and his bird dog Duke.
At a very young age, Penns Valley native Blaine Ripka fell in love with the outdoors. Blaine began fly-fishing on one of the most technical streams in our region. This taught him the importance of attention to detail on the water. As a guide, Blaine is incredibly patient with his clients and loves showing them the ins and outs of the sport.
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