Every month, Rise Fishing Company will honor one guide. This guide is choosen for his hard work, dedication and passion for the sport of fly fishing. We would like to congratulate Mark Elloitt of Sheridan, WY as the first Rise Fishing Guide of the Month.
Mark Elliott grew up in Pinedale, WY. His passion for fly fishing started in high school, exploring the remote lakes and streams of the Wind Mountain Range. After high school Mark went on to play football at the University of Wyoming. Mark is now a teacher and coach in Sheridan, Wyoming and spends his summers and weekends rowing his drift boat. He floats the North Platte, Green and New Fork Rivers and you will not find a guide that works harder. He guides over 75 days a year putting his clients on fish and abusing our rods.

We recently sat down with Mark for an interview to find out more about who he is and what makes him the Rise Fishing Guide of the Month.

Featured Guide Mark Elliott

How did you get started guiding? I’d always spent my summers back home working construction and fishing on the weekends. Every now and then I’d have a few beers with a cowboy named John Ross. John was a local guide and I remember being envious of his summer job, FISHING, while I was pouring concrete and framing walls. So, I bought a drift boat and started guiding for John. Working oars all day is a lot more fun than a shovel.

Who was your biggest influence on your guiding career? I met John Ross, one of the original fishing guides in Wyoming and former owner of Two Rivers Emporium, located in Pinedale, Wyoming. He took me on a float trip down the Green River and I was hooked! He encouraged me to start guiding, so after college I bought my first drift boat and starting spending weekends and summers guiding fly fisherman. Jason Hamrick, owner of Cowboy Drifters, hired me to guide for him in 2002 and I’ve been working for him ever since. Jason is a phenomenal guide and a great friend.

Most memorable trip? That’s a tough question…I guide so many quality people every year, and we’ve had some phenomenal trips, boating well over 60 fish a day. One trip that I have fond memories of wasn’t a paid trip, but I was guiding none the less. I took my wife and her kids to the Big Horn River in Montana. I spent the evening teaching the kids, Blake who was 11 at the time and Madyson 8, how to tie there own fly’s. Being their first time at the vice, we focused on San Juan Worms. The next morning we hit the river, which was flowing over 13,000 cfs, which is huge for that river and not ideal conditions for three first time fly fisherman. Blake hooked his first fish with in minutes but lost it. He successfully boated 5 fish. Madyson hooked quite a few, but couldn’t get them in the boat. My wife, Mistee, caught and boated a fish on her 2nd cast and let the kids fish the remainder of the day. All the fish were caught on the San Juan’s the kids tied. Great day!

If you had to choose one fly to fish what would it be? I’d tie on a size 2 Green Beldar followed by a size 4 Orange Blossom Special. That combo is deadly and has been consistent as long as I can remember!

Favorite Freshwater fish. why?/Saltwater Fish? Why? My favorite freshwater fish is the Brown Trout. They get big here in Wyoming and will aggressively slam streamers. I’ve caught Redfish in Texas, Snook in Florida, but Dorado in the Sea of Cortez, tops my list.

Favorite Freshwater Destination. Why? I’ve fished for trout in Alaska, Montana and Idaho, but if I had to choose just one place, I’d always return home and fish the forest section of the upper Green River. It’s full of big deep bends, with a chance of catching a 25 inch trout on every cast. The scenery is second to none and water is loaded with hungry trout.

Favorite Saltwater destination. Why? I’ve only recently gotten into saltwater fly fishing and I seriously can’t think about anything else. I’ve fished for Redfish off the coast of southern Texas, Roosters & Dorado’s around La Paz, Mexico. This past summer I got a chance to fish Ten Thousand Islands out of Naples, Florida and beach fish for Snook on Sanibel Island. They were all wonderful experiences and I’ve already got two saltwater trips planned for this spring. But as my saltwater addiction grows I record and watch every fishing show featuring The Silver King. Someday I’d like to go to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Isla Holbox and throw flies to Trophy Tarpon.

Timing couldn’t have been better as three days after I sat down with Mark, one of his clients, John Quarles, who recently fished with him, sent us an email.
“ My guide was Mark Elliot who is sponsored by Rise Fishing and we used your rods. I fished with your rods for a day and half and loved them. I just wanted to write to you and say that you make a great fly rod and that Mark Elliot is a phenomenal guide and was a great spokesperson for your company. I will be buying some rods from you soon.
By the way, my buddy and I boated 121 trout in a day and half. Many of those well over 20 inches. Thanks for the great rod.”
jq

This sums up the hard work and dedication that Mark Elliott puts in to his guiding and the amazing fishery he has. Boating 121 trout in a day and a half! Great stuff Mark!
If you are interested in fishing with Mark Elliott you can email him at elliottmd45@gmail.com