Bug Fisher Guides

When not spending time with his two girls, Baylee and Morgan, Chris loves to stalk the mountain waters for trout. With over ten years of fly fishing and guiding around the Blue Ridge Mountains, he is very familiar with the gorgeous native brook trout and the wild browns and rainbows of these waters. He is equally at home on the tailwaters, as well as the “crown jewel” of Virginia’s smallmouth rivers, the James.

Wayne has been fly fishing and guiding for over twenty years. He worked four seasons as a guide and salesman for a Virginia fly shop. In 2007, he competed in the Southeast Regional Fly Fishing Championship in Cherokee, NC, qualifying for the National Fly Fishing Championship in Boulder, CO. Wayne is on the G.Loomis, Ross Reels, and Frog Hair Pro Staffs, and is a member of the Federation of Fly Fishers Guide Association.

Fly tying is Wayne’s other passion. Tying flies for over ten years, he is a fly designer for Montana Fly Company. He has tied production flies, including his own trout and bass patterns. “Innovative” is usually the word that’s used about his flies. His flies have appeared in the magazine, Fly Fish America (June/July 2005, June/July 2006, and July/August 2007). If not on the water, Wayne will be found behind his fly tying desk at his home in Altavista, VA, tying his latest creations to help you make your next catch!

Putting his degree in Philosophy from Montana State University to good use, Wayne loves to teach, especially when it comes to fly fishing – whether it’s a beginner learning to cast for the first time, or an advanced fly fisher learning a new trick. It would be a toss up between leaping trout and leaping smallmouth, as to which one Wayne would rather be catching. However, some days are meant to be lazily spent on a pond, casting to bluegills.

Chris spent four years with Orvis, working in the retail side of fly fishing. In 2003, he competed in the ESPN Great Outdoor Games qualifier on Pennsylvania’s Spruce Creek. 2007 was a banner year, as Chris competed in the Southeast Regional Fly Fishing Championships in Cherokee, NC and qualified for the National Fly Fishing Championships in Boulder, CO. In Boulder, Chris had a very respectable showing, competing against the best anglers from the U.S., Ireland, and Great Britain, winning one of five sections. He is also on the Galvan Reels and Frog Hair Pro Staffs.

We are also proud to announce that Chris is the new coordinator for Project Healing Waters Fly Fsihing in Roanoke. He is hard at work planning and organizing activities and trips. Please check our PHW page and the PHW website (see the link on the links page).

If not with his girls, or on a trout stream, Chris can be found at his home in Roanoke, VA, planning his next fly fishing adventure.

Bug Fisher Guide Service