About Us
Ken Richards
Ken Richards
With over 40 years of fly fishing experience and over 13 years guiding, Ken Richards, owner of Just Fishin’ Guides, has the knowledge to guide your fishing excursion – whether it’s wading or in a Hyde drift boat, fly or spinning rods. His love for the outdoors and passion for fly fishing are contagious. You and your party will enjoy some of the greatest waters in the four state area.
Experienced and novice fly fishers alike will enjoy their Just Fishin’ Guides excursion. We tailor each trip to your experience and desires. If you are just starting your fly fishing experiences, Ken can teach you some of the basic elements of fly fishing. We even have equipment, so you don’t have to invest in rods and reels to try your hand at fly fishing. Consider yourself an experienced fly fisher? You’ll appreciate Ken’s knowledge of area streams and rivers. And he’s always willing to trade fishing secrets with you.
Like to fish, but without a fly rod? We’re experienced with spin fishing and will do everything possible to make your fishing trip enjoyable. Regardless of your skill level, you’ll have an experienced guide with your safety and success as his only concerns for your trip. We work hard so you can enjoy your day with us.
Just Fishin’ Guides came about after a lifelong love of the outdoors. I happened to be lucky enough to be raised in a family that did all the outdoor stuff and instilled a respect for nature. I went to college to study fish and game management at Arkansas Tech. After a trip to Wyoming in 1995 with my son, it really hit me that I needed to be in the outdoors again. I then began building my guide business.
With my background in nature and photography, I hope I can give you more than just a fishing trip.
Member: Sage Fly Rods, Simms, Ross Reels, Airflow & Rio Fly Lines, Costa Del Mar Pro Guide, Hyde Drift Boats Pro Staff, Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Guide, Federation of Fly Fishers, Trout Unlimited
Kevin Calhoun
Kevin Calhoun
I saw my first fly fisherman while vacationing with my parents in Colorado . I was only eight years old, but I was awed by the beauty of the mountains and exploring rivers with a fly rod seemed more fun than being stuck in the back seat of a station wagon. By the next summer, I had my own fly rod and a handful of flies and was ready to try my luck catching trout. A parachute Adams was my favorite fly and to this day parachute dries are still my favorite dry fly.
In 1983 I moved to Fayetteville to finish college and I soon started fishing for trout on our tailwaters. Night fishing for big brown trout became an obsession. The late ’80s found me totally obsessed with white bass. Feeling the hard strike of a white bass stripping a Clouser minnow is quite exciting.
The smallmouth bass is the state’s truly indigenous fish, all stream born and not supplemented with stocking. The smallmouth bass is the most underrated fish for the fly rod there is and they fight you all the way to hand with hard pulls and aerial leaps.
I have fished from CO, NM, AR and WY for trout; TX, AR, KS for the basses and saltwater fishing in FL, TX and Mexico and salmon in AK.
Sharing my sport and teaching anglers how to improve their skills catching fish on the fly rod is extremely rewarding and I can’t think of anything better than exposing fellow anglers to the beauty of the Ozarks while floating an Arkansas River.
Zach Hoyt
Zach Hoyt
I have been fishing the rivers and creeks of NW Arkansas since I was able to wander away. I spent my younger years fishing Beaver Lake with my father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. My parents moved over to Harrison , and I was introduced to the great smallmouth streams of the Ozarks. Crooked Creek, Buffalo River , Kings River , and tons of feeder creeks taught me to appreciate the serenity and natural beauty of smaller water ways. These moving waters hold wonderful pockets of smallmouth bass, crappie, bream, catfish, and various other panfish. While the sizes of these do not match those coming out of a large lake, they do promise great fights and wonderful coloring. These only add to the wonderful scenery that surrounds every mile of these eclectic waterways.
I am well versed in the art of the spinning rod for Ozark fish. Recently I have taken up the fly rod and I think I have found my true calling. Fishing for warm water species, especially the basses, has really tripped my trigger. I can’t wait to get you on the river and show you the fun in targeting bass with a fly rod.
It is my objective to help you have one of the most memorable and enjoyable fishing experiences available.
Mission Statement
To make your trip a fun and rewarding experience with no pressure, hopefully one that you will never forget.
