Interview with North Fork Anglers
By Coltin Gresser
North Fork Anglers is in Cody Wyoming. They have been original trout guides since 1984. Within the state of Wyoming, they have been the longest operating fishing outfitter. They are a fully stocked pro shop that carries fishing licenses, rods, flies, fly lines, reels, and fly boxes. Some of the major brands that they sell are Sage, Orvis, Simms, and much more.
Blair Van Antwerp is the owner and guide himself. He is a true dedicated trout fisherman. His love for the species shows more and more as you start to talk with him. He is a wizard at finding trout in local waters and knows many tricks to get even the most lock jawed fish to bite.
Q1: What Made you get into the outfitting business in Cody?
A: Well, when I first moved here, I already had a background in fishing and knew I wanted to be a guide for one of the local shops. When I walked into North Fork Anglers and interviewed with them, I knew from there that I would love to be working with these guys. I have been living here for 17 years now, working as a guide. I am going on to my second year of being the owner. Kinda was running the show when I was just a guide for a while. So, when I made my transition into being the owner. That made it easy just to float in and not have to jump over so many hurdles.
Q2: What are some Challenges that you had to overcome when starting out your outfit?
A: Like I said before I was lucky enough to just acquire the shop and the outfit. So just getting everything transferred over to me wasn’t hard just took some time. The hardest thing is getting employees, permits (BLM and National Forest land), and guides. National Forest Land permits are harder to obtain than BLM land permits are. The hardest thing with guides is really getting a good guide. Within today’s world anyone and their mom can be a “guide”. Trying to find people who really study and know their stuff, now that’s a hard challenge to do.
Q3: Favorite species of trout to target?
A: Talk about a hard question. I really can’t just choose one species. I have days where all I want to chase is those high mountain Brook Trout. Then the next day all I want to do is pursue big fat Rainbows in the lower rivers.
Q4: What is your preferred way to fish?
A: Hands down must be dry fly fishing! There is no better feeling than watching your hopper getting absolutely pummeled by a rising fish. This is where people can get addicted to the sport.
Q5: If you had to be one, would you be a Brown, Rainbow, or Brook Trout?
A: Brown Trout for sure! To me they are the smartest out of the three and would increase my odds of lasting longer in the wild.
Q6: What is one of your favorite fishing memories?
A: Man, there is so many to choose from, but since I only can choose one here it is. I was fishing Bear Tooth Lake. I was in my own float raft flippers and all. I hooked up with a really good size lake trout on a streamer. I fought him all the way to the shore of the lake. Where I was able to get out of my raft and went to pick up the fish. I had a whole audience to the fight. A bus load of internationals had parked to watch me fight the laker. I went to pick him up and he slipped out of my hands into the water. I went to grab him again and when I did, I tripped over my flipper and stumbled dropping him into the lake. Of course, this time he swam off knowing he was free at last.
Q7: What is one of the worst guiding experiences you have had?
A: I will never forget this asshole of a dude. This guy and his wife came into the shop this day. He had asked about guiding trips and wanted to do a two-day trip. So, I get the paperwork out and where he signs his name he draws a goofy little wolverine figure. Apparently, he was some kind of fishing content creator himself. While singing up, his wife mentions that she does not fish at all, she just wants to go to see the scenery. With that in mind I took them to an upper part of the Lower Shoshone. The first morning we meet at the shop and head to the water. He forgot his 5wt and only had his 9wt. Which he was dead set on using. I tried to tell him that it was too stiff and too much for the fish here and wouldn’t fish as well as the 5 wt I have brought with me. He said he knew what he was doing and wanted to catch fish on his rod. I didn’t want to argue with this guy, it was a waste of my time and breath. I started to rig up a hopper dropper combo. He starts to yell “what the hell are you tying on”. I responded to him by saying “I am putting flies on for you that will catch you fish”! He just looked at me like I had a third eye. He argued with me on how an indicator and nymph would prove to catch more fish than the hopper dropper combo. So, the first day we used hopper droppers and to no one’s surprise we caught fish.
Now here comes the second day. He brought his 5wt and tied on the indicator with two nymphs. Constantly was snagging bottom and breaking off. After losing his 7th fly, he turns to me and says how about we tie on that hopper dropper we used yesterday. He was a prime example of a man who thought he knew everything, and he was a horrible fisherman/ angler.
Q8: If you had one fly to fish with for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
A: Hands down going to be the Royal Trude!
Q9: If you could give to people wither starting their own fly-fishing outfit or just to young fishing guides, what would you tell them?
A: I’ll keep this short and simple. Always be humble to learn from your peers and people who have experience. I know we got into this career for the love of the outdoors but remember that you must be good with people too.
Thanks for reading this interview with Blair from North Fork Anglers. If you are looking for a great guiding service and some good flies. Follow the link below to contact them and give them a follow on their social media platforms.
North Fork Anglers- Website: Yellowstone and Wyomings Premier Fly Shop and Guide Service (northforkanglers.com)
Email: northforkanglerscody@gmail.com
Instagram: wyo_northforkanglers
