Interview With Rowell On The River

Rowell Guevarra is an East Alabama Fly Fishing Guide who is the go-to man to discuss the local species of the Tallapoosa Red-Eye Bass and the Alabama Spotted Bass. Rowell tells us in his own words how he started guiding, the importance of Alabama’s local species, and how to get involved in the fishing community through Non-Profit Organizations.

Q1: Tell us a little about yourself and your life as a fishing guide. I know we covered this earlier, but for our audience, what got you into guiding?

A: I retired from the Army in 2016, my wife LaRee’ and I have been married for 22 years. We have 3 adult children. I was introduced to fly fishing through Project Healing Waters. Soon after I was on The OARS Foundation inaugural trip on the Tallapoosa River. The OARS Foundation has a similar intent as Project Healing Waters however the demographics served are broadened. All Service members, Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters, and First Responders, including their families are eligible. I fell in love with fly fishing and the Tallapoosa. I spent as much time as could to learn about both. A boat was purchased with money donated and I started taking out other Veterans and Service Members. After much time on the water, I was invited to become a Guide for East Alabama Fly Fishing.

Q2: What advice would you give to someone new to guiding or just starting out?

A: Great question. As awesome as it sounds, Guiding isn’t for everyone. I love rowing a boat & showing off the river almost as much as catching fish. I treat every client like it’s the one day of the year they get to fish and they are doing it with me. Whether the fishing is good or bad, you have to give your clients a memorable experience or teach them something new. Communication from the beginning is important. Understand what their goals and objectives are and plan on helping them. Know how to read people. Learn whether they liked to be talked through every cast, just the egregious ones, or if any at all. Know your waters and know your quarry. It’s a lot but it’s rewarding. A lot of folks also don’t realize the time commitment. Before the trip, you are constantly checking water levels and the weather. You have to meal prep and make sure all your equipment is in order. I try and show up 30-60 min before the meeting time to do any last-minute prep and asses the water. After, you have to clean everything and reset for the next trip.

Q3: What is the Red-Eye Bass and why should people know more about it? 

A: The largest and most diverse species of Redeye Bass is found right here in Alabama. We should be proud of that. You can catch a largemouth bass and rainbow trout anywhere. But if you want to catch a Tallapoosa Bass, you have to come to the Tallapoosa watershed. I have many folks from out of state, who come fish with us just to see them firsthand. They are smaller and slow growing but they are ferociously aggressive. Many times I have seen one jump out of the water to attack a fly during a false cast. They look like no other Black Bass as well. During the Spring, they have a beautiful bright teal face mask that makes them look like they belong in the tropical salt water. I would argue they possess a beauty that outrivals any other freshwater fish. Some species of Redeye Bass are threatened by pollution, hybridization, and habitat loss. If they are not protected, we may lose them. Every native species provides an ecological service as Dr Scot Duncan would say. And they are all linked together. If you lose a native fish or its habitat, it will start a chain reaction and we will upset a delicate balance. Our children in the future will only have pictures of these fish and will never know the fight they put on a fly rod firsthand.

Q4: What are your thoughts on the Fly fishing in the state of Alabama? How do you feel it could grow?

A: Fly fishing in Alabama is growing exponentially. Drew Morgan started East Alabama Fly Fishing to build a community. In the short time I have been involved it continues to grow. I rarely meet someone who tells me that they learned from their grandfather. Folks usually learn from YouTube or friends. This makes our State’s Fly Anglers fairly young. You mix that with Southern Hospitality and you end up having what we have now. For it to grow even more, we have to get our younger generation out on the water. We have to get women out there. We just need to have a welcoming attitude. The more people we get to fall in love with it, the better we can protect our fisheries.

Q5: Tell us how the Non-Profits you are a part of, such as the Native Fish Coalition and the Mayfly Project, are important to you and the impact they bring to other people’s lives.

A: All the nonprofits I work with are important to me, not only because of their unique missions, but because of they are important to the other folks who volunteer at these organizations. I learned that no matter what trauma you go through, whether it be war, fires, or any other thing, fly fishing seems to help. You also meet some great people. Personally, fly fishing has made a big impact on my and my family’s life. I want others to have the same experience.

Q6: How can people participate in the organizations and help out?

A: Just reach out to me on social media and I will link you in!

Q7: Opening for any last remarks or comments 

A: I understand that people want to go on destination trips to go fly fishing. But while you are saving up for those trips, take some time to explore your local waters. Get practice and fish year-round! Teach a young one to fly fish. Raise them right. They will be our next generation of fly anglers.

If you would like to reach out and make a difference in your fishing community, or would like to book a trip with Rowell to catch Redeye Bass, the links are below, and make sure to give them a follow on social media.

Rowell On The River - Instagram: @rowell.on.the.river Facebook: Rowell On The River Email: rowell.guevarra@gmail.com

OARS (Outdoor Adventure Rivers & Streams Foundation) Website: oarsf.org Instagram: @theoarsfoundation

Healing Waters Project Website: projecthealingwaters.org Instagram: @phwff

Native Fish Coalition Website: Native Fish Coalition Instagram: @nativefishcoalitional

The Mayfly Project Website: themayflyproject.com Instagram: @themayflyproject