Few Maryland-based fly fishing guides are on the water as often as Philip Krista, a fly casting instructor who guides on waters of the Mid-Atlantic area.

Need him to teach you the basics, he'll patiently instruct you. Need him to show you fish, he'll do that, too. Interested in constructive critique of your casting, he can help. Only interested in getting the fly to the fish, well, he'll help you do that too.

Want to take a trip of the lifetime to some exotic or local fishing hole? Then Philip will get you there. You've seen the destinations on television: Alaska, Patagonia, Ireland, Costa Rica, Iceland! Travel to Philip's destination page and learn more.

Of course, you can hire Philip to teach you how best to use your rod or get him to take you on a destination trip to the most famous spey rod waters in the world. Philip is recognized internationally as an expert casting instructor. Learn more about his Long Rod classes.

THE WATERS

Fish in the streams and rivers in Maryland and Southern Pennsylvania such as the Potomac River (Main Stem and North Branch), Susquehanna ("the smallmouth factory"), Big Hunting Creek (where the presidents fish), the Patapsco River (57 miles of home waters), and some of the most challenging native (wild) brook trout streams in Maryland. Take a look at Susan Steel's beautiful 20-inch trout from Smith Creek in Virginia (on the left). She is one of the many women who participated in the Casting for Recovery program in October 2001. Learn more about the program by clicking here.

Fish from the shore or bring your own canoe for on-lake fishing. Or cast popping bugs to panfish, some as large as 10 inches. Fish for largemouth and smallmouth bass, and bluegills.

Shoreline fishing and wet wading in several areas of the Chesapeake Bay will lead you to hook up with cownose ray, flounder, bluefish, striped bass, yellow perch, white perch, sand sharks and, in the spring, hickory shad during the famous "shad run."

Philip also enjoys guiding destination trips to other states and other countries. While the big fellow to the right wasn't being guided by Philip on his last trip to Alaska, he certainly was fishing at the same time. This beautiful bear is part of the wild life that fishing brings to all of us.

THE PEOPLE

Remember, fishing belongs to everyone. Philip practices that philosophy by offering fly casting lessons to the disabled that revolve around simple techniques geared to help people in wheelchairs enjoy shoreline and some forms of boat fishing.

Philip offers all levels of instruction including classes for women only, private parties and veteran fly casters who wish to fine-tune their strokes. Philip also works with local communities and municipalities helping to beef up their educational programs through fly casting classes and outings.

This from a recent customer who fished with Philip in June 2000 in the first fly fishing/Internet tournament on the Chesapeake Bay (Philip was the only shore guiding professional in a tournament in which other participants fished from boats):

"Philip and I were shore-bound yesterday, so we were not able to chase down the fish. Yet, we didn't have as many problems with the wind as others reported. I had a wonderful time wade-fishing at one of his secret spots. The totals for the day were 20 fish for 156 inches for Philip and 24 fish for 187 inches for me. All of those were white perch except for one surprise. At the end of the day, he had me try a different spot close by. After some expert guiding, I got a cast off straight into the wind gusts and started retrieving. The fly was promptly nailed by a 16-inch chain pickerel. A great way to the end the day. On top of all the fish I caught, I received some first rate casting instruction and got to try my hand at casting with some 15-foot spey and European overhead distance casting rods. And for those of you who are wondering, Philip donned chest waders instead of the kilt."

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