Guest Angler Q&A Series: Jay Peck

In this monthly series, we sit down with guests from across to angling community to bring new perspectives and share a glimpse into different aspects of the sport, fisheries and watersheds, and culture. This month, we spoke with our very own Jay Peck - owner of Jay Peck Guides and Lost Rivers Fishing. Enjoy!

How did you get into the sport and when did you start guiding?

I started fly fishing as a young teenager on my family’s farm. They had ponds filled with bass and bluegill which was a great starting point. Eventually, that turned into chasing brook trout in the mountains and then, steelhead in the Lake Ontario tributaries. There wasn’t much information at that time, other than magazine articles and the occasional angler that I might bump into on the water. The learning process back then was really slow but I managed. 

I started guiding in the early 90s, more out of default than anything else. When it came to a few of the Lake Ontario tributaries, I earned the reputation of being the local expert. Occasionally, I would be asked to do a favor and introduce somebody’s friends or family from out of town to local rivers. From there, the guide business grew organically. To date, I’ve been a licensed guide in the state of New York for well over 30 years now. For what it matters, it seems that I’ve found my niche in the universe.

Your father-in-law owned Coleman’s Fly Shop in Spencerport. What was that like?

Carl (my father-in-law) started Coleman‘s Fly Shop which was around for over 60 years. It was quite the learning experience for an old farm boy like myself - getting to know and understand the retail fishing industry was an eye-opener. And of course, it was a lot of fun as well. He managed to turn the shop into a gathering location for many fly fishermen from across the country, who I was able to meet and learn from. This greatly improved my own fishing skills as I picked up things from each and every customer that walked through the door. It also taught me how to become a very efficient, commercial fly tyer. When you get an order for 10 dozen size 16 flies done by the next day, you learn to become proficient.

So when did steelhead come into your life?

I remember sitting on the river with Dave one year. It was late November and freezing cold. The river was quieter then, and it was just us. I think we saw one other person that day. We had our Stanley thermos and were drinking hot coffee. I expressed that I was feeling gloomy about the season winding down. I wasn’t depressed, just really down. Coho season was wrapping up, and I wasn't ready for it to end. When you're young, you don't get cold or tired… you’re powered by optimism. I was on a bit of a salmon high and not ready to come down.

Dave, who was in his sixties then, said, “Well, I'm done for the season, but if you're not done, why don't you start steelhead fishing?” And I was like, “What’s a steelhead? That's a cool name I've never heard.” He explained that it was a rainbow trout that went to the ocean and back. As the coho pushed out and the salmon were done, steelhead season began, but only the truly hardcore fished for winter steelhead. That season, I really dove all in, fishing spoons and understanding the elusive steelhead. I was never the same after that winter.

Coincidentally, that was the year I started to learn who I was. I was a young woman finishing school and had lots of questions about where life would take me. I’ve always likened my own internal journey to that of steelhead, which is why I feel so loyal to them. You're alone, tired, pushing yourself to the limits and wildest adventures. I love them because they represent my personal growth. It was a relationship I could always turn to. We had our highs and lows, and sometimes it let me down, but that was my relationship at that time.

During the fall and spring, you spend a good deal of time chasing steelhead. What do you love the most about the species?

The majority of the year, I’m pursuing steelhead either with clients or on my own. In the Lake Ontario tributaries, we have two opportunities to target them (fall and spring) whereas salmon and brown trout are “single season” species.

I find the whole migration of these fish fascinating. They go through the smoltification process and migrate out to the lake. Then, three years later, they somehow find their way back home to the rivers. The life cycle and migration never ceases to amaze me. 

On top of that, anglers always have a chance to catch a world class fish on the Lake Ontario tributaries. And the variety of techniques one can use to do so is equally fascinating. Personally, I love to swing flies which can be a very effective technique especially in the spring. However, when conditions aren’t right for this, you can do just as well drifting nymphs, buggers, and other patterns. Doing so involves using a huge variety of flies so you can constantly experiment which is also a lot of fun.

You spend quite a bit of time behind the vise. What are your favorite flies to tie and why?

I do spend a lot of time behind the fly tying vise. Some of my favorite flies to tie are classic steelhead wet flies which includes the modern versions of intruders. I also have a lot of fun and enjoy developing new patterns for steelhead. That said, there’s nothing like tying dry flies. I really like the look of a classic Catskill style dry tied with proper proportion.

For someone who hasn’t spent time on the tributaries of Lake Ontario, how would you describe the fishery?

Fishing the Lake Ontario tributaries definitely has its challenges but can also result in some amazing moments. When the runs are in, there’s nothing like the large volumes of world-class fish. When they’re not, it is a world of frustration. Our river shed is a microcosm of what you can expect in the Pacific Northwest. One river may have plenty of fish while the next river could be an empty bucket. However, just like in Oregon or Washington, your next cast could be a world-class fish. It’s not a surprise why anglers come up to the Salmon River and tributaries like it year after year.

For guides today, it’s difficult not to have a social media site whether it’s Instagram or YouTube. What are the types of challenges you face that your followers can’t see from behind the screen?

As a guide, social media has been a game changer. The advantage of social media is that it has allowed me to show everybody who I am and what I’m about. The challenge is finding a balance in developing content without over-exaggerating - as an example, you don’t want to set the expectation that your clients will be catching fish on every cast based on the photos you put up. This is a “trap” that some guides fall into. Another is having to constantly feed the beast in continually coming up with content. As a guide, this can be a real challenge when you’re on the water every day, giving it all you have. When you get back home, you still have lots to do to prep for the next day so responding to comments and developing new content gets put to the side. So the people that follow you on YouTube,Instagram, and Facebook often do not get the amount of content they would ideally like. It’s a tough balance to strike.

When you manage to find time to get on the water yourself, do you have a favorite style of fishing (whether it’s throwing big streamers or euro-nymphing) and what are you chasing?

When I have time to get on the water for myself, I love the spey rod and swinging flies whether it’s for salmon, steelhead, or trout. However, it’s equally hard for me to pass up a good hatch and some dry fly fishing.

Thanks Jay for sitting down with us and sharing your story!

************************

Your Name: April Vokey

Location & Home Water: Because of the nature of my guide service, I bounce around a little bit. My home water is a spring creek in the town of Caledonia - classic spring creek water with all the classic bugs. I also spend a lot of time on the Salmon River in Pulaski, New York. This has definitely become a second home to me over the years.

************************

Favorite Species: I am definitely a steelhead nut. However, I enjoy trout fishing and a great hatch. However, some of the most fun that you can have is aggressive surface bites with pike (they eat with vengeance).

************************

Favorite Rod / Reel Set-up: Favorite Rod / Reel Set-up: This is tough because I fish different environments which means my tool kit is quite diverse. When chasing steelhead, I’ve been enjoying a 11’ 6” Thomas & Thomas DNA switch rod which is paired up with a Nautilus reel. When fishign for trout on my local spring creek, it’s an older Sage SP 9’ 3wt paired with an Abel TR 3 reel.