I have been a client of Rich’s for 6 years. His fishing skills and knowledge of the area waters are exceptional. Each year he takes me to new, better, and unpressurised water (rarely do we see another angler). Rich knows where the fish are biting, what fly to use, which boulder to stand behind to cast, and which seam in the river the fish are holding. Fishing with Rich is the perfect escape: The water is pristine, the scenery is breathtaking, and the fishing great…time flies by unnoticed. And most importantly, Rich is the ideal fishing companion – part friend, teacher, nature guide, and comedian. By all means, go fishing with Rich

                                            Jerry Kalmus

Let me tell you about the best fishing guide in the Adirondacks - his name is Rich Garfield.   Rich guided me on two trips over the past year and all I can say is that he is absolutely awesome.    My fishing buddy and I, after our last trip with Rich, were amazed at his ability to put you right on fish, and not just average fish, but trophy fish.   He is reliable, hard-working, conscientious and best of all a great fishing buddy.  His guiding skills are the best you will find.  In addition to bringing you to the best fishing spots in the Adirondacks, he lands the fish for you, mends leaders, helps you wade, provides any equipment you may need, teaches you new techniques - he's absolutely the best.   Our last trip with Rich was absolutely the best fishing day I ever had !  I personally landed over 20 nice fish and my friend landed about 30 over the course of a day.  And we are talking nice trophy fish in the 15-20 inch range.  What a blast!  I wholeheartedly recommend Rich for your next fishing expedition.

Paul Grappone,  June 2006 

March 2006

Rich Garfield is, by far, the best fly-fishing guide in the Adirondacks (or anywhere else for that matter.) I have been going out with Rich every year for the past four years and each trip is better than the last. Not only does Rich bring you to the fish, he constantly challenges you and teaches you to become a better (and smarter) angler. Last year, for example, I wanted to try the famed "Miracle Mile" on the Ausable River. The weather wasn’t the greatest; it was rainy and cool. At first, I was afraid that the weather might have put the fish down, as the "Big River" didn’t produce. We tried everything…dries, nymphs, streamers…nothing seemed to work. In spite of the fish (or lack of), I was enjoying some great instruction from Rich, on things like how to read the water and the proper presentation for each of the different flies we were using. I learned so much, that the instruction alone would have been worth the day. Rich, however, wanted me to see the results of the techniques he was showing me. He took me to a few of his "secret spots" on some of the smaller streams in the area where he said that, while we probably won’t catch trophy size trout, we’ll catch fish. WOW, did we ever! During the rest of the day, I hooked well over 30 fish (Browns and Brookies) of varying size and each was a thrill. I used the techniques he showed me with both dries and nymphs and each produced fish. It was the best fly-fishing day I’ve ever had. I can’t wait for Spring to see what Rich has in store for me this year.

I love fishing in northeastern New York, and nobody knows the area waters better than Rich Garfield. I like what he does and how he does it.  Besides enjoying a day on the water, I really benefit from the instruction I get from Rich.  Everything I do right when fly fishing, I learned from him: the right fly, the right presentation, casting and reading the water; all the things that make the difference between catching fish or just talking about the "one that got away."  When I go fishing with Rich, I feel like I’m fishing with a friend, not just a hired guide.

Joe Cain

Troy, NY

I love being on the river with Rich Garfield. His intensity and focus on my angling experience is absolutely incredible. When it comes to trout – and I mean big trout- he is a hound. Rich does not let up on our trout quest and I always benefit. Rich is single-minded, enthusiastic, helpful, knowledgeable and full of river savvy. Savvy that was born fishing and traipsing North Country rivers his entire life.

Even though I am a life-long fly fisher and I’m dedicated to the nymph and streamer, Rich has taught me so much. I like that a lot! The results of course are more and larger trout. I can remember one gorgeous June morning we were fishing a sweeper and Rich did not quite like the way I was fishing the fallen tree. Rich wanted me to "contour" the log with my #12 La Fontaine cased caddis larva imitation. After "contouring" the sweeper with 3 or 4 more casts, Rich gently suggested stripping out one more foot of my fly line. I complied and on the very next cast under that old gnarled angled sweeper, the "fish of the trip" took with a rod-jarring jolt. After the tense and exciting battle was completed and digital pictures carefully taken, Gar gently, even reverently, released my gorgeous 22 inch red-spotted German brown to swim free until the next angler could fool him.

Rich has guided me many times over the past 8 years to many 25, 50 and even 75 trout days. As I write this testimonial to Rich’s extraordinary guiding skill, I can vividly remember countless angling moments that deeply satisfy my angling spirit. These are deeply cherished fly fishing memories that I can replay in my minds-eye in an Adirondack nanosecond.

If you too, desire fabulous angling experiences and fond memories, hire Rich Garfield, the Master of the Adirondack Fly Fishing Guides.

And remember Rich, always save a few trips for me!!!!

                                                                      Tom D.


Please view the efforts of Tom D. and NYS Guide Rich Garfield

The relationship between client and guide is one of a team effort.

 End result of client and guide team efforts.