Ellis Ward Guide Service in Johnson City, Tennessee

In Ellis' own words: "I am a full time, year-round fishing guide in Johnson City, TN, specializing in Fly Fishing and Light Tackle, with a emphasis on angler education, casting instruction, streamer fishing, and dry fly fishing. I tie all flies used on our trips, and I fish those same flies when I am out on my own. Other job titles: Dad, fly designer, commercial tyer, bucktail processor

While the Watauga Tailwater is just down the road, I am not much farther from Boone Lake, South Holston Tailwater, Holston Proper, and mountain streams. Within an hours drive, I can find good musky fishing, and within two hours, I can be on some of the premier Musky fisheries (Melton Hill in TN, New River in VA) in the Southeast. I am constantly exploring this area and everything it has to offer, and I enjoy nothing more than sharing it with others.

I was born and raised in Cincinnati, though the bulk of my fishing took place on Torch Lake - about 45 minutes from Traverse City, Michigan - where my family would spend a few weeks every summer.

I went to school at Vanderbilt University, and after graduating with a degree in Physics, I worked in the Washington, DC area for over 10 years. While my job titles changed, I focused primarily on data analytics, corporate finance, and healthcare economics. As odd as it may sound to those not familiar with the mid Atlantic, it was during this time that I started tying, picked up a fly rod for the first time, and quickly discovered the diversity of species and watersheds that were within a two hours drive. The two types of fishing that really sunk their teeth in were 1) wade fishing schoolie striped bass coming in from the Atlantic and staying for the summer, and 2) the variety of brown trout fisheries from south-central PA to southwest Virginia. Before that fully took off, I had started to poke my head into the local shop, District Angling. The crew there and community fostered by the owner, Richie, continues to influence how I operate both on and off the water. After enough of those puzzle pieces were in place, I knew I wasn’t going to be in an office until retirement age, and in 2019, I managed to get out.

After moving to Johnson City, and prior to beginning my life as a full time guide, I spent in excess of 400 days not just on the water, but actually fishing the water. The goal with this up front investment was to gain an understanding and perspective of these rivers and lakes that cannot be attained when the goal is to have someone else catch fish, or even to catch fish myself on many days.

I have been afforded amazing opportunities, knowledge, and experiences through the fly fishing and tying community, and my goal is to contribute, share what I love, and educate anglers and tyers - new and experienced - where possible.