|
|
|
“A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do.”-Bob Dylan
I am 62 years old and an experienced Conventional Tackle Bass Fisherman and former Deep Sea Charter Captain and Mate. I started bass fishing in 1984, at the age of 35, running the Upper Mississippi pools 12,13,19 in a modified 14' jon boat, and eventually a jet-boat. I was hooked. In 1989 I was offered an opportunity to guide on Mark Twain Lake. Within two weeks of the offer I closed my insurance business and had sold my home. I earned my first USCG license in 1989 and guided on Mark Twain Lake for 2 years. I found that I enjoyed helping and watching others catch fish even more than catching them myself. In 1991 I moved to Key West, FL. and fulfilled a long time dream of working on Deep Sea Charters. I had previously fished several weeklong trips to the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson with the legendary Captain Gainey Maxwell, Key West, FL, as a guest/mate. I upgraded my Inland Captain license to Near Coastal (up to 100 miles offshore) and worked with/for one of the best All-around Charter Captain/Guides I have ever met. Captain Bubba Gaston, Key West, FL. As an adrenaline junkie, nothing beat manhandling wild sailfish by the bill, boat side, if they needed to be landed for photos. We fished all fish, all tackle, using anything from Fly Rods up to Penn International 130's. I became adept at maintaining and overhauling all Penn International reels. We also did a lot of kite fishing and sailfish tagging. See fish stories on my BLOG page.
CURRENT
I quit guiding to pursue other interests in 1994, and returned to recreational fishing. Being a typical "bait monkey" I have amassed an enormous collection of fishing tackle and related equipment over the past years. Late 2009 I made a decision to turn my attention to the art of Fly Fishing, focusing on local waters to keep my expenses down. Fly fishing is a neglected technique in these parts and potentially very productive as an alternative method in the highly pressured areas. We also have many pristine rural areas I am exploring. This spark was kindled by my friend Deb Bowen, a FFF Certified Casting Instructor from Georgia, and by the introduction of my trout artwork into the etched metal bookmarks my company markets.
My decision to return to guiding naturally led to the idea of additionally catering to experienced Fly Fishers and this will be my first year doing that. As of this writing Jan.18,2010, my only real Fly experience is the book knowledge I have been absorbing. My job is : 1. Like all Licensed Guides, my first priority is to get you out and back SAFELY. 2. Put you on fish. Your job is: 1. Enjoy your day 2. Catch fish.
Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and mixed bag in a 73 mile stretch of the Mississippi River, it's tributary streams and rivers, the 63 mile long Salt River and it's tributary streams, and 18,000 acre Mark Twain Lake. (see Fishing Waters) Mississippi River dockings at Hannibal, Louisiana, and Elsberry, Missouri.
|
|
"Twenty years from now you will be
more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So
throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in
your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
Contact information. email-- fishing at nemo-fishing-guides.com
Captain Doug Keller P.O.Box 155 Center, MO 63436 Phone 573-267-3033 Cell Phone 573-406-3735 FAX 573-267-3386
Member Federation Of Fly Fishers Guide Association 
The Fly Fishing Loop is sponsored by flydepot.com [ Home Waters | Next | Random | List | Search ]
|
