Arkansas Fishing Guide Named Orvis Guide of the Year
April, 1999

By Kerry Kraus, travel writer
Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism

John Gulley, 25-year veteran fishing guide from Norfork, Arkansas, was recently selected as the Orvis "Fishing Guide of the Year" at the Western Guides’ Rendezvous, held in Cody, Wyoming. The Orvis Company is an international business dealing with the sport of fly-fishing. Guides endorsed by Orvis, which sells top-of-the-line equipment, must meet a strict code of qualifications and ethics. The "Guide of the Year" award is based on client evaluations and guiding skills.

Gulley has worked the Arkansas Ozarks for a quarter-of-a-century and pioneered high water fly-fishing on the state’s tailwater trout streams. He also has helped train guides in the Yucatan for saltwater species. In addition, he is a master flytyer who has designed and developed fly patterns for trout, bass and many saltwater species. Gulley teaches workshops around the country and provides private instruction in flytying, fly-fishing and fly casting.

ESPN recently featured Gulley and Bert Jones fly-fishing the North Fork of the White River on "Suzuki’s Great Outdoors" television show. And Gulley was also recently highlighted in the "Picked By You" Guide client survey series, in both its Top Rated Fly-Fishing and Top Rated Freshwater volumes.

For more information, contact John Gulley, 1703 River Ridge Road, Norfork, AR 72658; (870) 499-7517; www.flyguide.com.

This release, along with others by the Department of Parks & Tourism, is available electronically through the Arkansas Press Association Bulletin Board: apa@lr.cleaf.com (in-state only) and the Department’s Web site: www.arkansas.com under media information.