Meet ECO's Expert Fishing Guides...

rainbow trout connor honea

Connor Honea

Connor Honea, originally from Georgia, spent his youth traveling around America. During his travels with his stepfather, a traveling Rep for guns and outdoor apparel, Connor was home-schooled and his lessons were often and only interrupted by hunting and fishing nationwide. Now that he has settled in the High Country, he spends every moment possible on the river. Connor has been guiding our local waters since 2007. While guiding a trip you will never find “Rooster” without a smile on his face and a contagious laugh to follow no matter whether the weather and fishing are — fine or fair.
smallmouth bass sam griffin

Sam Griffin

Sam Griffin was born and raised in Georgia and has called the High Country home since 1996. Always up for an adventure, Sam has spent much of his life exploring the rivers, creeks and mountains of NC and throughout the southeast. A lifelong angler, his earliest and most cherished memories include fishing as a child for largemouth bass and bream with his Dad on the Ocmulgee River. Sam considers himself to always be a student of the outdoors who gets great satisfaction passing along the skills that have so greatly enriched his own life. As an ECO guide, he loves sharing the unique Southern Appalachian fishery with guests and finds great joy in putting anglers of all skill levels on fish. Sam takes pride in working hard to be the best guide he can be so that others can take home lifelong memories.

Colter Fishing Guide

Colter Conway

Colter Conway, son of Judson Conway, is proud to always hold the title of “the High Country’s First 2nd Generation Guide!” Born and raised in Boone, NC in the home of a fishing guide, Colter has been surrounded by fishing all of his life and was smart enough to take advantage of it! He is a very accomplished worldwide angler and can be seen on the Carolina Outdoor Journal… just log in to the COJ and watch the Smallmouth Bass II show where he is a star at the age of 12! With his charming personality and hard work ethic, you’ll always enjoy a day on the water with Simba!

smallmouth bass judson conway

Judson Conway

Judson Conway, owner of Elk Creek Outfitters, received a degree in outdoor recreation from Appalachian State University. He is an FFF certified casting instructor, a certified EMT, is a member of the ClackaCraft Pro Staff, and has been professionally guiding fly fishing since 1991.

Following his passion of fly fishing, Judson has guided in Alaska, Chile, Montana, Wyoming, the Bahamas and the Florida Keys. He has spent most of his time guiding in the Southern Appalachians of NC, TN and VA.

Judson’s excitement in teaching the art of fly fishing and putting his clients on fish makes each day on the water another opportunity for him to become a memory maker.