Testimonial's

from Hawkins Outfitters Clients.

To the parents of small children:
Do you want to instill in your children a love of the outdoors and respect for the environment? Put them in a boat with Chuck Hawkins and teach them how to fish! My kids and I have fished with several guides over the years and I can think of none better than Chuck. Chuck had great patience in helping my 6 year old son to cast and strip flies efficiently resulting in my son's first (albeit small) unassisted steelhead. I have enjoyed many fine days in Chuck's boat and in his company. Chuck has terrific instincts, knows the water and best of all is easy to be around. I cannot recommend Chuck more strongly to anyone who wants to not only enjoy a good day of fishing but also if you don't mind learning a few things for yourself or your kids along the way.

Joe Quandt, Traverse City

Hi Chuck

Just thought I'd drop you a note to let you know how the fishing went on 4 July with Ed McCoy.

I found Ed to be a really nice guy to get on with. His knowledgeof the river and fishing skills were outstanding. He made me feel at ease,nothing awas any trouble even when catching rhe trees when casting!!

Taking Ed's advice, we went fishing in the evening. Fishing at night was a totally new experience for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The fishing was awesome!!

I would have no hesitation in recommending you to anyone who is looking for an unfogettable fishing experience.

Stephen Workington

Cumbria

UK

A note of thanks for Jon Ray, Ed McCoy and everyone at Hawkins for providing our group with a most memorable trip in November for Michigan Steelhead on the fly.  We knew we had found nirvana when you "showed us the way" to fish Steelhead on the swing with streamer patterns.  We also knew we had found a group of guides with unequaled integrity when the weather did not cooperate on one of our planned days out.  You gave us the opportunity to cancel the day knowing the elements would have won out, others would not have made such a sacrafice.  Your patience was much appreciated when instruction was needed and most of all thanks for having a sense of humor, it fit our group to a "T". 

I would like to add that it is very special to our group to fish with true conservationist and folks that like to talk about the future of this great sport in Michigan, for that you deserve a great deal of respect.  The gear and accomodations were top shelf, we are all looking forward to 2008 Steelhead fishing with Hawkins.

Tight Lines,
Mike Gabrion

O\'Fallon, Missouri

To Whomsoever Is Interested,

I fish with Hawkins Outfitters, on average, 35 days a year and have done so for the past 9 years. Why? Because they, among the 5 other Michigan guide services I have used, are the only one that has 'truly' exceeded my expectations.

My outfitter comparisons are based on several significant points. First, the guide quality from top to bottom is better than I have found elsewhere, ( I have fished with 8 different Hawkins guides ). They know the water and fly selection better than others. They bring the most thorough selection of flies to meet the fishing situation that I have ever experienced. If you wish, they will expertly coach you through any fishing situation. They display no negative emotion when you lose a fish ( I lose plenty). If asked, they point out what I might have done differently to give me a better chance of landing. They offer more Michigan destinations where they are properly licensed, know the water and are more than willing on any given day to change destinations on a moments notice to put me in front of fish.

I could go on and on but let me share one last thing. When I'm in a boat with someone for 8 to 10 hours I like to talk about something other than fishing, ( ie. politics, the state of the economy, current events etc. ). All of the Hawkins guides I have fished with are knowledgeable, conversational and fun to be with.

I would be happy to respond to any questions you might have through e-mail cubswin@cmsinter.net Please put "Hawkins Testimonial" in the 'subject' box so I don't delete your query as 'spam'.

Steve Ladd

Carson City, Michigan

I have fished Michigan with Jon Ray and Chuck Hawkins exclusively for the last 5 years. We have targeted trout and steelhead on various rivers in Michigan and trout and salmon on the Garden River in Sault Ste Marie, Canada. Both Jon and Chuck are extremely knowledgeable about the resource and excellent teachers. After waiting for a thunderstorm to pass, Jon Ray guided me to my first trout slam on the Manistee - a brookie, a rainbow and a brown in one quick afternoon float trip!

My recent fishing trip to the Garden River with my ten year old daughter, Katie, will be a trip she and I will always remember. The cabins were very comfortable, especially the hot tub after a long day of salmon tug of war. Every detail of the trip was well-planned. Katie was a fly fishing novice who outfished us "veterans" 4:1 under the watchful guidance of Jon and Chuck. Through our Ojibway guides, we experienced a gentle love of the land, learned to identify animal tracks and many species of birds (up to 15 bald eagles at one time.) We didn't see any other anglers in three days of fishing. I have been fly fishing in Alaska, British Columbia, Canada, the Bahamas and throughout much of the continental United States; this trip was the best!

Tight lines,

Cris Meyer

Cincinnati, Ohio

Dear Ed Mc Coy,

I was reflecting on the past year of “Chasing Mr. 28”.  I realize that the “28” is a very lofty goal. That’s what goals should be. Our focus on the large fish has made this a banner year for me. The adrenaline level was much higher as well as the anticipation for the next trip. We’ll get the Big One, one of these years.

Back to the reflection on this year, we managed to get fish over 18.5” to hand on streamers, dry flies, hoppers and mice!  Not to mention 20”+ to hand on Dries, Streamers and Mice!  Don’t forget we had two on that easily could have tipped the 24-25” mark. Also all the 24” class fish we saw.

Next year those 24”+ size fish could be in the 26” range. How many people know where those are??  The 20” will be pushing 22” next year as well.  This was defiantly a banner year.  Next year looks to be a banner year as well.

Same Plan, Same Focus! I could not have done it without your input and support.

Thank You,

Bob

Chuck,

Thank you on behalf of the Woolybuggers for your recent efforts on the Pere Marquette and Manistee Rivers. You and your guides, Jon and Fred, were the best group of guides I've encountered on my many fishing trips around the world. All of you were confronted with anglers with a wide range of angling experience, from those who had literally no experience to those with advanced skills. Despite the spectrum of anglers, you where able to show them all how to hook and land large steelhead, king salmon and native brown trout while maintaining a fun, upbeat attitude.

All of you displayed an impressive knowledge of your rivers and how to fish them. The variety of rivers, fishing techniques and flies you carry were fascinating to us. I was very impressed with your company's ability to go with the flow and adapt to the client's needs. Instead of trying to stick to your agenda, you did your best to fulfill ours.

Please express our gratitude to your guides on our behalf. We look forward to the trip again next year.

John Marcus

Le Due, MO

Thanks, Jon Ray. You were on my list of "things to do" today. The pictures turned out great, but more importantly, we had a great time with you. I appreciate the time that you spent putting my son John onto fish and helping him get a few landed. Talk about a struggle! Your patience payed off and both of us appreciate your enthusiasm and obvious experience. John couldn't say enough good things about the day and still marvels at the different ways he found to lose fish.

I think that both he and I appreciate the different experiences available. i.e. trout, Salmon in Canada, Salmon in the fall in Michigan, and Steelhead. The variety, along with the services you and Chuck Hawkin's provide, make a pretty good package.

Thanks again, Jon Ray!

Sincerly,

Richard Herbert,

Grosse Pointe Farms, MI

The experiences I've had with Hawkins Outfitters over the past 7 years have been some of my fondest memories on the water. Whether it was catching and or losing big Browns on the Ausable or using a spay rod on the mighty "Big Man" for Steelhead. The memories are still the same because of great care with customer service, river knowledge, sportsmanship, and friendship. Hawkins Outfitters understands clients needs whether novice or expert, they operate at a high level of expertise and passion for fishing. It is no accident why Hawkins Outfitters are so successful, they offer multiple opportunities all over Michigan and North America in pursuit of a high quality fly fishing experience! I would highly recommend using Hawkins Outfitters and see for yourself what many of us already know!

Paul Dixon

Grand Rapids, MI

I have fished with Chuck Hawkins and Jon Ray on the Garden River for two years. We fish hard, we play hard, and nobody gets hurt (so far). Flygirls has had groups with beginners to experts and everyone has come away with a memorable experience. The scenery is awesome, the crowds are nonexistent. I would recommend this trip to anyone who is enjoys fishing for big, fresh salmon but is sick of crowds, trash, and foul language.

Ann Miller

Michigan

Especially to parents:

My son Karl has now appeared in the rogues gallery on Chuck Hawkins’s web site for trout or salmon or steelhead, spring and fall, every year for the past several. I think Karl can throw a dry fly or a streamer, and chuck and duck with the best, but then again, I’m his father. He seems as natural now with a fly rod in his hands as any artist with a brush or surgeon with a scalpel. At age 13, Karl is already an old hand at a sport grown people find intimidating.

I claim full credit for getting my son started – and for having the good sense to know that without expert help, his interest could disappear as quickly as it grabbed him. Not every kid is ready at 8 years-old - I sensed Karl could do it, but I also knew that nothing would hook a boy like real success and a good guide would increase the chances that my son’s newfound interest would become much more.

Nearly a dozen guides offered their solemn and expert advice that I was insane. Most would not consider saddling themselves with a boy younger than 13. Luckily, I passed Chuck Hawkins’ table at what was then called the Southfield Fly Fishing Show. I was stunned by his photo albums filled with kids fly fishing. After half an hour with Chuck, I booked a trip.

Jon Ray took us on our first, and every guided trip since. Whatever apprehension my son had about meeting and fishing with a stranger disappeared instantly with Jon’s infectious enthusiasm. Jon got us on fish right away and I will never forget the look on that kid’s face the first time he had a steel dancing across the surface of the Manistee and then boated a fish nearly as big as he was. Jon instructed Karl that day and he encouraged Karl. He respected Karl and he taught Karl to respect the fish we caught. We had a great time. And my son is now as crazy as Jon Ray.

It is not cheap to take a kid on a guided trip. But I may never in my life make a better investment. You cannot always know which of life’s experiences stay with a boy or a girl, but what could be better than a passion for fly fishing? Fathers and mothers know, of course, that it is about so much more than simply fly fishing.

Thanks to Jon and Chuck for more than they will ever know.

Sincerely,

Rick Boothman

Ann Arbor, MI

To Whom It May Concern:

I have been fishing with Jon Ray for over Ten years. He is always the first boat on the river and the last one to leave. Jon’s passion for fishing is contagious. He has encouraged me to become a better fly fisherman through his expert instruction and unbelievable patience. Jon has taught me the value in focus and precisions in pursuit of Big fish.

Jon meticulously maintains his boat and equipment and carries that same enthusiasm and attention to detail through out the day. Whether you are hunting for the Steelhead or Salmon of a lifetime or looking for a big trout on a streamer Jon is always prepared. As a die-hard fisherman I would be pleased to discuss, Jon and Hawkins fly fishing, and the exceptional job they do on a day-to-day basis. I have never left a trip with Jon where I was unsatisfied with any facet of the day. Jon does what ever it takes to make your trip the one of a lifetime! He may even go in after a fish for you?

Please feel free to contact me and I will be happy to discuss my experiences through e-mail or over the phone.

Highest Regards,

Thomas W. Pollock

Kansas City, KS

tom.realtyarts@sbcglobal.net

To Whom It May Concern:

I have been fishing with Hawkins Outfitters for quite some time having first met Chuck Hawkins at the Orvis Fly Fishing School back when both of us had much more hair. I have also fished with a number of the other guide services including some who have published books on various fishing topics or are supposedly invented/developed some sort of famous fly or device. I would say without reservation or fear of contradiction that I find Hawkins Outfitters the best, most professional, reliable, and most comfortable guide service I have ever fished with. I have traveled with Chuck to Labrador (twice), the Green River in Utah, the Garden River for salmon in Canada, and many of the Michigan rivers including the Au Sable, all up and down the Manistee, Pere Marquette, and Boardman (I am sure a I forgot some river in the list). I have caught salmon on the Garden bigger than I believed existed to a world record brook trout in Labrador to the incredibly beautiful trout from the Green River to steelhead on the Manistee and Pere Marquette that are more like hooking into a ballistic missile than an actual fish. I have also had a great time stripping for brown trout on the Hodenpyle Dam section of the Manistee getting those jewel-like little browns that, for me, take my breath away (and the occasional hog that makes your heart pound for a hour after you release it).

This past year I have been fishing with Jon Ray trying to learn spey casting. His outright enthusiasm for this type of fishing just made it so enticing I just could not resist. Despite my utter ineptitude I am having a ball learning this new type of casting. Under Jon’s expert tutelage I can’t say I’m good but I am learning. I finally caught my first steelhead using a spey rod and I can tell you it’s a genuine thrill. Jon took me fishing for my first time for small-mouth bass during the summer on the Manistee River. It is an utter blast and these bass, pound for pound, fight like no other fish. Seeing them come up out of the wood structure in the clear summer water and hit a streamer like a bomb is just fishing heaven. Jon is a great guide, exceptionally knowledgible about the rivers and fish; great fly tier, and just a pleasure to spend a day with on the river.

I admit I am biased but for my time and money I fish with Hawkins Outfitters and I believe anyone will find them among the best there is, if not the best overall.

Sincerely,

Bradford L. Walters (better known as “Doc” on the river)

Bloomfield Hills, MI

Dear Chuck:

I want to thank you for making fly fishing success a reality for me after years of failed attempts. I had always struggled to find the right water, use the right flies, or make the right presentation, but you and Jon Ray overcame my limitations. Your passion for the fish and the professional service you provide can’t be matched.

Catching my first spring steelhead with my Dad on the lower Manistee was something I will never forget. He always worked too much to go fishing, and had never been fly fishing, but I think he was pretty proud when we landed the beautiful chrome steelhead. He didn’t understand the catch and release concept at first, but seeing your passion for the fish changed his point of view on fishing.

I know how my Dad felt, because watching my 10 year old son Wyatt catch a 15 pound King Salmon on the Garden River was priceless. It was without question, the highlight of my summer and is still my most cherished fishing experience.

Last June I caught a beautiful brown on the Upper Manistee with Jon Ray, only to be outdone by my best friend’s 22” rainbow a little further downstream. It was another day I will never forget.

I have take a number of customers, from novice on up, and you have always made it an experience that is more than about catching fish. It is always a pleasure to be on the river with you and I look forward to doing it again as much as possible.

Thank You and Tight Lines,

Chris Lutz

Traverse City, MI