Jeffrey Feczko (@tothegills) guides in waters far and wide, from Baja Mexico to Bristol Bay Alaska. He lives his dream every day getting to fish in Baja and is hoping to fish Socotra – both flats and offshore.
Jef believes that if we don’t voice our opinions or try to protect what we love – it will dissolve. So we need to do whatever you can on a daily basis to lessen your impact and improve our surroundings.
Where are your home waters? / Is this different from where you guide now?
My home waters are the Finger Lakes / Susquehanna River, New York. Now I guide 8 months in Baja Mexico & 3 months in Bristol Bay Alaska.
Where do you fish/guide?
In the fall / winter months I guide in the Magdalena Bay, Baja California Sur with Los Locos Mag Bay. In the Spring/ Early summer, I fish on the East Cape of Baja on my own accord and Late summer/ early fall Bristol Bay, Alaska.
What species of fish do you guide for?
In Mexico I guide for Striped Marlin, Dorado, Tuna, Roosterfish, Jacks, Pargo, Yellowtail and many others. And, in Alaska, for the famous big Rainbow Trout.
When guiding clients, are you walk-in fishing, fishing shorelines, fishing from a drift boat/jet boat/prop boat? What is your specific style?
During the fall months it’s a mixture of both boat and beach. The spring early summer program is 100% beach fishing. Alaska can be anything from fly outs in a plane to jet boats and rafts! I prefer to walk and wade or fishing on the beach by foot.
How long have you been professionally guiding?
I have been guiding since 2010.
Who is your biggest inspiration or mentor?
Justin & Kate Crump. Justin and Kate are absolutely world class, unbiased, yet weigh in heavily on important issues, risk takers, strivers and survivors – they make it happen and are selfless in doing so.
What is your favorite part about guiding and the thing that keeps you coming back every day?
I enjoy a good challenge, especially when factors change daily.
What was your first fishing experience? / When did you begin fly fishing?
I have pictures of myself tearing down bluegills and bass when I was shy of 3 years old. When I turned 7, my family moved into a house that had a creek behind it that confluenced with another larger one down the street. All I did as a kid was explore these waters. I got a fly rod when I was 11 and went back and forth between it and spinning for years. I still pretty much do the same, haha.
Most embarrassing thing to happen while guiding a trip?
When I worked in Southeast Alaska, we’d get a lot of cruise ship clients, on multiple occasions people pee their waders thinking it worked like a wetsuit….
Another time, I shared a boat with a guide in Bristol Bay who’s guest dropped a trout and it somehow made it underneath the deck and we couldn’t get it out. That boat smelled like rotten fishy potato chips until a mink either got it out or it rotted to slime and came out the bilge pump.
Best day on the water with clients, tell us about it.
I guided the boys from Blue Halo Rods and Columbia PFG this past fall in Baja. One of the guys, Sam, had fished with me before and his main goal was a sight-fished rooster from the beach. We had boat motor issues the day of, so we jumped on another boat – which had issues that I luckily was able to solve. They dropped us off and we started fishing. Just after the briefing I spot a rooster coming in from the left, holler at Sam and he shoots, strips twice – Rooster on. He landed 2 that day and his other buddies got some smaller fish too. Then we almost got stuck out there and I flagged down a boat to drive us home and now I fish with that captain quite often. We caught a mess of species that week.
Dream fishing trip?
I live my dream every day here in Baja but I’d really like to fish Socotra – both flats and offshore.
I’d love to get back to Gabon and Colombia too.
Do you think that conservation plays a role in guiding?
Absolutely, if we don’t voice our opinions or try to protect what we love – it will dissolve. Do whatever you can on a daily basis to lessen your impact or improve your surroundings.
What is it that draws you to fly fishing?
It just feels good, throwing a 100 yd shot with a surf casting rig – but nothing compares to lacing a backhanded full fly line cast to strip setting a hot fish, then feeling your scrap burn through your hands before getting it on the reel.
Best and worst places you have guided clients?
Baja & Seychelles are my favorites. Cook Inlet Alaska is probably my least favorite.
What is a trick that you teach guests often?
When they break down their gear not to wind their leader all onto the reel to prevent a potential under wrap. Makes an awful sound and creates severe anxiety watching an underwrap under tension in backing 🤪
What is one tip you would give someone when they are trying to find a fishing guide for a trip?
Just listen to the guide talk, if you feel comfortable with the vibe – go for it. Almost all of the guides I know are extremely hard working and want it just as bad as the client. It’s just important for the expectations to be communicated from the client, so initially they have an idea what’s real or fantasy.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a fishing guide?
Get your captain’s license and start learning how to work on outboards. Do your research on the lodges you apply to, or are offered by, and I can’t stress that enough – you don’t want to end up at some partially booked lodge, a mold lodge swatting bugs and eating frozen tri colored vegetables and hot dogs all summer.
What is your favorite fly to use on the water, not necessarily the best, but your favorite? Also, what is your go-to guide fly?
A size 6 Gotcha with an olive polar bear wing with a flash / d rib body.
Favorite go to guide fly depends.
Saltwater mullet clouser. Freshwater – sz 6 turd / pats rubber leg.
Favorite piece of gear you could not live without, and why?
My Costa Del Mar Fantail green mirror sunglasses – the hands can’t hit what the eyes can’t see.
Let’s talk about tippet: Fluoro or Mono? Why?
Mono, it’s cheap, knots beautifully and has some stretch for holding a strip set.
Flouro for freshwater trout fishing for diameter sake.
Do you prefer a specific rod manufacturer over others? Why?
G- Loomis makes the best fly rods ever.
What about waders… What brand are you rocking, and why?
I struggle to get a season out of any brand of wader, seriously considering going back to neoprenes or just not going to where I need to use them!
What are you listening to on the way to the river?
After being in Colombia a few weeks ago, I’ve been on a spell of reggaeton. I listen to everything from metal to electronic music but I definitely don’t like country.
How can people connect with you?
Instagram – @tothegills
Any parting thoughts you’d like us to add?
Remember to enjoy yourself, have fun and be nice to everyone and everything.
