The premier fly fishing guide service from Saratoga Springs to Manchester Vermont.
Located directly on the Battenkill!
Trip Options
prices are 1 person/ 2 person
Full-Day Float Trip $525/$650
up to 8 hours of fishing
full stream side lunch included or save $25 per angler by bringing your own
maximum of two anglers per boat
3/4-Day Float $425/$500
up to 6 hours of fishing
Beverages provided
maximum of 2 anglers per boat
Fly Fishing Lesson $300
Anything from introduction to fly fishing to focusing on an advanced technique
3 hours on foot
1-2 anglers; add additional participants for $50 each
1/2-Day Wade Trip $350/$400
4 hours of fishing on foot
1-2 anglers; add a third for $50
all trips are catered to the guest’s individual experience level
Let’s Go Fishing.
Our seasons on the fly
~April 1st~ July 3rd
With cool water temps and good water levels we will mostly be trout fishing. As the waters warms, the mayfly hatches offer up some fantastic dry fly and nymph opportunities.
~July 3rd~Sept 15
The warm summer water and generally low water levels make for some great river small mouth bass fishing.
~Sept 15-Decemeber
As the water temperatures cool and levels rise we get back to trout fishing. There is no place more beautiful than the Battenkill River lit up in all of its autumn splendor. This is also the best time for targeting trout with a spey rod.
~December- April
Since we’ve only recently (2021) been allowed to fish for trout through the winters here in NY; it’s quickly become one of my favorite seasons to be on the water. It might be low numbers of fish but they’re typically of high quality and ready for an exciting fight.
“If you’re reading this review, stop and call Ralph to book a trip right now! I can darn-near guarantee he’s the best guide you will ever fish with. His calm, cheerful, humorous demeanor is the first layer of the “Ralph Yusavage Experience.” He is simply professional and pleasant to be with and, in my opinion, that’s the most important thing. The second layer is his technical expertise and boatmanship, meaning, Ralph never had the boat out of position even once! He does it effortlessly, all while pointing out targets to cast to, backcast hazards, eagles, and takes/chasers. How does he do that!?!? He knows the fish, the bugs, and the river, so incredibly well and it shows. Which leads to the third layer: we caught fish. (Not critical, but it is the goal after all.) Being with Ralph is so wonderful, that if we hadn’t caught fish, it still would have been an awesome day. So catching fish was just the cherry on top….and there were a lot of cherries! Ralph has such an infectious enthusiasm for catching fish that when I had a chase or a take, there was excited yelling in the boat, not just from me. How fun is it to fish with someone like that!?! Thank you, Ralph, for an incredible experience on the Battenkill. You are truly the best!”
-Parker
About Me
I first picked up a fly rod around the age of 14. By the time I got my drivers license I was taking advantage of any chance I could to explore the waters around Saratoga. It wasn't hard to find and fall in love with the Battenkill. Many of my early lessons in fly fishing were taught to me by this beautiful and challenging river. After high school I enrolled in a NOLS/Orvis course which gave me the opportunity to fly fish for nearly a month straight; I was hooked. I thought I might have wanted to guide before this trip, now I knew I had to.
I began my guiding career working at a lodge just north of Yellowstone National Park. Guiding mostly the Lamar valley in Yellowstone NP as well as some of the spring creeks of paradise valley. While the fishing was great, by the time August came around the smell of cigar smoke would become a pining reminder of home in Saratoga. Upon making the transition back east I started guiding for Orvis in Manchester VT and have done so for more than 10 years now.
I love to fish everything from high up tiny brook trout streams in the Adirondacks and the Green Mountains all the way down to the Hudson River for small mouth, and everything in between. Whether you prefer to fish dry flies, get down with nymphs, or like stripping streamers; I love teaching the tactics and techniques of all facets of the game. My goal with any client on a river trip is not to just get you to catch fish but to teach you how to be a better angler.
I was lucky enough to purchase the lodge property in 2020 and spent a few years in my off season fully renovating the house. It is now available for rent through most of the major short-term rental platforms and on our website through the “lodging” link.