“Fly fishing is not just a hobby with me…it’s a way of life.”

That’s Lopstick’s fishing guide and resident fly-tyer, who joined our staff of expert fishing guides and teachers.

Chuck has been fly fishing and tying flies since he was eleven years old. He grew up in Connecticut and learned the basics of the sportfishing on the Farmington and Housatonic Rivers in central Connecticut. In addition to trout, Chuck and his family would pursue stripers and blues along the Rhode Island coast and salt ponds during their summer vacations.

Chuck has lived in the Great North Woods in Pittsburg since 1990 and has been chasing the trout and salmon here since then. He has fished the upper Connecticut Rivers, wading and drift-boating, for more than 30 + years, and it’s safe to say he knows where most of the best spots are.

In his spare time, Chuck will search for new waters in Vermont and New Hampshire, and even up in Quebec, looking for pike and other species. Where does he go on vacation? Fishing, of course: he loves to make trips down to Andros Island in the Bahamas, one of the world’s great fishing grounds for the explosive bonefish.

Chuck DeGray has also logged thousands of hours at his bench, tying all manner of fly species.

“I consider myself very lucky to be able to turn the things I most love doing — tying flies and fishing our local rivers and streams– into a career as a professional guide and commercial fly tier,” Chuck said. “And I’m grateful I can help pass on the things that I have learned over the years to the guests of Lopstick and their families and friends.”