Page 18 - Life On Greers Ferry Lake

18 • Sunday, May 24, 2015 • Life on Greers Ferry Lake River Valley & Ozark and Three Rivers Editions of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette GREERS FERRY LAKE / QUESTION & ANSWER
Advertising Supplement
Q&A Q: Where do you live?
A: I’ve lived in Heber Springs for almost 13 years. Q: What brought you to the area?
A: The browns. Definitely the browns. (Brown trout are abundant in the Little Red River.)
Q: Where do you work?
A: Rouse Fly Fishing — I’m a guide. I love my job! It was fortunate that I realized in college that I was not cut out for a “real” job because I’m just not a 9-to-5 kind of guy. So I migrated to my passion — fly-fishing. After years of guiding, I’ve earned many nicknames, ranging from Fish Whisperer to the Fish Nazi. Over the years, I have learned how to pursue a wide variety of species in a wide variety of water conditions for a wide variety of anglers.
Q: How long have you been a fly-fishing guide? A: For over 20 years.
Q: How and when did you discover your love for fishing?
A: I was a wee lad who was fortunate enough to grow up in a family that loved the water and fishing.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: Wide open spaces. Life on the water brings a different challenge every day. I wake up each day calculating weather, water levels, client expec- tations. No day is the exact same, which keeps things interesting.
Q: What makes this area a great place to raise a family?
A: My wife, Kati, and I have two children: Allie, age 7, and Thomas, age 4. Our community is an awesome place to raise kids.The teachers are super. Being an outdoor family, we have plenty to do.
Q: What is your favorite thing about living in the Greers Ferry Lake area?
A: It’s a slowed-down lifestyle choice — a choice I am glad I was able to make for myself, and now my family.
WITH JAMIE ROUSE FLY-FISHING GUIDE
Instead of working behind a desk, Heber Springs resident and fishing guide Jamie Rouse, right, spends his days helping others discover the joys of fly-fishing.
Q: What’s your dream vacation?
A: A camper, a boat, my family, no agenda.
Q: Describe your perfect day off:
A: I’m a project guy. I’m starting a pop-up camper
fix-up next.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: Pingpong, no doubt. And fly-fishing, of course, which
is exactly why I want to bring the first ever fish- pong tournament to Heber Springs.
Q: What do you recommend as a “must-do” or “must-see” for visitors to the area?
A: Check out the Mossy Bluff Trail along the Lit- tle Red River with the — hopefully — new disc golf course coming soon.
Q: In your opinion, what is the best-kept secret about the Greers Ferry Lake region?
A: Honestly? It’s the 10-minute-max wait to get a driver’s license and/or vehicle registration.
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