Growing up, John Edstrom’s family cabin was and still is on a tributary of the Upper St. Croix River, where the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway was, literally, in his front yard. He’s been a fly fisher for five decades and a guide for more than three, the last three guiding smallmouth bass on the world-class fisheries of the St. Croix River, Namekagon River, a tributary of the St. Croix, and the Mississippi River in Minnesota. Whether guiding for smallmouth or in his earlier career guiding wild trout fisheries in the Driftless Area of Minnesota or Wisconsin, John is an excellent teacher, committed to the environment, and a steward of the resources he guides. John is the co-founder of the Midwest Fly Fishing Guides Association, whose mission is to educate new anglers and guides. He is a master of fly fishing, a consummate professional, a gifted teacher who cares about you having fun. John was my first fly fishing guide for trout in the late 1980s, and now, my guide for fly-fishing smallmouth on the St. Croix. My brother-in-law, who is new to fly fishing, recently joined me on the St. Croix River with John. It was his first experience fishing with a guide and floating the river for smallmouth. He said that there was a lot to learn and that John is an excellent teacher, from casting to reading the water, hooksets, and fighting fish to the net. He is eager to get out on his waters on the St. Croix and Namekagon rivers for smallmouth. For a longtime fly angler like me, there is always something new to learn, and watching John guide him, I did too!

— Barbara Redmond

Thanks for the kind words, Barbara!