Tony's Salmon Country Guide Service

Testimonials

Tony Gugino is fishy (and I’m not just talking about how he smells). Tony proved to be an outstanding guide for our operation in Alaska and we hope to have him back for years to come. He has a very good understanding of all aspects of fly fishing and his passion for the sport is contagious. Tony has good communication skills, a positive attitude, is service oriented and self motivated. He can read water and find fish even when the conditions are tough. Tony shares his knowledge in a positive format of encouragement, reinforcement and style. I haven’t had the opportunity to fish with Tony in NY State… but from seeing him in action in Alaska, and knowing he has 20+ years of experience on those waters, I can’t imagine a better guide for the job. - Scott Schumacher, Royal Coachman Lodge Manager

I met Tony through my good friend Matt Light. Matt invited me to go steelhead fishing in New York. Over the years I have had heard the stories about the illusive steelhead that break you off in every blow down, won't bite a thing, and you'll be lucky to catch one or two in a day. Well, go with Tony and all that hype about steelhead will become but a fisherman's dream. Being a fishing guide myself I am a guides worst nightmare, always second guessing him, not thinking he is trying hard enough and so on. I don't want to bore you so lets get to the chase. In the last three years, I have averaged over 25 fish a trip and two over 18 pounds. When you go with Tony he will teach you the technique if need be or show you fish that you would never have spotted yourself in a raging stream. There is nothing more amazing than to spot a steelhead lying up stream, pitch him an egg sack, and hold the f!!!!! on as 30 plus inches of pure muscle tares your a!!!! up. Did I get my point across, 99% of fishing guides do not impress me, but Tony does. So I could go on with ten more stories but I have to get back to work and book my own fishing charter's. If your looking for the best steelhead fishing around call Tony. - Eric Staplefield, Hairball Charters

Well, I had the best single fishing day of my life! Tony was professional, knowledgeable, personable and generally kickass! He got me onto good fish, explained the tactics and techniques, was patient when I made mistakes; I can't ask more from a guide! Thanks Tony, my trip was simply awesome! I am a steelhead convert! - Brent Davidson

What a day! Another GREAT fishing trip with Tony, but the photos show that. What I find most amazing about fishing with Tony is his professionalism, patience, sincerity and willingness to serve the client. This is my 3rd trip and have already booked another trip. I have used Guides in the past and have always been left with a bad taste, but NOT here. The focus of the trip is on me, the client, catching fish. I know that this is what fishing guides are suppose to do, but the dedication to service and the willingness to ensure a pleasurable trip, to shift and provide whatever type of fishing I want to do is just extraordinary. I recommend Tony and his operation to ALL the people I come in contact with. I work in a profession were I travel the world over and trust me. I tell all my contacts about this operation with complete confidence that he will serve them a great time. On a five star rating system, Tony is at least a seven. - Harold Stewart

Even though we didn't catch any fish, it was very clear that Tony is a top-rate guide, and a rising star in the fishing industry. Seeing Tony's reports and pictures here on GoFISHn inspired me to do some steelhead fishing with him in late December. Even though it was brutally cold and snowing, Tony worked hard to get on fish. He is a guide who instructs, not a guide who just tries to get you to reel in a big fish. He teaches you the technique, gives you pointers, analyzes all aspects of what you're doing and gives simple tips to improve your fishing methods. I look forward to having the chance to fish with Tony again, hopefully in some better conditions! - Brian McClintock

On the Salmon River in Pulaski, NY there are guides and then there is Tony Gugino of Salmon Country Guide Service. I have had the privilege of knowing and fishing with Tony for over 3 years. I can attest to the fact that Tony is the most knowledgeable, skillful, personable, and hardest working guide you will ever meet. And being fishy helps too. What sets Tony apart from other guides is the fact that he is always willing to go an extra mile, whether it is working on your technique or trying to put you on more fish. Tony not only strives to but succeeds in making your fishing adventure a trip of a lifetime. He loves what he does and it translates through his personality, attitude, and his approach to guiding. If you are looking to book a guide on the Salmon River or other Lake Ontario tributaries, do not look any further. - Paul Auguscinski

Thank you for a wonderful experience this past weekend. Your patience and attention with my young fisherman was wonderful. Each of the boys Josh, Noah and Tommy hooked and landed several nice sized fish. I know that they are looking forward to the next trip. Tommy is still smiling about the big brown trout. Thanks again. - Jeff Taylor

Tony – it was a wonderful trip and you are the passing of the torch! You are one of the finest guides I have ever fished with. Great shots, and thank you. Can’t wait to get back. Dave and I went up the the Paradise pool for a couple of hours in the morning, and had five quick hookups and one steelie landed – about par for the course with old men and slow reflexes!! As per usual – “ if it ain’t chartreuse – it’s of no use. All the Best. - John Housner

Thanks so much for the great pix. You're almost as good a photog as you are as a guide! Our gang was very much impressed by your guiding skills, and much time was spent on our way back to Vermont, singing your praises! You have personal communication talents, athleticism, and sportsman knowledge well beyond your years. I've had scores of guides over the past 20 years, and you're as good as they come. A real privilege to spend time with you this week. Hope to see you again in future years! I'll ask for you by name, and refer others your way! Best regards. - Jack Price

I fished with Tony for the first time in April 2010, and I have to say he gets really high marks all around. He's patient and has a great sense of humor. He will rig and re-rig a line in seconds to adjust to circumstances or a snag that takes off a rig. He's also a good teacher: he had me working that spey rod like a pro in no time. And on the really important stuff, like knowing where the fish are, he's outstanding. I've never seen a guide who can see fish better. Where I saw only rocks and shadows he could see fish, and fish that we caught. Well over half of our hook-ups were the result of his excellent ability to spot them. Tony loves to fish, and he's great company. There's nothing like fishing with a happy, super-competent guide who can't wait to get out on the water each day and catch fish. I can't wait to go to Pulaski again. - Ned Desmond - Go Fishn

I fished with Tony for the first time in the middle of April 2010 and I couldnt have asked for a better guide, expirience and person. Tony is more then knowledgable, accomodating and amazing teacher. He found the fish in the toughest conditions and will not stop until they are cought. Tony is great company and happy to be around. There is nothing better then working with a guide who is happy to be there and help at all times. My frieds and I will return in a miniute to Pulaski and Tony's Salmon Country Guide Service! Nothing but the best Recommendations and wouldn't return without Tony! - Rob Berberian

I hired Tony Gugino to guide me on my first fly fishing trip on November 4th, 2015. He was recommended by an employee of a fly shop in Parker Colorado. I met Tony in Pulaski and we drove to a location on the Salmon River where two fishermen were walking out because they hadn't caught anything. Tony liked the spot and we started fishing. I knew nothing about fly fishing and relied entirely on Tony. He was professional and patient with my mistakes and continually worked with me until I improved. He coached me through the entire process of presenting the fly to the fish, hooking, them and landing them. With his guidance, I hooked and landed 6 steelhead in that one location, the smallest of them was 28 inches in length. I think that it is significant to point out that we saw several other fishermen on the river that day and no one we saw caught any fish. I have never met a more likeable and down to earth person than Tony. He is an excellent guide and fishermen. This was the most enjoyable fishing experience I have ever had. - Dave Tuttle

Tony was our guide for our first salmon river experience. He was extremely knowledgable about where the fish were, how to spot them, and taught us the RIGHT way on how to fish them. We were all pretty green when it came to river fishing (all under 1 1/2 years of river fishing experience) so all his knowledge definately helped out. His patience showed by how many lines he untangled, hooks we lost, and how many beads he replaced. I swear some of the fish thought it was mardi gras from all the beads we gave them! You can tell Tony truly wants you to catch fish and have a good time and he will do anything in his power to make sure that happens. Whether you are a newbie to dropback fishing or a seasoned vet he will only make your fishing experience better. Not only is he an awesome guide but a great guy as well, and he added to the whole experience. He did things that a normal guide would not do like after fishing my buddy Eddy really wanted to check out Amish country, I think he was looking to buy a rocking chair or something like that, anyway Tony drove us around to see if he could help find what Eddy was looking for. Little things like that made the whole trip a much more enjoyable experience than what we could have even imagined. If you go to Pulaski to go fishing there is no better choice than Tony and the guide service that he is with. We just got back and have all been talking about planning our trip for next year on the Salmon River and Tony will definately be the guide we choose.(if he doesnt mind putting up with us again!) Just one thing if you do choose Tony make sure he shows you the picture after he takes it with you and the fish! - John Pimental