Harding junior James Dillard, who worked as a fishing guide for three years, recently started a trout-fishing guide service in Arkansas. His company, Tailwater Fishing Company, offers fly and spin fishing trips, primarily taking clients of all ages to catch trout on the Little Red River.
“Since I have lived in Searcy my whole life and lived near the river, the Little Red has a special place in my heart,” Dillard said. “One of my absolute favorite things to do is to take clients fishing, who have never been here before, on the river that I love. Getting to share that experience with them is so special to me.”
Dillard said he has taken people from all over the US and Canada fishing, guiding them to some of the best fish in Arkansas.
“My favorite experience was one day when James and I were at Dripping Springs, I caught my first brown trout on a fly,” junior Nathan Warren said. “James was so excited about it. His energy makes fishing with him constantly fun.”
Dillard’s newly created website has been his main medium for advertising, which Dillard said has helped direct more customers to his business.
“It is amazing how technology has become the key to making a business successful,” Dillard said. “For example, an out-of-state client found me on Google and has booked an eight-day vacation package with me. The power of the Internet is one of the best tools I have to grow my business.”
The juggle of running a business and also being a full-time student is a difficult task that Dillard said he has learned to deal with. He is constantly dealing with phone calls, emails and texts, that he cannot answer during class. After his classes, he returns calls and emails, so that causes him to get a late start on his homework and studies.
Dillard began guiding at age 18. He said he has always loved to trout fish with his dad and brothers on the Little Red River. One day he received a call from a friend, Jeff Smith, owner of Trout Magnet, asking Dillard to become a guide for him. After his first few trips in the summer of 2010, he knew that guiding was his dream job.
“I never feel like I am working,” Dillard said. “My job is to take people fishing and that is what I love to do.”
In January 2013, Dillard was offered a position as a guide in Cooper Landing, Alaska for the summers of 2013 and 2014. He will be guiding clients on the Kenai River. Dillard said this has been a dream of his ever since he began his career as a guide because Alaska is known as the “mecca of fishing” to avid fishermen.
Tailwater Fishing Company currently has several promotions taking place including a $50 discount on all trips booked before Feb. 28. These trips do not have to be scheduled to take place before the 28. Also, on Facebook there is a giveaway for a free guiding trip when Tailwater Fishing Company receives 200 ‘likes’ on their Facebook page.
To book a trip with Dillard, check out www.tailwaterfishing.com or the Facebook page, “Tailwater Fishing Company.”
