2026 GUIDING RATES
HALF DAY: (4 HOURS)
Each Angler: $350.00
FULL DAY: (8 HOURS)
Each Angler: $600.00
INTRODUCTION TO FLY FISHING AND CASTING LESSON (90 MINUTES)
Each Angler: $150.00
WADER AND BOOT RENTAL FEE: $40.00
CUSTOMIZED GROUP, FAMILY, AND CORPORATE TRIP RATES WITH MULTIPLE GUIDES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
20% Deposit required upon booking reservation; balance due on the day of the trip. Gratuities are always welcome if guide meets your satisfaction.
INFO SHEET 2026
WE PROVIDE:
Fly fishing rods, reels, leaders, flies, snacks and drinks.
RENT IN ADVANCE:
We rent waders and wading boots. We will need to know your shoe size, height and weight to insure a proper fit. Bring your own waders if you have them.
If you plan on fishing again, it might be prudent to buy a good pair of waders in advance of our trip. We can help you with some suggestions.
BUY IN ADVANCE:
MANDATORY LICENSES & PERMITS TO GET BEFORE YOUR TRIP: (It’s OK to have digital versions of these on your phone. Good idea to print out the NYC DEP Watershed Permit mirror tag in advance)
NYS fishing license: resident or non-resident
NYC DEP Watershed Recreation Permit (free)—some of the water we'll fish is under their jurisdiction.
WHAT TO BRING SUGGESTIONS:
Don’t spend a lot on new clothes. You already have most of what you need to wear under your waders or can improvise. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions about what to bring.
Rain jacket, short is best— long-sleeved quick-dry shirt — sun hat with brim.
Small backpack for personal items.
Comfortable clothes to wear under your waders: long underwear, leggings, preferably polyester/spandex or fleece that wicks away moisture. Avoid cotton.
Good non-cotton wool-type socks, several pairs
Extra set of clothes
Something warm: fleece/wool jacket, pullover, or vest
Sunglasses (preferably polarized, helps you see through the water)
Sunscreen
Bandana
Bug stuff
Personal supplies, prescriptions
Snacks, especially if you have specific dietary needs or restrictions.
Spare glasses or contacts
A few waterproof bags/ziplocks
Cell phone camera
Fingerless gloves during cold weather
Headlamp/flashlight
Your vehicle
If you bring your own rods and reels: (let us know if you’re bringing your own gear)
8 to 9-foot rod with a 5 or 6 weight forward floating line is most versatile for our local rivers.
7-foot rod, with a 3-4 weight floating line for smaller streams.
10.5 to 11 foot, 3 or 4 weight rod for Euro-Nymphing
Feel free to reach out with any fly fishing gear related questions!
HELPFUL ADVICE:
Dress in layers. The weather changes suddenly up here and it gets colder on the water than you’d expect. Always bring extra clothes, you can leave in your vehicle or put in a small backpack.
Don’t spend a lot on clothes. You already have most of what you need to wear under your waders.
Most anglers slip their waders on and off outdoors from the back of a truck, so wear something underneath that you are comfortable wearing in public.
Wear sunscreen!
Bathrooms are accessible at several area restaurants and of course at the Holz Farm, where beginners will learn some basics and gear up. We’ll schedule in bathroom and coffee breaks as needed. Some more remote spots may not be as bathroom accessible—we’ll plan accordingly.
We’ll provide snacks, water, sodas and a cooler. If you have special dietary needs, please let us know. If you have allergies or restrictions, please bring your own food.
If you have personal, dietary, clothing, or other concerns, feel free to reach out to my wife Jen. We want you to be comfortable!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Do you deal with total beginners?
Yes! A majority of Camp Holz’s clients are total beginners. We specialize in teaching new fly-fishers from the ground up. Although it’s hard to
impart a lifetime of knowledge experience in a ½ or full day, you will leave with a very good fundament understanding of the basics of this skill
based sport, and enthusiasm to want to pursuer it further on your own.
Will you drive us?
No. You should bring your own vehicle and follow me. (Insurance regulations)
Where do I change? Can I wear my gear to local restaurants?
Some anglers slip off their waders on the roadside by their vehicles and wear whatever they have on underneath into local establishments. That said, there are lots of anglers in these parts, so you’ll definitely see some wearing gear in wader friendly restaurants and bars.
I’m very experienced and don’t need much instruction. Can you just guide me to the best locations and help me get gear if needed?
No worries! I’ve been doing this for 35 years and have fished with all levels. I understand that the experienced angler values time and solitude on the water above all else. I’ll direct you to licensing and make gear suggestions, discuss the current conditions, take you to some great water, and provide local and seasonal flies. Some experienced anglers benefit from learning tried and true techniques that work well here. We are fluent in dry-fly, wet fly, and nymphing, and hybrid combinations of those.
Are fishing spots hard to get to? Will I do a lot of hiking?
That varies — from easy access places with fairly flat entries, to really challenging off grid spots that require substantial hiking. Bear in mind the current factor as well—some spots are deep and fast, others are pretty tame (also dependent on the water level) Some can even be fished from the shore. The rocks can always be slippery. We’ll plan your trip around your physical comfort and skill level.
I have a mixed group of ages and levels.
Great! I can usually handle two or three people by myself, beyond that, I’ll bring in additional experienced licensed guides from my team.
What is it customary to tip a fishing guide?
Whether the fish are biting or not, it's customary to give a 15% to 20% tip to a hard working and knowledgeable guide.
George and Jennifer Holz 1118 Woodland Valley Rd. Phoenicia, NY 12464
George (cell and Text) 917-797-2817 Jen (cell and text) 845-800-4540 Home 845-688-7661
There is no cell service in Woodland Valley and some areas we’ll be fishing. You will get service until just past Boiceville with occasional service in the town of Phoenicia with Verizon. We have Wi-Fi at the farm.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Real Time Stream Conditions on Esopus Creek:
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/01362500/#parameterCode=00060&period=P7DLocal Fishing Lore, History and Hatch Chart:
https://catskillanglingcollection.org/
All participants will be required to sign a copy of the Camp Holz Fish & Game Waiver/Release of Liability.
We’ll provide you with a copy to sign before you start. You may also download ithere.