John Conits is the owner/operator and head guide of Hare’s Ear Fly Fishing. Fly Fishing is his passion and living. John believes in hard work and time on the water as the secret to success when it comes to catching fish and understanding the underwater world that fish inhabit. He spends his time learning the minute details and daily fluctuations of the habits and haunts of trout and bass so that he can transfer that knowledge to his clients. He has a large inventory of fish that he has hooked and landed. As with many fishing guides he had reached that point in his fly fishing journey where he has satisfied his desire to catch his quarry, and now pursues the final chapter of becoming a complete angler where he celebrates the assist. A day on the water with John is a deep learning experience with a patient and encouraging teacher.

With 10 Years of fly fishing and tying experience Mike has taken what began as a therapeutic recreation, and turned it into a passion. He shares his passion with our fellow veterans in Upstate South Carolina. Mike served as an Airborne Infantryman in Afghanistan. He also spent 4 years in the Army’s Presidential Color Guard, in Arlington, VA. He has taken the task in our company to guide veterans, and help with Upstate Warrior Solutions and Project healing Waters. Mike is a big guy in person, but has even a bigger heart for showing people the art of fly fishing. He’s great guy with all walks of life, whether deep in our waters or out.

Ron is our blue line junky. A blue line is a small stream on a map often in the more remote areas of the forest. “Blue Lining” is as much about the exploration of a stream or a dark cove rarely visited or seen as it is about the small vibrant and lively fish that live in these narrow hidden places in the mountains. Ron eats, sleeps, and breathes fishing. When not chasing native and wild fish on tiny creeks he enjoys fishing the bigger drainages with bigger flies for bigger fish. He also gets giddy anytime he gets a chance to fish dry flies to rising fish. It’s hard to nail down Ron as a specialist as what’s special to him, no matter how big or small, is the fish on the other end of the line.

ALLEIGH RAPER

GUIDE

Alleigh is a native of Western North Carolina with a passion for educating the art of fly fishing and sharing in those special on-the-water memories. Alleigh’s love for fishing has been a lifelong journey, with a humble beginning of catching bass in small ponds, her transition into fly fishing at age 10 just came naturally.

With an extensive background in coldwater conservation, Alleigh has a passion for protecting and preserving the livelihood of fisheries and sharing that passion with those whom she meets.

Alleigh spent a number of years in the competitive fly fishing circuit and believes in learning a variety of techniques and efficient strategies to make every trip a lasting memory, she is eager to share those memories with you.

Although Jeff may be the newest face at HEFF, he is by no means the "newest guide". Jeff has been in and around the Southeast and Pisgah Forest guiding since the late 90's.

Jeff is our local "travel agent". When not at home terrorizing the local fish, he can be found guiding and hosting trips in Argentina, the Rockies, the Florida Keys and Louisiana.

If you're ready to take your game to the next level, whether rank beginner or a seasoned angler, Jeff is your guide. You are sure to have a good time.