Delaware River Fly Fishing Guides

Upper Delaware River Fishing Guides

"Captain Joe "Joe D" Demalderis and Jim "Coz" Costolnick have put together the finest staff of professional fly fishing guides on the Upper Delaware River system offering their guests and clients decades of experience, knowledge, hospitality and camaraderie." Paul Weamer, author the Fly Fishing Guide to the Delaware River

2010 Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide of the Year Capt. Joe Demalderis (known to most as Joe D.) was introduced to fly fishing in 1970. He has been fishing the Delaware since the mid 1970's and has been an Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide for more than a decade. Joe has traveled throughout North America fishing for trout, Atlantic salmon and steelhead. Recently he added South America to his itinerary, fishing for those hard fighting Patagonian trout. From July through November, he splits his time between the Delaware and the saltwater where he guides fly fishermen and light tackle enthusiasts for striped bass, false albacore and blues from his 23' center console. He is also a Pro Staff member of ClackaCraft Drift Boats and has appeared in several national fishing magazines and fly fishing books. So far in his guiding career, Joe has logged tens of thousands of hours on the water. A life member in Trout Unlimited, Joe also serves on the board of directors of Friends of the Upper Delaware River.

Since Jim "Coz" Costolnick began his guiding career on the Upper Delaware he has logged tens of thousands of hours guiding this river system. Coz was the original a host of ESPN's "In Search of Fly Water" and traveled the globe to bring the world of fly fishing into the living rooms of millions. Coz is currently a fly fishing field staff advisor for the Pennsylvania Outdoor Life television series. Coz is a certified casting instructor and Pro Staff advisor for the Clacka Craft Boat Company. Coz's love of sharing his secrets and techniques is what makes him a highly sought after teacher, speaker and personality in the fly fishing industry. When he's not on the water he can usually be found at his fly shop, Border Waters in Hancock, NY. Coz also hosts our annual Steelhead Camp on the Great Lakes tributaries. His dedication to the river is displayed through his work on the board of directors of Friends of the Upper Delaware River.

Lee Hartman is the founder and former owner of Indian Springs Fly Fishing where he guided and hosted anglers for more than two decades. An advocate for the Delaware River, Lee has been actively involved in Trout Unlimited where he has served twice as the Chairman of the Delaware River Committee for the Pennsylvania State Council of Trout Unlimited, both from 1977-1985 and from 2002 to the present. He is also a current board member of the Friends of the Upper Delaware River where he serves as vice president. Lee's love for fly fishing began at a very young age that has lead him to be not only a foremost authority on the Upper Delaware River System, but also a pioneer of fishing some of the worlds most exotic fly fishing locations.

John Endresen has more than twenty years of fly fishing behind him and has been a professional guide for more than a decade with the later half of that primarily on the Upper Delaware. John was an aquatic science major in college and brings his technical knowledge to the sport. It would be hard to find a more enthusiastic or hard working guide. Prior to joining us, John spent several years as a guide for Lee Hartman's Indian Springs Fly Fishing Camp. John has appeared in NJ Monthly, the Newark Star Ledger and NJ television on various trout fishing topics. He has several years experience in the fly fishing retail industry and is an accomplished fly tyer.

Steve Taggart has been guiding the Upper Delaware River for upwards of a decade. He spends the season in his riverside camper completely immersing himself in the rhythms of the river. When he's not guiding, Steve is busy working as a professional firefighter and EMT. Besides trout, Steve has developed a love fishing for Atlantic salmon, steelhead and bonefish. A former fly shop owner, he brings a diversified knowledge of fly fishing to his daily guiding activity.

On occasion we may use an independent guide on a daily basis. The small network of guides we use are talented fishermen who will work hard to make your day a success. We won't put you with just anyone. If there is no one available we will tell you that. Your memorable experience demands it, our pride won't allow it and our reputation depends on it.