Q&A with Jamie Rouse
Get to know this local fly-fishing guide
Q: Where do you live?
A: I’ve lived in Heber Springs for almost 13 years. Q: What brought you to the area? A: The browns. Definitely the browns. (Brown trout are abundant in the Little Red River.)
Q: Where do you work?
A: Rouse Fly Fishing — I’m a guide. I love my job! It was fortunate that I realized in college that I was not cut out for a “real” job because I’m just not a 9-to-5 kind of guy. So I migrated to my passion — fly-fishing. After years of guiding, I’ve earned many nicknames, ranging from Fish Whisperer to the Fish Nazi. Over the years, I have learned how to pursue a wide variety of species in a wide variety of water conditions for a wide variety of anglers.
Q: How long have you been a fly-fishing guide?
A: For over 20 years.
Q: How and when did you discover your love for fishing?
A: I was a wee lad who was fortunate enough to grow up in a family that loved the water and fishing.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job? A: Wide open spaces. Life on the water brings a different challenge every day. I wake up each day calculating weather, water levels, client expectations. No day is the exact same, which keeps things interesting.
Q: What makes this area a great place to raise a family? A: My wife, Kati, and I have two children: Allie, age 7, and Thomas, age 4. Our community is an awesome place to raise kids.The teachers are super. Being an outdoor family, we have plenty to do.
Q: What is your favorite thing about living in the Greers Ferry Lake area? A: It’s a slowed-down lifestyle choice — a choice I am glad I was able to make for myself, and now my family.
Q: What’s your dream vacation?
A: A camper, a boat, my family, no agenda.
Q: Describe your perfect day off: A: I’m a project guy. I’m starting a pop-up camper fix-up next.
Q: What are some of your hobbies? A: Pingpong, no doubt. And fly-fishing, of course, which is exactly why I want to bring the first ever fish pong tournament to Heber Springs.
Q: What do you recommend as a “must-do” or “must-see” for visitors to the area?
A: Check out the Mossy Bluff Trail along the Little Red River with the — hopefully — new disc golf course coming soon. Q: In your opinion, what is the best-kept secret about the Greers Ferry Lake region?
A: Honestly? It’s the 10-minute-max wait to get a driver’s license and/or vehicle registration.