Orvis Reviews
Ramiro (TX)
Early April I was invited by my friend Scott to a fly fishing trip on Lake Texoma. When he told me that me that Steve Hollensed was our guide I knew that we were fishing with The Best of the Best (my son and I had taken a casting lesson from him). Date was set for the 16th of May. The night before North Texas was hit with tornadic storms and lots of rain. We got to the meeting place and Steve said to get ready for a tough day of fishing due to all the storms and high wind. We headed out and were expecting the worse. Now this is where the Best of the Best matters. Steve worked hard and due to his experience and knowledge he put us on fish. Caught stripers and sand bass.
Steve could have taken it easy and blamed the weather, instead he used all of elements working against us and found fish and conditions within the lake to make the fly fishing experience exciting and successful.
Early April I was invited by my friend Scott to a fly fishing trip on Lake Texoma. When he told me that me that Steve Hollensed was our guide I knew that we were fishing with The Best of the Best (my son and I had taken a casting lesson from him). Date was set for the 16th of May. The night before North Texas was hit with tornadic storms and lots of rain. We got to the meeting place and Steve said to get ready for a tough day of fishing due to all the storms and high wind. We headed out and were expecting the worse. Now this is where the Best of the Best matters. Steve worked hard and due to his experience and knowledge he put us on fish. Caught stripers and sand bass.
Steve could have taken it easy and blamed the weather, instead he used all of elements working against us and found fish and conditions within the lake to make the fly fishing experience exciting and successful.
Sharon (TX)
From the moment I stepped in the boat till the day was over, I found Steve Hollensed to be an excellent host and phenomenal guide! He was entertaining, smart, and perceptive to the changes in the fish, keeping us on top of them all day. We caught really big stripers, white bass, and smallmouth bass. He also threw in time for a casting lesson. I can't wait to book another trip with him. I highly recommend his guide service, it is definitely worth it!
From the moment I stepped in the boat till the day was over, I found Steve Hollensed to be an excellent host and phenomenal guide! He was entertaining, smart, and perceptive to the changes in the fish, keeping us on top of them all day. We caught really big stripers, white bass, and smallmouth bass. He also threw in time for a casting lesson. I can't wait to book another trip with him. I highly recommend his guide service, it is definitely worth it!
Travis (KS)
This is the fifth year I've fished with Steve, if that is any indication of the quality of fly fishing trip he provides. He had us in action all day long fishing topwater as well as catching nice stripers in 25 foot of water on sinking line. With Steve's vast knowledge of Texoma he is quick to change locations, methods, and presentations to keep the action hot. I tell friends that a fly fishing trip with Steve is something they have to experience. Already booked a date for another trip.
This is the fifth year I've fished with Steve, if that is any indication of the quality of fly fishing trip he provides. He had us in action all day long fishing topwater as well as catching nice stripers in 25 foot of water on sinking line. With Steve's vast knowledge of Texoma he is quick to change locations, methods, and presentations to keep the action hot. I tell friends that a fly fishing trip with Steve is something they have to experience. Already booked a date for another trip.
Ross (TX)
I had the best day fly fishing ever. I lost count of how many fish I caught and have a really sore arm from fighting them. I would highly recommend Steve not only because he is an exceptional guide, but also because he really helped me improve my cast. This was the best guided trip I have ever had!
I had the best day fly fishing ever. I lost count of how many fish I caught and have a really sore arm from fighting them. I would highly recommend Steve not only because he is an exceptional guide, but also because he really helped me improve my cast. This was the best guided trip I have ever had!
Keith (TX)
Being a recent convert, I fully anticipated that to access a quality fly fishing guide I'd have to spend more time traveling (from our home in West Texas) than actually fishing. To have found Steve Hollensed on the Orvis Website was literally a dream come true! He is as passionate about teaching as he is about fly fishing, and a day with him is an investment in the craft that you will never regret. And stripers on the fly?!? Are you kidding me? An absolute perfect day!
Being a recent convert, I fully anticipated that to access a quality fly fishing guide I'd have to spend more time traveling (from our home in West Texas) than actually fishing. To have found Steve Hollensed on the Orvis Website was literally a dream come true! He is as passionate about teaching as he is about fly fishing, and a day with him is an investment in the craft that you will never regret. And stripers on the fly?!? Are you kidding me? An absolute perfect day!
Frank (LA)
Two of us from the North Louisiana Fly Fishers ventured to Lake Texoma yesterday to fish with Steve Hollensed. Steve had us on huge stripers within the first 15 minutes that we were on the water. One fish so big that it broke my 8 wt Helios at the butt ferrel. We chased schools of stripers all day, and had at least 5 double hook-ups on the schooling fish.
Steve is the consummate host. His casting and lake knowledge make spending a day on the lake
with him one of the most enjoyable things I can imagine. If you have never experienced striper fishing with poppers in the heat of the summer, you should immediately book a trip with Steve. Thanks for a great day on the water.
Steve is the consummate host. His casting and lake knowledge make spending a day on the lake
with him one of the most enjoyable things I can imagine. If you have never experienced striper fishing with poppers in the heat of the summer, you should immediately book a trip with Steve. Thanks for a great day on the water.
Gary (TX)
Steve really worked to make our experience the best! Despite strong shifty winds Steve worked hard and successfully to always have us in position. His knowledge of the lake, fish and casting gave us a terrific experience. He as good as an instructor as he is guide and expert caster. Besides that, he made a congenial host. Wonderful time.
Brian (TX)
I have fished with Steve 3 times now and everytime he has been extremely courteous and professional. He knows his stuff. I took my nephew, who had never fly fished before and Steve worked his magic with him and before the end of the trip he was doing great.
We were on schooling stripers all morning and had a great time. Non stop action. I highly recommend fishing with Steve and the brownies his wife makes.
We were on schooling stripers all morning and had a great time. Non stop action. I highly recommend fishing with Steve and the brownies his wife makes.
Mary (TX)
This was one of the most incredible fishing experiences I've ever had - we caught several huge striper in the early morning and landed countless 2-3 pound fish the rest of the day! Even without our incredible catches, the trip would have been perfect thanks to
Steve's incredible knowledge and hospitality as well as the uniqueness and beauty of the fishery. I highly encourage any angler of any skill level to go on a trip with Steve. He is a wonderful guide, an amazing teacher and a true gentleman. Do not miss this trip!
Steve's incredible knowledge and hospitality as well as the uniqueness and beauty of the fishery. I highly encourage any angler of any skill level to go on a trip with Steve. He is a wonderful guide, an amazing teacher and a true gentleman. Do not miss this trip!
Nancy (LA)
My husband took me to Lake Texoma yesterday to fish with Steve Hollensed. He had fished with Steve 3 weeks ago, and said it was a great trip where he and his buddy caught 50 fish. Well, this was even better, because we caught well over 100 fish with more than 25 double hookups. It was crazy. My hands and arms hurt from fighting and landing so many fish. Steve was the perfect host. He helped me with my casting and kept us in fish all day long. Thank you Steve for the best fishing trip I have ever been on, and I have been fishing for over 50 years.
Winston (TX)
Steve is where the bar should be set. We met Steve bright and early and were on the water without delay. Professionalism and customer service all the way. Steve was knowledgable about the fish and their enviorment. An absolutely wonderful day. Now if you excuse me I need to go ice down my right shoulder before it falls off. Easily 50-60 fish to the boat.
Bill (TX)
The weather forecast called for "breezy" condtions, an understatement to say the least. However with safety in mind Steve worked the
condtions to our advantage. It be one of the best days I have had with any guide, catching Stripers,Smallmouth and a exceptional 5.5 lb largemouth. I own 25-30 fly rods and Steve is the only guide I don't feel the need to take any of my own equipment. Steve provides clean, organized tackle with back-ups for all situations.
condtions to our advantage. It be one of the best days I have had with any guide, catching Stripers,Smallmouth and a exceptional 5.5 lb largemouth. I own 25-30 fly rods and Steve is the only guide I don't feel the need to take any of my own equipment. Steve provides clean, organized tackle with back-ups for all situations.
Brent (OK)
Can not say enough positive about Steve and his services. One of the best guided fishing trips I have been on. The instruction was excellent as well as keeping us on the fish. Thanks Steve.