Pacemaker Fishing Forum

George Beckwith, the owner of Down East Guide Service in North Carolina, is considered one of the finest and most famous saltwater fishing guides on the East Coast.  When fishing legends like Lefty Kreh or Flip Pallot want to fish the Mid-Atlantic, or want help shooting a TV show in his waters, the man they call to guide them is George “White Boots” Beckwith. 

George’s year begins in Costa Rica where he guides light-tackle and fly fishermen for marlin, tuna, sailfish and roosterfish from his 42’ fishing machine the Dragin Fly.  Each April, George returns to North Carolina for the frenzied action of fly fishing for stripers on the Roanoke River, on the Virginia/North Carolina border at Rte. 95.  Several PRSC members have hired George for a half day of this amazing action with a fly rod, catching striper after striper (no one has the strength to do this a full day!).

From May to September George targets cobia, giant red drum, and tarpon on his home Pamlico Sound waters, leading an occasional trip to Argentina for their legendary duck season.  In October and November, after a quick trip fly fishing for tarpon in Costa Rica, he targets king mackerel and false albacore on the fly from Morehead City, NC.  Then it’s back to Costa Rica for the peak of the sailfish season.

Now that’s a tough life!

Beyond being an amazing guide and teacher, George is also an active environmentalist fighting for clean waters and the protection of wildlife. Graduating from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, George used his degree in marine biology initiating and participating in several research projects studying red drum, circle hooks and post-release mortality. 

Don’t miss George’s talk on Wednesday July 29 at the Vienna Fire House.  We’ll start at 7:30 and George will talk and answer questions from about 8-9.