The outdoors have been the through-line of my entire life. Growing up in the mountains of central Pennsylvania, my earliest memories are of hiking ridgelines, exploring deep forest hollows, and fishing cold mountain streams. Those early experiences fostered a lifelong connection to the natural world—one that continues to shape who I am today. Fishing has always been my meditation, a way to quiet the noise, reflect, and return to myself.

Over the years, my love for wild places evolved beyond fishing alone. Backpacking became a natural extension of that passion, allowing me to reach waters and landscapes few others access. Much of my fishing life now intersects with backcountry travel: navigating rugged terrain, hauling gear into remote basins, and seeking out secluded fisheries where solitude and challenge define the experience. My blog highlights not just fishing, but also the backpacking journeys that get me into these remote environments.

I was an American Canoe Association–certified kayak instructor and a licensed fishing guide in Pennsylvania for over a decade. Through Kayak Fish PA, LLC, I taught kayak fishing and lead guided trips on the Susquehanna and Juniata Rivers. These rivers have been lifelong classrooms for me, shaping both my approach to fishing and my understanding of river ecosystems.

My outdoor pursuits extend well beyond Pennsylvania. I’ve fished and backpacked across the country—from remote lower‑48 wilderness waters to high‑mountain trails. My long‑distance hiking and fly fishing pursuits have taken me into the Sierra, where I’ve shared experiences of thru‑hiking, ultralight strategies, wildlife encounters, and the interplay between backcountry travel and fly fishing. These journeys reflect the adventurous spirit that drives me: the desire to push deeper into the wild, whether on foot, in a kayak, or with a fly rod in hand.

Sharing what I’ve learned has become part of my mission. I contributed regularly in the past to Kayak Angler Magazine, writing about river tactics, seasonal strategies, and advanced kayak fishing techniques. My YouTube channels—KayakFishPA, JUANmoreFISH and JuanBackpacks—serve as creative outlets where I teach fishing skills, discuss gear, demonstrate fly‑tying, and share insights gained from years of exploring rivers and backcountry streams.

At my core, I’m an angler, a backpacker, and an adventurer. Whether I’m traveling deep into wilderness waters, hiking high‑country trails, or quietly working a fly through a mountain creek, I’m guided by the same simple truth: the outdoors make me better. Each journey—each river, each ridge, each fish—adds another chapter to a lifelong exploration of wild places.

My Outdoor Pursuits

• Fly Fishing
• Kayak Fishing
• Long Distance Backpacking
• Overlanding
• White Water Kayaking
• Outdoor/Adventure Travel

Waters I’ve Fished

I’ve fished hundreds of water from Pennsylvania on the east coast to California on the west coast. It’s mostly about the Jouney and adventure these days but the fishing ain’t bad either! Some waters I’ve fished by myself or with friends. Many I’ve fished with my son who is an accomplished angler as well and of course my absolute best fishing buddy!

Waters my son and I have fished together are marked with a “*”

• Bald Eagle Creek, PA *
• Ulcmulgee River, GA
• Flint River, GA *
• Cahaba River, AL *
• Wallace Run, PA *
• Black Moshannon Creek, PA *
• Latorte, PA *
• Yellow Breaches, PA *
• Penns Creek, PA *
• Little Juniata River *
• Truckee River, CA *
• Little Truckee River, CA *
• West Walker River, CA *
• East Walker River, CA (includes “The Miracle Mile”) *
• East Carson River, CA *
• West Carson River, CA *
• Elkhorn Creek, KY

Species & Personal Bests

On this blog, I share my ongoing journey of chasing a wide variety of fish species across wild waters. Many pages on Wild Trout Chronicles highlights the fish I pursue and the personal bests I’ve recorded along the way. From native trout tucked deep in mountain streams to powerful river fish that test every skill I’ve learned, documenting these catches helps me celebrate the diversity of the species I encounter and the milestones that emerge naturally from time spent outside. But these personal bests aren’t the focus of my pursuits—they’re simply a byproduct of my drive to be immersed in the outdoors, to explore wild places, and to soak in the entire experience. Just below, you’ll find a running list of my personal‑best fish—an evolving snapshot of standout catches that mark my progress across species and seasons.

Species	Water/State	Personal Best
Brook Trout	PA	17″
Brown Trout	PA	20″
Rainbow Trout	PA	18″
Lahontan Cutthroat	East Carson River, CA	21.5″
Shoal Bass	Ocmulgee River, GA	19.5″
Smallmouth Bass	Susquehanna River, PA	21.5″
Spotted Bass	River X, AL	20″