Pro-Guide Services: Larry Babin
map    photos    latest fishing report 		WATERS WE GUIDE
Growing up in the "Sportsmans Paradise" known as southern Louisiana I was surrounded by some of the best salt and fresh water fishing in the country. Reds and specs were my favorite but bass, crappie, and smallies were also readily available. Some of my best memories include fishing with my father out of his aluminum jon boats in the spillway for bass and fishing private marshes for delicious specs and reds.

My fly fishing adventure began in the mid-nineties when my father-in-law, Bob Cooke, purchased an Orvis endorsed fly fishing lodge in Hayward, WI which specialized in the hunt for the elusive Muskie. For the next ten years it was me and my nine weight fly rod traveling back and forth from the great north back to my home waters of Louisiana in the pursuit of Redfish.

In 2002 I attended the second ever Orvis Guide School at Hubbard's Yellowstone Lodge in Montana and knew I did not want to do anything else. At the time I had a young family to support and realized it would take time for me to reach my ultimate goal.  

After being in professional sales for multiple building products companies out of north Texas, I was fortunate to have a territory which allowed me to "case" the tailwaters of Arkansas during sales trips and make the most of being on the road.

My wife Michelle, my son Tripp (8), and daughter Isabelle (4), would ultimately relocate to the most beautiful part of the country I've seen thus far.. Mountain Home. Here I manage the Blue Ribbon Fly Shop while my lovely wife operates our coffee shop directly attached to the fly shop.

My passion for fly fishing and teaching the sport to our next generation is ongoing. Fly fishing, similar to life itself, is a journey not a destination. Every day is a learning experience and inevitably something new to discover is usually right around the corner. When I'm not  guiding you can still find me on the river doing what I love most learning and absorbing the complexity of this ever changing eco system. Life is good.

Tight lines,

Larry Babin 

The following is a testimonial written and submitted to a national publication, the Angling Report Newsletter, by a Jim Duke who reports, reviews, and rates fly fishing guides across the nation during his travels. This article was published in January 2009.

Subscriber Jim Duke has good things to say about two days of guided fishing he enjoyed this past October on two different rivers in Arkansas. He started his trip with a day of boat fishing on the White River just below Bull Shoals Dam with guide Larry Babin, who he booked through Blue Ribbon Fly Shop (870-425-0447; www.blueribbonflyfish.com). According to Duke, everything about Babin’s performance was excellent, including his equipment, knowledge of water, general fishing knowledge, ability to communicate andoverall personality. He says both rainbow and brown trout were abundant and eager to take egg patterns weighted with shot and drifted below a strike indicator in eight to 12 feet of water. The day’s catch totaled approximately 20 rainbows measuring 12 to 16 inches, two browns measuring 17 and 19 inches and one 15-inch cutthroat. Duke gives the cost of his day of fishing as $450, includingguide, license and tip.

Nate spent two very productive days on the White River with Larry and recently wrote the following message...

Hey Larry,

            Just wanted to write a say what a great time I had on Saturday and Sunday.  I’ve caught trout Ice fishing in northern Minnesota, but I cannot remember the last time I caught as many fish (some pretty good size) over one weekend.  This was probably one of the best, if not the best guided trips I have ever had.  I will spread the word.  Also, you took a few really cool pictures over the weekend (one of a brown trout I caught) and I was wondering if you could e-mail them to me.  It would be much appreciated.  Once again great trip.

Take care,

Nathan (Nate) Brytowski

and another...

Larry:

I wanted to thank you again for the great day we had.  The water was high, the water was trashy...but we caught about 40 trout in one afternoon, including several big ones!  I have been on many guided trips and have caught lots of fish but the techniques you showed us and the number of fish we caught was over the top.  We can't wait to return and will worry less about water height and conditions.

Thanks!

Ward Huey

and another...

Hey Larry,

Thanks again for the great trip. Next time I'll be ready to cast those two pound streamers you thought would break my arm. Ha, wasn't even sore the next day. This is the best pic I could find from our trip. Simply too much action, you put us on so many fish I could barely get any good pictures. 

Thanks again,

Todd and Kim Cromwell

Paducah, Ky.

another,

Bob/Larry,

Just wanted to say thanks for a job well done.  Ted and my Brother in Law Mike had a great float with Larry last Thursday.  Mike has only been fly fishing one other time and didn't have near the experience then (I'm not a very good guide) that he had on the trip with Larry.  Hope Larry's ears got rested up over the weekend after a day on the water with Ted.  Maybe one of these days we'll be able to get him to come out of his shell and not be so reserved.  LOL!!  He's still going on about the Brats and how good they were.  Anyway, Great Job Larry, and thanks for your patience with both of them.  I' d like to get Mike hooked on fly fishing like the rest of us. My son Daulton and I took Ted out in the boat on Saturday and had another good day.  Didn't start until mid-morning, but still caught lots of fish.  We probably aren't quite as accommodating as Larry, but we did manage to catch quite a few fish.  He had two great days on the White and that's all that counts. 

Thanks, 

Craig Roberts

Received the following message from a client on 12-13-09 regarding a recent two day guide trip...

Larry....

I just wanted to get back to you and say thanks for a great trip.  I know the high water made for challenging fishing....but I had a great time and enjoyed every fish I caught....As someone who has been in the guiding business I have to say that I have NEVER seen a guide work so hard or for so long to put his clients into fish.  Thanks.  Without your knowledge of the river and boat handling skills, we wouldn't have had the slightest chance of any success.  You can be sure that I will return to the White and fish with you again.Feel free to use any of this email in promoting your service.  I will recommend your shop and guide service to anyone I know who wants a quality flyfishing experience on the White River.

Thanks again,Bud Crist

 

Larry,

I really appreciate you being our guide. I had a great time. I have never caught so many fish.

Regards, Myron Ravenscroft
Square D Company



Hi Larry, sorry I didn't get to this sooner but time slips away before you know it.  I want to thank you for the great day of fishing you made possible for me and Greg last Saturday.  I sure enjoyed every moment.  I wish we could have landed that cutthroat that I hooked!!  Maybe we can do this again in the future.  Thanks again!  John G. Reber


PHOTOS (Click to enlarge)


LB client @ BSD


LB client Jim Duke, a traveling fly fisherman who reviews and rate fly fishing guides along his travels. *See his comments regarding this trip below. Published by The Angler 1-09.


LB client and River Ridge Inn guest @ the Narrows
We are located at: 1343 Hwy 5 South Mountain Home, AR 72653 | (870) 425-0447 phone | (870) 425-6954 fax | e-mail us here.
© 2003-2006, all rights reserved. see our privacy policy
Fishing reports system provided by Fisheyesoup.com