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To book your trip Patriot news article: Midstate guide captures Fishing brings smiles Other articles of interest: Warm weather sparks Bates lures novices |
Testimonials
A Large Corporate Event "I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your outstanding service during our recent outing. Not only was the fishing outstanding but your equipment and attention to detail was impressive. As a corporate event, this was the perfect opportunity to spend time with other clients, and for us to show our appreciation for their business. A good time was had by all! I look forward to future trips with Koinonia Guide Service." Edward L. Balsavage, P.E. We're in the News "Rod, it was a lot of fun and meant a great deal to both of us. I've received numerous comments about the story so I hope it pays some dividends. (I'm not quite sure why, but Sam took the story back to college with him). Here is a printout from the page proof. Sam and I will definitely go out with you again, but we may be giving you some business, too, since my daughter (who just started teaching) now is talking about it." Fred Sprunk A Great Day of Fishing & Learning "What a great experience to fish the Susquehanna with Rod Bates and Will Whitehead!!! Being my first experience on the river, I came with the hope that I could learn a little and catch some fish in the process and left that day with having learned more than I can remember and catching more small-mouth in one day than I had ever caught before. Rod and Will, two great guys to go fishing with and who take every moment to make sure that the day is what you want it to be. They know where to fish and what equipment and techniques to use to find and catch them. I was especially interested in learning more about how to fish lakes in Canada and Will came through with flying colors. Being a real beginner at bass fishing, I was put at ease with my basic questions on how to tie knots, thread a hook, skin a tube along with countless others. The equipment available was great with a wide selection of rods, reels, lures, tubes and soft plastics. I had heard horror stories about bait casting reels, but with Rod’s guidance quickly learned how to set them up to eliminate back lashes while learning. I later went out and bought one. Aside from a great day of fishing, here’s what I appreciated the most. Rod and Will laid out a very basic outline of what types of rods, reels, line and lures I should use to catch bass in Canada including some basic bait color combinations. Now when I go into Bass Pro and approach the seemingly endless rows of fishing equipment, I don’t feel over whelmed. I know what to look for and make selections with confidence. It’s a great feeling!!!!" Thanks guys for a great day of fishing and learning. I’ll be back. Jim Needham Bass Pro Shop Fishing Trip "President John, I was the high bidder of the Susky trip this year. When I went to the Bass Pro Shops to meet my host, Brent Kauffman, and pick out my 2 rod and reel combos, little did I think I would have the pick of the store. Brent helped me select a great graphite flippin stick and Johnny Morris bait caster, plus one other very nice spinning rod and 10 bearing reel. Then they spooled them up for me. I figure the retail was almost $500.00 and then we went fishing. Brent was my host and Rod was the guide. Both did a great job in coaching and getting me un-snagged some times. We caught 13 on the day, and the water was nasty, high and very muddy, but we caught fish when the other 2 guide boats had a total of about 5 or 6 on the day. Please pass this along to Chris and the General Manager at Bass Pro, Harrisburg." Bill A Fishing Trip of Biblical Proportions "The patience of Job – you needed it when you were unsnarling my tangles and freeing my lures." "The warrior spirit of David – you had it in attacking the fish." "The leadership of Moses – you kept us organized and on track throughout the day." "The forgiveness of Joseph – no matter how many lures were lost, bad casts were misdirected, or fish were lost, we were treated with kindness." "Guiding Jonah to the Whale – well it wasn’t a whale, and I’m not Jonah, but you took me to that 3 lb. 3 oz. fish that seemed like a whale." "It was a great trip. What a wonderful experience. I look forward to our next adventure." Sincerely, Fishing For XL Sizes "As usual, we had a great time. Pulling that 19.25 incher out of the outlet pipe at TMI made my weekend! Fishing with you guys is always a blast. If the fish heat up this winter give us a call. I am sure we can fit a day (or two) in. Everyone here can use an XL size. There is no shortage of food in downstate Delaware." Thanks again. Doug Griffin Susquehanna Bass Fishing "I would strongly recommend Rod Bates and Koinonia Guide Services to anyone considering a Bass fishing trip on the Susquehanna River. Rod has provided me with several extremely enjoyable and memorable guided trips. Rod's friendly smile (which is contagious), professional approach, and the fact that he is just a great person, make it easy for me to recommend his services. I enjoyed another outstanding outdoor experience this past October. I've fished with Rod several times and each trip has been better than the last. He is always prepared form the moment the boat goes in the water until its back on the trailer. He wastes no time; the rods are rigged and you're ready to fish as soon as the boat hits the river. I have fished with other outfitters and each was good in their own ways, however, I'm most impressed with the extra attention I received during my trips with Koinonia. I truly appreciate his ability to explain different fishing techniques that prove productive. I consider myself a good fisherman, yet each time we fish together I learn a thing or two. I don't know how he does it, but Rod seems to always put us "on fish." I am impressed with his ability to change fishing tactics to the action flowing. I especially enjoy the way he changes the lures and keeps track of the number of fish caught on each. Either Rod's really good, or really lucky, or a bit of both. What ever the case, I look forward to my next Bass fishing trip with Koinonia." David Wittle Another Bass Pro Shop Winner "My name is Jim Goodwin and I was the winner of the guided fishing trip raffle that was held during the Spring Classic. I was very surprised to win the trip and Rod Bates of Koinonia Guide Services was great. I wanted to thank you on behalf of my brother-in-law, who accompanied me, and myself. Bass Pro Shops really came through when we were taken to the store in Harrisburg, by Rod, and were presented with two fishing combos. That was very generous and I was totally shocked that that was actually a part of the overall prize." Again, thank you for everything. I will continue to be a regular shopper at your store. Jim Goodwin Some of the Best Fishing in the Country "I wanted to send you a note to let you know how much my customer and I enjoyed the fishing trip on the Susquehanna River. The fishing conditions were not ideal that day, we hadd some rain, but the trip was still very enjoyable and we caught a fair amount of fish despite the weather. The small mouth bass fishing on the Susquehanna River is certainly some of the best in the country. Your knowledge of the river "hot spots" and the equipment you have add to the experience. We appreciate the way you handle the lines when we got hung up and the fact that you always had a line prepared and ready to go. We kept you busy but it really helped to maximize the fishing time, which we greatly appreciated. The drinks and sandwiches you provided were also pretty darn good as well. My customer still talks about the trip. He has since retired. When he comes back to the Carlisle area to visit we plan to schedule another trip with you. We still have the Koinonia Tee shirts as a reminder for the fun time we had. Thanks again for the great memories on the Susquehanna." Tim March Fishing the North Country "Thank you again for a wonderful and truly successful trip to Alaska. The consensus among the guys was totally positive. The diversity of the fishing, organization, accommodations and the yield far exceeded our expectations. At this time it appears that the entire group from our past trip will be repeating again this year and will be doubling our number of participants to the full capacity for the lodge to twelve fishermen for five days. We look forward to adding to the memories of a lifetime." Keith Sealover Many Memorable & Productive Trips "I would like to thank you for the excellent memories and fun times you've engineered for us on the river. We've had many memorable and productive trips under your guide service and look forward to many more. I always look forward to spending time on the water with your knowledge of the fish, where to find them and how to catch them. The trips are always first-rate with your spacious and well equipped boat and extensive tackle. Your service is a great way to spend some quality time with employees, clients, family or friends." Gregory J. Koussis American Small Mouth Bass Association competition "I just wanted the write a note of thanks to you for all your help with our fishing initiatives over the past year or so. From the first time that I went on the Susquehanna with you and Will Whitehead, it has been a pleasure to work with you. The small mouth bass I managed to hook that day was easily the largest fish I have ever caught in my life...and thanks very much for sending me the picture as proof! Thanks, too, for the outing you put together on nine different boats for the Senators, Representatives, and other politicos in regards to the planned American Small Mouth Bass Association competition that we still hope to host in the not too distant future. I think that it's through events like that that we can bring awareness to the sport and help it grow. It is always a pleasure to work with you guys, and we're already looking forward to next fall's fish fry!" Gregg M. Cook A Fly Fisherman's Delight "Thanks again for the great couple fishing trips we shared on "The Mighty Susquie." Your knowing the waters, when, where, and how to fish them make our trips a delight for this avid Fly Fisherman. I was especially impressed with your easiness and always having everything in control, both with the top water dry fly fishing and the wet fishing. I also appreciated your superb professional touch in how to handle the boat in making the fly casting so much more effective and easier. Thanks also for your kindness in sharing the Koinonia Guide Service Sweatshirt. I wear it much of the time and was even more encouraged when I found that the work "Koinonia" has roots in the Greek-Hebrew Bible meaning "Fellowship"....Wow!" Sam Rock Many Happy Returns "I am writing to thank you for the fishing experiences you have provided for my father, brother and son over the last several years. As a family we have had the pleasure of fishing with you on the Susquehanna and in Alaska. The day on the river with my son is one he will always remember. The day was enjoyable and he is always ready and willing to go. We need to make more time to get together on the river this spring and summer. While the river trips are always a treat, the trip to Alaska was a lifetime experience. The trip was extremely organized from the arrival to departure. The transportation, accommodations, and organization of the program is what makes a trip like this most enjoyable. Everyone on the trip benefits from the years of relationships you have developed in Anchorage and Soldotna. Especially the treatment you get from the fish processor who makes distribution, packaging, and bringing your catch back home a smooth process. The trip is well run but the highlight is clearly the fishing. The fishing options are just excellent. We had the opportunity to catch Sockeye, Silvers, Kings, Trout, and Halibut all in one week. The 210 pound halibut that I was fortunate to land will be a story to be told around camp fires and on fishing trips for years to come. My brother, father, and I all caught Kings on out first trip. This is unusual and I believe has something to do with the guides you are able to book through your company. Thanks again and we look forward to more memorable experiences in Alaska and on the Susquehanna this year." Timothy A. Wiest Best Fishing "Thanks again for a great trip. This was the best fishing trip I have been on. Doug and Brian really enjoyed fishing with Tony on Sunday. We all enjoyed our time with you and Roy Friday and Saturday. Doug and I are considering March or April (at Tony's suggestion) next year. I want to come up in the spring and fall so we'll see what happens. Doug and I will definitely be up for the show in February, so don't forget to send me your booth number so we can find you and book something for next year." Kevin Callahan Millie's Success on the Susquehanna "It was my first time to fly fish for bass on the Susquehanna. Rodney had us close to the bank and pointed to where I should cast – BHAM – I had a fish on! A little too late, I realized my tippet was much too light for the tug I was feeling at the end of my line. Rodney maneuvered his boat through the swift current enabling me to eventually land an 18 ¾”, 4 lb. small mouth on 6x tippet. Thank you Rodney, for a memorable and fun day on the river." Millie Small Mouth on the end of My Line "Having lived most of my life within 20 miles of the Susquehanna River, sad to say I had never fished it. I had only fished waters that eventually ran into the Susquehanna, never the River itself. I had heard many stories and often thought about fishing there, but so much water, so little experience fishing for bass and no boat. That all changed when I went out with Rod Bates. What a pleasure! Rod loves the River. He is so patient with questions he has probably heard 100’s of times and guys like me who get hung up on rocks more often than they should. He simply takes my rod and gives me his so I can keep fishing while he is untangling my snag. To have a guide as competent and cheerful as Rod and not to have to deal with bad language is great. To actually be on the Susquehanna and see it close up is to realize its beauty. Is there anything more thrilling than having the sun at your back seeing a nice small mouth on the end of your line, its bronze body and bright red gills on display? Treasured memories. Thank you, Rod." Charles Fitzpatrick Successful Novices "Rod, just wanted to send you a note to let you know how much Logan and I enjoyed the fishing trip with you yesterday. For Logan it was a big deal to catch those fish and drive the boat. He overcame his fear of going fast which he has had since he was born. I also appreciate your kindness and patience with us being such novices. We look forward to going on other trips with you in the future. Thanks again." Chris & Logan Gouse Pennsylvania Smallie Fishing "I was born in Pennsylvania, but had only been in the state to visit relatives and family friends when I was young. I recently drove through the state in November 2004, with my younger son. We both commented on how nice the rivers, streams and lakes looked, along with the countryside. My son was doing an internet search for guide service for smallmouth bass in PA and he came upon Koinonia guide service. We were blessed from the moment we made e-mail contact with Rod. He was very informative and even got us a discount at a local motel, near the boat ramp we launched from. I've never had such a great fishing experience. The weather was great, the boat and fishing equipment was excellent and most importantly Rod Bates, out guide, was superb. Although it was early May, we still had a great fishing day and learned a lot about the mighty Susquehanna River and fishing for smallies. I would highly recommend Rod Bates and Koinonia Guide Service for anyone considering fishing for smallies." John & Tim Fischer VIPs catch fish near the Capitol "Thank you for providing such a memorable fishing experience for the group of VIP's you recently helped guide on the Susquehanna River. I remember being a little concerned about taking such a large number of people fishing on the same day, but the organization and planning that you put into this effort was extraordinary - the whole trip went very smoothly. I was really impressed with how knowledgeable you and the other boat captains were about the structure of the river and the various characteristics that make it the world-class fishery that it is. Most of the people who went fishing with us that day routinely cross the river by car, but I don't think many of them realized just how good the fishing was within sight of the Capitol. Not only were your guides adept at taking group member to various "honey holes," they genuinely wanted each person to be successful and they worked hard to make it happen. The most important benefit of the trip though was that it gave the participants a chance to escape the everyday pressures life can bring. Do you remember how relaxed everyone was when we got back to the dock? I want you to know that I got numerous complements about this trip; everyone who went would like to go with you again. As a businessman, I don't think you could have a nicer compliment from your customers than that. Again, many thanks." Robert B. Miller, Jr. Best day fishing "Rod, thanks for the great trip this week. That was the "Best Day" I ever had on the river in over 30 years of fishing the Susquehanna. We had lots of action and a fun time. You are professional, have the best equipment and you're very knowledgeable. I am now planning a trip with you for my dad and brother in law. First class all the way. We'll do it again." P.S. Thanks for teaching me the polymer knot. Steven Price Happy returns fishing the Susquehanna "Just wanted to once again let you know what a great time my brother-in law and I had with Roy. We've talked about fishing the Susquehanna for years and we were definitely not disappointed! He not only knew the techniques to use but where to fish with great success. Plus we had a lot of fun besides. One very successful trip! Thanks again! We would highly recommend using Roy with Koinonia Guide Service." Tony Romeo Wonderful Memories "Dear Rod, thank you so very much for your splendid service. My husband had wonderful things to say about his fishing trip and how hard you endeavored to please him and Anthony. He mentioned how very patient you are. The weather was great and the sunset was gorgeous. My husband has wonderful memories of fishing with his grandfather and I wanted to duplicate it. It really didn't matter to either of them whether they caught fish or not ---making a fond memory was the reason for the trip and, with your help, that was achieved. Thank you so much again for a perfect day and a job very well done." A Fisherman's Wife We are proud members of:
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