CAPT. JAMIE ROUSE: OWNER/GUIDE
Ahhhh! Man, I love my job! It was fortunate that I realized in college that I was not cut out for a “real” job, because I’m just not a 9-to-5 kind of guy. So, I migrated to my passion—Fly Fishing! After years of guiding I’ve earned many nicknames, ranging from Fish Whisperer to the Fish Nazi. Over the years I have learned how to pursue a wide variety of species in a wide variety of water conditions for a wide variety of anglers. In 2004 I became an Endorsed Guide for the well-known Orvis Company. Three years later I was awarded their prestigious Guide of the Year. (I’ll have to show you my belt buckle.) I was an Orvis Endorsed Guide of the Year finalist in 2011. Rouse Fly Fishing won Orvis Endorsed Guide Service of the Year in 2012 and was a finalist in 2013 and 2014 . I was involved in starting the Watershed Alliance for the Little Red River (now Trout Unlimited Ch. 722), and I currently serve on the Arkansas Trout Advisory Committee.
I have been really blessed over the past several years. First, with an unbelievable team: Kati, Jordan and Tony, who all bring a lot to the table. Secondly, the birth of my little girl Allie, who is now 14, and our son Thomas, age 11. Of course, both Allie and Thomas were introduced to a fly rod pretty early. When we are not fishing, we are playing disc golf, my other favorite sport. We have hosted several of the Pro Disc Golfers over the last few years to fish and hang with us including Nate Sexton, James Conrad, Paige Pierce and Nate Perkins. Thomas just got sponsored by Dynamic Discs and is a member of their Junior Team!
I look forward to fishing with YOU.
KATI ROUSE: OWNER/OPERATIONS/GUIDE
After graduating from Rhodes College where I majored in Biology, served as a student trainer, and ran track and cross country, I did some graduate work in Exercise Physiology at the University of Memphis. I am a licensed athletic trainer, having worked at Campbell Clinic Orthopedics and Baptist Rehab with many high school and college athletes. My work with youth in Memphis also included numerous climbing, rafting, hiking, and ski trips. It was when I was getting my CPR renewal in Memphis that I unexpectedly met this fly fishing guide who was getting ready to go to Alaska for the rainbow season. Little did I know that just over year later we would get married, move to the Little Red River, and I would join him for two more seasons in Alaska at Rainbow King Lodge. It was certainly the beginning of a new adventure for me! Since then, I have served as a board member and secretary of Trout Unlimited Ch. 722 and am currently on the board of the Little Red River Foundation. Since our location didn’t provide me an opportunity to ply my trade as an athletic trainer, I trained my sights on becoming an integral part of Rouse Fly Fishing, which has been a blast! Obviously, I’ve always had a passion for the outdoors, and now we enjoy the outdoors together with the rest of our pack—Allie, Thomas, Gus, our yellow Lab, and Lucy our rescue dog. You can keep up with our adventures and get some great outdoor tips on my blog, Getting Outdoors.
JORDAN CASE: GUIDE
My love for the outdoors started as a young boy catching catfish with my grandpa out of muddy cow ponds in Mt. Vernon, Arkansas. Once I got a little older and they cut me loose to roam the farm every weekend, I began to gain a respect for wildlife and Mother Nature. By the time I was a young teenager I was successfully hunting turkey, deer and duck, and catching big bass on my own. It was during this period that I discovered the Little Red River. I had my dad taking me to Heber Springs every chance he got. I soon became obsessed with the clear cold river water and the trout that called it home. It didn’t take me long to figure out what a fly rod was. When I did, I began learning the basics of fly fishing. I picked it up quickly because that’s all I wanted to do, rain or shine. When I turned 16 and got a set of wheels, I made the trip to Heber Springs as often as possible—so often that I missed more school than I should have. Thankfully, I had a supportive mother who understood how deep my love for the outdoors really was. I spent countless hours on the river in my duck hunting boat, exploring it from top to bottom. A lot of what I have learned has been self-taught, along with what I have picked up from some of the old timers along the way. I’ve met some really good folks on the river through the years and there is no doubt that this is where I am supposed to be. I feel so fortunate to be a part of this awesome team of guides at Rouse Fly Fishing and can’t wait to share with others the joy of fly fishing!
TANNER BROWN
Fly Fishing started out for me as a way to decompress and disconnect from the stress of life, but developed into a powerful way to connect with people, water, and some special fish. After finishing my Masters degree in Marriage and Family therapy I worked at an intensive residential treatment program where I was able to serve families who were hurting and begin to teach some young men about parts of life they were missing. Fishing and exploring the rivers in Arkansas was crazy fun part of that work. I have specializations in trauma and addiction work and have come to learn the healing nature of being on the river. Fly fishing keeps me up nights and gets me up early. Learning to throw streamers from Jamie opened up a whole new world of brown trout and led to my purchase of a drift boat. I have fallen in love with the intimate experience of rowing and seeking new fun on the river. While I am not guiding, I still do therapy work in my private practice. I have a super supportive wife who has seen my deep love for the river and pushed me to pursue my dreams of guiding and sharing this sport with others. Getting to guide on this team is a huge honor and dream come true for me. This past year I became a father and I often get lost dreaming about when my son and I will explore the Little Red together. It’s always a joy for me to get out on the water and I look forward to fishing with you.
DREW WILSON
