About Us - Raystown Lake Fishing Guide Service

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Hello, I am Wayne Price, owner and guide.  Trophy Guide Service, Inc. was founded by my father Sparky Price in the late 80's and became incorporated in 1993.  He has had an impressive career of four PA state record Striped Bass that has contributed greatly in establishing the most successful and longest running guide service on Raystown Lake.  Sparky's last record is the longest state record still standing at 53 lb 12 oz.  No other guide service on Raystown has ever had a state record Striper.  I am proud to follow the footsteps of my father and continue our family business.  Trophy Guide Service, Inc is the longest running; most recognized and awarded fishing service on Raystown Lake.  

With a lifetime of experience, our mission remains the same from inception.  Just catch fish and show people a good time.  Our satisfaction comes when we have done our job and see the smiles on our clients faces, the friends that pat each other on the back, the pictures and the laughs.   For me, it is especially satisfying seeing success with a father son.  I can appreciate that more than anything  having lost mine.

  A life maintaining a fishing guide service on Raystown Lake, especially for as long as we have takes sacrifice.  The standard was set many years ago as the first charter service for all to come after. This started before a You Tube video, cell phones and short cuts to catch a fish. Longevity is consistency.  It is more than a lucky day on the water or a productive season. For us, there is a  confidence that only comes from trial and error with a lifetime of experience.  There must be no stone unturned or the continued development and defining of a technique especially, targeting big fish.  Some methods can produce fish but are not "guide friendly".  It is a constant pursuit and library of knowledge that can make the difference.  Many guides have come and gone. It appears far too easy to get caught up trying to copy slogans or flood childish social posts while simply trying to repeat what the others are doing. The difference here is the basic knowledge of a moon phase, thermocline, barometric pressure etc..a library of life experience and the ability to know not just how but why we choose a technique.  Often, it is the small adjustments sometimes in the middle of your trip that separates a real experienced guide.  What worked yesterday may change and often does. This lake has reached an all time high of fishing guides since covid.  There are a handful of reputable guides but be aware, we are NOT all the same.  

 I was proud to take my earliest fishing "clients" for Trophy Guide Service as a late teenager while my dad fished a National Striper tournament in Kentucky.  That was over 35 years ago now. It was a successful trip and my first experience of what this business entails.  I remember the names of the customers and details still today. Fishing Raystown Lake has been a lifelong situation for me. I fish year around beyond when I'd ever schedule a client to come in the cold and snow.  My "in season" is early spring and continuing until November.  Spring and fall fishing are usually daytime hours during cool water seasons and the fish cooperate the best.  Late spring, there is a brief window for an experienced angler to cast at dark. In the summer months with warm water and heavy boat traffic, I prefer night and early morning into daylight.  We try our best to get you on the water when the fish are expected to cooperate the best.  Remember, often times you are only here for a 4 hour trip so we want to try to hit the peak hours of activity.  If there is a conflict of the fishing times we suggest at your booking, we can discuss a lake trout trip. They are probably the most consistent  bite not always influenced by other elements because the depths they will thrive in the summer.   We are not a 9 - 5 service.  We try to work around what we understand is happening. I've picked up many customers and returned to their water side campsites or picked up from houseboats on multi day rentals and returned with fish to clean.  It's all about a good time here and positive attitude.  Our focus is primarily Striped Bass.  It is the most sought after species and the most rewarding. Lake trout are a secondary target often used as a backup to the target species.  Some services are satisfied simply sitting on them to survive.  We are able to do business a little bit differently.  

In addition to fishing/guiding, I have sold fishing equipment and recreational boats for 30 years  just off the water.  If I'm not catching someone a fish, I am outfitting and setting them up toward success.  My home is in sight of water and a boat ramp.  Raystown Lake is something I've built my entire life around.  

If you are still reading, here is what you are looking for. The thing that sets Trophy Guide Service apart when choosing a guide is the lifelong experience as our fishery has developed. It is especially rewarding to have had the good fortune and unique opportunity to share my experiences with the very best.  The state records speak for themselves. There have been heavy changes in our fishery over the years.  I have fished during tremendous ups and downs in the health of our Striper populations.  These fish are stocked with changes to the program from year to year. It can cycle different size classes that can be different in targeting. We set you up for success by keeping the percentages in your favor!  That is ultimately what you are paying for. I've seen the introduction of the first lake trout to this lake in the late 80's and hold the pictures of some of the earliest to come back out.  I fished through the explosion of different species of bait fish and learned how this fishery reacts.  I know the lake before vegetation "weeds" and understand how the fish relate to it and, then the changes that occur when they choose to spray or destroy the vegetation.   The other thing that sets this guide service apart from others is the fact we will change methods, locations, target multiple species, and change our styles of fishing without needing to seek the direction or advice from other sources.  After nearly 40 years guiding and four state records, my dad would laugh and tell me that we were the source and to own our decisions.  I'm comfortable with that. I have learned what I can not control.  It takes experience to say that.  It is a numbers game.  Knowledge and experience to keep the percentages in your favor.  Our family name is attached to the business and we take pride in your success. 

Now in my 50's, my role for the business has changed to owner/guide with the loss of my fishing buddy and hero.  I am thankful for the continued repeat business.  If scheduling is ever an issue, Trophy Guide Service, Inc. has always had a short list of long time, trusted, and respected guides that assist in the flow of business.  They may be made available for conflicting dates or to share in multi boat guided fishing trips etc... They share our same principles and values. These relationships are long standing with a goal to get you and your friends and family on the water with a credible captain.

On a personal note, there has always been something special between my dad & I privately that was healthy.  When we were both on the water at the same time it was a personal thing, a form of pride to impress him and he knew it. Or, his attempt to remind me who holds the records. Of course, we shared  thoughts and compared notes but, always strived to pull a hat trick. He made me a better fisherman and instilled a never ending drive. I'm sharing these things because they are unique, defining and clearly something that separates our life long experience as a Raystown Lake fishing guide from the crowd. There is a confidence that is comforting on the water.  We understand what we are doing, the variables we can control and the ones we can not.  All the best memories of my life. 

 I have boated thousands of stripers for myself and other people.  The largest at 51lb. that weighed on certified scales. A fish 3lb short of my father's latest record.   I will always hold lots of memories very close to my heart and I take much pride in making these types of memories for you!