Guideline LPX Nymph are ultralight fly rods with fantastic balance and low swing weight. High-end materials and superb features for Euro-nymphing.
Read moreLPX Nymph
389.99 USD
2025 Guideline USA Guide of the Year
Published2025/12/22
Words byMax Kantor
PhotographyAlvaro G. Santillan
As we are winding down 2025 and expecting a full and exciting year ahead, we’d like to put a spotlight on one of our guide ambassadors who has done exceptional work on the water as a member of the Guideline team - Derrick Kirkpatrick of CT FishGuides.
Derrick Kirkpatrick - CT FishGuides.
Derrick guides year-round on the Farmington River in Connecticut and specializes in a technical approach to teaching others to fool the river’s highly educated trout. Whether it is teaching advanced dry fly techniques, dialing into the river’s many hatches from tiny winter caddis to the famed Hendrickson mayflies, or searching for the river’s largest specimens with long line Euro techniques, Derrick has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all things trout in this area.
His favorite Guideline rods are the LPX Nymph 10’8” 3wt for both long line and micro Euro-nymphing, and the NT11 Trout 9’9” 4wt paired with the Highwater Classic line for technical dry fly fishing. Also of note in his lineup is the Elevation TLT paired with the CDC DT 3wt line for teaching the mechanics of more advanced dry fly techniques that are not as widely used yet throughout the United States.
Derrick's favourite gear
The NT11 Trout fly rods are designed to be superb all-round fishing rods suitable for fly casters at all levels. Treating yourself to an NT11 technology rod guarantees a high-end experience.
Read moreNT11 Trout Series
639.99 USD
Highwater Classic is a long belly floating line for technical dry fly fishing in all types of waters.
Read moreHigh Water Classic WF
84.99 USD
Elevation Brook & TLT are shorter rods for smaller streams and other places where these rods are more practical.
Read moreElevation Brook & TLT
279.99 USD
A quiet and delicate Double Taper (DT) line for tactical fishing for spooky fish with light gear in clear, small waters around the planet.
Read moreFario CDC DT
54.99 USD
NEW IN
The Power Strike PRO Dry & Stealth TROUT leader possesses a heavier butt section, resulting in a more distinct and positive turnover than the LIGHT TROUT leaders. Due to the increased butt diameter this taper perfectly matches fly line ratings of 4-weight and upwards. The Dry & Stealth leaders provide uncompromised presentation and control. Without question these are considered the most versatile dry fly leaders out there!
Read moreDry & Stealth Trout 12 ft
7.99 USD
The first ever Guideline Fly Reel to be designed exlusively for Trout Fishing. Every detail and every function has been developed with that one thing in mind; to create a perfect, lightweight, cool, dependable and yet solid reel for serious anglers.
Read moreFario LW Bronze
369.99 USD
Destination spotligh in the works
We caught up with Derrick earlier this fall to film a destination spotlight and hear his thoughts on why the Farmington River is so special, from its picky wild fish to the melting pot of techniques that have put the river at the forefront of the USA trout fishing competition scene.
Stay tuned for this, and in the meantime, check out the CTFishGuides YouTube channel and Trout Tactics 360 for comprehensive videos, including the long line Euro-nymphing masterclass below. The 10’8” 3wt LPX Nymph is an integral part of the success of this technique because of the rod’s sensitivity at distance, paired with the cushion to land large fish on light tippet.
YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ed6PqqY-y-Q
CT FishGuides website: