The Battenkill Ethos
For forty years, the Battenkill River has been my classroom, my office, and my constant teacher. Every spring hatch, every fall run, every client I've had the privilege to guide has deepened my understanding of what it means to truly know a river—and what it means to share that knowledge with others.
The Battenkill isn't just a place we fish. It's a living tradition, a watershed of stories, and a community of anglers who respect both the sport and the wild beauty that makes it possible. The way we approach guiding here reflects that deeper connection.
More Than a Service
Anyone can put a client in a boat and point them toward fish. That's not what we do.
When someone fishes the Battenkill with Trico Unlimited, they're not just buying time on the water—they're investing in their own development as an angler. Our tagline, "Adventure & Instruction. Each enhances the other," isn't marketing speak. It's a philosophy that guides every day we're on the river.
We believe the best fishing adventures happen when anglers understand what they're doing and why. When you can read the water yourself, spot the subtle rise forms, understand why fish are holding in certain lies, and adjust your approach based on conditions—that's when fishing transforms from following instructions to true engagement with the river.
Local Knowledge, Local Values
The Battenkill has been called a bucket-list destination for trout anglers, and for good reason. But we're not here because it's famous. We're here because it's home.
That distinction matters. Corporate-style guide services parachute in, extract value, and move on. We live here. We care about the health of the river, the wellbeing of the local community, and the long-term future of fly fishing in this valley. Our reputation isn't built on SEO and paid ads—it's built on relationships, repeat clients, and the kind of word-of-mouth trust that only comes from decades of showing up and doing right by people.
When you fish with us, you're fishing with guides who've watched this river through all its seasons, who know the local hatches like old friends, who can tell you stories about the covered bridges and the history of these waters. You're fishing with people who've earned the right to call themselves Battenkill guides.
The Instructor's Mindset
I learned early in my guiding career that the best days on the water aren't always the ones with the most fish. They're the days when something clicks for an angler—when they make the cast they've been working toward, when they finally understand why the drift matters, when they land their first wild trout on a dry fly they tied themselves.
That's why we approach every trip with an instructor's mindset. We're not just trying to put fish in the net (though we certainly do that). We're trying to help anglers develop skills they'll carry with them for life.
This means we adapt to each client's skill level and learning style. For beginners, we might spend significant time on basic casting mechanics before we even wade into the river. For experienced anglers, we might focus on reading complex water, mastering technical presentations, or understanding insect behavior. Every trip is customized because every angler is different.
Authenticity Over Flash
The fly fishing industry has changed dramatically over the decades. Social media has created a culture of hero shots and highlight reels. Online advertising has made it possible for operations to dominate search results without ever earning local respect. Equipment has become increasingly specialized and expensive.
Through all of this, we've stayed true to what matters: authentic connection to place, genuine expertise, and real relationships with the anglers we guide.
We're not interested in flash. We're interested in helping you become a better angler, in sharing the river we love, and in preserving the traditions that make fly fishing meaningful.
You won't find us hyping every fish or overselling the experience. What you will find is honest guidance, deep knowledge, and a genuine commitment to your success on the water.
Adventure & Instruction
The Battenkill Ethos comes down to this: great fishing adventures are built on a foundation of knowledge, respect, and authentic connection to place.
When you understand the river—not just where the fish are, but why they're there, how they feed, what the ecosystem needs to thrive—your experience deepens. The adventure becomes richer because you're not just a participant, you're a student of the river itself.
And when that learning happens in the context of a genuine relationship with your guide, someone who's invested in your development and who shares a true passion for these waters, that's when fishing transcends the transactional and becomes something more meaningful.
That's the Battenkill Ethos. That's what we've built over forty years. And that's what we're committed to protecting and sharing for forty more.
Brew Moscarello has been guiding on the Battenkill River in Vermont and New York for over 40 years. He's an Orvis-endorsed guide, early employee at Burton Snowboards, and inventor of the Vew-Do balance board. But more than anything, he's a student of rivers and a teacher of anglers.