Fly-fishing guide Julie Szur is enthusiastic about sharing her wisdom with anglers in the Slate Run area of Pennsylvania: I was born and raised in Bradford, PA, a small, valley town nestled in the heart of the Allegheny National Forest. This is where I started fishing the local trout streams with my dad at the age of five using worms, minnows, and occasionally, artificial flies. As I grew older, my love for fishing also grew. During trout season, along with my Golden Retriever, Brookie, I work as a professional guide on the area trout streams surrounding Slate Run, PA. In that area, I guide clients on the Pine, Cedar Run, Slate Run, Kettle Creek, Little Pine, and others. I also guide on the Little Juanita and Spring Creek in central Pennsylvania.

I love sharing the fly-fishing knowledge learned from my mentors and from my personal experiences on the water with my clients. My guiding is heavily instruction-based for men, women, and children. I focus on stream entomology, fly tying, water reading, casting, and catch-and-release techniques. During fall and winter, I split my time between Pine Creek and the Erie and Ohio tributaries, where I enjoy chasing Steelhead. I guide on a wide variety of waters for many different species such as brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, steelhead, carp, bass, and musky. I do both walk-and-wade trips along with float trips for individuals and groups. Over the last few years, I have also enjoyed teaching fly-fishing skills to breast cancer survivors, many of whom have become not only avid fly fishers but also close friends.

"My ultimate goal is to introduce fly fishing, and what this amazing sport has to offer, to others."

Awards and Accolades

I have served as president of the Slate Run Sportsman's Club in Slate Run, PA. At present, I am involved in many local fishing clubs, stockings, and conservation activities in both PA and NY, including the Steelhead Association in Erie, PA, the Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Museum, and the 50-50 Orvis program where I introduce women to fly fishing. I help Boy Scouts get their fishing badges, instruct fly fishing programs to cancer survivors and veterans, and teach fly fishing skills through the PA Fish and Boat Commission, where I enjoy introducing women to the sport of fly fishing.