“Hemlock, Herons, and the Heart of the Catskills”: Jessica Hamilton’s Path from First Cast to Guiding Life

The Fly Box LLC
Aug 24, 2025
4 min read

This interview was conducted by The Fly Box and featured in Casts That Care, our charity-driven fly fishing newsletter.

Casts That Care brings you real stories, big ideas, and the heart of the fly fishing world — all while donating 50% of subscriber fees to a different fly fishing charity each month.

Subscribe today and use promo code: HERON15 at checkout for 15% off your first month, and we’ll donate 25% more to fly fishing charities!

The First Cast

For Jessica Hamilton, fly fishing wasn’t a childhood pastime, it was a spark that lit in 2021 when her close friend, Tyler Morehouse, handed her a fly rod.

“What started as curiosity quickly became a shared passion, and we’ve been inseparable on the water ever since,” she says. From long days on the river to late nights at the vise, the two pushed each other to learn and stay rooted in the Catskills’ rich fly fishing traditions.

Her first fish on the fly, a brook trout from a tiny Pennsylvania creek, sealed the deal. “I was completely hooked, the colors, the moment, the thrill of it all.”

An origin story like this one matters, because it’s proof that you don’t need a lifetime on the water to become deeply connected to it. In just a few seasons, Jessica’s gone from her first trout to guiding others through the same milestone moment. It’s a reminder that passion accelerates experience.

From Obsession to Calling

What began as personal passion quickly became something bigger. “There’s nothing like watching someone catch their first trout and knowing I helped make that moment happen,” Jessica says.

Guiding wasn’t something she chased, it found her. “People kind of decided that for me,” she laughs. Requests to take folks out kept coming until she realized she already had a client base. “If I already have it, why not lean into it and turn this into something real?”

She chose to guide at home. “I’ve lived in New York my whole life, and the Catskills have always felt like home. It’s where I feel connected, confident, and at peace, and now I get to share that with others.”

Magic in the Mountains

Ask her what makes the Catskills special, and she paints a picture: early morning light on the water, the rhythm of familiar pools, quiet you can only find deep in the hollows. But the real magic? The people.

“So many come back year after year, not just for the fishing, but because this place is part of their story. There’s a deep sense of tradition here, a passing down of memories and meaning.

This really puts an emphasis on tradition, because it links today’s Catskills anglers to generations before them. Guiding in a place like this isn’t just about showing someone where to cast, it’s about handing them a small piece of history.

The Story Behind Hemlock & Heron

The name was born on a drive to the river. “We didn’t know it at the time, but we were building something that would eventually become part of who I am,” Jessica recalls.

Heron felt right immediately, graceful, patient, always observant at the water’s edge. Hemlock came from the trees she loves along her favorite streams, ancient, grounding, essential to the Catskills ecosystem.

“Together, Hemlock & Heron became more than just a name, it became a reflection of my values: conservation, connection, and honoring the quiet beauty of these wild places.”

Guiding with Purpose

For Jessica, guiding isn’t just about putting fish in the net, it’s about intention. “I make sure every trip includes some element of education, whether it’s about trout behavior, river health, or the role native plants like hemlocks play in keeping the ecosystem in balance.”

She believes the community could do more for native species, especially brook trout. “They’re part of the soul of these mountains, and if we’re not actively working to protect them, we risk losing something truly irreplaceable.

This is where her approach really stands out, because conservation isn’t an “extra” in her trips, it’s the foundation. It’s baked into every cast, every conversation, every release. That’s how awareness moves from being a talking point to becoming a habit.

Empowerment and Realness

Jessica’s voice resonates with women and younger anglers who follow her journey. “Whether they’re picking up a fly rod for the first time or trying to find confidence in the outdoors, that connection and support is what keeps me going.”

She believes her generation brings an important honesty to the sport. “It’s not always big fish and perfect conditions — and I think showing the real side of it helps more people feel like they belong here.”

From the River to the Brewery?

Recently, Jessica became an ambassador for Roscoe Brewing Co., a partnership that made perfect sense. “They’re deeply rooted in the Catskills and genuinely committed to supporting the local fly fishing community.”

Beer and fly fishing, she says, share the same rhythm: “After a day on the water — whether you’ve landed fish or just soaked up the scenery — there’s something special about gathering with friends, cracking open a cold one, and swapping stories.”

What’s Next

Jessica’s schedule is stacked, she’s now an ambassador for Hex Fly Co. and part of the Royal Wulff Products pro team. She’s planning a Colorado trip this fall, with creative collaborations and brand partnerships on the horizon.

“I’m excited to keep building those relationships and see where it all leads.”

Where to Find Jessica

Follow along on Instagram at @jess.h_hemlockheron for guiding days, conservation work, and everyday life on the water. To book a trip in the Catskills, reach out at jessicahamilton@hemlock-heron.org or send her a DM.