Naoto Aoki

Advisor

 

Naoto was born in the Canadian Rockies, and has been obsessed with fishing his entire life. He grew up chasing brook trout and soon progressed to checking off as many species as possible. His passion for fishing has taken him around the world in pursuit of beautiful fish on a fly rod.
Now as a husband and father, Naoto spends much of his time sharing his passion for the outdoors with his family. Nothing makes him happier than watching his family grow in the sports that have shaped his life. His 4 year old son, Ryden, is a wizard with a fly rod already.
As an accomplished angler and fly caster, Naoto has long shared his knowledge and expertise with others – he’s been guiding across Canada for the past 20 years. Currently, he guides on the Bow River and the surrounding mountain streams in Alberta.
When not fly fishing, Naoto can be found (or not found) with a bow in hand, chasing big game across Canada. He’s also an accomplished and well published photographer and never leaves the house without his camera on his back.
  1. Home water – Bow River, Calgary, Alberta
  2. What 2-3 lines do you use the most and why? Amplitude Double Taper – if you’re fishing small dries with anything but the dt, you’re just not living your best life. Amplitude Infinity – it’s the perfect hopper/stonefly line and what’s better than catching big trout on foam
  3. What was the watershed moment when you knew you wanted to make your living fishing? I don’t think I could ever pick just one. I’ve wanted to do this my entire life.
  4. If you could spend one day on the water with anyone, who would it be? My son, Ryden. He’s almost 5 now and is obsessed with fishing. Every day we fish is pretty much the most fun I’ve ever had and I can’t wait for the next one.
  5. On the rocks or straight? Neither.
  6. If you could give one piece of angling advice to a younger version of yourself, what would it be? Take casting lessons – learning on your own isn’t all its cracked up to be.
  7. What’s in the cooler? Who has time to drink when you fish?
  8. What are you doing when you’re not fishing? Taking photos or bow hunting.
  9. Where would you most like to fish? I’ve been very fortunate to have travelled and fished all over the works. Next fish on the hit list is a golden dorado so I’d have to say Bolivia.
  10. Stealth or bright lines? I guess it depends – if you’re asking the angler, definitely stealth. If you’re asking the photographer, bright lines all the way.
  11. Two Truths and a Lie – I’ve hand fed a bear. I don’t enjoy catching a lot of fish. I once drank an entire bottle of pickle juice.
  12. Craziest experience on the water? Standing in a small lagoon deep in the Amazon while a 10ft caiman sat a rods length away with piranha swimming all around me. A giant peacock blew up on my fly at my feet on the pick up – I was sure I had been sent for. I went jumping backwards, tripped over a log and landed flat on my back in the mud. I was completely stuck and yet somehow landed the fish. I still chuckle about it.