I wanted to post about the great day that we had fishing with MLAGS Associate Guide Howard Smith last week. To start the day off by watching a beautiful sunrise and end up catching eleven stripers was awesome! All were nice a size, with six being above the legal limit to bring home for dinner.

Howard is an extremely knowledgeable guide that makes the trip really enjoyable. From his knowledge of the lake with the landmarks, lake stories, to hidden underwater items that only a seasoned pro would know where to look.

My Dad, who will be 88 years old, had a great time. To watch him real in the big fish was worth the trip in itself. To see my son and his girlfriend catching fish and having a great time, made the trip extra special. For me to reel in a few myself, was icing on the cake!

To watch Howard, Chris and the other boats out on the water, working together to make sure everyone had an opportunity to find and catch fish, to have a great day is what it is all about!

If you have been wanting to do this, I highly recommend it for anyone, it does not matter if you are a fisherman or not, you will have a great experience! I know I am ready for my next trip!

Troy Dillard, September 2020

Whether you're new to the area and Lake Anna or you have fished Lake Anna all your life, recommend calling Chris and scheduling a guided trip. Chris' knowledge of the lake, the fish and the patterns are umatched at Anna. I've tried others, but I keep coming back to Chris, dozens of times. His multi-species knowledge can turn any day into a Lake Anna Grand Slam. All of my personal record catches on Anna have come aboard the Grizzly with McCotter showing me how. Give him a call, you won't be disapointed.

Rich Mummey, February 2020

I wanted to send a quick email to express my thanks for the wonderful job you and your staff have done over the years. Each trip has been a learning experience for me and my family that you have guided. These moments that will last forever! The effort you put forth to ensure the client has a memorable experience is top notch. While catching fish is the primary goal, you're one of the few guides that I've fished with that educates the client providing them knowledge they can reuse. Thanks again for all the great memories and the professionalism you display. You are an ambassador to the fishing community!

Cordell "T-Man" Tobin, January 2019

If you're looking for a productive AND informative fishing experience with a squared-away, courteous guide on Lake Anna...give Chris McCotter a try. His gear is top notch, his knowledge of the lake and the fish in it is outstanding...and if you're looking to spend the day fighting many/MANY fish, he's worth the adventure.

A friend and I gave him a try recently, January 12 to be exact. We learned a lot of new fishing approaches and presentations, and caught large numbers of fish...in just a half day trip with Chris.

Thanks Chris. Already looking forward to our next trip.

John Liebsch, January 2018

C.C.,

This is a follow-up to our fishing trip earlier this year. We had a blast. My daughter, Molly, talks about that day all the time. After she caught the L.A. Grand Slam, we ate all the fish, but one... the bass. I found a guy in Remington, Virginia, who specializes in fish. From a layman's perspective, I think he did a great job.

But, here's the kicker... When I asked Molly what she was going to call the fish, she said, '"C.C. McCotter Bubba Streit." "Streit" for our last name. "Bubba" because that is the name of Caroline's bass-shaped pillow (Caroline is Molly's best friend), and "C.C. McCotter" because he was an awesome fishing guide.' Isn't that great?!

Seeing that big ol' bass hanging on my nine-year-old's light-pink bedroom wall is priceless.
Thanks again,

Greg Streit, March 2016

I have been out with Chris four times. I have a generous friend who brings me along once in awhile on his regular monthly trips with Chris. Chris is always on time, prepped for the day, friendly and ready to put you on fish. We have always caught fish, some days it takes a little more work, but Chris has always been up to the challenge. I have fished the fall, winter, spring with success. As soon as my kids are old enough for a trip we will be back to Lake Anna. Chris is professional, his boat is clean, tackle is appropriate and conversation is fun. I can recommend this guide service to all levels of experience! Top notch stuff!!!D

David Hummel, April 2016

We had an awesome time chasing down the bass and striper. Chris put us on the fish every time and was just as pumped as we were when we got hooked up. Will definitely be a return customer.

Jason Holc, February 2016

Wonderful trip, we plucked fish from the water all day. We will be back.

Brenda Byrnes, July 2016

My wife bought me a guided trip on Lake Anna with these folks for a Christmas present. It was a great day and the guys really knew their way around the lake and how to find the fish. I will definitely use their services again in the future.

Mattr Johndrow, March 2016

Chris,

I just wanted to thank you again for fishing last week. My dad and I both had a good time fishing with you. I appreciated the phone calls checking in to see how we were doing and all the advice you had to offer. We generally come to Lake Anna every year for one of our tournaments and hopefully if we come next year we can hook up again and fish together, maybe off my boat next time! Thanks again for everything.

Brian Kline, April 2013 (Fifth place finisher in his tournament, the highest yet for him.)

Hey Chris,

Had a great time with all the wonderful weather on Saturday! The fishing was great and I'd like to book another Saturday 1/2 day afternoon trip for more crappie and bluegill. Let me know if either time works or when you'd recommend would be the best time. Anyhow, had a great time fishing with you..send those pics also.

Thanks again,
Jimmie Drummond, March 2013

Chris,

Thanks again for guiding my friends and I this Saturday! Many of them who hadn't fished since they were a kids said they enjoyed the morning, despite the less than ideal fishing conditions. I think that is a testament to you and your guides professionalism and patience!

I was wondering if you could send the group photo, I'd like to send that out to the guys.

Thanks again and I hope to schedule another trip in the future!

Mike Wong, March 2013

Chris,

What an incredible trip we had this winter with you. Largemouth bass jigged from 30' of water? I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it at the end of my line. Your knowledge is Zen-like! We'll be back.

We'll be back.
Robert James, December 2012

Chris,

I wanted to say thanks for two great trips with my son. He's a teenager and I'm trying to stay involved with him as he goes through this tricky time. These trips were priceless. You were the perfect bridge.

Thank you.
Dieter Prowski, September 2012

Chris,

I caught the biggest bass of my life with you today and I wanted to thank you for showing me how to sight fish. That six pounder was awesome. The other, bigger fish we saw was what I'm coming back for next spring!

Great job!
Dan Morris, May 2011

Chris,

Thanks again for the great time. It was such a pleasure to watch you do your work. Thanks for the perfection loop, the hovering drone and loon knowledge, Hemmingway, listening to my stories, the striper limit, for letting me know they were actually smallmouth (WOW), for letting me be a part of your network, and for being such a great guy to hang out with for 10 hours. I will never forget yesterday and I really believe that I will become a better fisherman as a result. Most importantly, you gave me confidence to leave my minnow bucket behind and make the upgrade to a Lake Anna hunter! I look forward to implementing my new found knowledge!

Cheers,
Jeff May, December 2010

Hello Chris,

I had a fantastic time reeling in those fish last week. I have been fishing for 30 years at that lake and that was my first time on the stripers. It was a blast. You are an excellent guide and individual. If you have some time could you please email a few pictures of the fish.

Thanks again,


Mark Williams, December 2010

Chris --

I wanted to send you a picture of what I landed last week and to say thanks for teaching me some things. She was 23-1/2" 6.31lb post spawn. I caught her on a wacky worm at Motts Run. I got my wish for the year, I citationed! What a feeling. It was a fantastic day, not only did I catch her but I landed a total of 12 bass that morning. All but two were over
16".

Laura Barry, May 2010

Chris --

Just wanted to drop you a line and thank you for a fantastic crappie trip on April 24th. It’s a trip we still talk of often and the boys decided before we even left the dock that we will plan on doing it again next spring. You did an excellent job with the boys and it was a pleasure fishing with you. Although we didn’t get into a slew of big slabs, it didn’t matter at all. We caught plenty of fish and had a blast. Looking forward to fishing with Lake Anna Guide Service again soon.

Thanks again, Chris, Christian and Adam Vess, May 2010

Chris --

We were blessed with a great week full of memories. I couldn't have asked for a better week. We caught freckles Saturday when we arrived, kept six stripers on Sunday. Fished a great time with you on Monday. Limited out on stripers Tuesday. Took a break on Wednesday but only after catching five stripers on a hump we had found the day before. All four planer boards and the bobber at once and we were expecting it! Very cool. Took my stepson Jeremy with us Thursday morning and had 10 stripers before 9 am. Friday we sight fished a 4lb bass and Zach caught a 4-1/2 and two more keepers on wacky worms!.What a week full of memories! Zach is a great fisherman at 17. I think he's hooked. Thanks again, we'll be back.

Your Friends, Zac and Bob Hammond, April 2010

Chris --

Just wanted to say thanks for a great morning of fishing. All of us thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. You certainly know Lake Anna and how to catch stripers. A very educational trip and we all want to come back for another try. I will be in touch with you as soon as I can confirm a date. I’m thinking early November.

Bill Werner, October 2009

Dear Chris --

Thanks so much for the wonderful teaching experience on May 2nd. We were able to take some of the techniques you showed us and use them the following week as we fished in between rain storms. It gave us a greater success rate in catching larger bass. Your patience and instruction was well received and we know that we gained a great deal of information from spending the afternoon with you. Your guide service will be recommended to our friends as we felt we had a perfect day. We hope to connect with you again in the future.
Please remember to send us how to reach your blog page so we can keep up with you and your adventures on Lake Anna.

David and J.J. Updike, May 2009

Chris --

Just wanted to drop a line and say thanks again for a great day of fishing. I never fail to learn something new when you take me out on the water. I will practice the drop shot every chance I get and will definitely be getting myself some of those jerkbaits.

Also, I was wondering if you could email me the pictures you took on the boat or tell me where I can find them.

Thanks again, Bill Delaney, April 2009

Hi Chris --

I just wanted to send a few lines to say THANK YOU for a memorable day on the Lake yesterday. FUN and informative. we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and learnt a lot also.
We are already trying to get our next dates together. Looking forward to fishing with you again.

Bob Corby and Robert"Deacon" Harvell, April 2009

Chris --

I just wanted to take a minute and send a thanks for the multitude of techniques and tactics you have taught me through several guided trips, your website, and Woods & Waters Magazine. The techniques I generally use work very well on Lake Anna since that's where I do most of my fishing. However, each year, I fish in an annual tournament through my fathers employer on the Potomac River. Having fished this tournament for a decade now, I've never done that well and I always miss a lot of fish. Since you taught me how to finesse fish with a weightless worm, wacky worm and drop shot, I only missed 3 fish this year and won the tournament. Thinking back over all the years I've fished the Potomac River, I have never experienced such a high percentage of hook ups and catches. Another big help was boat handling and how manuever to minimize the reaction of the fish to the boat as well as use using electronics. These tactics continue to prove their success no matter where I wet my line. I look forward to each months magazine and what W&W's recommendations are and anxiously await getting out on the water and trying them for myself. I know that if the fish cooperate, the strategies will work. Keep the great insights and information coming!

Thanks again,
Bryan J. Reed, July 2008

Chris --

Just wanted to to thank you for the guide service provided by you and your outfitters particularly the outstanding job of guiding that was done by Andrew Roberts. Andrew provided me with a very professional experience while out on the waters of lake Anna where his knowledge of the lake and attention to every detail made for a fantastic outing. Andrew put me onto a big fish area and during my week long visit I was able boat four, five pound and one, six pound largemouth(I lost another big one my guess is it was eight pounds or so).
Hope to take advantage of your expert services again next year.
Thanks again to you and Andrew.

Take care
Rick Fitzpatrick, June 2008

Chris --

I wanted to thank you for the great fishing at Lake Anna this past weekend. Doug and I had a blast and those were the biggest "pigs" we ever caught. We caught a few more "piglets" over the next few days, but nothing like those Friday pigs. We had a great time exploring the lake and familiarizing ourselves with the No Wake Tiki Bar on Saturday when fishing got rough. We look forward to doing it again next year.

Thanks again for being a great host!

Corey Grimm, April 2008

Chris,

Thanks for the photo of the big bass. Jack and I went up to the lake and caught nine respectable bass after our trip with you. We are now believers!!

Barry Commes, April 2008

Chris ---

Thanks for a wonderful day fishing. You succeeded in helping my son, a beginner, learn the basics while having a great time catching fish. Breaking into those feeding stripers was electric. In addition to commenting afterwards how easy and relaxed he felt taking your lead, he stated: "I felt like I'd known him a long time even thought I'd just met him." It's obvious you've honed the more intangible yet important, personal aspects of guiding in addition to simply boating fish.

L. Scott Redford September 2007

Chris--

Just wanted to pass on a word of thanks for the trip Cole and I took with you. it was a very enjoyable day fishing. Cole was definitely overwhelmed by the day's events and the amount of fishing we did. Although conditions were not the best, our trip was everything we could ask for, and catching a huge slab crappie was my highlight. A good time and a fishing education! It took nine years for me to repeat as a customer, but believe me, it won't be that long before I book another outing with McCotter's Lake Anna Guide Service. And to top it off the Habervision sunglasses are awesome!

Mike Woltner June 2007

Chris ---

I wanted to thank you for an enjoyable trip that we had with you in February. The weather was not very cooperative, but your knowledge of the lake that you shared with us would have taken us years to accumulate. We used the patterns you taught us to finish in 6th place and won big fish in our tournament. I have fished with many guides, but have never fished with one more prepared and willing to share his knowledge. I would recommend your service to anyone, veterans or beginners, that wish to learn more about Lake Anna and the different tactics to catch bass. It was a great trip and I look forward to fishing with you in the future.

Tommy Earle February 2007

Just wanted to thank you again for a good time you showed Paul and I. It was the best bass trip we have ever been on. You will be hearing from us again. Not only are you a very accomplished fishing guide, you have a good way with words.

Bill Bennett November 2007

Chris --- Just a huge thank you! I had a great time! My family let me ramble on for two hours about what a time I had. My husband about fell out of the cahir at the picture of the bass I landed. We went out later yesterday afternoon and I put to use the techniques you taught me. I landed a couple of bass before a storm took us off the water. It was a pleasure meeting you and learning the different tactics. I am looking forward to fishing with you again later in the year.

Laura Barry May 2007

My son and I want to thank you again for a great day. We had a blast. We will be back for sure. he is still talking about being on a bass boat and the fish he caught.

See Ya Soon, Joe Donoghue June 2006

Chris--

You're the man! I enjoyed the day more than words can say. And because I had such a good time, I'd like to make this an annual event. I'll make the effort to meet with you during the Bass Expo in Timonium to get our date scheduled. Thanks again so very much for a most unforgettabe day of fishing and conversation. I really do appreciate your helpful and engaging manner; it made that day much more enjoyable.

Thanks sincerely, John "Koop" Koopman April 2006

Chris--

Thanks again for another great fishing trip on Anna, even though the weather was a little uncooperative, we still had a great time catching fish. Both Bill Jeffery's and myself want to express what a pleasure it is to be able to fish with such a knowledgable guide and one with a great sense of humor. I went home and my wife was astonished with the size of the crappie we caught. She asked me that the next time I take her fishing for those slabs!

Thanks again, Tom Dziewanowski April 2005

Chris--

Wayne and I wanted to thank you for the tips you gave us when we fished with you last week. We put the Wacky Worm to good use today. We fished at AP Hill and had an unbelievable day - boating 28 largemouths up to 22.5" and 47 pickerel. All of the fish were caught on that worm, something we had not tried until fishing with you.

We both wanted to say thanks, Billy and Wayne Lewis May 2006

Chris--

Just a quick note to say thanks for the help on Lake Anna, that Bandit crankbait was the difference. I caught all of my keeper bass in the tournament on it, plus about 10 short fish, 6 or 8 crappie and a nice striper. I truly believe it made a difference. I don't know if you are sponsored (I'm not) by Bandit or not, but if you are, I would be happy to write them on your behalf to let them know the great job you are doing.

Again thanks, George (George Martin, GMCO Maps & Charts)

Hey Chris--

Just wanted to thank you and your wife for the trip on Friday. As always I had a great time. It was fun to fish hard again, though I do need to practice on my casting. Chris, your the greatest and I value the friendship we have gained over the years and hope for many more years to come. It's not just the fishing, the conversation is great, too.

Thanks again, Jody Haywood

Dear Chris--

Thanks again for providing my parents with an awesome day. All they had to say were wonderful things about you and how beautiful the lake was. I'll contact you in the future if I need a guide again.

Thanks, Cindy King

Hello Chris--

Michael and I thoroughly enjoyed fishing with you on Saturday. The weather and fall colors were fantastic and the fishing wasn't bad either. You're an excellent guide, always attentive to us and very quick to fix our mistakes, always maintaining your calm demeanor and pleasing personality.

With regard, Jim Woodbridge November 2005

Mr. McCotter--

I would like to thank you for introducing me to Doug Ball. I had a great time this past Sunday. Doug is a great guy to fish with and an excellent teacher.

Tom Miller December 2005

Chris--

I hope this letter finds you and your family well, especially in this very warm weather we are having. I just wanted to thank you again for the great trip we had with the fly rods. Thanks again and my God Bless you and your family.

Willie Mitchell

C.C.--

I had a good trip with Doug Ball on August 30, 2005. The conditions were tough, but my son and I both had a good time and caught enough fish to make it memorable. As you have heard, the best part was hooking and landing the citation largemouth! My son caught a nice striper, too so it made for a fantastic conclusion to our day.

Thanks for setting me up for a great day! Tim Berryman