Client Testimonials 

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 --

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