Smallmouth bass aren’t native to South Carolina waters. They were introduced into the Broad River and Lake Jocassee in the early 1980s. The state record is 9 pounds, 7 ounces and was taken in 2001 from Lake Jocassee.

McSwain began fishing the Broad River after finding out about the little-known fishery in 2008. The more he learned the more he wanted to fish for smallies on the Broad River. Not only is the fishing good, but it also receives very little pressure. There’s virtually no public access and because the river is so shallow and rocky, the only way you can fish it is from a canoe or kayak.

“I would bring Cyndy and other friends and every one of them said you should guide on this river. Scott Lamprecht (a S.C. Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist) was a huge impetus. He told me I had put in my time learning the river and didn’t know anybody who would be better,” McSwain said.

McSwain was living in Charleston when he began his guide service but eventually moved to Columbia where he could check out the Broad River conditions on a daily basis. Very scientific in his approach, McSwain tracks the water flow and rainfall and how that affects the sections of the Broad that he fishes.