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Frankie (Richard’s wife) agreed to the purchase of Black River Outdoors to humor Richard, and to make sure he didn’t try to move the family to Panama. She’s the organizational brain behind Black River Outdoors and she makes the company actually function. Frankie quit her day job back in North Carolina and came down to straighten out the mess Paul had made, managing the office, scheduling kayak tours, and making sure little things like bills and taxes are taken care of (it turns out that’s important if you run your own business – who knew?). You will also see her on the water whenever the opportunity arises.
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Joe grew up along the Appalachian Trail in New York and spent most of his childhood either in the woods or on a nearby lake. Being a bit of a water baby, it’s only fitting that Joe joined us at Black River after spending the last ten years paddling around the area. He loves exploring the different creeks around the Inlet and has amazing luck with encountering loggerhead turtles and dolphins.
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Amanda is Paul’s wife, which automatically tells you that she might be a little bit crazy. Don’t be surprised if you see her standing up in her kayak to gently catch a snake in a tree or wading in the swamp looking for critters. You can also follow Amanda’s exploits on Instagram under WildOutdoorsWoman.
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Mike is our Lead Professional Kayak Fishing Guide. He has lived his whole life here in the Low Country, and spent much of it out fishing. While we all like to fish, Mike actually knows what he is doing. Mike has won several redfish tournaments and has been a member of several Kayak Pro Fishing teams. He has an almost magical ability to know where the fish are and how to catch them!
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Johnny Wigfall grew up on the Grand Strand, and was taught how to hunt, crab, and fish by his dad. Johnny has a passion for fishing and being out the water. Johnny claims that he can out fish Mike, but Mike disagrees. We didn’t have a choice when it came to hiring Johnny. Our favorite local waitress was his neighbor, and she liked him so much, she said we had to hire him, or she wouldn’t bring us our food anymore.
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Stephen Trainor is a South Carolina based Kayak fisherman. Originally from Baltimore, where he and his friends once survived a carjacking while being taken hostage at a local gas station, driven to a remote location, and robbed at gun-point. So much for the Charm City life. Stephen’s love and obsession with fishing began at the age of 5 when his father would take him fishing for smallmouth bass and striped bass in the lower Susquehanna River. He spent many years catching largemouth bass at Loch Raven Reservoir, Pretty Boy Reservoir, and Potomac River as well as Striped Bass in the Chesapeake Bay. If you want to catch fish or have your timing belt changed, he’s your man. He is a Professional Chef by trade, as well as an ASE Certified Automobile Technician. After moving to South Carolina in 2008 he quickly transitioned from a freshwater angler to a saltwater kayak fisherman. He participates in local and national kayak fishing tournaments as far as North Carolina to Louisiana while being a mentor to the new and upcoming local kayak fisherman. Stephen has also been featured in the Coastal Angler
Magazine and Sportfishing Magazine. In addition, Stephen shares his kayak fishing passion with others working as a kayak fishing guide for Black River Outdoors since 2017 and resides on the Pro Staff team with Old Town Canoes and Kayaks since 2016.
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My Love for the outdoors began as a young child when I was brought to South Carolina compliments of the United States Air Force. My Father was an avid outdoorsman and was happy to share his vast knowledge with his children. Many a fond childhood memory involves time spent in swamps and woods with Dad. This love of nature has always been a grounding point for me.
I am an active member of the South Carolina Area Naturalists and a founding member of the South Carolina Herpetological Society. My hobbies include volunteering at Wildtracks in Belize assisting with rehabilitation of both the Manatees and Howler Monkeys, with the ultimate goal of returning them successfully to the Wild. I am locally a Volunteer with the Cape Romain Sea Turtle Program and Hugs for Horses. I have also volunteered with the Leatherback Trust in Playa Grande Costa Rica, and with the Osa Biological Research Station, focusing on amphibians and reptile research in Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica.
As much as I enjoy traveling, I have yet to find a place as rich in natural beauty and bountiful wildlife as South Carolina. I love sharing the beauty of the Swamps and Salt Marshes of South Carolina with others, having a little educational fun while doing so.