Fly fishing has been a life-long passion for me. At ten, I taught myself to tie flies in hand with a spool of sewing thread, some snelled worm hooks, and bits of rabbit and deer hair. Within a year, after attending a class that led me to a two-decade mentorship with the Clark-Skamania Fly Fishers, I was teaching others and tying for the local fly shop.
At 13, I was fortunate to have Marty Sherman, editor of Fly Fishing Magazine, introduce me to Bill Stinson who handed me my first major contract tying for his Alaska specific mail order company. This opportunity launched a 17-year run of tying 50,000 flies annually. In the early 90’s, I bought B&B’s Hackle and Tackle from Bill Dugger, moved it to Nehalem, Oregon and guided the Northern Oregon Coast rivers. I spent some time in Baja, Mexico in the early 2000’s chasing Roosterfish and surfing. Currently living and guiding in Southeast Alaska where the Steelhead runs are still 100% native stock and almost every river is roadless, I still can’t help but look for the next challenge. I will be headed for the Pacific Islands to start up a new saltwater fly fishing destination. I am grateful for all the beautiful places that fly fishing has taken me and for the mentors who have passed down thier knowledge. It is an honor to share my fly patterns with others.