Brent Bauer
Signature Tyer
I was introduced to fly-fishing in my early teens by my big brother when growing up in Oregon in the early 80’s. Annual trips to the Deschutes, the Rogue and the McKenzie drew me into the sport so deeply, there was no turning back. Randall Kaufmann’s books led me quickly into the world of fly-tying and I’ll never forget the first solid rainbow I hooked and landed with my own version of Kaufmann’s stone on the Deschutes. I’ll also never forget struggling with those damn turkey wing cases!
A move to southern California put my trout-fishing on the back-burner but ultimately resulted in a degree in biology (from USD) and then chasing a girl to Texas. Three years in Houston while my soon-to-be wife got her PhD, I was introduced to saltwater fishing on the gulf redfish and working in a fly shop (then Westbank Anglers, Houston).
To make ends’ meet I quickly began teaching tying classes and tying flies for the shop. Westbank had a strong travel business and no end to opportunities to tie flies for customers. Bonefish Specials and Bunny Gotchas kept me busy after hours. One can really move some flies when you can influence both supply and demand. The predecessor of my pattern the Crafty Shrimp was a “Redfish Crack” fly tied for the shop by another custom tier. When he could no longer supply stock, I jumped at the chance to take over that production and ultimately make the fly my own – now Umpqua’s Crafty Shrimp.
My wife finished her PhD and it was time to get back to trout country. Where I landed, I’m still not sure how, was Umpqua Feather Merchants and the N. Umpqua. I showed up for an interview with a box of my flies and a resume and walked out with a job as a sales flunky. Now, 20 years at Umpqua, I’ve been the dealer support manager, raw materials buyer, operations’ manager, director of operations & production, and now director of product. During that same time, I married my beautiful wife and had two fantastic daughters. What a wild and fantastic ride it has been!
I was introduced to fly-fishing in my early teens by my big brother when growing up in Oregon in the early 80’s. Annual trips to the Deschutes, the Rogue and the McKenzie drew me into the sport so deeply, there was no turning back. Randall Kaufmann’s books led me quickly into the world of fly-tying and I’ll never forget the first solid rainbow I hooked and landed with my own version of Kaufmann’s stone on the Deschutes. I’ll also never forget struggling with those damn turkey wing cases!
A move to southern California put my trout-fishing on the back-burner but ultimately resulted in a degree in biology (from USD) and then chasing a girl to Texas. Three years in Houston while my soon-to-be wife got her PhD, I was introduced to saltwater fishing on the gulf redfish and working in a fly shop (then Westbank Anglers, Houston).
To make ends’ meet I quickly began teaching tying classes and tying flies for the shop. Westbank had a strong travel business and no end to opportunities to tie flies for customers. Bonefish Specials and Bunny Gotchas kept me busy after hours. One can really move some flies when you can influence both supply and demand. The predecessor of my pattern the Crafty Shrimp was a “Redfish Crack” fly tied for the shop by another custom tier. When he could no longer supply stock, I jumped at the chance to take over that production and ultimately make the fly my own – now Umpqua’s Crafty Shrimp.
My wife finished her PhD and it was time to get back to trout country. Where I landed, I’m still not sure how, was Umpqua Feather Merchants and the N. Umpqua. I showed up for an interview with a box of my flies and a resume and walked out with a job as a sales flunky. Now, 20 years at Umpqua, I’ve been the dealer support manager, raw materials buyer, operations’ manager, director of operations & production, and now director of product. During that same time, I married my beautiful wife and had two fantastic daughters. What a wild and fantastic ride it has been!