Celebrities and Authors:

Thomas E. Baltz: A New Mexico native, Tom Baltz has been a fly tier for over 46 years, the last 32 spent among the legendary tiers and anglers of the limestone valleys of south-central Pennsylvania, near Carlisle. Tom is the only four time Pennsylvania State Fly Tying Champion and his flies have appeared in Field & Stream, Fly Fisherman Magazine, Art of Angling Journal, Eastern Fly Fishing, and American Angler magazines, the Orvis catalog (I.C.S.I Midge, MuddBugger, Hatching Nymph and Beetlenat) and the recently published book “Guide Flies”. He is a regular contributor to the Mid-Atlantic Fly Fishing Guide and appears at fly-fishing shows around the country. Tom ties for several fly shops and discriminating anglers coast to coast. His trout and Salmon flies are in the collections of the Pennsylvania State Museum (Jack Eschenmann collection), the Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Museum, Vice-President Dick Cheney, and private collectors from Europe, across the U.S., to Asia. A full time fly-fishing professional since 1974 and one of Pennsylvania’s first licensed fishing guides, Tom is an Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide who was named North East Trout Guide of the Year (2001) by Orvis. Tom is a member of the Regal Engineering (Regal Vise) Pro Staff. He and his wife Eileen live outside Boiling Springs, PA, very near Mountain Creek, the Letort, and the lovely Yellow Breeches Creek.

Gary Borger: Gary Borger is one of the world’s foremost fly fishing educators. He has taught classes and lectured internationally on all aspects of fly-fishing for trout and salmon since 1972. He is recognized as one of the world’s leaders in fly designing. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin Campus in Wausau. He has published widely in sporting magazines around the world and has written six best-selling books on fly fishing. Gary pioneered fly fishing video instruction with his release of “Nymphing” in 1982. Since then he has produced 27 instructional videos and has been featured in various television programs, including his own production “The Tzar’s Trout.” Gary was a consultant on Robert Redford’s movie “A River Runs Through It.” With his award-winning CD/cassette tape, “My Madison,” he pioneered fly fishing, nature-music audios. In addition, Gary has been design consultant to a number of manufacturers in the fly fishing industry. He is a member of the Board of Governors of the Federation of Fly Fisher’s fly casting instructor certification program, a member of many conservation organizations, and was a founding board member of the River Alliance of Wisconsin. He has received many awards for conservation, including the first Lew Jewett Memorial Life Membership in the Federation of Fly Fishers in 1979. Gary currently writes, lectures, produces videos, and teaches schools on all aspects of fly fishing and fly tying.

Tom Boyd: Tom Boyd Is a fishing researcher and consultant, instructor, outdoor writer, editor and lecturer. Captain Tom Boyd has over 50 years experience as a catch-and-release fly fisherman. As a professional fly fisherman, he has traveled the world in pursuit of fresh and salt water species. He has consulted with manufacturers and lodges on many aspects of fly fishing. Tom has taken countless world record-sized fish using IGFA regulations including a 340 lb. blue marlin on a 20 lb. tippet along with black marlin and giant sailfish; a 40.5 lb. roosterfish on a 10 lb. tippet (it’s the 12 lb. record) –most recently, 8/20/15, a 9 lb. 10 oz. Labrador brook trout. He has consulted with governments, researchers, ichthyologists, geneticists, captains, mates, and guides for over 35 years. He champions the sport for everyone especially the young and underprivileged, and has actively advocated for them politically.
Tom’s saltwater book is Saltwater’s Greatest Gamefish – Techniques and Tactics to Catch the Top 35 Species with Notes on Rankings and Speed. Tom and son Jeff Boyd wrote Trout Salmon and Char – A Master Guide to Understanding Their Behavior and the Top Techniques to Catch Them which will be published in December 2018 by Wild River Press. This book is ground-breaking with revolutionary information on salmonid behavior and often ground-breaking techniques to catch them. Half a lifetime went into the research of the book to allow its readers a better chance to catch their favorite salmonid.
Tom has taught fly fishing tactics and techniques to captains, mates, and guides for over 35 years. He teaches techniques in blue, green (shallow and flats), and fresh water. He has caught over 200 different species of gamefish from the Arctic to Tierra del Fuego. He specializes in gamefish behavior and developing often unique techniques to catch even the toughest species.
Tom writes for many different magazines, is interviewed on internet and radio fly fishing shows, has been a content editor and Editor-in-Chief of fly fishing magazines. Currently, he is Editor-at-Large of Fly Fish America magazine. As a fishing advocate, he has achieved many conservation break-throughs and is currently working with Fly Shop Mongolia to save endangered taimen.
He is founder and past president of Connecticut Outdoor Recreational Coalition (CORC); former President and Man-of-the Year recipient of Connecticut and Rhode Island Coastal Fly Fishermen (Conn/RI); Board member of Coastal Conservation Association, CT, Board member of Trout Unlimited, etc., and has won many fly fishing tournaments and awards.

Tim Cammisa:  Tim Cammisa of “Trout and Feather” has been addicted to fly fishing and fly tying for about as long as anyone can remember. Although he and his wife Heather live in western Pennsylvania, fly fishing has taken him all over the country, with his fly fishing “home base” being in the State College area. Some of Tim’s favorite waters include the mighty Delaware (where he has guided) and Missouri Rivers; though discovering small streams with wild trout still continues to excite him (his son Angelo especially likes this, as he gets to be the “fish spotter!”). Tim is one of the new generation of fly fishers who have taken to social media to promote and teach the sport. A fly fisherman and fly tier for 30 years, Tim started making fly tying tutorials and posting them on YouTube, which permits users to upload their own homemade videos on just about any topic.
Tim and his coffee mug have co-starred in over 250 videos on many different fly fishing and tying topics, like purchasing and maintaining gear, tying with certain materials or a specific fly pattern, and giving back to charities such as Project Healing Waters. Tim has had a great response to his videos – he now has an audience of over 19,000 subscribers with nearly three million video views! You can view Tim’s fly tying and fly fishing videos on his website: http://www.troutandfeather.com/

Charlie Craven: After mysteriously losing all of his dad’s lures in a single day, Charlie was fortunately gifted a fly tying kit by his parents for his eighth birthday. He’s tied flies pretty much every day for the forty years since then and has figured out a few things along the way. At this point it’s become well known that he’s opinionated, outspoken and sometimes brash when it comes to flies and techniques, however it’s also obvious that his passion lies in sharing the skills he’s developed.
Over the years, Charlie has been a prolific commercial fly tyer and, for a time, a pretty mediocre fishing guide. This was due to his insistence on liverwurst and onion lunch sandwiches instead of grilled prawns like all the other sissy guides. He’s also been an Umpqua Feather Merchants Signature Tyer for over 18 years, with several fly box mainstays like the Jujubaetis, Two Bit Hooker and Baby Gonga among his over two dozen commercially available patterns. All of Charlie’s experience finally culminated in 2004 with the opening of his own fly shop, Charlie’s Fly Box, in Arvada, Colorado, where he is the head book keeper, order taker and fry cook.
He’s written three books, Charlie Craven’s Basic Fly Tying, Charlie’s Fly Box and Tying Nymphs with plans for several more when he finally gets around to them… After beating Ross Purnell in a prolonged and brutal arm wrestling match, he became the Fly Tyer’s Bench columnist for Flyfisherman Magazine and still maintains this title to this day. He was recently named to that magazine’s 50 Most Influential People in Flyfishing, and it is thought that his number 45 ranking was specifically chosen to keep his head from growing any larger. Thus far, their ploy hasn’t worked.
Charlie lives in the hills of Palmer Lake, Colorado with his lucky, patient and loving wife, Lisa, their two gigantic dogs and somewhere between three and six young adult children. He still likes quiet time, the Parachute Adams, Colorado whiskey and dry-dropper fishing from a boat.
“It’s not simply enough that a fly catches fish, it has to do all that’s asked of it, well….and style matters”- Charlie Craven

Jeff Currier: Jeff Currier resides in Victor, Idaho with his wife Yvonne where he bases his globe-trotting career in fly fishing. He is on the professional advisory team for Winston Rods, Simms, Scientific Anglers, Yeti, Costa and Bauer Fly Reels and a travel ambassador for Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures. Jeff is a fly fishing lecturer and well known fish artist. He has taught the skills of fly fishing, guided fly fishers throughout Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park and escorted fly fishers on six continents. Jeff has fished in over 60 countries and caught over 390 species of fish on the fly! Jeff’s articles, photographs and artwork have graced the pages of magazines, catalogs, brochures and books. He is the acclaimed author of Currier’s Quick and Easy Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing and Currier’s Quick and Easy Guide to Warmwater Fly Fishing guide books. Jeff is also a well sought after expert for television, radio and numerous fly fishing films. Jeff led Team USA to its first ever top-ten finish in the World Flyfishing Championships in Jaca, Spain. During the competition Jeff managed to fool fish on every venue and placed third in the individual standings, becoming the first American ever to take home a medal in the thirty year history of the Championships. In June of 2017 Jeff did it again in the World Masters Fly Fishing Championships in Covilha, Portugal. Jeff lectures throughout the United States and Canada on nearly every aspect of fly fishing. He demonstrates fly casting, teaches seminars on the basics to the advanced skills of fly fishing and presents many fly fishing destination programs ranging from his home waters to the most remote corners of the globe. Some of his shows take you to destinations you’ve never heard of and will leave you in awe that such creatures can be enticed to eat a fly! Jeff brings a sense of humor, enthusiasm, approachability and more than forty years of fly fishing wherever he goes. You can follow Jeff’s fly fishing adventures, exploits, tips, advice, photography and story-telling on his expanding blog and informative web site. Jeffcurrier.com

Pat Dorsey: A native of Colorado, Pat Dorsey has been guiding for over 25 years. Pat Dorsey spends approximately two hundred days a year on the water, guiding clients of all abilities. Pat Dorsey is the head guide and co-owner of the Blue Quill Angler fly shop in Evergreen, Colorado. He oversees and trains more than 25 guides, setting the standard for integrity and professionalism in the Blue Quill Angler guide operation. Dorsey also, maintains an online stream report that monitors stream flows and conditions for the Blue, Colorado, South Platte (Cheesman, Deckers, Spinney Mountain Ranch, and Elevenmile Canyon), North Fork of the South Platte, and Williams Fork rivers. Pat Dorsey is a Simms Ambassador, a member of the Sage Fly Rods Advisory Team, Orvis Pro Team Member, Yeti Pro staff, and Scientific Anglers pro staff. Pat Dorsey is the Southwest Field Editor for Fly Fisherman Magazine. In 2005, Pat authored the book, A Fly Fishing Guide to the South Platte River, a complete how-to fly fishing manual for the entire South Platte River drainage. It encompasses a thorough look at each section of the river detailing the hatches and recommended fly patterns for each of the four seasons of the year. In 2009 Pat Dorsey authored Fly Fishing Tailwaters, a comprehensive book on how to fish tailwater fisheries. In 2010 a companion book to Fly Fishing Tailwaters hit the shelves, Tying and Fishing Tailwater Flies, which is jam-packed with how to tie Pat Dorsey’s favorite “guide flies”. This book includes 500 step-by-step tutorials, as well as, helpful tips and illustrations on how to rig and fish them. His latest book is Colorado Guide Flies, which was released in 2015. It features tips from the state’s best guides and includes approximately 600 proven guide flies with recipes. Pat Dorsey is an accomplished fly tier and has originated a number of very effective patterns such as the Mercury series, UV scud, Limeade, Cherry-Limeade, Paper Tiger, Top Secret Midge, Medallion Midge and the famed Black Beauty. Although Pat Dorsey no longer has the time to tie flies commercially, he once produced over 28,000 flies in a year. He is a fly designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants. His signature flies are available at the Blue Quill Angler and other specialty fly shop throughout the United States. Pat Dorsey is also a Pro Team Member for Whiting Farms. Many of his flies incorporate Whiting Farm products. Pat Dorsey is a nationally known speaker. He travels the United States sharing his passion for fly fishing at trade shows and private fishing clubs. He is a Celebrity Speaker for the International Sportsmen’s Exposition in Denver and is very active in Trout Unlimited and the conservation of cold-water fisheries. Pat Dorsey is the proud father of three wonderful boys, Forrest, Zach, and Hunter. He also has two step children, Nicole and Michael Richardson. They, like their dad, enjoy fly fishing. His wife, Kim, is an avid angler and often appears with Pat at trade shows and other speaking engagements. Kim and Pat Dorsey, also, host a yearly trip to Alaska Sportman’s Lodge each September with a group of his clients.

Mary Ann Dozer: Mary Ann Dozer was a late bloomer to fly fishing but instantaneously became an avid angler on a trip to Yellowstone Park in 1995. This high energy passionate fly fishing woman has worked hard bringing her love of fishing to women and men throughout the United States. She is a guide for the Fly Fisher’s Place in Sisters, Oregon and guides on several rivers and lakes in Central Oregon.
Mary Ann loves to introduce new anglers to fly fishing or take anglers’ skill to that next level. Whether this be via casting lesson, a day in a classroom, or a day on the water. Mary Ann considers casting an art form. She is adept at combining her responsibilities as a guide and teacher of our sport. She is known for her enthusiasm and expertise as a teacher. She is one of less than 300 FFI Master Casting Instructors in the World. She is also on the Fly Fishers International Casting Board of Governors and on the Winston Rods Pro Staff Team.
Mary Ann believes in giving back to motivate others to pursue their interest in fly fishing for the Fly Fishers International at the local, state & national level. She also volunteered with Casting for Recovery for 15 years.
When not fishing or volunteering you will find Mary Ann perfecting cast or toying with the craft of building bamboo rods or nets.

Bill Edrington: A sociology/criminology professor for 25 years, Bill Edrington owned Royal Gorge Anglers in Canon City, CO since 1990. He sold the business to his son, Taylor in January of 2011, but he continues working there on a limited basis and fishing from Argentina to Alaska. In addition to teaching fly fishing and training guides in how to teach fly fishing, he is an author and outdoor photographer with his last book being Fly Fishing the Arkansas, An Angler’s Guide and Journal. Bill’s Blog on Facebook, Bill Edrington, Tight Lines and Tasty Spoons, a group of river stories, fishing poetry and streamside recipes has lots of fly fishing and food followers. He has published articles in Fly Fisherman magazine, American Angler, Fly Fusion and is currently a contributing writer for the High Country Angler. Bill grew up fly fishing the small streams of Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado and after having fished around the world, still considers those to be his favorites.

Taylor Edrington: Taylor Edrington was raised in the fly fishing industry, and studied on the river under the tutelage of such greats as Gary Lafontaine, Mel Krieger, Chuck Fothergill, Larry Kingrey and his father Bill Edrington. Suma Cum Laude graduate of the Leads School of Business at the University of Colorado, Taylor now owns and operates Royal Gorge Anglers on the Arkansas River. Royal Gorge Anglers will be celebrating this year its 25th year of operation as a flagship flyshop of the Rocky Mountain Region and the largest flyshop, lodge and guide service combo in the Southern Rockies. The guide service at Royal Gorge Anglers has been deemed one of the finest fly fishing guide services in the country, and received the Orvis Company Endorsement as one of the premier outfitters in the Southern Rockies. Royal Gorge Anglers boasts a 3000 sq. ft. retail space with such fine outdoor brands as Orvis, Patagonia, Simms, Sage, Scott and many other fly fishing specialty brands. Prior to his ownership of RGA, Taylor grew up guiding and instructing on the Arkansas River and various other Rocky Mountain watersheds. For just shy of a decade, Taylor guided in both Central and Southwestern Alaska, and is a US Coast Guard Certified Saltwater Captain. Taylor also worked as the general manager of a flagship lodge in the Iliamna region of Alaska for 3 seasons. Along with his fly-fishing pursuits in the US, Taylor has hosted fly-fishing adventure travel for clients on 4 continents through his global adventure travel business, Cross Current Travel Group and holds three fly rod world records. Beyond the details, Taylor is an extreme advocate for fishery conservation and simply strives to build awareness about the sport of fly-fishing for all ages.

Ed Engle: Ed Engle’s fly fishing articles have appeared regularly in newspapers and magazines for more than 30 years. In the 1970’s his articles on short line nymphing techniques were among the first to appear in national fly fishing magazines. Since that time he has taught thousands of fly fishers the subtle art of nymphing through his books and articles, on-the-water seminars, and at his popular nymphing class sponsored by the Fly Fishing Show. Ed’s newest book, Trout Lessons (2010), considers what to do when your usual fly fishing solutions don’t work. His interest in tying and fishing small flies led to the publication of Tying Small Flies (2004) and Fishing Small Flies (2005). The two-volume set is credited with helping create the current surge of interest in pursuing trout with small flies. Ed’s dedication to fishing bamboo fly rods resulted in the publication of Splitting Cane (2002) which chronicled the life and craftsmanship of sixteen working rod makers. His first book, Fly Fishing the Tailwaters (1991), was a groundbreaking explanation of how to fish the regulated rivers found below dams. Ed is a regular contributor to American Angler, The Boulder Daily Camera and Gray’s Journal. In addition, he has written for Fly Fisherman, Fly Rod & Reel, Flyfishing & Tying Journal, Trout, Fly Tyer, Sports Afield, and Saltwater Fly Fishing. Ed’s current projects include work on a new book, coming up with new small fly patterns (he’s a Signature Fly Tier for Idylwilde Flies) guiding on Colorado’s South Platte River, and teaching at fly fishing seminars throughout he country. For more information or to contact Ed go to www.EdEngleflyfishing.com.

Tim Flagler: Tim Flagler is the owner of Tightline Productions, L.L.C., a video production company located in Califon, NJ. Although Tightline produces video programs over a wide range of topics, their speciality is fly fishing. Almost every week they produce a new fly tying or “how to” video which appears not only on their Vimeo and YouTube channels but on MidCurrent and the Orvis fly tying blog as well. These videos often get picked up by other sites too, including Frankenfly, Chiwulff, The Limp Cobra, Globalflyfisher, Gink and Gasoline and Wideopenspaces, just to name a few. Many of the tying videos take the viewer well beyond just the tying of the fly and show what it looks like underwater, what natural it represents and how it can be fished.

Daniel Galhardo: Tenkara USA is a fully independent, US-based company. It was founded and is run by Daniel W. Galhardo. Daniel has spent years researching and learning everything he can about tenkara. Truly, tenkara has become his single most important subject in life, he needs no floatant, no weight and no reels, yet continues catching trout. In this time he’s developed a strong relationship with tenkara masters in Japan, particularly Dr. Hisao Ishigaki, the most prominent tenkara angler in Japan. He relies on their knowledge and feedback to ensure all products are of very high quality. No one in the US has come to know as much about tenkara as he does. This knowledge and relationships show in the quality of the products offered by Tenkara USA, which have acquired renown worldwide and applause from his masters in Japan.

Rob Giannino: Rob Giannino is the Founder of Fly Fishing Journeys, an online fly fishing magazine, podcasting, and curated travel company. He is a speaker, writer, photographer, and videographer. Rob lives in Greater Boston and serves as a guest speaker at fly fishing shows, Trout Unlimited chapters, and other outdoor events. Rob owns a digital media agency helping businesses around the world promote their services online. He combines his joy for helping businesses in the digital space with his passion for fly fishing and created FlyFishingJourneys.com. Bringing fly fisherman together and sharing the love for the sport, both on the water and online fulfills a lifelong dream.

Wendy Gunn: Wendy is considered to be one of the top women anglers in the world. She has held many IGFA world records both fresh and saltwater. All her saltwater records were prior to the splitting of categories into separated men’s and women’s divisions. Her records include fly caught striped marlin…136-lbs., wahoo etc. She won the 2000 Women’s world invitational fly fishing tarpon tournament in Islamorada FL. Wendy was the fly fishing host for the television series Fishing the West and Americas Outdoor Journal. She is the current co-host for Fly Fish Television Magazine which airs weekly on The Outdoor Life Network. Wendy has won the women’s Best of the West casting competition in San Mateo CA. eight out the nine past events. In 2002 she won the Best of the West finals (the first year she competed) in Salt Lake City and won the grand prize….a Hyde drift boat. Wendy was the first woman to cast over 100-ft. with a 5-weight rod in a sanctioned competition; her cast was 104′ 7″. Wendy competed in the first Great Outdoor Games in Lake Placid. Wendy has appeared at sports shows and flyfishing clubs across the country teaching and demonstrating casting and fly tying. Photographs of Wendy have appeared in most of the outdoor magazines, calendars, books and brochures.

 

Landon R. Mayer: Landon Mayer’s angling success is fueled by an addiction to pursuing large trout with small flies and lightweight fly-fishing equipment. Mayer enthusiastically teaches and demonstrates his techniques and on-river knowledge to fellow anglers and has developed innovative strategies for sighting, hooking, and landing selective trout. He shares these tips and secrets in his books 101 Trout Tips: A Guide’s Secrets, Tactics and Techniques (new for 2015), Colorado’s Best Fly Fishing, Sight Fishing for Trout, and How to Catch the Biggest Trout of Your Life, in addition to two DVDs: Landing the Trout of Your Life and Weapons of Bass Production, both of which also feature John Barr.
Landon’s passion for fly-fishing has allowed him to make several noteworthy contributions to the sport on and off the water. This has included travels to present at The Fly Fishing Shows www.flyfishingshow.com, and related organizations of the Mid-Atlantic, West, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, and Southern states, as well as teaching through guided trips, fly-fishing classes, presentations, and demonstrations of his unique techniques.
Mayer is a contributing writer for Fly Fisherman and High Country Angler magazines. His contributions also have been featured in publications such as Fly Rod and Reel, American Angler, Southwest Fly Fishing, Field and Stream, Fly Fusion, and Fish and Fly magazines.
As an ambassador in the fly-fishing industry, Mayer represents several lines including Simms Fly Fishing apparel and is a royalty fly designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants. He is also an advisory team member of Simms Fishing products, Bauer Fly Reels, R.L. Winston, Scientific Angler, Smith , Fish Pond USA, Yeti Coolers, and Casio Pro Trek watches.
Mayer has been guiding in Colorado full time on the South Platte River for the last 20 years, and one full season on the Nak Nek River in AK. He resides with his wife, Michelle, and their four children in Florissant, Colorado. For additional information on his services and presentations, contact him at: www.landonmayer.com, Landon Mayer Fly Fishing on Facebook and @landonmayerflyfishing on Instagram.

Matt McCannel:  Head fishing guide for RIGS Fly Shop Matt McCannel has been leading newcomers and experienced anglers alike on successful trips for more than a decade. Since 2005, he’s been guiding for RIGS full-time, passionately making his clients better anglers. Matt takes a unique, out-of-the-box approach to fly fishing and instruction, with an emphasis technical tailwater trout. Intimately familiar with the waters of Western Colorado, Matt guides in the Gold Medal waters of the Gunnison Gorge and on the Uncompahgre River tailwater “Paco” where he’s helped clients successfully catch Browns up to 19.4 lbs. He’s been known to carry a ladder with him on his Sight Fishing Trips, so he’s always got an eye on Browns hiding in even the deepest holes. Above all, his focus is on giving you the most enjoyable experience, and getting his clients into the biggest fish — period. His unique ability to teach and explain even the most intricate details is the key to the success of his clients, and has made him one of the most sought-after guides in the nation. Matt is an Ambassador/Pro Team member for several of the industries best companies like SAGE, Simms, FishPond, Costa, Scientific Anglers and is also a contract fly designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants. His mantra? “Go slow and be patient.” Matt makes his home in Ridgeway, Colorado 

Brian O’Keefe: I have combined a lifetime of fly fishing photography, fly casting instruction with a lot of serious fly fishing. As an IFFF certified Master Casting Instructor, I enjoy teaching and demonstrating all things fly casting, and working with first time fly casters to long bomb distance casters. My most popular fly casting seminar is on distance. The double haul is critical to all distance or power casts. The same principals apply when casting big flies a moderate distance, or casting in the wind.I use a simple step by step approach to learning the double haul and improving your double haul. It’s quite easy.

Devin Olsen: I started fly fishing at age 9. I will never forget my first day where I caught a cutthroat on an ant in the first meadow of the famed Slough Creek in Yellowstone on a hand me down fiberglass 7 weight! Though I’d been fishing with hardware since I was a toddler, that day started an addiction to fly fishing that I can’t seem to shake. When I fished against Lance Egan and Ryan Barnes in the former Outdoor Life Network’s Fly Fishing Master’s in 2004, I knew I had to find a way to compete in the sport I loved. It was serendipitous that I worked with both these anglers a year later after they had made Fly Fishing Team USA. I fished in my first regional and made the team myself in 2006.
The ensuing years have been more educational than I could have ever imagined and I’m as hopelessly obsessed with fly fishing today as I’ve ever been. This obsession has brought dedication, which has helped me to have competitive success domestically and abroad. The year 2016 marked my 8th consecutive berth as an angler for Fly Fishing Team USA in the 36th Fips Mouche World Fly Fishing Championships in Vail, Colorado. The year prior in Bosnia I was incredibly fortunate to finish with the individual bronze medal and even more fortunate to have been a part of the squad that won the first team medal (a silver) for the USA at a world fly fishing championship. In 2016 we followed that feat with a team bronze. Fly fishing competitions have exposed me to tactics and techniques from incredible teammates and fellow fly anglers from across the globe. I hope to share what I’ve learned to make you a better angler.
Away from competitive fishing, fish have sculpted my professional life as well. I hold a bachelor’s degree in ecology and a master’s degree in fisheries science. I currently work for the Nez Perce Tribe Department of Fisheries Resource Management as a salmon and steelhead biologist in Joseph, Oregon. I have a wonderful wife Julia of 11 years, a three year old son Levi whose favorite fish are bull trout, and a in infant daughter who refuses to sleep at night but shows early signs of fly fishing virtuosity. What more could a guy ask for?

Alice Owsley: Alice was born in Ohio and introduced to fly fishing at a young age on the spring creeks of Northeast Ohio. She moved out west after graduating from college to pursue a career in the fly fishing industry. She currently operates Riverside Anglers guide service out of West Yellowstone, Montana. Alice has been guiding for 15 years on the Madison, Henry’s Fork and waters of Yellowstone National Park, teaching clients of all skill levels her trout catching ways. Alice also spent a season on the famed Naknek River of SE Alaska chasing King Salmon and large Rainbow trout. In 1999, she completed Joan Wulff’s Fly Casting Instructor Course. She is a Simms Guide Ambassador and a member of the ClackaCraft pro staff who has been a licensed outfitter in Montana since 2004.

Jason Randall: Jason has been an outdoor writer for the last fifteen years with feature articles appearing regularly in American Angler, as well as Fly Fisherman, Eastern Fly Fishing, Northwest Fly Fishing and many other outdoor magazines. His first book, ‘Moving Water: A Fly Fisher’s Guide to Currents’ was released in 2012 by Stackpole/Headwater books. It studies the effect of current on trout, their prey species and presentation, where vertical layers of current create drag and requires adjustments to improve nymph fishing success. His second book ‘Feeding Time: A Fly Fisher’s Guide to What, Where and When Trout Eat’, was released in August of 2013. It focuses on matching your fishing strategies to the trout’s feeding strategies, especially when targeting large trout. In 2014, the third book in the ‘Fly Fisher’s Guide’ trilogy was released- ‘Trout Sense; A Fly Fisher’s Guide to What Trout See, Hear and Smell’, which offers anglers an opportunity to know more about the quarry they seek. In April 2017, Jason’s forth book was released from Stackpole/ Headwaters Books. Titled ‘Nymph Masters; Fly Fishing Secrets from Expert Anglers’, this book explores the depths of nymph fishing and advanced nymph fishing techniques. It incorporates tips and ideas from some if the leading experts in nymph fishing. In 2017, Jason joined Luminaries Lefty Kreh, Bob Clouser, Ed Jaworowski and many others on the TFO National Advisory Team. In 2017-18, Jason will appear and present at shows, clubs and events throughout the North America.

Jen Ripple: Jen Ripple is the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of DUN Magazine, the international fly-fishing lifestyle magazine. She has been seen on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, featured in many media outlets including Outside Online, The New York Times, Trout Magazine, Blue Ridge Outdoors which named her one of six women who are revolutionizing the fly-fishing industry, and Southern Living Magazine which named her 2018 Tennessee Southerner of the Year. In addition, she can be heard on podcasts with Orvis, The Woman Angler and Adventurer, The Kayak Fishing Show, Jackson Kayak, The 12th Story, The Itinerant Angler, Fish on the Brain, and others.
She is a member of the Board of Directors for Fly Fishers International and member of the Board of Directors for AFFTA. When not on the water, she spends her time empowering women in the sport, teaching fly-tying and fly-casting clinics, speaking nationwide, and devoting her time to conservation efforts through nonprofits. A sounding board for women in this currently male-dominated sport, Jen has created a home base for women worldwide through DUN to connect and engage in the art of fly fishing. 

Steve Schweitzer: Steve is the author of the award winning “A Fly Fishing Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park” and the newly released “A Fly Fishing Guide to Colorado’s Indian Peaks Wilderness Area” co-authored with Mike Kruise. Steve is a contributing editor for Angling Trade magazine and writes the ‘Masters at the Vise’ column for Southwest, Northwest and Eastern Fly Fishing Magazines. He has authored numerous articles appearing in Fly Fisherman Magazine, Trout, Wall Street Journal and many other regional angling publications. He also is contributing author & illustrator for the book “Drag Free Drift – Presentation Techniques for Fly Fishing”, authored by Joe Kissane. Besides writing, Steve also is an innovative fly tyer, with his patterns appear in books by Chris Mann, John Shewey, FFF Masters, Rick Takahashi & Jerry Hubka and others. Steve also has been active in TU, serving as president of the Lee Wulff Chapter. Steve makes his home in Greeley, CO. By day, Steve works as a consultant in the broadband and digital media industries.

Peter Stitcher:  Peter Stitcher is an Aquatic Biologist and owner of Ascent Fly Fishing and River Oracle Inc. As a biologist, Peter works across the United States in the assessment, restoration, and management of trophy trout waters. Approaching the sport of fly fishing through the lens of a biologist, Peter strives to break down the sciences of entomology, fish feeding behavior, and fish habitat use into easily applied fishing tips and tactics for the fly fisher. Armed with an extensive invertebrate database and more than 400,000 flies Peter and his team at Ascent specialize in the creation of Biologist Crafted Fly Selections specific to the trout foods and their life-cycles when and where you fish. Peter also just released his first film titled Creating Order in Your Fly Box, and is a regular contributor to High Country Angler Magazine.

Rick Takahashi: I love to tie and design flies patterns for the waters that I fish. I have been tying flies since the age of eight years of age. After taking apart my first fly (Royal Coachman) and seeing the hackle unwind, I knew that I wanted to learn how to tie flies. I didn’t have the slightest idea what a fly was but knew it was for fishing because of the hook. A couple of years later, my uncle bought me my first fly tying kit and I have been tying flies ever since. “I remember seeing my first fly fisherman on the South Platte River near the town of Decker’s Colorado.” I followed that fly fisherman around for a couple of hours and eventually got up the nerves to ask him what he was doing…he told me he was fly fishing. This connected the flies I was tying with the actual act of fly fishing. I used to bring my first flies to Jim Poor of Angler’s All for critique. Mr. Poor used to tell me that my flies looked terrible and that I needed to practice more if I wanted to get any better. Best advice I could have ever received, I would not have progressed any further without practice and more practice. I love to bring others into the realm of fly fishing. I am a demonstration fly tier and have tied at local and regional venues such as the Denver Fly Fishing Show, West Denver Trout Unlimited Fly Tying Clinic, International Sportsmen Exhibition, Federation of Fly Fisherman Conclave, Cheyenne Mountain TU Tying Clinic, Grand Valley Angler Fly Tying Clinic, Rocky Mountain Fly Casters Tying Clinic and at various regional fly shops near Denver. I am a past contributor and illustrator to Fly Fisherman Magazine. My art has been used for the Federation of Fly Fisherman Conclave. I am a fly designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants and I have done some consulting for C and F Design Co. I have had several articles published in Fly Fisherman Magazine. I am a Pro Staff Member of Whiting Farms, and Pro Staff member of Clear Cure Goo. My fly patterns have appeared in Randall Kaufmann’s book “Fly Patterns”, Todd Hosman’s book “Colorado Flies”, “Hatch is On” by Chris Santella, “Fly Fishing Rocky Mountain National Park” by Steve Schweitzer, “Colorado’s Best Fly fishing” by Landon Mayer and in Pat Dorsey’s newest book. I wrote my first book with my friend Jerry Hubka (co-author), our book is titled “Modern Midges, Tying and Fishing the World’s Most Effective Pattern” Stackpole/Headwater Books. Our book has been doing well, we are into our third printing. We have just sent our publisher a manuscript for our new book tentively titled “Modern Terrestrials” which will be out September of 2014. We also have developed a presentation on Midges and Midge fly Fishing which we have presented in Texas, Wisconsin, Colorado and New Mexico. My goal is to share with others all of the various aspects of fly fishing and fly tying “it’s the teacher in me that wants to share knowledge.” Our book was written to share what we’ve learned with other fly fishermen. I am a retired art educator and former Art Department Chairperson at Rocky Mountain High School, Fort Collins, Colorado. I am a shop rat and teach fly tying courses for Elkhorn Fly Rod and Reel. I make my home in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife Susan, daughter Haley and son Josh.

Mike Valla:  Now retired from the Active Medical/Dental staff at Glens Falls Hospital in the Adirondacks of New York, where he practiced dentistry for children, Mike devotes much of his time to fly fishing writing. He has published six books: Tying Catskill-Style Dry Flies, The Founding Flies: 43 American Masters, Their Patterns and Influences, Tying the Founding Flies, The Classic Dry Fly Box, The Classic Wet Fly Box and Tying and Fishing Bucktails, and other hairwing flies– salmon flies to steelhead flies. Two additional books are being released in 2020: The Classic Streamer Fly Box (March 1) and Favorite Flies for the Catskills (April 1)
Over two dozen of his articles have appeared in Eastern Fly Fishing magazine. He has also written for Fly Fisherman, Fly Tyer and The American Fly Fisher. He has been an invited speaker locally, nationally and internationally. His presentations are focused on fly-fishing and fly tying history. Mike is the 4th recipient of the prestigious Poul Jorgensen Golden Hook Award for his contributions to the art of fly tying. He has been an avid fly angler and fly tier for over 50 years.

Michele White (Murray):  Michele White (Murray) is a retired geologist, professional fly fishing guide, and owner of Tumbling Trout fly shop in Lake George, Colorado. She is also on the Board of Directors for the Pikes Peak Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Michele has been a contributing editor for Mountain Gazette, (historically with John Fayhee) for 18 years, and has been published in Discover the Outdoors, EQUUS, Fly Fishing World, Native People’s Magazine, New Tribal Dawn, and The Aquari.
Michele’s essays are published in three anthologies: “Colorado Mountain Dogs”, published by WestWinds Press, 2014; “Comeback Wolves: Western Writers Speak for Wolves in the Southern Rockies”, published by Johnson Books, 2005; and “Hell’s Half Mile: River Runners’ Tales of Hilarity and Misadventure”, published by Breakaway Books, 2004.  Her book, “Eulogies and Dead Horses,” is a collection of stories about fly fishing and geology trips.
She is most known for her local fishing atlas, “Lesser Known Fly Fishing Venues in South Park”. She has two new books coming out in January, 2019) – a compilation of fly fishing short stories with co-authors, Karen Christopherson and AL Marlow, “Between the Rivers” and a new fly fishing guide book, “Joe-the-Schmo and His Wife Shirley Can Catch a Picky Trout (How To Fly Fish Eleven Mile Canyon and Other Technical Tailwaters”.

Dave Whitlock: Thirty-eight years ago Dave pooled his talents in painting, illustrating, writing, photography, fly fishing and lecturing, resigned his position as a research chemist, and embarked on a new career as a full-time professional in the arts of fly fishing. Dave’s art and writing appear regularly in many fly fishing and sport publications. He has written 4 books, demonstrated his fly fishing, fly tying and teaching skills in 10 videos and coauthored, contributed to or illustrated more than 20 other books. Dave is also known internationally for his innovative fly tying designs, including the popular Dave’s Hopper. Dave has taught flyfishing around the world, and he and his wife Emily shared the magic of fly fishing at their Whitlock Fly Fishing School for10 years. Dave’s experience and creative outlook on the whole spectrum of fly fishing have earned him the reputation of being one of the top professional fly fishers in the sport. Editors note: Dave is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. Don’t miss the chance to share some time with this great mentor of our sport!

Authors:

Ron Belak
FLY FISHING COLORADO’S BACKCOUNTRY (new release)

Gary Borger:
FLY GEAR
THE ANGLER AS PREDATOR
FISHING THE FILM
LONG FLIES
NATURALS
NYMPHING
READING WATERS

Tom Boyd
TROUT, SALMON AND CHAR (new release)
SALT WATER’S GREATEST GAMEFISH

Charlie Craven:
CHARLIE CRAVEN’S BASIC FLY TYING
CHARLIE’S FLY BOX: SIGNATURE FLIES FOR FRESH AND SALT WATER
FLY FISHERMAN FOUNDATION FLY PATTERNS: 101-401
TYING NYMPHS: ESSENTIAL FLIES & TECHNIQUES FOR THE TOP PATTERNS (new release)

Jeff Currier:
CURRIER’S QUICK AND EASY GUIDE TO SALT WATER FLY FISHING
CURRIER’S QUICK AND EASY GUIDE TO WARMWATER FLY FISHING

Pat Dorsey:
FLY FISHING GUIDE TO THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER (due February 2019)
COLORADO GUIDE FLIES: PATTERNS, RIGS, AND ADVICE FROM THE STATE’S BEST ANGLERS AND GUIDES
FLY FISHING TAILWATERS: TACTICS AND PATTERNS FOR YEAR-ROUND WATERS
TYING & FISHING TAILWATER FLIES

Ed Engle:
FISHING SMALL FLIES
SPLITTING CANE: CONVERSATIONS WITH BAMBOO RODMAKERS
TROUT LESSONS: FREEWHEELING TACTICS AND ALTERNATIVE TECHNIQUES FOR THE DIFFICULT DAYS
TYING SMALL FLIES

Daniel Galhardo
TENKARA, THE BOOK (new release)

Jeff Hatton
DEEP AT THE MAHOGANY RIFFLE
3 DEEP AT THE MAHOGANY RIFFLE

Landon Mayer
HUNT FOR GIANT TROUT (new release)
COLORADO’S BEST FLY FISHING: FLIES, ACCESS, AND GUIDES’ ADVICE FOR THE STATE’S PREMIER RIVERS
HOW TO CATCH THE BIGGEST TROUT OF YOUR LIFE
SIGHT FISHING FOR TROUT
101 TROUT TIPS: A GUIDE’S SECRETS, TACTICS, AND TECHNIQUES

Devin Olsen
TACTICAL FLY FISHING (due February 2019)

Jason Randall:
TROUT SENSE
FEEDING TIME
MOVING WATER
NYMPH MASTERS: FLY FISHING SECRETS FROM EXPERT ANGLERS (new release)

Duane Redford
HIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEW: RECOGNIZING THE OBVIOUS- EXPLOITING THE OBSCURE IN FLY FISHING (New Release)
THE FLY FISHERS PLAYBOOK

Steve Schweitzer
DESIGNING POPPERS, SLIDERS, & DIVERS (New Release)
A FLY FISHING GUIDE TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
A FLY FISHING GUIDE TO INDIAN PEAKS WILDERNESS AREA

Rick Takahashi
THE FLY TYING ARTIST, CREATIVE PATTERNS FOR THE COMMON HATCH (new release)
TYING AND FISHING THE FAVORITE FLY PATTERNS OF RICK TAKAHASHI
MODERN TERRESTRIALS
MODERN MIDGES: TYING & FISHING THE WORLD’S MOST EFFECTIVE PATTERNS

Mike Valla
THE CLASSIC STREAMER FLY BOX (DUE MARCH 1, 2020)
FAVORITE FLIES FOR THE CATSKILLS (DUE APRIL 1, 2020)
TYING CATSKILL-STYLE DRY FLIES
THE FOUNDING FLIES: 43 AMERICAN MASTERS, THEIR PATTERNS AND INFLUENCES
TYING THE FOUNDING FLIES
THE CLASSIC DRY FLY BOX
THE CLASSIC WET FLY BOX
TYING AND FISHING BUCKTAILS

Michele White (Murray)
BETWEEN THE RIVERS
LESSER KNOWN FLY FISHING VENUES IN SOUTH PARK
JOE-THE-SCHMO CAN CATCH A PICKY FISH

Dave Whitlock
ARTFUL PROFILES OF TROUT, CHAR AND SALMON – AND THE CLASSIC FLIES THAT CATCH THEM (New Release)
DAVE WHITLOCK’S GUIDE TO AQUATIC TROUT FOODS
LL BEAN FLY-FLYFISHING HANDBOOK
TROUT AND THEIR FOOD

Additional Authors & Celebrities TBA