My father retired to Moscow, ID in the mid sixties. I was eight years old. Dad was an avid fly fisherman and I spent most of my summers with him on the rivers of North Idaho, learning the basics of a trout stream. After leaving home and attending the University of Idaho, I began to meet and fish with other, better fishermen. It has been my good fortune to have known and fished with countless friends who have taught me much of what I know. My college mentors who showed me the Henrys Fork in the days when Bing Lempke tied at night in the Alpinhause Bar….The several Spokane anglers who took the time to teach me the flies and ways of lake fishing chironomids….The two deans of Coeur d’ Alene steelheaders who frequented Rob Miners shop in the early eighties who unknowingly had me as a shadow, learning to double haul over a three day period following them through coyote fishnet….My more recent clients who have opened my eyes to the great world of the naturalist beyond the world of fish and fly….To a great Spokane fly tier who demonstrated day after day that although perfection is never achieved, it is still to be pursued with the intensity of an Olympic athlete.
I opened Silver Bow Fly Shop in Spokane, WA in the late eighties and owned it for seven years. During those years, I guided locally for trout and steelhead and taught steelhead fishing and fly tying. For over a decade, I was a Steelhead addict and had years where I landed in excess of 100 fish. I learned to tie spey and classic Atlantic salmon fly patterns. Incidentally, the spey fly in our logo has my signature Valley Quail topknot wing. After selling the fly shop to gain more outdoor time, I began teaching fly fishing schools as well as advanced tying and casting classes.
From the late 1990s through December of 2008, I managed the Washington guiding operation for Northwest Outfitters in Coeur d’ Alene , Idaho. It was early in this venture that I began my operation on Crab Creek, in eastern Washington. From a work satisfaction perspective, this was my pipe dream. Honest, loyal, hard fishing people to share life with for a decade. Sadly, the shop closed in December of 2008 but has since reopened in the Riverstone development with much of the same staff.
Ever since I can remember, fly fishing has been my life’s passion. From the idyllic days of steelheading on the Dean River in B.C., to the fishless evenings on the Spokane River, each cast brings me one more step on the journey to becoming a better fisherman and guide. Being a fishing guide is a natural extension of what I love and is reflected in the level of service and effort I provide my guests. The enjoyment of discovery and sharing the shear fun of our sport with others has become much more than a simple living for me. As I look over my list of clients from years past I realize how many I now consider friends.
Over the years, I've had the pleasure of working with many excellent guides in the area. As each year progresses, my focus moves from one resource to another and my fortune to employ these guides has enabled Double Spey Outfitters the ability to expand the variety and quality of our services for the benefit of our guests.