- California native
- fly fishing since I was 10 or 12 (?) not that I knew what I was doing way back then!
- Almost 60 years of fly fishing experience at this point, most of it in California and the American West
- One of the early guides for the Redding Fly Shop late 80's early 90's. Only two guides then-- Dirty Ernie and Jerry Gray--with me picking up the overflow!
- Started a series of small group workshops called "Reel People" after guiding more than a few folks who needed some "remedial" in an effort to introduce the sport and keep it affordable. That led to my developing fly fishing and fly tying classes at the College of Marin in 1992, again with the goal of keeping it affordable and accessible for all. Larry Lack took over for me after I had some health and work issues and then I returned to the classroom after Larry had some health issues.
- Founding president of the Mt Tamalpais Fly Fishers.
- Former member of the Taucher Committee, an advisory group to the CA Fish and Game Commission (or whatever they call themselves nowadays)
- Trout bumming long before most people heard of John Gierach--with DIY forays to Mexico, Belize, Alaska, New Zealand and an "almost secret" location in the South Pacific... as often as my budget allowed.
One comment about teaching at the college:
I'm not pressured to sell anything which I appreciate! I think most people call it "academic freedom". (All the administration seems to care about is enrollment numbers!) I can be very candid about gear, techniques--or fishing conditions--and whatever the latest fad might be. The students seem to appreciate the unbiased/honest opinions. I, during my days as a guide, would sometimes tell clients to stay home if conditions were bad. Not every shop or guide is willing to do that.
Accordingly, I do not have a website. Everything I do currently is through the College of Marin Community Education program with the exception of club speaking engagements and appearances at various outdoor shows and events.