Steve started Western Rivers Flyfisher in 1986. He reached a milestone in retail this year as his shops celebrates it's 20th year. He's passionate about the sport of fly-fishing and it's rich traditions.
He broke his teeth on Utah's Provo River, before discovering the beauty of the states many great waters. This was long before the Green became the nations most consistent tailwater. Whether he's fishing one of his local waters, wading the waters of the Henry's Fork, jumping Tarpon in the Key's or chasing steelhead in British Columbia, he feels fortunate to be doing what he's doing.
As the shop manager, Ken runs the show around Western Rivers Flyfisher. He's become an integral part of the operation after having left the Front Range for the recreational opportunities of the Wasatch.
Since joining our staff in the year 2000 he's been cursed by Steelhead, jumped his first Tarpon, and walked the flats for Bonefish. He likes them all, but given the opportunity he would prefer fine tuning his spey casting kned deep in a Northwest Steelhead river.
Ken gets out on many of our local waters, hoping to find rising fish. He also enjoys fishing dries over tough fish on Silver Creek and the Henry's Fork. His newest passion is fishing a dry line for B.C. and Idaho steelhead. As manager of the shop, he works long hours to keep things around here running smoothly.
We're delighted to have him leave the corporate world in Colorado and join us.
Although Alan is no longer with us on a day to day basis, we still look at him as an integral part of our business; teaching, guiding and heading up trips to Argentina. He's part of our growing extended family as we continue to develop Western Rivers.
Alan is one of the areas more knowledgeable flyfishers. His specialty, outside of his love for fly fishing in Argentina, is small streams. We miss having his daily knowledge of Utah's great small streams., but he hangs round enough to fill us in.
Alan, like a number of other past employees is now a member of our extended family. If you have questions for him or would like to reach him, don't hesitate contacting us at the e-mail address listed above.
Bill has been a part of our shop since day one. We have fished together from British Columbia to the Bahamas. Bill's vast knowledge of trout fishing and Western waters makes him an invaluable member of our pro staff.
We tried to get Bill on a regular schedule in the shop, but much to wise to lock himself down at this point in his life. However, if your ever in the shop any morning, he along with Stu and Bud will be comfortable seated in the back planning a day on the water or simply enjoying a good cup of coffee.
Stop in, Coffee's on, meet some of our Pro Staff members.
"Stumanchu" is firmly entrenched in the Salt Lake City fishing scene. He has served as our local TU chapter president, supplied us with donuts over the years, and drives us around in his fishing Suburban - complete with a rubber chicken on the front. He guides and fishes over 150 days a year (yes, we are jealous)! Stu is the consummate dry-fly-fisher and small-rod connoisseur. The only thing that could make Stu's world any better is if the Cubs could somehow figure out how to win the World Series.
The Head Ranger loves to fish for trout, travel worldwide, and tie flies. Like some of our other personell we've highlighted here, he's and honorary staff member. You'll find Bud, Stu and Bill almost every morning at the shop, planning their next triip, enjoying coffee and when we can get them out of their rocking chair helping customers.
If you're in and happen to run into Bud, he's what I call a true fisherman. On occassions he still guides, but in reality he's simply retired to go fishing. He's passionate about the outdoors and has make the most of the time retirement has afforded him and simply fishes whenever he can.
Fresh from ten years of guiding in Alaska, Matt's been a great addition to the Western Rivers staff given his background and enthusiasm for fly-fishing. If you spend any time at all around him, you can't help but feed off his energy. Whether it's tying giant streamers or fly-fishing tiny dry flies, he's at home and excited about it all.
After spending a short amount of time in Utah's, he's decided to stick around for a while. We're delighted that he has. He approaches Trout, Muskie, Steelhead and just about anything else that swims in and around the west with the same fervor he applied to his Alaska fly-fishing. What makes him happiest, is sticking something with big nasty streamers. If a fish he lands has something that resembles a dead animal hanging from it's jaw, he'll be smiling. Although he appreciates the far and fine of the sport, he really revels in the dark side.
A true young gun, Nick comes from a self-educated background. He taught himself how to fly cast and fish through countless hours on the lawn and water and loves to share his knowledge with anyone interested in learning to become a better angler and caster.
Nick embraces the traditional backgrounds of fly fishing, yet he will throw a nymph or streamer when the occasion calls for it, and has a love for big, picky fish on light tippets and small dries. His recent interest in teaching has him taking over many of Western Rivers class and cast clinics. He's an execellent teacher and student in his own right.
Any water is good water for him, but his ultimate dream is to catch large cutthroat in a spring creek environment. When he's not in the shop, you'll find him either at the park working out his cast, or traveling to the Henry's Fork to engage diva rainbows to a battle of wits.
Darren joined us the spring of 08. He's been guiding on the Green for the past 9 seasons. His interests and knowledge landed him a position as the head guide of our Green River operations. We are very happy with this partnership.
Darren is an old schooler, who enjoys fishing dry flies best, but also knows that doensn't always work. He feels that guiding should be more of a teaching experience and models his stlye after our old business partner Emmett Heath. Not a bad person to emulate.
With Darren at the helm, and some new additions to our staff your in good hands when visiting Utah's famous Green River. His knowledge and laid back style will help you get the most out of your Green River Guiding experience.
Scott joined us this year, 2008. He's been a guide in various parts of the west, including the Green. He lives in Rock Springs, Wyoming, so choosing a river to guide that is in his backyard has resulted in a very good situation for all parties.
Scott's skill and knowledge from the variety of waters he's guided on give him a unique advantage on the Green. His mild manner, teaching abilities and love of the Green are obvious when you fish with him.
We are delighted to have Scott join us. He's good friends with Darren, making for a great duo on our staff that both understand the role of a guide and what it takes to help clients get the most out of thier day of fishing. And that can be a lot of different things as we all know.
Brad is the consumate fisherman. If it has fins, there is a good chance that Brad has fished for it with a fly, and in his exploits fished most of the state. After working for five years in the shop, and guiding small streams for the past three, he decided to take over a much needed guiding role on the Green this past season, and we are glad to have him on board.
A great teacher, guide, and overall fish-bum, Brad will do whatever it takes to get his clients into fish, and make sure that they have a good time in the process. When not busy fishing, you can find him tying flies, or heading out hunting with his dogs. Yet another talented addition to the WRF staff and family.
