I’ve been a fly-fishing outfitter and guide for over 15 years in Livingston, Montana, just outside Yellowstone National Park. Among the many outstanding fisheries in the area, the challenges and technical nuances of the spring creeks—often compared to British chalk streams—are my specialty and personal favourite.

Over the years, I’ve developed numerous original patterns tailored to local insect hatches and stream conditions, tying hundreds of trout flies each season to support my guiding work. As my career progressed, I eventually reached a plateau in terms of creativity and technical growth. That was when I discovered the intricate world of classic Atlantic salmon flies—a turning point that reignited my passion and challenged me to refine my fly-tying skills to a new level.

What began as a fascination soon became a dedicated pursuit. Fly dressing is now woven into the rhythm of my life: I guide clients during the summer and dress salmon flies throughout the winter. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of meeting world-class fly dressers and artists who have both inspired and encouraged me.

After tying and framing all of the flies illustrated in George Kelson’s “The Salmon Fly”, my curiosity turned to the elegant patterns of Major John Traherne. What started as collecting recipes from various sources soon evolved into a serious multi-year research project. The culmination was my self-published book, “Past Master’s Treasure”, which was later revised and expanded into “Atlantic Salmon Flies of Major Traherne”, published by Coch-y-Bonddu Books.

It has long been a personal ambition to present my salmon flies in the regions where they originated, and ultimately, to share them with audiences around the world. I also hope to visit the countries that gave birth to these timeless patterns in the forthcoming future.