I’ve always been a creative person and this extends into the flies that I tie – I am a graphic designer and enjoy working with colors, textures, detail and the selection of materials. Classic Atlantic salmon flies intrigued me and held my fascination. I tie many classics and appreciate their beauty, balance and proportion, but also also enjoy spreading my wings into the creative salmon fly arena, always keeping classic proportions and techniques in mind. 

I am inspired by various elements of the classic flies. The beauty and craftsmanship of the hook will affect the look of the fly – it’s flow. Small details make a fly memorable … a slight bend to a jungle cock feather, the shape and markings – and how it draws the eye to the flow of the fly. Although there are various styles, according to tradition, there is always the individual style of a particular tyer that shines through. Rarely do two people tie a fly that looks identical. Discovering the details that different tyers use to create beautiful flow in their flies is always enlightening. The individuality and details are what I am always striving to improve and balance. Tying is an ever-evolving activity. We are constantly taking on new techniques, while giving up those that no longer serve our individual styles.

I became a member of the Northwest Atlantic Salmon Fly Guild (NWASFG) in the Seattle area and enjoy the camaraderie of those who have a passion for these flies. So many of them have inspired me in different ways. Participating in many international shows is a particular interest of mine. I enjoy meeting new and old friends around the world, sharing my work with them and in the process, always learning something from each show. Each year has been an even greater experience than the year before. 

•Tyer and presenter at ASFI 2016

• British Fly Fair International – (multiple years)

• Irish Fly Fair (Galway and Enniskillen, multiple years) 

• London Fly Fair 

• Scottish Fly Fair (Sterling)

• EWF (Furstenfeldbruck, Germany – multiple years)

• Atlantic Salmon Fly International – Seattle (2), Miramichi NB

• SIM Fly Festival (Castel di Sangro, Italy – multiple years)

My classic and artistic fly tying was featured in the Winter 2016 issue of H20 Magazine (Italy) with an article and pictoral. I was also one of the featured tyers in the recently published “Nexxus” book about salmon and the art of the salmon fly. I have been a guest tyer in Fairbanks, Alaska and also was a demo tyer at Orvis in Bellevue, WA during the summer Bellevue Arts Fairs. 

• Claudio d’Angelo Award (International Tyer) – 2022 at SIM Festival, Italy
My classic and artistic fly tying was featured in the Winter 2016 issue of H20 Magazine (Italy) with an article and pictoral. I was also one of the featured tyers in the recently published “Nexxus” book about salmon and the art of the salmon fly. I have been a guest tyer in Fairbanks, Alaska and also was a demo tyer at Orvis in Bellevue, WA during the summer Bellevue Arts Fairs. 

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