Squimpish Pro Team
Dan Dau
My name is Dan Dau and I am lucky enough to live in June lake California at the edge of the eastern sierra mountains. Trout grow to trophy sizes within a short walk from my back door and through the years of learning to fish for these unique monsters came a love for tying big meaty streamers.
Brad Batson
I am an avid fly fishing junkie, fly tying is my favorite thing to do and I enjoy chasing all types of fish with a fly rod. I think about 10 years ago I came to the realization that every fish is fun to catch when you are the designer of the bait. There’s something special about sitting home on a Friday night tying flies for whichever species you will be hunting this weekend. I love giving my creations to friends for them to try and I collect feedback and make adjustments until I can make the pattern do what I want it to do…..catch fish!
Carlo Alessandro Negri
My name is Alessandro Negri and I'm a fly tyer based near Milan in Italy. I started tying my own flies at the age of 7. I love tying especially streamers for trout, pikes and all the freshwater and saltwater predators. I'm a 360° fly fisherman and I love fishing all kinds of fish I can find in Italian waters.
Jeff Hartzell
As far back as I can remember, I loved to fish. Growing up in a small mountain town in Colorado afforded me countless opportunities to chase trout and other cold water high altitude.species. Summer vacations to grandma and grandpas house on the lake in Minnesota gave me the warm water bug. On those vacations, if I wasn't sleeping, I was probably on that dock and, when old enough, out in the boat. In high school is when I picked up a fly rod and belly boat. The addiction to fly fishing only continued to grow as I began college but the cash supply was dropping. So out of necessity I bought a $45 beginner fly-tying kit from McGuckin Hardware and proceeded to teach myself how to tie flies. I still remember the first fish I caught on a fly and the fly. It was an averaged sized Boulder Creek brown trout on a weird white marabou streamer/nymph type fly. Since then I haven't bought a single fly. I really enjoy tying flies of all types and learning and then hopefully perfecting new techniques as well as experimenting with different materials. I only tie flies for me to actually fish and not just to frame. I've tied flies for everywhere that I've fished including flesh flies for rainbows on the Kenai, Crazy Charlies for monster bones around Oahu, huge articulating streamers for mutant pike from the Rocky Mountain Arsenal or crawfish imitations for bruiser carp along the Front Range of Colorado.
John Derr
streamer tying fanatic, that loves to invent new patterns. Pushing the boundaries in both fresh and salt water for 25 years!
Jared Nellis
I’m Jared Nellis, owner of Door County on The Fly and licensed captain of The Emerald Shiner, which serves as my guide boat. I built my boat because I needed a vessel that could fish the bays of Door County and the large flowages in the north country but also float rivers like the Menominee, Peshtigo, Wisconsin, Chippewa, etc. I ended up with a mahogany flats skiff with 9ft oats on raised oarlocks. If you’re familiar with Towhee skiffs, this boat is a similar shape but 18ft long for better big water capabilities. I have been fly fishing northern Wisconsin for around 25years and messing around in boats even longer. Door County is a unique and diverse fishery that is still under the radar of most fly fishermen. It’s considered one of the best Smallmouth fisheries on the planet, it has access to the biggest browns on the planet, huge pike and musky, Walleye are plentiful and trophy sized, and the list goes on. In recent years I have also been fishing for some of the less traditional species like bowfin, gar, carp, and my favorite the freshwater Drum. One of my favorite aspects of fly fishing is fly tying. I love developing patterns that drive the big predators crazy, and fine tuning patterns for specific situations.
Kyle Chanitz
My name is Kyle Chanitz, and I’m originally from upstate New York. After being discharged from the army in 2012, I moved to SW Virginia where I was introduced to fly fishing and fly tying through Project Healing Waters, where I started tying flies before I even started fishing. By the end of the year I was a volunteer. I have since served as a National ambassador, which was a great honor.
I’ve always loved the fishing part of the sport— casting on an isolated Appalachian native stream is one of my favorite things in the world. I’d say it’s imitation fly tying that really inspires me, though, everything from mayfly & caddis to Redhorse Suckers and Mullet streamers. Articulated flies and large musky flies, as well as 2-5 inch bait fish are also some of my favorites to tie, whether they be articulated or not. But there’s almost nothing I don’t have experience tying, and whatever I’m working on, I really love combining old school materials with new and innovating techniques. I truly take pride in my ability to be versatile at the vise and with my materials, techniques and patterns. I’m constantly dissecting or reinventing both my own , and tried and true patterns, which I feel helps me continue to grow and improve while also evolving my own unique style. You can definitely see and get a feel for my style just looking at my Logo on Instagram
@DirtyDozenOnTheFly and then I have my main page @Kyle_Chanitz_Fly_Tying
Michael Ozkaya
Michael Ozkaya has been tying flies for over 20 years, living on the east end of Long Island. When he’s not chasing stripers or albies he’s tying flies commercially/privately and streaming live fly tying lessons on twitch.tv/lifliesmike
Danny Parkins
34 years old based in Devon UK where I grew up predator fishing in fresh and salt water over the last 20+ years!
I’ve had Pike to over 30lb, Perch to almost 5lb, Wrasse to over 7lb and Bass to almost double figure! My life revolves around predator fly fishing where I head the the English side of the Pike Fly Fishing Association (PFFA www.pffa.co.uk) where we strive to push and make Pike fly fishing a fun and constantly evolving part of the sport. My other Passion is tying! You can see my work on Facebook - DP Custom Predator Flies and my general fishing and antics on Instagram - Dannyredneck
I believe in making fishing fun and love meeting new faces along the way!
Michael Taylor
I'm a catch and release fisherman, fly and spinning. I tie my own flies, I'm a huge walleye on the fly fisherman. I fish the ct river primarily. Notable achievements, 2016 49 inch striped bass on a 9wt 20lb mono tippet . 2018 Massachusetts Catch and release record holder for Walleye 29.5" 10lb2oz and Channel Catfish 32" 17lb2oz. I am an ambassador on Why Knot Fishing as well. Catch and release grows trophys.
Mack Bryson
Fly fishing has been a passion of mine for over 25 years. It has allowed me to create lifelong relationships as well travel across our country fishing some amazing places. I turned my passion into a business in 2018 tying custom flies for both fresh and saltwater. There’s really nothing more exciting than seeing a fish eat a fly you tied. Every fish I catch is filled with the same excitement as the first one I caught, and that is what keeps me coming back as well as wanting to explore new waters.
-Mack Bryson Instagram @southeasternflyworks www.southeasternflyworks.com
Brian Sheppard
Brian Sheppard, a lifelong avid outdoorsman, is a native of Florida and Indiana. He learned to fly fish at age 13 while summering in bucolic Blairstown, NJ. Taught by family friend and respected angler/author Bob Romano, he was instantly hooked. The next natural step was tying his own flies but it only became a passion once linking up a tying group of fishing buddies when Brian moved to New York City. From there Brian created CityFly, a NY/NJ/CT licensed guide service, custom fly shop, and fly fishing education. A large focus of CityFly is on the urbanite looking to learn in the city's natural resources, such as Central Park, and then get out there to utilized learned skills in the wild. In addition to CityFly, Brian is also professional actor with a master in fine art from Butler University. When not working, Brian enjoys surfing, camping, hiking, cooking, and enjoying all New York City has to offer.
For flies & guided fishing : www.gofishnyc.com
Jean Torres
I am a father to an amazing two year old little girl and husband to my beautiful wife. While my fly tying hobby only began a year and half ago, I have found that I love trying new patterns and new materials while continuing to perfect my own style of tying. I try to tie as often as possible (or as often as my toddler will let me!) and each day I get better and better. I also love the community of fly tiers that I have met on social media since I started. In addition to tying in my spare time I enjoy fly fishing, offshore fishing, hunting, and spending time with my girls. Catch me on Instagram @ KINO986.
Brian Phelps
Brian Phelps is the Fishing manager at Orvis in Westbury, NY and is a licensed OUPV captain/guide. He specializes in fly fishing for striped bass and other saltwater species, but also targets freshwater bass, trout, panfish and more. Brian also has a great passion for fly tying. Some of his flies have even been published in books, magazines, and been used in online articles. Brian currently lives in Stony Brook, NY with his wife and two children.
Evan Gillis
I enjoy fly tying and fly fishing, but being a father of 2 means more time tying than fishing at the present time. I am from the east coast of Canada where I grew up fly fishing for anything that would take the fly (trout, salmon, striped bass). Now living in the Nation's Capital where I target bass, pike and mainly musky. As long as it's on the fly I'm happy.
Steve Yewchuck
Steve yewchuck grew up in the Catskill region fishing the Delaware River for trout, bass, and walleye. At a young age he became addicted to the Brook trout fishing that was available in many of the pristine creeks . One of the thing he enjoyed about fly fishing was the fact he could design his own flies to tempt his prey .He has always been involved in art and has been able to incorporate it in the flies he ties for many species of fish today .
Geoff Klane
Growing up in Massachusetts, I was never what one would call an outdoor-kid. It wasn’t until 2014, when I moved back to Massachusetts after college that I found fly fishing. Since then I have started guiding, tying and selling my flies, and building custom rods. Since then, it has been my honor and pleasure to share my knowledge and passion for this sport, this region, and it’s precious fisheries.
If you’re ever interested in a guided trip, flies, or a custom rod, bounce on over to www.brackishflies.com and shoot me a message!
Jakob Dellen
I started fishing as little boy but the real passion came along when I started fly fishing in my local trout river. As student budget was low and the equipment expensive, therefore I soon started to tie my own flies. After a while I focused more on more in streamer fishing for pike zander and perch and on building these streamers. Nowadays I tie streamers nearly every day and try to get them wet as often as possible. There is no better feeling then catching a nice fish on your own handmade streamers. Instagram: @flyfishing_jay
David Buduen
My name is David Buduén and I live in NYC. I’ve been flyfishing and flytying for over 35 years. I love flytying because you can take new and old materials put them together to create a pattern. I’m a father of 2 kids which I love teaching them how to fly tie. In my free time if I’m not flyfishing I’m flytying. I have the best of both worlds in fishing freshwater or saltwater. Catch me on Instagram: @ UptownDave69
Scott Barham
My name is Scott Barham and I reside in Ontario. I'm a stone throw away from the Grand River where I do most of my fishing for bass, pike and trout.....but my real passion is chasing musky and tying the flies to entice them. I'm a father of 2 wonderful girls, an amazing wife, and my dog "King" weighs more than average human. Find me on Instagram @flytyingtuna
Matt Cromie
My name is Matthew and I am from Northern Ireland. I am an all round angler and fly tyer, I target alot of species and I love fly fishing. Its brings alot of different challenges. We are lucky to have some great places to fish for pike and trout in Ireland.
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Henry Fowler
My Name is Henry Fowler otherwise known as Hank. I am 20 years old and in college for Aquaculture and Aquarium science with a double major in Photojournalism. Growing up on the Coast of Connecticut finding bass in ponds and lakes along with hunting down the infamous Striper and False Albacore in the New England area. I have been flying fishing since I can remember growing up on a lake tying flies with my Dad. Later focusing on saltwater fly fishing and fly tying, once I found out just how addicting it is to get taken into your drag a couple hundred yards with a 7” fly that gets hammered. Conservation is important to me, I would rather see the fish in a picture than in front of me than on a plate. Fishing is a powerful addiction that I am willing to feed by tying more flies to catch more fish! I am always looking for new places to catch fish and ways to spread the love for our great sport with others.
Chuck Aikens
I started fishing when I was 4 years old, my uncle and Grandfather has sportfishers moored in Sommerspoint NJ. In 1995, I moved to Colorado and guided for CFA out of the Broadmoor Hotel an Orvis endorsed fly fishing destination. I guided all over Colorado form the Arkansas River up to the North Fork Ranch a section of the South Platte. My guide team consisted of Authors, like Ed Engle and Landon Mayer Aka LandonMayerfishing, Steve Gossitch, the brother of the baseball hall of famer Goose Gossitch. I was a lead guide with meant, I assigned guides to trips and booked trips for CFA. I fished offshore in the Baja on an 8 day exploratory trip, searching for Striped Marlin, with Trey Combs, author of Blue Water Fly fishing. I am a licensed US Coast Guard Captain and have 2 businesses a Guide Service Sand People Fishing Adventures and Sand People Fly Company. I own two boats a nearshore that I use to guide False Albacore, Giant Red Drum, Spanish Mackerel, Blue Fish and Tarpon. I am having a flats boat built for my rivers and lakes business for Bass, Stripers, Shad, Crappie and White bass.
Sabin Piatek
I am a 14 year old from Vermont and travel to Maine in the summers, I love to target big game fish like Striped-bass, pike and musky.
Carl Harris
Carl Harris of CGH Custom Tackle has been tying flies for over 30 years. He was born and raised in Southern New Jersey. His innovative stylistic creations have been recently published in Tail Fly Fishing magazine in issues 45 and 49. He published a how to article on his novel Soft Chew Wiggler 2.0 and then another showcase segment on his various must have patterns in the “Inside the Box” saltwater flies for fall. He is also the creator of the ingenious CGH Swim Tail which can be found in fly shops across the globe. The CGH Swim Tail encompasses a unique flutter action in the water to attract fish which can be added into almost any type of fly pattern. He enjoys fly fishing for both freshwater and saltwater species with his wife and testing his new designs and lineups with her on a regular basis. Incorporating depth with design along with three dimensional ideas is what he does best. Check out his other designs and accessories at cghcustomtackle.com.
Donald Halfpenny
I was born, raised and reside on the east coast of Canada, on Cape Breton Island. Ranked one of the most beautiful islands in the world multiple times. I value not only the beautiful scenery, but also the amazing fisheries we have here. I grew up on the water, taught sailing and loved the outdoors my whole life.
I got back into fishing by ice fishing with some buddies in 2017, which very quickly progressed into fly fishing and then tying to follow.
I now am a commercial fly tyer of predator flies, a multi-species angler, father to one, soon to be two little boys and am also engaged. Life is busy - I am a "sleep when you're dead" kind of person.
I started The Fly Perspective as a YouTube channel to display my fishing videos. I rarely take the GoPro with me anymore but have adapted the image into an outlet to express my passion for predator fly tying and fishing.
Joe Jackson
Raised in a small town in Southern Indiana, a love of fishing, hunting, and wildlife was instilled in Joe at a young age. After 14 years enlisted in the Army, he found Project Healing Waters and his curiosity in fly fishing and tying bloomed into a love and obsession. He started tying in November 2015 and placed second in Project Healing Waters National Fly Tying Contest in 2017. Joe received the Everett Drake Fly Tying Award in 2018. Joe ties flies for all warm, cold, and salt water species with a focus on Deerhair flies. His realistic art flies like the hummingbirds, pheasant, Grinch, Baby Yoda, Bald Eagle, Kingfisher, and others have been sent across the globe. He believes the most important thing anyone in this hobby can do is to get kids out on the water and/or behind a vise.
His pro team and ambassador affiliations, Regal Vise, Natures Spirit Fly Tying, Squimpish Flies, Dette Flies, Partridge Hooks. Willowemoc creek dist. Dr. Slick tools, Solarez Uv, J. Stockard fly fishing, Wade-Deep hats and clothing, Catchflo shoes, Fly Trap Fly Holder, and Semperfly Fly Rods.
Juraj Sabol
My name is Juraj Sabol born and raised in Czechoslovakia. Came to the USA as a teenager fell in love with fishing since the language was hard to learn. At 20 enlisted in the US Navy, to help with ptsd after 4 year enlistment went to PHWFF event . On the first cast fell in love with fly fishing, later that day I started tying. I have been tying for 11 years now, specializing in streamer patterns. Living near the Jersey shore love to fly fish for striped bass however brown trout are my favorite species to fish for.
Klaus Berger
Having grown up on Canada's West Coast I've had a real passion for over 60 years pursuing trout, salmon, steelhead, panfish and basically anything that swims in salt and fresh water. After relocating to Alberta's Prairies, with the excellent fisheries of the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains nearby, I continued with the pursuit of large trout and have turned my attention the past 5 years almost exclusively to seeking out large pike on the fly.
I started tying flies at 10 years old, after raiding my mom's sewing kit, to create jigs to pursue the Spring herring run, and never looked back.
My passion now lies in tying and designing streamers, having exhausted tying dries and nymphs throughout my life and I love the creativity involved as well as the results at the waters for more and bigger fish. Find me on Instagram @highflyertyer
Nathan Wight
My name is Nathan Wight, I grew up in the western mountains of Maine surrounded by some of the best native Brook Trout and Landlocked Salmon fishing in New England. I was introduced
to fly fishing and tying at young age, and it’s been a major part of my life ever since. I’m a fourth generation Maine Guide and guide trips for trout, salmon, smallmouth, pike and musky.
With 30 plus years of experience tying flies, I opened North Woods Fly Co. in 2015 to provide
high quality custom flies to fellow guides and anglers alike.
When I’m not guiding or tying you can find me teaching tying classes, or at events like the Fly
Fishing Show in Marlboro MA and Edison NJ most often in the HMH Vises booth.
https://www.northwoodsfly.com/
Instagram @n.w.fly