1994
On a family vacation to Glacier National Park and Yellowstone is when I started my obsession with fly fishing. It all started with an entry level setup from a fly shop in St. Mary's on the east side of Glacier N.P. purchased for me and my two siblings. My Dad and I enjoyed a fishless half-day on a chocolaty Gallatin River.
1995-2001
I fished whenever I could get to water. Dreaming of fly fishing and filling the urge by tying flies. When I started college in the Fall of 1998, I found more freedom to hit the water. During the open season I could often be found on a local trout stream studying what nature had to offer. I also worked at a youth summer camp and eventually started offering a fly fishing camp.
2002-2003
A lot of transition and time on the water. I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. degree in Biology. I worked with my buddy Banning Ostrow and his Outdoor Adventure business. We offered fly fishing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and low ropes course services. In the fall of 2003 I married the love of my life, Melissa.
2004-2009
We started our young marriage together and did a fair amount of traveling with trips to Mexico and Europe (Germany, France, and Switzerland). I started guiding for Paige Olson at Kinni Creek Outfitters and working at The Fly Angler at the time located in Fridley, MN. I was working full-time in the fitness world building my personal training and management skills. This career allowed me to work for the YWCA Minneapolis, Sabes JCC, and YMCA. In February 2008, Melissa and I welcomed our first child, Nolan. I continued to guide trout fishing for Paige and was running summer camps under my upstart (2004) Fly Quest. Teaching about 50-80 youth a year how to fly fish.
2010-2017
In April of 2010 we welcomed our 2nd child, Gavin. Later in the year I ended my career in fitness and explored options to become a teacher. Going back to school for my teaching license at Hamline University. In the summer of 2011 I purchased my first driftboat, a 2010 Clackacraft Headhunter Skiff. I continued working with Paige but built a relationship with Kip Vieth at Wildwood Float Trips. We continue to work together today. In 2013, I started my teaching career at Murray Middle School in Saint Paul Public Schools. Teaching is my passion, wether if be fitness then or now fly fishing and science. Later in the 2013, we welcomed our third child Ella. I continue to work with Kip at Wildwood Float Trips, Paige at Kinni Creek Outfitters, and the local fly shops The Fly Angler and Lund's Fly Shop (occasionally helping out other shops and guides).
2018-Present
My family continues to be a Keystone to my life. This Fall was first where all attend the same school from K-5th grade for the one and only year. They are keeping us busy with baseball and hockey. This year also marked a lot in my educator career my two lego league teams both made it to state, my colleagues nominated me for Saint Paul Teacher of the Year which I was awarded by The Rotary, starting a new elective Citizen Science. Back on Spring Break my Dad and I with my mentor teacher Tim Chase and his son Eric went on a road trip to pick up my new driftboat, a 2018 Clackcraft Eddy 360. We had the maiden voyage on the Yellowstone River followed by a couple days on the Bighorn River. Melissa and I celebrated 15 years of marriage and wouldn't trade our little life together for anything. In late 2018 I finished my Masters in the Art of Teaching at Hamline University. This coming year I am looking forward to all it has to bring. Sitting at the Cabin in Minnestoa's Northwoods as temperatures begin to plummet to the sub-zeros, I begin to dream about days on the water with clients and family alike. I miss the sounds of the waters that haunt me.
