I have been fishing for a number of years but did not matriculate to fly
fishing until the summer of 1999. My early days were spent casting to
"trophy" blue gill in a friend's farm pond. After moving west, my main
focus (fishing-wise) has been trout and, more recently, saltwater species.
Early on I realized that I had an unhealthy emotional attachment to flies.
This was based primarily upon my inability to purchase more than a few at
a time, coupled with my tendency to deposit them in nearby trees, bushes,
etc. Thus, I rationalized that tying my own flies would surely be a
cost-effective way to maintain my fishing habit. This was not my first
miscalculation ....although it has been one of the most rewarding ones
that I have made. Although I enjoy tying many styles of flies, my major
focus has been nymphs and caddis (the mainstay of the Sierra's).
I live in Santa Barbara, California with my wife, Sarah. We are both
graduate students at UC Santa Barbara.