Growing up in Southern New England as a small child I fished for bluegills and bass in area farm ponds with my father. Around 10 or 11 a friend of mine’s family took me to New Hampshire one summer for a few weeks and there I met my first brook trout, and it was my first crush! I was completely hooked on these “trout” fish. I learned about brown and rainbow trout as well but had no idea where they came from, I just thought they were always there. As I poured over Field & Stream, and Outdoor Life I learned more about trout.
As I grew older and was more aware of my surroundings, I discovered my local brook trout streams, and I spent countless springs, summers, and falls chasing those dang brook trout. That began my love affair with the native fishes. I can remember getting my first cars stuck in the woods going places to look for brookies where those cars had no business being.
I had always wanted to fly fish growing up, but I had no one to mentor me. I was alone in my family as far as my love for fishing went and I knew no one that fly-fished. Upon moving to New Mexico in 1989, my career introduced me to a co-worker from Utah, and he fly-fished. He took time to introduce myself and another co-worker to the sport. We had adventures all over the Rockies while we worked together.
While learning New Mexico’s streams I found a new love to join my brook trout in Rio Grande Cutthroats. I met Lee Widgren just as she and Bob were opening Los Pinos Fly Shop, and she suggested I join New Mexico Trout. That was the beginning of the end, as they say, and I would not re-write any of it.