1975 – 1982

For my tenth birthday I was given fly tying lessons from famed Steelhead fly tyer, Dave McNeese. By the age of 12, my best friend, Glenn Young, and I started a fly tying company. We sold to as many as five sporting goods stores at a time, as well as to a core group of customers from the local fly fishing club. We even had both at some NW sports shows.

Anyone remember the Seal-Dry waders? You only had to look at a thorn bush to get a leak.
Glenn’s dad, Dez Young – from ‘Hunting with Hank’ fame, worked at an advertising agency at the time and had these cards made up for us. Years later, long after Dez had left the agency, I worked for the same agency during college as a Graphic Designer.