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Years Fishing?
40
Years Guiding?
20
Who introduced you to fly fishing?
My uncle was a great small stream fly fisher in the Adirondacks and he became my best friend and mentor. I spent summers with him fishing all the great small brook trout streams of Northern New York and I did so with only two flies for the first five years. Olive Wooly Bugger and Royal Coachman. My Uncle taught me that how you fish a fly is more important than what fly you fish!!!
Can you tell us a little about your home waters and the fish you pursue there?
I fish all the waters of Slovenia and Southern Austria. My main beat is the Soca River watershed...one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. In these crystal clear waters, we fish for Grayling, Marble Trout, and Rainbow Trout.
What's the height of the season for you? What time of year is your personal favorite?
I fish from March 1st to April 1st and May and September seem to be the best months but all months are great! The different seasonal waters provide opportunities for different species so to me..any day is good.
What are your favorite travel destinations? What's on the bucket list?
I spend time fishing for Great Lakes Steelhead, Cape Cod Stripers, and I fish for trout all over Europe.
What do you like most about Thomas and Thomas rods? Which rods do you fish?
I was a fisheries biologist in MA at the Turners Falls fish ladder and I would spend my lunch hour in the original T&T showroom/factory dreaming of fishing with these rods...the history lies deep with me throughout my life. All of them.
What's your current go-to fly?
I have fished an Autumn Bugger in so many different waters and have always hooked fish on this fly...It has never let me down...I start with that fly on new waters to understand the fish and then I go deeper into the match the hatch game...
Other than fly tackle, what piece of gear do you find indispensable?
The Westwater Sling Pack by Fishpond is my lifesaver....I am always seeking new hard to get to the water and deep wading is a must and dry gear is a must.....
My favorite thing about guiding is?
Slowly unfolding political discussions on the river and seeing how different anglers who hold nature dear to them sit in the world of politics. Also, I never fished with anyone who did not become my friend..We start as customer clients and end as friends....
From an angler's point of view, what do you see as the main value of going on a guided trip?
If you are an angler who will pay money then you should learn something about the waters you are guided on and that lesson should carry on to your waters...teaching needs to be a subtle art...and most of all a guide should be an entertainer 100%.
What's your ideal lunch when on the water? What do you actually pack?
I fish in Slovenia so regional cured meats and famous cheese is a must on our breaks. There are also 5 different unknown wine regions so usually, a bottle of good local wine is to follow.
What fly fishing blogs/magazines do you read regularly?
I am a Moldy Chum fan as a Patagonia Pro, Middcurrent of course and I like to follow facebook people like The Brothers on the Fly from Germany...I also enjoy seeing who is a spammer and who is real...
When I'm not fishing you'll find me:
I travel Europe with my two kids and we camp and fish in all the great parks of Europe. Trenta Valley Slovenia is our favorite spot and I always bring my Martin Guitar!!!
