Steve grew up fishing the San Francisco Surf with his Father, from 1960 he has had a constant connection with the bay and its surrounding beaches. Either watching his Dad haul in 50-pound striped bass from the shore or working as a first mate in the San Francisco Bay, Steve means business and that business is catching fish. Over the years Steve has helped develop fly rods for the open surf and has become a pioneer in tying striper flies. Forever salt water is in Steve's veins and has become an avid big tarpon fly fisherman in recent years. If you have a chance to chatter about fish with him, I suggest you listen. The enjoyment Steve gets from figuring out the tides, and fish movement is a sight to see, goes to show that a life on the water is a life worth living.
Ben Engle grew up in Alameda, California, and began fly fishing in the eastern sierras from the age of 10. Not only an incredible fly fisherman Ben is a world-class fine art printmaker, making his attention to detail unmatched. With this skill, fly tying has become a specialty of Ben's, from classic Atlantic salmon flies to his twist on surf perch flies. Nowadays you can find Ben searching for striped bass, halibut, leopard sharks all over the bay area.
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Eric Adema | Doug Biederbeck | Jeff Thompson | Brooks Walker |
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Bill Lowe | Cal Nakanishi |
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Adam Dwinells | Doug Biederbeck | Brooks Walker | Dr. Larry Murphy |
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Jim Mayol | Steve Rogers | Linda Ach | Ken Haupt |
George started fly fishing at the age of five. He was drawn to the sport by the visual appeal of the cast, the simplicity of the equipment and of course, the fish.
At the age of 13, George won his first casting competition against industry professionals. Casting against competitors who were much older and stronger, George knew that an efficient casting technique and a balanced fly fishing outfit were necessary for his success.With this early win under his belt, George continued to turn fly casting heads by winning three additional National Casting Championships, setting records in the fly distance events.
Mentored by industry greats like Guy Manning, Mel Krieger, Joan Wulff, Lefty Kreh, Steve and Tim Rajeff, Simon Gawesworth, Goran Andersson, George continued to hone his fly casting craft. With competitive casting wins and a diverse and growing knowledge of fly casting and fishing, George became the youngest fly caster ever to pass the Fly Fishing Federation's casting certification process at the age of 13. Continuing this youthful theme, at the age of 19, George became the youngest, Master-Certified casting instructor. This record still stands today.
With his fly casting talents, George traveled the United States with fly rod in hand. At fly fishing shows, George presented his efficient fly casting techniques, while assisting attendees with product questions.
Today, George teaches hundreds of fly anglers every year how to efficiently fly cast and catch fish. Whether in the class room, on the waters of Northern California or at the casting ponds of the historic Golden Gate Casting and Angling Club, where he's the current president, George loves to share his passion for the sport.
Although George has fly fished in many parts of the world, he most loves the trout and steelhead waters of the Western United States.