I have had my feet wet since my birth. My father made it a point to take me hunting, fishing and camping, instilling in me a love for nature. Growing up in New England as a young adventurous outdoorsman I embraced all that the four seasons had to offer me. Even now I still spend most of my days year-round either in the woods or on the water. I started honing my skills at fly tying, fishing and hunting at a very young age, thanks to my father. In my early twenties I worked part time at my local fly shop, The Valley Angler. There I learned what I needed to take my fly tying and fly fishing to the next level. Eventually my passion for the sport would bring me to open my own fly shop, Custom Fly Tying on the banks of the Housatonic River. It was quite a fun and learning experience. Fishing, fly tying and guiding have been my business as well as my lifestyle. I eat, sleep and drink anything that has to do with fishing or the outdoors. Over the years drawing, painting and writing have also been an outlet for me in expressing my love of God's great gift of nature and I would not change a single thing nor would I have it any other way. All I can say is thank God for blessing me with an understanding wife, my Gracie.

    Now-a-days If you don’t see me standing in the river or on the water somewhere, I can be found a couple of days a week working behind the counter at the best fly shop around, Upcountry Sportfishing on the Farmington River. Here I offer fly tying classes, fly & spin fishing instruction as well as guided trips on many of the local waters. I have been guiding and tying flies for fly shops and through mail order for almost fifteen years and when it comes to fishing I am not a purist nor am I particular. I am an angler. I offer guided trips for spin fishing and fly fishing not just for Trout but all the species that I would fish for such as Bass, Pike, Walleye, Carp, etc. This year we will be doing float tube trips for Pike, Bass and night fishing for Walleye. This will be fun especially for those looking for something different. 

    When it comes to flies my specialty is Custom Fly Tying for Freshwater, Saltwater, Salmon and Steelhead. I take pride in my work and my flies are quality. I use only the best of hooks with the best of materials. If you are in need of flies or have a hard to find or special pattern that needs to be tied, let me know. I also design quality Fleece hats and Reel bags that are produced by me right here in Connecticut USA. During the Fall and Winter months I showcase some of my artwork and fly tying at many of the fly tying and fishing shows. I am a board member and the newsletter editor for the Farmington River Anglers Association and also a member of Trout Unlimited. Check out our website calendar for upcoming events, shows, fly tying & fishing classes and club meetings.

    Anyway this is a small bit of my history. I am just another angler that has let my love of fishing and the outdoors consume his life, just like many of the fly tiers, fishing guides and true trout bums that I have been fortunate to know over the years. Those that know me know that I am not crazy about promoting myself and they'll probably learn something new from this bio, but I had to write a little something to fill up these pages. 

Tightlines!  Shawn