Brendan grew up in a small town in southern Oregon, where his childhood was filled with adventures in hunting, fishing and whitewater rafting alongside family and friends in the Inter-Mountain West. After completing high school, he enlisted in the Air Force, dedicating the next 22 years to military service, including 18 years as an Air Force Special Warfare Operator. His career involved conducting combat operations across the Middle East and Europe. However, after sustaining several injuries that ended his service, Brendan retired and relocated to Cody, Wyoming. In search of a new path, he discovered WorldCast Anglers and enrolled in the Western Rivers Guide School, first as a student and now serves as a guest instructor.
During his time guiding in Alaska, Brendan recognized that his experiences on the water were instrumental in his recovery, both mentally and physically. This realization sparked a desire to give back to fellow service members. With the support of a dedicated team of Combat Veterans and friends, he co-founded The FLYWERX Project, a 501(c)(3) organization aimed at providing training, education, and career opportunities for veterans. Through a strong partnership with the WorldCast Anglers team, WCA initiated a Veteran-specific guide school, which will celebrate its fourth annual session in the spring of 2025.
As a fly angler and guide, Brendan adopts a methodical and patient approach, blending his sense of humor with a deep passion for the water and knowledge of local ecosystems. His guiding adventures range from navigating the thrilling white waters of the Shoshone in search of Yellowstone Cutthroat trout to rowing the South Fork of the Snake River for large brown trout and operating a jetboat through Alaska’s remote waters in pursuit of rainbow trout, dollies and salmon. Brendan’s expertise ensures that even the slowest days on the river are filled with excitement. When he’s not guiding, he enjoys sharing his skills and knowledge with his wife and children, fostering a love for the outdoors and fishing in the next generation of anglers.