AJ is a natural fit as Head Instructor of the Western Rivers Guide school for several reasons, not least because of his passion and love for the outdoors. A.J.’s methodology is grounded in experiential knowledge based not only the success of his fishing career, but on the ideas and methods of one of the best guide staffs in the country. This collaborative approach has also helped A.J. develop his talent for matching any given student’s unique learning style with the appropriate teaching style. Of knowledge itself, A.J.’s approach is complemented by years of studying moving water, not only as a skillful water water kayaker, but certified by the American Canoe Association in whitewater paddling instruction and swift water rescue. His ability to successfully relay his understanding of moving water, both in terms of rowing and fishing is excellent. Last, A.J. believes that learning is an art unto itself, regardless of the topic. Even so, he can never get enough of water or snow and so spends his winters as an Instructor and Backcountry guide for the Jackson Hole Mountain resort. A.J. lives in Jackson with his wife Tory and their two boys Atticus and Oliver.
Brenda grew up in the Kansas City area, fishing with her family in the Missouri Ozarks for crappie, bass and catfish. She attended the Kansas City Art Institute and earned her BFA in Painting from the University of Kansas. After a decade-long career as a chef, and finding herself headed toward the wedding catering industry, she chose instead to head west and pursue her wildest dream (at the time, that is) of being a fly fishing guide. She attended Western Rivers Guide School in 1997 and has happily guided on the South Fork each summer since. Brenda has been featured on “FlyFish Television” and “Sporting Fly’s Snake River Idaho”. Her “Plan B” (her friends call her “B”) fly pattern is a local favorite and was featured in Fly Tyer magazine. Brenda spends her winters in her Kansas City studio painting landscapes from the South Fork of the Snake River and Greater Yellowstone Territory. You can view her art at a couple of local fly shops. Brenda is an excellent teacher who has won over many rookies with her passion and patience. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned angler, you can expect a day spent with Brenda to improve your casting, technique, knowledge and enjoyment of fly fishing.
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.
The lure of the Tetons and the endless fishing opportunities around Jackson Hole brought Brian here from Colorado. After completion of the Western Rivers Guide School, he found his calling. He’s a knowledgeable and friendly guide whose energy and enthusiasm are highlighted while on the river. G is also the creator of the highly effective G’s Supa Fly Stone. Whether you’re just a beginner or a seasoned veteran with a fly rod, you’ll have an enjoyable experience with “G”.
Brian grew up in Denver, Colorado where he was introduced to fly fishing on backcountry streams at a young age. His passion for the outdoors led him to the University of Montana where he spent his free time chasing wild trout and powder turns. He began his guiding career on the rivers surrounding Glacier National Park, which also gave him a solid foundation in running whitewater. He loves being on the water and the humbling learning process that defines fly fishing. His passion for teaching led him to be an instructor in the Western Rivers Guide School where he enjoys mentoring new guides through experiential learning. His goal is to help educate river users to be safe, to respect the resource, and catch a few nice fish along the journey. Brian lives in Victor with his wife Maddy, son Noah and dog Ruby.
Brian grew up in Idaho and Wisconsin and has dedicated his life to enjoying the outdoors. From skiing the mountains of Colorado to kayaking the rivers of North Carolina, his journeys have taken him through the cycles of water, Brian lives his life for gravity motion. Brian has worked many aspects of the fly-fishing industry and is represented in his knowledge and ideas. In 1999, Brian started his guiding career under the WorldCast Anglers and has spent every summer since showing off what Idaho and Wyoming have to offer. Brian’s up beat attitude and excitement of the outdoors can be seen with a day on the water with him. He loves a blank slate to work with and is patient with those who may be lesser experienced in fly fishing.
Ever since picking up a fly rod at the age of three, Casey had a crazy fascination with fish. He would play sick in elementary school to go fish the local pond for perch. Guiding since 1999, that same fascination has never grown old on Casey. In fact, “When I am not thinking about fishing, I am still thinking about fishing!” He was lucky enough to grow up very close to the Henry’s Fork River, and still to this day thinks it is the “Perfect” river. Casey spends the winter teaching history to high school students in North Ogden, Utah. A true educator in the classroom and on the water, Casey has the knowledge and patience for the true beginner as well as the seasoned fly fishing veteran. Casey has been featured on the Outdoor Channel and enjoys the true guiding lifestyle. His goal is to get people to simply forget about the outside world for just one day while you are in his boat. If you are looking for a float trip on the South Fork, a walk/wade trip on the Ranch, or whitewater in the Teton Canyon, Casey can do it all.
Conner was born and raised in a small town in northeast Alabama, where growing up on a farm sparked her lifelong love for the outdoors, hunting, and fishing. From the age of two, she and her family regularly traveled to the Greater Yellowstone region, building an early connection to the mountains, rivers, and wide-open spaces of the West. She attended Auburn University, earning a degree in Natural Resource Management. During her time at Auburn, Conner spent summers working on a dude ranch north of Jackson, where her passion for fly fishing and life in the American West continued to deepen.
After graduating, Conner made Jackson home and eventually found her calling as a professional fly fishing guide. On the river, she combines a deep appreciation for the ecosystem with a patient and encouraging teaching style that makes anglers of all experience levels feel welcome. Whether working with first-time fly fishers or seasoned anglers, she genuinely enjoys helping others connect with the water and the experience of fishing. When she’s not guiding, you’ll likely find Conner exploring a backcountry stream with her wife Audrey and their labradors, Norman and Ludlow.
Craig Richardson grew up and was schooled in Johannesburg, South Africa. He has been fishing from a very young age, focusing the majority of his time fly fishing. He spends the majority of his time fishing freshwater around South Africa, primarily focusing on the Vaal River, Dulstroom and small Highveld streams around Johannesburg. On matriculating he joined Fly Fishers Unlimited in Johannesburg, tying commercial flies as well as freelance guiding on the Vaal River. He joined the competitive fly fishing circuit in 2008. He represented his province for 7 years and competing for South Africa for 4 of those years. He fished two Youth World fly fishing championships, 1 commonwealth games and one Men’s World Fly fishing Championship. He won a team bronze medal in Ireland. Craig started working for FlyCastaway in 2013 on the Pongola river camp. He then started guiding on Sterkfontein dam early in 2014. At the tender age of 19, he experienced saltwater flats fishing for the first time on Farquhar Atoll in Seychelles. He guided one season on Farquhar before being relocating to St Brandons Atoll in Mauritius. He guided St Brandons for 9 seasons and is served as a head guide. He has fished a lot around the world, including France, Bosnia, Lesotho, England, Ireland, Swaziland, Wales, Canada and the USA. He is a passionate fly tier and spends a lot of his off water time thinking about new patterns and materials. Craig now spends his winter season in Naples area with his wife Kendall and dog Timber, guiding anglers for Redfish, Tarpon and other saltwater flats species.
Curt grew up in Texas where he learned early to enjoy fishing and other outdoor sports. He attended Baylor University with and BBA in marketing. He raced and worked in the bicycling industry, moved to Austin and then to Boulder, CO. Fly fishing was becoming more of a passion than a hobby, he started guiding in the Summit Co area and made a move to Jackson, WY where he has guided for 20 years on local rivers and lakes. If asked his favorite he would probably would say the Teton Canyon. Off season, Curt skis as a job with the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol and in the spring hosts bonefish trips to the Bahamas. He lives in Victor, ID with his wife, Shannon and daughter, Cadence. Curt Is an ambassador or pro staffs with Clackacraft drift boats, Hatch Reels, Fishpond, Scott Fly rods, Seaholm Automatic watches and Howler Brothers.
Erik White (Whitey) was raised in Truckee, California near Lake Tahoe, and is now a resident of Driggs, Idaho. Most of Erik’s youth was consumed with fishing and whitewater rafting in the Sierras. Starting as a whitewater guide in Northern California, Colorado, Arizona, Mexico, and Idaho, has given Erik in-depth knowledge and experience with the art of rowing and fly fishing. After five seasons on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, he migrated to the rivers in the beautiful Teton area. With safety as the highest priority. Erik prides himself in the ability to teach any level of angler and student. Guiding since 1990, his experience as a guide and fly fishing guide school instructor will ensure you an excellent and successful fly fishing adventure and educational time on the water.
Geoff Johnson was first introduced to the wonderful world of fishing via a cane pole and worm while standing on a bridge south of Dallas, Texas when he was just a wee little rascal. From there he misspent most of his youth fishing, hunting, and team roping across Texas and Oklahoma with his dad and brother. While attending Texas Tech University he decided to spend the summer after his sophomore year working, but mainly fishing in Jackson, Wyoming with a few friends. To say that summer was a formative one for young Geoff is an understatement. As soon as the ink dried on his Diploma he headed back for Jackson, where he fished, played in a few bands and learned the finer points of working odd jobs. Geoff enjoys guiding a wide array of fishing styles to suit anyone’s itinerary, from backcountry trips into Yellowstone, dry fly fishing on the Henry’s Fork or any crazy adventure we can dream up. When he’s not trying to perfect the art of fish levitation, Geoff enjoys surfing, upland bird hunting and Dutch Oven cooking.
Born and raised in the wilds of East Lansing, Michigan, a fly rod was forced into George’s hands at the tender age of four. Being a terminal victim of “the fever”, George’s father Gil took his sons on countless fishing excursions for salmon, steelhead, and trout all over the fabled waters of Northern Michigan. A “family vacation” usually meant a fishing trip in the White’s house. After a fishing hiatus through his rebellious teen years, George moved to Montana to attend college. It was here, before his freshman year, guiding whitewater outside of Glacier National Park, that the epiphany occurred. Dad was right all along….catching fish with flies is as good as it gets! After four wonderful seasons with Glacier Anglers, George was “all in” and ready to make a career of harassing aquatic wildlife with hooks. Fate led him back to the beloved Tetons of his youth where George found his dream job at WorldCast Anglers. He revels in the diversity of the fishery here taking full advantage of the area’s endless opportunities. The unpredictable nature of dealing with wild rivers and fish make everyday a new adventure, and there’s nothing that George enjoys more than sharing that adventure with his beloved friends/clients. When not fishing, George can be found at home with his daughters Ophelia and Daisy and their Golden Retriever Cosmo, as he really doesn’t have any other hobbies.
Heather was raised in Illinois in a suburb of Chicago. After high school, Heather knew her calling was to head west to the mountains and rivers. She attended college in Grand Junction, CO and spent her summers in the Greater Yellowstone area working as a river guide, where she was first introduced to catching fish on the fly. Post college Heather cut her teeth on the world class waters of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. After 13 years of whitewater river guiding, Heather decided to follow her passion for angling, you can now find her rowing drift boats and catching fish around Teton Valley Idaho where she lives year round. In the off-season Heather and her avalanche rescue dog Levi are professional Ski Patrollers at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Heather enjoys sharing her love of fishing and the joy of the outdoors with visitors near and far.
Hope Strong came to Teton Valley in the summer of 2001 to work for the Teton Valley News as a reporter and photographer. He graduated from the Western Rivers Guide School weeks after his departure from the Teton Valley News and has worked in the fishing industry during the past years in North and South America. The combination of Hope’s love of area rivers and his passion for storytelling and news reporting create a special day on the water for any angler of any skill level. Hope and his wife, Janice, live in Tetonia, ID with their four sons.
Born and raised in New Orleans Louisiana, fishing has been a huge part of Hunter’s life since he was a small child. After college at the University of Mississippi and some time in the Navy Seabees, Hunter managed Uptown Angler, the local fly shop in New Orleans and chased monster redfish on fly in the Mississippi River Delta. Hunter has guided in the Greater Yellowstone area for over 10 years. He resides in Driggs, ID with his wife, Maggie, daughters Cricket and Pen and dogs Missy, Bug, Bee, and Diffie. When not in his driftboat, you can find Hunter chasing upland birds with Bee and Diffie.
Jackson Knoll has spent years fishing across the American West, most often with a graphite fly rod in hand. Building genuine connections with people from all walks of life is one of the things he values most about guiding. Helping anglers become more confident and self-reliant on the water is a priority on every trip. While Jackson loves rowing his boat and covering big water, exploring small streams on foot is where he feels most at home. His favorite color is green, his favorite bird is the kingfisher, and his favorite fishing book is The Curtis Creek Manifesto.
James is a lifelong devotee to the art of fly fishing, having dedicated his entire existence to mastering the craft. With an unwavering passion and a wealth of knowledge, his dream is to guide fly fishing adventures across the globe, sharing the beauty and excitement of this timeless pursuit with fellow anglers. Through exceptional service, tailored experiences, and a deep reverence for nature, James aims to inspire others, promote environmental stewardship, and create lifelong memories on the water.
Born and raised in North Carolina, Joe Harris grew up in the outdoors. He spent every spare minute hunting and fishing around the house as well as in the mountains and the coast. Coming from a fly fishing family he and his brother started at a young age spending every family vacation chasing trout, tarpon, bass, albacore or whatever was in season at the time. Joe spent his summers working in the Jackson area as well as Alaska but the rivers surrounding Jackson, WY captured his attention. After graduating from The University of The South: Sewanee in 2012, Joe made the greater Yellowstone ecosystem his home and guiding his professional career. After attending the WorldCast Anglers Western Rivers Guide School in 2017, Joe is now a Western Rivers Guide School Instructor and he could not be more proud to work with such a team and group of people. The knowledge held and shared by he and his peers is second to none while calling one of the top fly fishing destinations in the United States home. Joe loves everything about fishing; the places it takes him and his clients, the animals you get to see and interact with, the geology and earth events that rivers cut through all never cease to amaze him. Sharing what he knows, helping and teaching people gives him more joy than he can express. Joe calls Victor, ID home with his wife Hannah, daughter Annie and English Setter’s Mona and Greta!
Joey started fishing as soon as he could walk. By the age of 5, he became the favored winner at local derbies and his friends knew Joey’s birthday party would be at the local pond each year. Joey and his dad started their competition on who could catch the most on the three rivers in Pittsburgh PA where he grew up. Slaying catfish in the summer time, chasing Steelhead in Erie, New York and all around the Great Lakes in the winter or fooling the rainbows and browns on the incredible Youghiogheny River became routine. Joey became interested in a different kind of fishing, fly fishing and that is when Joey’s life took a turn. Three days after gingerly showing his dad how to fly fish for Steelhead in Erie, Joey was in a car accident at the age of 16 and wasn’t supposed to live. Fly fishing pulled him through as it became his way to live again. At the age of 17, Joey helped open the Orvis store in Pittsburgh and the day after graduating high school spent the summer working at Orvis in Jackson Hole, where he found himself “Living the Dream”. After that summer Joey came back to Orvis in Pittsburgh and became fly fishing manager at the young age of 18. But something was missing, he graduated Western Rivers Guide School in 2018 and has been working for WorldCast Anglers ever since. Joey now calls Victor, Idaho his home. He has the patience of a lamb with the competition of a lion. Be sure to check out Joey’s story in Mend. “The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope”. (John Buchan)
Born and raised in Denver, Josh developed a love for the mountains at an early age, finding great joy in skiing, camping, hiking and fishing. After attending Northwestern University in an attempt to master the finer points of journalism; the irresistible allure of the mountains brought him to Jackson Hole in 2003. At that point, a strong interest in fly fishing quickly blossomed into a full-blown obsession. Since then Josh has honed in his abilities as an angler, fly tier and guide, developing a reputation as a fun-loving, capable guide with excellent patience and teaching skills. Josh’s hard work ethic and passion for guiding paid off when he was awarded the prestigious One Fly Carmichael-Cohen Memorial award in 2018, and then went on to win the One Fly as the top scoring Wyoming guide in 2021. Normally you will find Josh happily seated at the oars of his driftboat, but otherwise you’re likely to find him with skis on his feet or wandering the beaches and flats of Mexico with fly rod in hand.
Growing up outside New York City, Karlin didn’t take the typical path into fly fishing. His early forays were anything but conventional; hopping chain-link fences to chase largemouth bass in golf course ponds and casting for bluegill in roadside drainage ditches, always keeping one eye on his back cast and the other on Route 1 traffic. From those modest beginnings, Karlin has fished his way through the mountains of West Virginia, explored nearly every corner of Pennsylvania, the Great Lakes and the historic waters of New York’s Catskills. Eventually, his adventurous spirit took him to Alaska, where he once fished the Kenai for 24 hours straight. He then traded his fly rod for a giant net during a season of commercial sockeye fishing in Bristol Bay, a wild experience that proved both humbling and profitable.
For the past 13 years, Karlin has called Teton Valley home, guiding clients with equal parts wisdom and wit. He believes a day on the water; especially one filled with laughter, learning, and a few trout; can be medicine for the soul. When he’s not guiding, Karlin is a devoted husband, father to two fish-obsessed kids, an ordained Presbyterian minister, and a licensed mental health counselor. Whether he’s helping a client land their first trout or listening to a streamside life story, Karlin brings patience, presence, and just the right amount of sarcasm to every day on the water.
Kasey’s life-long adventure of fishing began on Badger Creek here in Teton Valley, Idaho. As a boy, he fished for cutthroat trout with live grasshoppers. Now the proud father to son Jacob and daughter Carly, Kasey has enjoyed a long career guiding the incredible fly fishing water around Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Teton Valley, Idaho area. Creator of the renowned “Creature” dry fly, Kasey loves tying flies, sneaking up on picky fish, and can occasionally be found hunting bonefish in the Bahamas. Kasey is actively involved with Teton Valley Trout Unlimited chapter and works to restore and protect the majestic Teton River and its tributaries. Fishing with Kasey is an exciting experience where “fun is the first priority… and catching fish sure is fun!” The Western Rivers Guide School played a large roll in Kasey’s development as a guide in the late 90’s. Teaching anglers to become competent oarsmen and great guides is now something Kasey looks forward to each year. His respect and love for the rivers he guides and the power and magic they posses combine to provide Kasey with a unique perspective on the world of trout guiding.
Keith Smith is native to Wyoming. Born in Casper he has been fortunate to fish a lot of water in the great state of Idaho and Wyoming. From the far reaches of Laramie to the Tetons, he has fished it all. Keith attended Casper College and the University of Wyoming where he studied biology. When Keith was not in school, he worked on guest ranches throughout Wyoming as a wrangler, fishing guide and hunting guide. Drawn to the allure of the Tetons, Keith pursued his passion for the outdoors where he hunts, fishes and spends as much time outdoors as possible. Keith now lives in Victor, ID where you will be hard pressed to find him standing around. Always on the prowl for some excitement, he brings a vivid flavor to guiding for WorldCast Anglers.
Born in Ohio and raised in Arizona, Kevin moved to the Tetons in 1996 after graduating from Northern Arizona University, earning a degree in Parks and Recreation Management with an Education emphasis. As a passionate outdoorsman, Kevin’s Spring, Summer and Fall seasons are focused on fishing and guiding trips. During the winter he is a groomer of nordic and single-track fat bike trials for Teton Valley Trails and Pathways. Kevin is also a passionate cyclist who rides and races bicycles all over the world on multi-day expeditions and ultra endurance events in remote regions and is an ambassador of the sport for several cycling companies. As a guide for over 25 years, Kevin is known for his patience, quality instruction and professional demeanor. Whether you’re a first day novice or an accomplished angler, Kevin can help take your skill set to the next level.
Growing up beneath the shadow of the Tetons, Logan was raised in Victor, where his connection to the outdoors began early. Some of his first memories on the water came while dry fly fishing the Teton River with his dad, where rising trout and long summer evenings sparked a passion that would shape much of his life. Surrounded by some of the West’s most celebrated trout fisheries, Logan naturally expanded his pursuits from the intimate channels of the Teton to larger rivers like the Snake, South Fork, and Henry’s Fork. As his love for fishing evolved, so did the waters he explored. Winters often found him along the Texas coast chasing redfish with friends, while back home in Idaho he developed a deep appreciation for pursuing steelhead on the fly.
Logan completed the Western Rivers Guide School, an experience that helped launch his career with WorldCast Anglers. Known for his calm demeanor and patient approach, he strives to make every day on the water rewarding, whether guiding someone through their very first cast or helping experienced anglers refine their skills. Above all, Logan hopes each guest leaves the river having learned something new and gained a deeper appreciation for the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. When he’s not guiding, Logan spends his time skiing in the Tetons, waterfowl hunting, wakesurfing, or mountain biking. A 2025 graduate of Boise State University, he also served as president of the university’s fly fishing club, helping anglers of all experience levels build their own connection to the sport. Humble by nature and driven by a genuine love for the outdoors, Logan believes every day on the river offers something memorable — for both the guide and the angler alike.
Lyons Brown was born and raised in the small ski town of Telluride, Colorado where he spent his childhood fishing the Gunnison, Dolores, Uncompahgre and San Miguel rivers with his dad. His passion for ski racing led him to New England for high school before making his way to the University of Virginia where he was accepted into the Global Studies program and focused on Sustainability and the Environments. After completing the Western Rivers Guide School, Lyons worked his way up to guide through time on the WCA shop staff team and as camp cook at the Cottonwood camp. His time spent in Teton Valley helped him become familiar with the Greater Yellowstone/Teton ecosystem. His passion for conservation gives Lyons a respectful and educated approach to guiding and the places he surrounds himself in. Lyons is a patient and kind guide, ready to spend a fun day with angler’s of any skill level. When he is not on the river, you can find him enjoying a round of golf, a steep ski trail, a good band or seeking the next saltwater fly fishing adventure.
Marcelo was born in Chile, South America where the Andes mountains put a lasting impression upon him. He grew up in the midwest fishing whenever, wherever, and for whatever would eat his offerings. Following graduate school, Marcelo moved to New Mexico where he directed a collegiate Outdoor Education Program and initiated and developed a fly fishing curriculum. Teaching people how to fly fish became a real passion for Marcelo as he was actively teaching academia and explored working as a professional fly fishing guide. Marcelo continued his guiding passion in Colorado where it became his full time professional career. Marcelo also grew as a competitive angler and fly caster, winning and placing in numerous fly fishing contests. After guiding for over 20 years, Marcelo decided to move to Idaho where he could continue to grow and enhance his guiding career and raise his family in a healthy and beautiful environment. Always exploring, developing and learning is what drives Marcelo. You’ll likely find him out on the water spending time with his young son Sebastien.
Matthew grew up in Victor, Idaho and was immersed in the outdoor activities Teton Valley has to offer at a young age. He quickly found his passion for fly fishing and spent countless hours exploring the local waters with his dad and two older brothers. Matthew graduated from University of San Diego and is thrilled to be spending yet another summer in Teton Valley. Over the past few summers Matthew worked in the WCA fly shop and completed the Western Rivers Guide School. Matthew enjoys sharing his local knowledge and passion for Teton Valley and fly fishing, and deeply cherishes each and every memory created on the water.
Fly fishing is one of Mike’s greatest passions. He began fly fishing at the age of 12 and has fished with nothing but a fly rod since. Mike spent his childhood catching native brookies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He fished throughout Maine while attending college and moved out West to attend graduate school and hit fly fishing pay dirt. During that time he lived within casting distance of one of Northern California’s great steelhead rivers. While guiding, he splits his time between Twin Bridges, Montana and Island Park, Idaho. After guiding on the great rivers in Southwest Montana for 11 years, in 2009 Mike became a Montana Licensed Outfitter. He can handle all your Southwest Montana fly fishing needs on the Big Hole, Beaverhead, and Madison as well as the great rivers of Eastern Idaho — Henry’s Fork, South Fork, and the Teton. Mike calls Twin Bridges, MT home where he is the Executive Director for the Fishing Outfitters Association of Montana (FOAM) and self-employed as an ecologist.
Mike was born in Lausanne, Switzerland. Upon graduating from St. Lawrence University he attended the Western Rivers Guide School decades ago. That experience provided him with a platform to shape and mold his passion of becoming a life time guide. Being a member of the Guide School staff since his early years, he brings a great prospective of how guiding has evolved and the industry has grown. His calmness and patience are some of his key attributes that make the days memorable. Mike takes tremendous pride in his guiding tactics and rowing prowess. As a winner of the Jackson Hole One Fly Top Guide award and Jackson Hole One Fly 2025 Carmichael Cohen Morton Award, Mike understands the key mechanisms to guiding all ability levels. During the winter months, he works as an Instructor / Staff Trainer for Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. He loves to ski and has been able to combine both of his life passions into his professions. He is a proud father of 3 wonderful kids (Nick, Owen, and Stella) that are now in their post high school education. “Every fishing excursion presents a unique day and experience for all involved, that’s one of the best aspects of this job!”
Originally from the Midwest, Mike spent his youth exploring the lakes and river systems of northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Even with the distraction of the many spring fed creeks and rivers within the vicinity of UW-Madison, he earned undergrad and graduate degrees studying wildlife biology and environmental monitoring, including a few courses in entomology. After graduating, Mike followed his passion for open spaces and wild trout where his enthusiasm for the sport of fly fishing became an obsession. Continuing wildlife work allowed him to fish many remote and pristine areas of the Northwest and much of Alaska. Mike then decided to make his living doing what he enjoys most. Mike takes pleasure in teaching others and finds as much satisfaction in seeing his friends and clients catch fish as he does in catching them himself. His patience, appreciation for the natural world, and drive for success make a day in Mike’s boat one to be remembered.
Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Pete received an early introduction to fly fishing. His parent’s love of the sport enabled him to experience some of the world’s great fly fishing Meccas at a very young age. Pete has explored places such as: Alaska, Florida, British Columbia, Europe, the Olympic Peninsula and the Rockies. Pete received his B.A. in Journalism from the University of Oregon, and then his Masters in English from Boise State University. Combining his love of fishing and teaching, Pete is a 9th grade English teacher as well as an accomplished guide. Pete has appeared on ESPN, ESPN2, Verses, ABC Sports, and The Outdoor Channel. Pete is a member of the Clackacraft Pro-staff. Pete also won the 2008 National Team Championship with the USA Fly Fishing Team. He also adds an ESPN Outdoor Games Gold Medal to his list of accomplishments.
Pryor is a Jackson Hole native who grew up enjoying the plethora of trout fishing opportunities in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Pryor recently graduated from Berkshire School in Massachusetts and now attends the University of Virginia. Pryor is always looking forward to returning home for the summers to fish and guide on the greater Jackson Hole Rivers and Watersheds. Pryor grew up skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing and playing hockey, lacrosse and soccer. However, fly fishing remains his true passion. He currently lives in Wilson with his two siblings and parents.
Ryan grew up in Idaho a fifth generation potato farmer. He comes from a long line of outdoorsmen. Living in Eastern Idaho it was no accident fishing and skiing are his favorite past times. After completing Western Rivers guide school he knew what he wanted to do. He is eager to continue the quest to learn more about the rivers and fishing, knowing it is an endless journey. Ryan loves sharing his knowledge and enjoys interacting with people from all over. Whether fishing with a beginner or and experienced angler you are sure to have a great day on the water.
Skylar grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia fishing as much as he could. He left home to attend Clemson University where he received a degree in Spanish and International Trade. After completing an internship in Washington D.C., Skylar new that he couldn’t happily survive the city life and business world. He decided to move to Idaho upon graduation and pursue fly fishing and other outdoor recreational opportunities. For the last decade, Skylar has called Idaho and Steamboat Springs, Colorado home and continuing to fish as much as possible. He lives in Driggs and has no intention on ever leaving!
Tim Watters was born in St. Louis Missouri and moved with his family to Victor Idaho at the age of 10. Throughout the last 14 years he has spent his free time fly fishing, hunting and enjoying the outdoors throughout Idaho, Wyoming and Colorado. Being raised in a family with horses, lambs, goats and chicken, the western lifestyle along with the importance of being outdoors has played a major role in his life. Tim completed his BA degree at the University of Denver in geography where he spent a lot of his free time fishing around Colorado. He started the fly fishing club at DU to try to share his passion with others looking to start their fly fishing careers. It was at this moment he knew that after college he wanted to return home to Victor, Idaho to pursue a career as a fly fishing guide with WorldCast Anglers. Tim spends his winters in Argentina furthering his knowledge of guiding, trout fishing and continuing to fish year round.
Trevor started teaching people to cast fly rods and catch fish in northern Virgina and Maryland in 1997. He migrated to the Lake Tahoe area and guided from 1999 until 2007. Since 2007, Trevor has been working with WorldCast Anglers and now serves as Head Guide. He is a full time guide 8 months of the year. The other 4 months are filled with fishing, duck hunting, upland bird hunting and snowboarding in the Tetons. Trevor is well educated in all techniques of fly casting and fly fishing. Combined with his good stories and warm nature laughter, a day on the water with Trevor is always full of learning, fun and excitement.
Turner grew up in Nashville, Tennessee where he grew his passion for fly fishing chasing smallmouth bass in the local creeks and rivers. Turner is taking his love for the outdoors to the higher level by studying Wildlife Enterprise Management at Auburn University. Turner attended WorldCast’s Western Rivers Guide School and immediately knew he had found his calling: guiding trout fishing in the Tetons. Turner’s dream is to build upon this love for guiding his clients on our local waters and travel the globe chasing fish internationally. Whether you are a beginner angler or an expert, Turner hopes that everyone steps out of his boat at the end of the day with great new memories, skills, and a passion for fly fishing!
Vance Freed began his fly fishing odyssey at age 10 in his hometown of Trumbull, CT where he would rise before dawn to pursue the resident sunfish in the neighborhood pond. This was only the beginning of many glaring signs that would lead him to his future career as a guide. 20 years later, having naturally undergone the metamorphosis that would leave guiding as his most obvious and beloved livelihood, he said goodbye to his job in television, spent three days camping and fishing on the famed Housatonic River in CT and headed west. Vance is one of the head guides. He guides upwards of 130 days a year on the South Fork, Snake, Salt, Green and Teton rivers. He has also served as our Camp Manager and guide at Los Torres Lodge in South America during 2006 and was the second American to ever work as a guide in the Seychelles Islands, located 1000 miles off the coast of South Africa in the majestic Indian Ocean. Vance divides his time guiding and fishing over the entire western United States. He has many clients he now counts as friends and the unique aura of a man that truly loves his job.
Winn has been fishing for as long as he can remember. In fact, during his very first fishing trip, he fell overboard and proudly claims that was the moment he became “one with the fish.” What began as a childhood obsession eventually turned into a career with WorldCast Anglers — proof that spending an unreasonable amount of time on the water can sometimes pay off. Winn attended Auburn University, where he studied Wildlife Enterprise Management. His passion for the outdoors extends far beyond fishing, and he’s always eager to share his knowledge of wildlife, conservation, and life outside. He also specializes in convincing people that the fish they lost was almost certainly a state record.
Whether guiding experienced anglers or introducing someone to fly fishing for the very first time, Winn brings an easygoing personality, plenty of humor, and genuine enthusiasm to every trip. His goal is simple: make sure guests leave with lasting memories, new skills, plenty of laughs, and hopefully enough fish stories to make their friends back home jealous.
Zack Barrett, originally from Boston Massachusetts, found his way to the Tetons via the University of Montana in Missoula, MT with a short stay in Colorado. He now calls Driggs and the surrounding waters his home. Zack is a patient and hard working guide who believes the best friendships are made on the river. Whether you are a seasoned angler or just trying something new, Zack will adjust to your skill level and give you a memorable fishing experience.