Al Ritt - Massimo Tirocchi - David Gale -

Trout Whisperer - Mike Marsh - Chandan Gupta

Al Ritt - Colorado

Growing up in Michigan I fished as long as I can remember. While living in northern California in the early 1980's I began fly fishing almost exclusively, just shortly after I began tying flies.  In 1989 I moved to the northern front range of Colorado where I currently reside.  Most of my fishing is in Colorado and Wyoming for trout, but I also enjoy traveling and have made multiple trips to Ascension Bay in Mexico for bonefish and permit, Alaska for trout and salmon, and several states for various trout and warm water species.

While working in the robotics and industrial automation field most of my career, I have also worked for 2 large outdoor equipment retailers and for a local fly shop.  Currently I work for PEAK Fishing handling Sales, Marketing, Service, and Product Development for their fly tying and rod building product lines.  I've taught fly tying since 1995 both for area fly shops and independently for individuals and small groups.  I've also guided and taught fly fishing since 2004.  I am currently a pro team member for PEAK Fishing, Whiting Farms and Flymen Fishing Company. My fly designs have appeared in several books including Colorado Trout Flies by Todd Hosman Streamside Press), 100 Best Flies for Montana Trout by Thomas R Pero (Wild River Press), Modern Midges by Rick Takahashi and Jerry Hubka (Headwater Books) and 100 Best Flies for Colorado Trout by Thomas R Pero (Wild River Press). I have written articles for Fly Fishing and Tying Journal and Hatches
Magazines.

Currently I also operate my own business, Al Ritt Flies. The focus is on fly fishing education through fly tying classes/lessons and guided fly fishing services. More information about my guide services and classes is available on my web site, www.alrittflies.com . My fly designs are available from Montana Fly Company dealers, my own web site www.alrittflies.com and through www.MyFlies.com.

Massimo Tirocchi - Italy

Massimo Tirocchi was born in 1970. He works, fishes and lives in a beautiful Italian region called Abruzzi. He has been working with wood since an early age and has been fly fishing from 1986.

In his 24 years of flyfishing he has got his experience from mainly Italian locations. He fishes mostly trout and graylings.

Inside his big love for Fly Fishing two main obsessions live: one of them is the dry fly and the other one is the bamboo rods (making and using).

Massimo Tirocchi is also a member of the Italian Bamboo Rodmakers Association.

-Experienced fly fishing "trouts on dry fly"

-Experienced bamboo rodamker on a modern approach bamboo   rods

-Country Italy

He offers fishing guide services and/or rodmaking classes if any of you anglers are interested in combining flyfishing and rodmaking while on vacation in Italy.   www.t-rods.it

David Gale - Idaho

My name is David Gale and I live in Eastern Idaho .  I have been fishing for over 40 years and fly fishing and fly tying for nearly 30 years.  My folks gave me an old Berkley Cherry wood Glass fly rod and a fly tying kit for Christmas when I was 12 years old.  Before that, I used to clamped a bait hook in a pair of vice grips from my Dad's toolbox, I used my Mom's sewing thread and feathers from pheasants my Dad had hunted for and used fur that fell out of our cats and dogs for tying materials.  I guess my folks thought I should have a proper fly tying kit after witnessing my will to fish.

We had a couple stock ponds on the farm that I grew up on and they were stocked with Bluegills, sunfish, bullhead catfish and carp.  I fished for them all.  I grew up for a love and appreciation for fly fishing for warm water fish.  Living in Eastern Idaho now, I don't have the opportunities to cast a fly to bass, gills or carp as I did as a kid.  There are a few waters close by that are great for Smallmouth Bass and I pursue them with great enthusiasm through the early summer.  I fish for them exclusively from a pontoon boat using sinking and sinking tip fly lines and various crawfish and streamer patterns.

The South Fork of the Snake River is just minutes away and I fish it as often as I can.  It is such a diverse river, offering opportunity to fish size #22 midges spring and fall with 2 or 3wt fly rods, to pitching #4 streamers and buggers with a 7wt fly rod for 2 foot Browns, to incredible caddis, stonefly and mayfly hatches to give your 4 or 5wt fly rod and you casting arm plenty of exercise on Cutthroat Trout..  The river offers year around fly angling.  While more drift boat friendly, the South Fork offers wading fly casters like me plenty of opportunity.

The Henry's Fork of the Snake River , is equally special to fly anglers but more seasonal in opportunity and regulation.  The famous Railroad Ranch is just over an hour away and draws anglers from all over the world.  These are 'professional' trout and challenge the fly rodder to every extent.

As much as I like to spend time on these rivers, I believe my all time favorite trout fishing is on tiny streams throughout the region.  Late Summer, into Fall, these streams run 'gin' clear and can be quite challenging to sneak up on pools.  Brook Trout, Bows, Bull Trout and Browns call these waters home.  In the Fall, both tree leaves and brook trout turn amazing in color.  Combine stunning scenery, beautiful trout and truly wilderness tracts of land where you might hear the howl of a wolf and a Grizzly track in the trail (carry pepper spray) can make for an unforgettable fly fishing experience.

In addition to the regions moving water, I am also drawn to area lakes.  Still water fly fishing from a float tube or pontoon is just plain fun and some lakes such as Henry's Lake , produce some pretty big trout.  Put in enough time and you will find yourself doing battle with a fish that might be as much as 30 inches long and 20-24 inch trout being really common.  I fish both float lines with midge patterns and sinking lines with various leeches and nymphs.

Eastern Idaho is a wonderful place to fly fish. 

If you need more info than that, let me know.  If anyone is planning a trip to Eastern Idaho , let me know.  I love to fly fish, I love to tie flies and I love to talk about fishing.

 The Trout Whisperer - Minnesota
 
I am known as the “The Trout Whisperer” and I live in north eastern Minnesota......just a titch south of the Aurora Borealis.....I prefer chasing all the trout to include splake lakers, rainbows and of course my personal favorite brookies...I am in my 45th year of fishing and I have been a guide for fishing, kayaking, berry picking, rock hounding and big foot sightings for over 20 years. I also teach a compass course.

I am anti indoors yet somehow completely housebroken. I enjoy guiding in the Superior National Forest to include the BWCA. I freelance for many outdoor publications around the 3rd rock from the sun. If you feel the need to contact me, I can be reached at many bait stores, area waters or drop me a line at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

http://www.areavoices.com/troutwhisp/

Mike Marsh - Michigan

I'm Mike Marsh, owner of Marsh Ridge River Guide Service , I grew up in the town of West Olive, Michigan, along the banks of Pigeon Creek that flows into Lake Michigan just north of Holland. From a very early age, I was always in the creek looking for fish, nymphs, frogs, turtles, any thing that would catch my eye in the water. As I reached the age of 10, I would ride my bike miles from home, to fish the Grand River for walleye, catfish, bass, pike, and huge carp.

As a teenager, I fished local bass and catfish tournaments. Our family would travel all over the state for my father's job as a bridge builder, so I got many chances to perfect my fishing skills on the rivers and lakes in northern Michigan. We often vacationed at my uncle's cabin on the main branch of the Pere Marquette River in the spring, summer, fall, and the winter. at the age of 12 it was all I had ever dreamed it would be. Since those days, I have enjoyed 20 years of Lake Michigan salmon fishing and 9 years of guiding fly fishing excursions on Michigan's, Pere Marquette River, Manistee River, Muskegon River, and Pine River.

I am now a licensed Michigan, U.S. Forest Service Permitted River Guide. Guiding fly Fishing adventures on the Pere Marquette River Pine River, Upper Manistte River, Big Manistee River, Little Manistee River, Muskegon River, White River, Grand River and the Kalamazoo River Fly fishing for Brown trout, rainbow trout steelhead and silver/king salmon catfish, and pike, small mouth bass and many other Michigan fish. I have a lifetime of fishing knowledge and experience to pass on to anyone fishing with me. I take pride in the dry flies and streamers that I tie. I have learned a lot from my fellow guides and paid close attention to their detail. This has made me a better fly fisherman, enabling my clients to learn from me. In addition, I am now setting lines on Lake Michigan, for Captain Roger Haynor, and I am a investor in Evolution Sport Fishing Charters, a Lake Michigan, fishing charter service. I love what I do, fly fishing Michigan's trout streams and fishing on Lake Michigan, on the Evolution charter boat. Fishing is what I am. I always let my fishing do the talking.

Chandan Gupta - India

Chandan Gupta was born (1973) and raised In Calcutta, India, a city known for its beautiful architecture and laid back attitude, few small lakes where very few people catch fish with bamboo rods and worms, one river over crowded with commercial vessels and no scope for fishing. So despite the fact that he is not from very picturesque town surrounded by natural beauties or much scope of outdoor sports, he became an outdoors and nature enthusiast. Chandan hates to stay home when he can be out there doing what he loves most, trekking, rafting, parasailing, fishing and other adventure sports.

Chandan got his first exposure to the sport of fly fishing during a vacation in France on Loire River.  He went there to learn fly tying for his newly started venture of exporting fly fishing equipment and fly tying tools in 1999.  That fly fishing in France had him so hooked that now his company exports flies, fly tying tools, materials and other fly fishing gears globally, to almost all countries where fly fishing exists. His company RG SAGA specializes in manufacturing OEM products and also sells under brand name of RG SAGA.

Chandan loves to tie flies and is one of the very few commercial fly tiers in the country of India.  He also loves to develop new tools, materials and gear for tying and general fishing and outdoor needs.

Chandan has explored many sea and river fly fishing expeditions in India and Europe. He and his company are engaged in various activities to promote fly fishing and fly tying, especially among children and also with nature conservations and other good causes. These days he and his associates are trying hard to increase awareness and promote the almost non-existing sport of fly fishing in India.

Chandan Gupta can be contacted for any kind of assistance related to flys, tying equipment, fishing in India, new product ideas and you can send your suggestions by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  You can also visit the range of his products at http://www.rgsaga.com.