Dave began commercial fly tying in 1977. In addition to owning a Boise fly shop for seventeen years, Dave was the sales and operations manager for “Loon Outdoors” and later managed a local fly shop in Boise. While in his pursuit of fly tying excellence Dave entered and won first runner up in the FQSA World Atlantic Salmon Fly tying contest in 1985 and 1986. Dave was also featured in a 2000 edition of Northwest Flyfishing Magazine; in John Sheweys Innovative fly tyer section. Dave’s flies can also be found in the “Idaho Blue Ribbon Waters” book by John Shewey.
The accolades continued in another facet of Dave’s involvement with fishing, as he has guided senators, ambassadors, media personnel, entertainers CEO’s and hundreds of “everyday anglers.” Dave’s first guiding job entailed Backcountry Llama Pack trips into Alpine Lakes, fishing for trophy rainbow’s cutthroat and brookies. He also guides wilderness horse pack trips from time to time that also involve fishing for cutthroat, or hunting deer and elk. In yet another direction, Dave has attended Mel Kreiger’s famous casting school and was a certified Fly Fishing Federation Flycasting Instructor. The list goes on: Dave has studied fly casting under Joan Wulff, worked with school districts to develop fishing programs, and mastered single-handed and spey casting. Dave’s passion for chasing selective fish has honed his fly fishing skills well. From clear, slow spring creeks to raging mountain streams and high mountain lakes, Dave is very seldom stumped by the fish found there.
While Dave was managing the fly shop Dave met Rhonda Price. Rhonda grew up in a hunting and fishing family, and continued her dedication to the sport of fly fishing. A saleslady whose territory included Dave’s store, they met when she walked in to ask for locations of good streams to fish while she was in town. Rhonda’s love of steelhead and instruction in double-handed spey techniques by some of the very best, such as Ed Ward, Jim Green and Bob Strobel, peaked Dave’s interest. Rhonda and Dave walked at least twice more; along a stream that afternoon and down an aisle two and one-half years later. After departing from the retail venue of fly fishing, Dave married Rhonda along the banks of the Stilliguamish River.
Due to popular demand and the limitations involved with guiding for other outfitters, they began their full time guiding operation, “Dreams on the Fly“. Combining their love of the sport, as well as the passion for sharing the sport with others, they guide people from all over the world for trout on the Owyhee, Big Wood, and Lost River as well as Silver Creek. Featured in Forbes magazine as one the premier guides in the Northwest, they also guide for Steelhead and Smallmouth Bass on the Grande Ronde River in NE Oregon and SE Washington. Dreams on the Fly specializes in single day walk and wade, as well as 3 and 5 day float trips with an emphasis on offering the customer an experience of a lifetime. “You just need to have your waders and boots and we’ll take care of the rest”.
One response
2 04 2011
Fontinalis Rising (23:49:18) : edit
Wow, now I know the rest of the story. I knew you were a guide and outfitter, didn’t know it entailed all this. I may have to come fish with you someday, particularly a multi-day float. I organize multi-day kayaking trips and it would be great to do a western float. Think of the story that would be.
Proud to call you cous-
Jason Tucker
Reply
Nice color on that buck! Plus a wiggle wart for a souvenir! ;)