Why Did I Start Writing?

My writing career began soon after I became a member of the Osprey Fly Fishers of B.C. Our club has a monthly newsletter detailing the clubs activities and a variety of articles contributed by the membership. The editor at the time, and with all editors who have followed, continuously canvassed members for contributions. After much prodding I began submitting articles fueled by a compulsive desire to not so much provide a blow-by-blow destination descriptions but rather pass along my findings with the hope to educate and inform others.

From my newsletter beginnings I began approaching magazines with potential article submissions. My initial forays were not encouraging. I was met with polite professional rejection letters. Buoyed by support from friends and family I carried on and thanks to American Angler and then editor Art Sheck who published my first article I ventured into the field of outdoor writing. Since that initial break in my writing career I have been fortunate to write for every major fly-fishing publication in North America including an article transposed to the Japanese edition of Fly Fisherman. At the same time concepts for books began brewing in my mind and I finally put pen or more appropriately fingers to keyboard completing my first book, Fly Patterns for Stillwaters. There are plans for at least two more. With each trip comes new experiences and knowledge, all potential sources for future articles and books.

I remember the learning curve for fly fishers can be and remains steep, a godsend of sorts that keeps all fly fishers in a state of continuous improvement or Kaisan. I enjoy helping others were I can and I am not one prone to secrets. If it weren't for other fly fisherman and writers passing on their knowledge and experiences fly-fishing wouldn't be what it is. No one ever seems to master this sport, Mother Nature makes sure of that!

"Because you never stop learning"