With only a flashlight to guide them, Ed and his friend paddled through the dark waters of the early morning. Their boat was loaded with rods, worms and the day’s snacks. They were to spend the day angling for trout, and they could not wait to see what was in store. Ed created several more fishing memories as he grew up. “The adventure, beauty and silence are what drew me to fishing,” he said. As the fifth of seven children, his childhood was spent exploring the lakes around Orange County, searching for the next big catch.
Ed started fly fishing when he was 14 years old, initially for largemouth bass and crappie. When he turned 16 and bought a car, he started fly fishing for trout in the Sierra Nevada high country on backpacking trips. “While larger fish could be found in the lakes, I enjoyed the beauty of the smaller streams catching beautiful trout, in pristine waters, on dry flies,” he says. Some of his longer days would take him into the headwaters of the Golden Trout Wilderness, the last stronghold for native Golden trout.
Ed chose to move to Idaho in 2003 for a variety of reasons, but primarily for the solitude and adventure that the vast wilderness and car-less backroads offered. As a man who has spent most of his life pursuing places of captivating beauty, the Gem state fulfills all of his desires. He knew he had come to the right place after spending a rainy day on Silver Creek in 2004. On this particular morning, Ed was reluctant to fish but decided to check out the hatch anyway. He came upon the usually crowded river, and to his surprise and relief, the area was vacant. A few people were huddled in their campers staying warm. Ed decided to proceed with his plan, and after a few hours the rain cleared up and a few Brown Drakes landed on the water. Just as he was settling into the motions, he had a small rise to his fly. Ed set the hook and as he reeled in the fly, he was thrilled to see a 21” Brown Trout on the other end. Ed released the fish back into the still waters of Silver Creek as the dark settled in. “I don’t think I will ever forget the beauty and solitude of that moment”
Winter and fall are Ed’s preferred months to fish due to the enchanting beauty in the rivers and the smaller crowds. Depending on the season, Ed’s favorite fly is the Deer Hair Beetle. He prefers this fly because of its versatility; he can use it for ponds, mountain lakes rivers, small creeks, spring creeks, and tailwaters. Additionally, the fly can be fished wet or dry. When it comes to his favorite waters to fish, Ed contemplates an answer and lands on backcountry lakes. “I say this is because it is not just the fishing, it is the total experience, the effort to get to the lake, the challenge of maneuvering around a rocky shoreline, the hunt for trout cruising the shoreline and the thrill to see them rise to a Deer Hair Beetle pattern. All among the solitude of mountain peaks and wildflowers.”
Ed has been a part of the team at SCO since 2006. Whether a beginner or an expert to the sport, Ed will teach you all the aspects of fishing and the natural world in which fishing happens. “I enjoy helping people along in their life’s journeys and fly-fishing can be part of that journey. Regardless of the client’s skill level, there is always something new to impart.” Ed’s favorite guide trip was an outing with two boys, aged 12 and 13. These brothers were interested in everything. “We looked at bugs, saw a moose, explored the river. They had great imaginations and took a break from fishing to just explore and play.” However, with Ed, they did catch their first fish on a fly rod.
In Ed’s rare spare time, he enjoys writing poetry, and cooking a hot pot of pasta paired with a glass of wine and accompanied by jazz or classical music. He is also an experienced traveler and loves packing up his camera and taking off on adventures in his 1984 VW Vanagon Camper. As a fan of the outdoors, he has pursued a variety of other activities including trail running, mountain biking, backpacking, Nordic skiing, rock climbing, and mountaineering for the past 32 years. You will also see Ed working as a Nordic Ski Courtesy Patroller at Galena Lodge every Saturday all winter long.
Additionally, Ed is passionate about protecting and preserving wild places and cold-water fisheries. He has served as President for the Hemingway Chapter of Trout Unlimited for the last eight years. When he was living in Orange County, CA, he enjoyed a career in the Fire Service and retired in 2006 after 34 years with the rank of Fire Captain and Paramedic.
Ed’s main tip for all new fisherman to the area is to be prepared! Take time to hone up on your skills if you are an experienced angler, and know what types of water you would like to fish and the experience you would like to have. Then, if possible, plan your visit for the time of year which offers the type of fishing you’re interested in, since fishing opportunities change with the seasons. Ed remindes beginners that it’s important to practice casting or take one of the free Fly Casting classes Silver Creek Outfitters offers before going on the guide trip. This will give you more productive fishing time on the water. And as always, have fun!
