Expert Outdoor Outfitters Since 1966

As owner/operator of our parent company, The Backpackers Shop, Reece has been the integral force in our fly fishing department for 25 years. His passion for the fly fishing industry is known far and wide. Growing up in the heart of the Lake Erie Steelhead region, Reece finds time to visit the many streams and rivers that Ohio has to offer. His extensive travels have taken him to the western states’ best trout waters and beyond. If you need assistance and would like to talk to someone who has “been there, done that” give him a call or drop him an e-mail. But don’t bother trying to reach him in mid-August…..he and Tom will be somewhere west fishing from the Clackacraft!

Eric has been a fixture in our fly shop for almost six years, but don’t let his age fool you. At twenty-one, he has more knowledge than most folks three times his age. Our resident Steelhead expert and Shop Guide, Eric teaches beginner and advanced instruction as well as tying classes on a regular basis. He spends most of his time on the water during the Steelhead season and is blessed with a wealth of knowledge on the Lake Erie Steelhead fishery. If you want to know what’s going on in the Lake Erie region or if you have technical questions about products, give the shop a call and ask for “Jim”—he is ready and willing to lend you a hand.

Al is our resident trout expert and has the experience to back it up. He has fly fished for over thirty years and also has a passion for fly tying. Al handles all of the logistics in our extensive fly tying department. Spending much of his time pursuing trout on the small streams of Michigan and Pennsylvania, Al is well versed on almost every aspect of fly fishing and is genuinely one of the nicest people you will ever meet.

Thomas is a 3rd generation of the family and is currently attending Miami University. He has been fly fishing since the age of four, and has mastered the sport far beyond his age. He currently works at the shop during the summer months and was instrumental in the development of our website. His passions include fly tying and fly fishing for trout, steelhead and bass. Tom has traveled the country extensively in search of the best trout waters, and is an avid Steelhead fisherman in the Great Lakes region.

Bill is the latest addition to our fly shop staff. He has been a long standing customer at the shop and has a well rounded knowledge of both freshwater and saltwater angling. Having the luxury of living on the Vermilion River gives him a keen pulse on the local Steelhead fishery. Bill is on the water almost daily and is a great source for river reports. His travels have taken him to many great saltwater fly fishing destinations.