Jessi

Growing up in Alaska I started tying and fishing at a young age. I was gifted my first fly rod and fishing hat from my dad and I've been unstoppable since. I used to sneak down to go fishing (2 miles from the house) and my mom would know exactly where to find me saying, "You know bears like to fish to, you can't just leave and not tell me where your going." I then got a tying set up so I could learn to tie, we didn't have anywhere to learn or buy flies close to us. I just started tying material to a hook to make it "buggy" using everything I could find including saving feathers/hair from our hunting. I tied every fly from then on and my family and I have caught fish all over Alaska. In 2001 we moved to Missouri. After getting settled we started driving around and found trout fishing 30 minutes from the house. I went every chance my mom took me, It was a trout park but atleast I could fish again. After graduating and getting my own vehicle I started researching for myself and I found some great wild water that will hold my heart from here on out.

Screenshot_20220402-122250_Facebook~2_Original_edited.jpg

What have I been up to?

I didn't get to grow up fishing farm ponds. That being said I had never fished a frog or a diver before. Those deer hair flies were happily eaten over and over. This was a great mental break that we both needed and a great way to spend the day.

Finally got to meet up with my cousin! I had never gotten to meet him in person. What a great taxidermy shop! I had so much fun riding around and checking out his area of Missouri. If you are in the Jefferson City area and looking for someone check out Bodoc Taxidermy.

I tied up some flies for Charlie and his trip. Look on the Let's Brag page to see the pacu this fly caught. I used to have a pet pacu, his name was Jaws.

7625ECC1-A2D9-4EAF-990B-C8254A4A91F8 (1).JPG

I was the Maid-of-Honor in a wedding. After the wedding was over I had to hit the water. I could hear those smallies calling my name. The owners of the venue had said they never had a girl out here fishing in a dress, let alone fly fishing.

GUIDING WITH PATRIOT ANGLERS: We were asked by MeChelle Duffy-Pope (Black Swan Anglers) to help guide. We went to Broken Bow, Oklahoma for a few days. They say this trip was for the veterans, We needed it to. It was great to get on the water and share knowledge. This trip is one I will be looking forward to in the upcoming years.

A PACU HOPPER: Jarrod threw me a pack of AHREX SA210 Bob Clouser hooks and said, "I need you to tie the biggest grasshopper you have ever seen." This is what I came up with.

TRIPLE SMALLIES: It's not every day that you triple up with smallies. This day was an absolute bast. People ask all the time how we drive so far to fish these places. We sleep in the car. This night was in a Lowes parking lot.

This fish will be one I will never forget. The hybrid bite this year has been one of a kind. 10+ pound hybrid on a fly will absolutely ruin you and make you never want to chase another fish.

F71A999A-8B11-439F-8DCD-C8FFB8852D8D (1).JPG

SLAB Sac-a-lait: Went out on some private water with Goose. We got into some slab crappie. Every cast was a fish, talk about a great day!

Stuck in a Tornado Warning!

After Sowbug we got together with Goose, MeChelle, and Joe. We fished for a few hours and then decided to switch and grab some grub. The weather went from 0-100 FAST! We sent a few hours waiting out the hail storm and then the Tornado Siren in Natural State Fly Shop parking lot. It's not everyday that you find friends that are always up for these crazy fishing adventures.

AMFF tying Event: Jarrod and I tied at the American Museum of Fly Fishing in Springfield Missouri (inside Bass Pro).

AMFF Website

First fish in the Raft!: If I ever look bored fishing it's because I have to use a indicator. An indicator and a rust zebra midge did get this one to the net.

Honoring Dave Whilock: We got to see the bench they put in at Dry Run Creek. It was such an honor to be there and see his loved ones talk about how he built this. We get to enjoy his work for years to come. Children 15 and under get to fish this and have a chance to catch the fish of a lifetime.

Night fishing with Leonard Keeney:

I caught my first brown on a hibernator Jarrod tied. Catching a brown and fishing with Leonard with be something I never forget. You wil be missed buddy!