OUR TEAM!

Michael Van Wormer

Master Fly Tyer – British Columbia, Canada

For Michael Van Wormer , fishing was never simply a pastime — it was a calling that began in his childhood on the trout-rich waters of Kamloops and the legendary salmon and steelhead rivers of British Columbia’s Lower Mainland. At a remarkably young age, Michael was already studying aquatic insects and tying flies to imitate them with precision. Countless early mornings and late evenings spent testing patterns and observing fish behaviour laid the groundwork for a lifelong devotion to wild fish, technical excellence, and untamed places.

Michael’s journey into the fly-fishing industry began as a teenager working in local tackle shops, where he instructed fly tying and casting courses while learning from seasoned anglers. Immersed in the tools of the trade, he developed an advanced understanding of fly-fishing equipment, line systems, presentation techniques, and the subtle variables that separate success from frustration.

In 1994, he officially launched his guiding career on the renowned Blackwater River and its surrounding lakes and rivers. His natural water-reading ability, calm confidence, and technical casting skill quickly distinguished him as a rising professional in British Columbia’s guiding community.

During his formative guiding years, Michael’s abilities extended well beyond the riverbank. He was recruited into sales and marketing roles, spending nearly a decade traveling extensively — attending up to a dozen fly-fishing trade shows annually across North America. These experiences placed him at the heart of the U.S. fly-fishing industry, where many of the sport’s most respected figures took him under their wing.

Through mentorship and relentless practice, Michael earned his FFF Instructor Certification and accumulated multiple 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies in casting competitions alongside some of the industry’s finest casters. These competitive years refined his mechanics, discipline, and analytical approach to the sport — skills that continue to influence his guiding and fly design today.

In 1999, an invitation to join the Wild Salmon Center Kamchatka Steelhead Project opened the door to the adventure of a lifetime. Over the next eight years, Michael guided in the remote wilderness of Russia’s Far East, exploring and fishing 28 different river systems across Kamchatka. Few anglers in the world possess that depth of steelhead experience across such an expansive and untouched landscape.

His international reputation continued to grow, leading to an invitation to join The Fly Shop Travel Team from 2003–2007. There, he led the Kamchatka Steelhead and Trout Program while representing many of the world’s premier lodges throughout Alaska, British Columbia, Chile, Argentina, and beyond. Fishing globally renowned waters provided an invaluable education in geography, entomology, fish behaviour, seasonal timing, and cultural approaches to angling.

Over the decades, rainbow trout, brown trout, sea-run browns, roosterfish, dorado, marlin, and countless other species have found their way to the end of Michael’s line. Yet it was steelhead — first encountered at just nine years old — that ultimately captured his heart. That early spark evolved into a 30-year pursuit of fishing as many steelhead rivers as possible across the West Coast of North America and around the globe.

In 2007, Michael made the permanent move to Skeena Country to dedicate his life to chasing wild steelhead and exploring the vast, powerful waters of the Skeena River system. Since then, he has guided extensively on the Skeena and its most noteworthy tributaries, earning a reputation for professionalism, precision, and an unwavering commitment to his guests’ success.

Michael understands that when fishing for all species, the smallest details matter — especially what you tie to the end of your line. His decades of global experience, love of fly design, and unwavering passion for Skeena steelhead drive his vision for Skeena River Fly Supply: providing anglers with proven flies, premium tying materials, honest knowledge, and the confidence to chase their own steelhead dreams.

For Michael, this is more than a profession. It is a life built around wild rivers, hard-earned fish, and helping others experience the magic of steelhead in one of the greatest watersheds on earth.

Jessi Bell – Signature Fly Designer & Manager, Skeena River Fly Supply

Born and raised in Terrace, BC, Jessi Bell has spent her life immersed in the rivers, forests, and wild spaces of the Northwest. An avid angler and dedicated hunter, Jessi feels most at home on the water or deep in the backcountry, where the pace slows and the details of nature become the inspiration for her craft.

Jessi’s true passion lies in the art of fly tying—combining creativity, knowledge, and an intuitive understanding of fish behaviour. What started as a personal hobby quickly evolved into a signature skill. Each fly she designs is built with intention, durability, and the unique characteristics of Skeena country in mind. For Jessi, a great fly isn’t just a tool—it’s the beginning of a memorable fishing experience.

Today, as a Signature Fly Designer and Manager for Skeena River Fly Supply, Jessi continues to push the boundaries of traditional tying. She’s known for producing patterns that are as beautiful as they are effective, inspired by everything from river conditions to wildlife encounters on her adventures. Her flies have earned the trust of anglers across the Northwest and around the world.

Whether she’s behind the vise, out scouting rivers, or helping customers choose the perfect pattern, Jessi brings authenticity, passion, and deep regional knowledge to the Skeena River Fly Supply team. Her goal is simple: to create flies that spark unforgettable moments on the water—and to share her love of fishing

Jaap Kalkman – Master Fly Tyer of Netherlands

Growing up in The Netherlands there was no lack of waters to fish. From a very early age my brother and I would explore the canals, lakes and marshes in our area. We soon found that fly fishing provided us with the biggest challenge and ended up traveling all over the world to remote areas in search of fish and adventure.

One of our trips brought us to British Colombia and the Skeena region. It was clear to me that I had to move to this fishing paradise, so I did. Now I had hundreds of rivers to explore and miles and miles of wilderness. Word got out that I was a fishin’ fool and I was asked to guide for Jim Ismond on the Bulkley. I guided for him until he sold the lodge and was consequently asked to guide for Bob Hull from Steelhead Excursions. I guided for Bob for another 20 years or so after which I retired from guiding.

Over those years I continued to travel all over the world to explore remote fishing locations. One of those trips, with Jerome Wohe from Skeena River Lodge, led to the start-up of Tapam Lodge in Nicaragua.

Fly tying was always an integral aspect of my fishing. I greatly enjoy finding new ways to reach goals, even is the goal is as simple as catching a fish! During all the years of guiding and fishing I had come up with many ideas but was never able to fully realize them. So I decided to start up a company that would allow me to realize those ideas.

Skeena River Fly Supply is a work of passion for me. It allows me to produce products that are innovative and of a quality that I like to see.

I have great support from friends in the guide world and fishing friends from around the world, some of whom are part of our team. I hope you will enjoy this site and our products.

Errki Rustad – Master Fly Tyer of Norway

Errki Rustad grew up in a family deeply rooted in fishing, hunting, and the outdoors. Some of his earliest memories are of long journeys to the legendary salmon river, the Orkla. Though it was a four- to five-hour drive from home, his family spent countless weekends and holidays there, returning season after season to pursue Atlantic salmon in its cold, clear currents.

Introduced to fly casting at the age of seven or eight by his father, an avid fly fisherman, Erkki quickly developed a natural connection to the water. After school, he could often be found fishing for trout and grayling in his local river — sometimes from the bank, other times from a boat alongside his grandfather. Time spent in the mountains further shaped his upbringing, where streams and lakes were explored with flies, worms, and lures alike.

His father also introduced him to fly tying while he was still in elementary school, teaching him to craft trout and dry flies by hand. For many years, dry-fly trout fishing was his primary focus, with only occasional salmon trips each season. Over time, however, salmon fishing became his central pursuit. For the past decade, nearly all of his days on the water have been dedicated to salmon rivers.

That progression led naturally to a deep fascination with salmon fly design — the structure, materials, and subtle techniques that give a fly life in the current. Fly tying evolved from a skill into a defining part of his fishing life. His patterns have accounted for many salmon over the years, and his success on the river has drawn increasing interest from anglers seeking his handcrafted, custom-tied flies.

Today, Erkki ties a limited number of flies each winter, carefully crafting each pattern while awaiting the return of the salmon season. Every fly reflects a lifetime shaped by Scandinavian waters — guided by tradition, refined by experience, and driven by a passion that continues to grow.

Derek Hughes – Master Fly Tyer, Scotland Roots, British Columbia Waters.

Born and raised in Scotland — where salmon tradition runs as deep as the rivers — Derek Hughes brings old-world discipline to the wild steelhead waters of British Columbia.

With decades of experience fishing and studying BC’s legendary rivers, Derek has earned a reputation as a master tyer of steelhead and salmon patterns built specifically for West Coast conditions. His flies are not just beautiful — they are purpose-driven, field-tested, and tied to perform in powerful, glacial-fed river systems.

Derek blends the precision and heritage of classic Scottish salmon tying with the bold, fishy practicality required for BC steelhead and Salmon .

The result is a signature style: balanced proportions, durable construction, and profiles that move with lifelike confidence in heavy current.

Countless weeks spent annually in the Skeena and Fraser watersheds have given Derek an intimate understanding of his fly designs , flow, and presentation.

Every pattern he ties reflects that knowledge — from subtle, low-water confidence flies to larger, high-water statements designed to get noticed in coloured flows.

At the vise, he is meticulous. Materials are selected with care. Colours are layered with intention. Each fly is finished clean and strong — built to hold up against powerful chrome fish and long days on the river.

Derek Hughes ties with precision  fishes with experience, and creates flies that earn their place in every serious anglers’ boxes.

When you fish one of Derek’s patterns, you’re fishing tradition refined by the rivers of British Columbia.

Myles Zuchotzki – Fly Tyer

Meet Myles – The Young Master Behind the Vise

At just 13 years old, Myles has already earned a well deserved reputation as a true craftsman at the tying bench.

While most kids his age are glued to screens, Myles is glued to his vise — obsessing over perfect proportions, perfecting thread tension, and utilizing a vast array of premium flytying materials with  level of care that even the most seasoned tiers respect.

Fly tying isn’t just a hobby for him; it’s a calling.

From classic trout & steelhead patterns to modern, confidence-inspired creations,

Myles ties each fly with remarkable precision and pride.

His wraps are clean, his profiles balanced, and his finishing work rivals tiers 3 times his age.

More importantly, he understands something you can’t teach — the soul of a fly. He ties with the belief that every pattern deserves to swim true and fish hard.

Myles is constantly studying techniques, experimenting with materials, and refining his craft. He approaches each fly not just as a product, but as a small piece of functional art meant to earn its place in an angler’s box, and a giant Steelhead’s mouth.

Focused, Dedicated & Obsessed in the best possible way.

When you fish a fly tied by Myles, you’re fishing passion — wrapped in thread and finished with purpose.