People

John was raised along the banks of the Washougal River, where he was indoctrinated into a fly-fishing family led by his father Bill. This eventually led John to snorkel among salmonids, then to college and research, and ultimately to graduate school.

Before joining TCA, John studied salmonids for the USFS, the Hoh Indian Tribe, the Wild Salmon Center, and NOAA/NWFSC as part of the Elwha River dam removal project. Most recently, he served as Science Director for Trout Unlimited's Wild Steelhead Initiative.

John's research has focused on the biology, behavior, and ecology of steelhead and rainbow trout — particularly the mechanisms influencing life-history strategies and their importance to the resilience of Oncorhynchus mykiss. He has published numerous peer-reviewed manuscripts and written books, chapters, and articles on fish and fishing.

John lives on the Olympic Peninsula with his wife, Laurel, where nearly all his free time is spent snorkeling, photographing, or fishing the region's rivers. He has served as President of TCA since December 2024.

As COO and Director of Science, George Pess brings over 26 years of experience at NOAA leading salmonid recovery through habitat and watershed restoration. He collaborates across agencies, tribes, NGOs, and academia, backed by a PhD in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences from the University of Washington.

George's research spans salmon and steelhead ecology, watershed management, and the science of river restoration. His work has been instrumental in shaping recovery strategies for Pacific salmon across the region.

Nick Chambers is a fisheries scientist whose lifelong connection to wild rivers — shaped by the Rogue River and refined through fieldwork from California to Alaska — anchors his dedication to protecting native fish.

As Senior Scientist, he brings both scientific rigor and practical field experience to TCA's monitoring programs. Nick's work spans steelhead biology, population assessment, and the development of standardized field protocols that allow guides and anglers to collect publication-quality data.

With a career spanning finance, operations, software, and community-driven digital strategy, Chris offers a uniquely integrative perspective to TCA's operations.

His deep Pacific Northwest roots fuel a commitment to protecting natural wonders and strengthening the communities around them. Chris ensures TCA operates with the financial discipline and organizational clarity that conservation science requires.

With more than two decades of experience across Oregon's high-tech and nonprofit sectors, Sarah brings deep expertise and a long-standing commitment to salmonid conservation to TCA.

A natural collaborator, she excels at connecting people, ideas, and communities to drive meaningful impact. Sarah leads TCA's engagement with partner lodges, guide networks, and angler communities across the Northern Crown.

Andrew merges two decades of cross-industry technology leadership with a gift for translating complex digital systems into meaningful, mission-level impact.

He supports TCA with strategic IT guidance, digital modernization, and a people-centered approach to nonprofit innovation — ensuring that the organization's data infrastructure is as rigorous as its field science.

A lifelong angler and real-estate executive, Peter brings both passion and pragmatism to wild fish conservation. His experiences on rivers from the Sierras to Kamchatka shape his drive to protect the habitats he hopes future generations can enjoy.

As Board Chairman, Peter provides strategic leadership and organizational oversight, drawing on decades of experience building and leading successful enterprises.

Tom Pero is a co-founder of both the Wild Salmon Center and The Conservation Angler, having helped build these organizations alongside Pete Soverel from their earliest days. His foundational role in establishing the institutional frameworks, partnerships, and scientific vision that define TCA's work today is central to everything the organization has become.

An award-winning conservation writer and publisher, Tom's influence spans decades of coldwater advocacy, journalism, and nonprofit leadership. His work has helped shape modern thinking around wild salmon and steelhead stewardship across the Pacific Rim.

As Board Secretary, Tom brings clarity, craft, deep institutional memory, and an unmatched understanding of what it took to build this organization from the ground up.

A lifelong devotee of wild salmonids, Dan blends legal expertise, nonprofit leadership, and entrepreneurial thinking with a deeply personal connection to the waters that shaped him.

His career reflects a steadfast belief in pragmatic, solutions-driven conservation — and his experience navigating complex legal and organizational landscapes makes him an invaluable voice on the board.

A former derivatives broker turned conservation advocate, Otis brings analytical rigor and heartfelt passion for wild fish to every endeavor.

With roots in Wisconsin's Northwoods and global experience through the Kamchatka Steelhead Project, he champions science-based stewardship and has been a committed supporter of TCA's field science program since its early days.

An accomplished angler, author, and conservationist, Jonathan brings over forty years of expertise studying and pursuing permit and steelhead around the world. His scientific insight and creative contributions to the sport enrich his commitment to wild fish protection.

Jon's deep knowledge of steelhead behavior and Pacific Rim river systems informs TCA's scientific agenda and field program design.

From the Oregon Coast to Montana's backcountry, Jim has built a life immersed in wild landscapes and wild fish. His diverse career and long history with steelhead fuel his commitment to safeguarding their remaining populations.

Jim brings a practitioner's perspective to the board — grounded in rivers, shaped by decades of field experience, and focused on the practical realities of conservation in an era of accelerating change.

Rooted in a lifetime spent on the Olympic Peninsula, Roger brings a deep personal connection to wild places and the fisheries that shaped him. He remains devoted to preserving the rare, world-class fisheries he's been fortunate enough to experience.

Roger's intimate knowledge of Olympic Peninsula rivers and his long relationship with TCA's scientific work make him a grounding voice on the board.

Jack Stanford is a globally recognized river ecologist whose groundbreaking research has reshaped modern understanding of river systems, salmonid ecology, and aquatic connectivity.

With decades of fieldwork across the Pacific Rim — including the founding research on Kamchatka steelhead that launched TCA's model — Jack remains one of the most influential scientific voices in freshwater conservation today.

Based in British Columbia's Skeena watershed, Brian is a renowned speycasting instructor, lodge operator, and conservation advocate dedicated to preserving wild salmon and steelhead.

A leader in angler education and policy advisory work, Brian's deep roots in the Skeena system give him an unmatched understanding of the rivers, communities, and fish that define the Northern Crown's British Columbia network.

DRAFT — Please review and revise as needed.

Todd Moen is a filmmaker, photographer, and founder of Catch Magazine, an online journal dedicated to the art and culture of fly fishing through cinematic storytelling. Since launching the magazine in 2008, he has traveled the world capturing fly fishing in its most remote and breathtaking settings.

With nearly 30 years of filmmaking experience and over 30 million views on the Catch Magazine YouTube channel, Todd has built the largest collection of fly fishing films in the world. He brings that same filmmaking vision to his role on the TCA board, looking forward to helping tell the story of wild steelhead and the rivers and people devoted to their conservation.

Dave was introduced to fly fishing and the outdoors at an early age through his father and extended family. Growing up in the Eugene area, he spent much of his time exploring some of the Pacific Northwest's most iconic fisheries — Crane Prairie Reservoir, Hosmer Lake, the Deschutes, McKenzie, and the North Umpqua.

While the excitement of catching fish initially drew him in, Dave was equally captivated by the landscapes and waterways themselves. That early connection eventually led him to a career as a ski race coach, though fly fishing always remained a central part of his life.

In 1999, Dave returned to the Pacific Northwest and founded Emerald Water Anglers, a full-service fly fishing guide service, boutique retail shop, and travel consultancy based on the west side of Washington. Now in its twenty-fourth year, the company became the first business in the fly fishing industry to achieve Carbon Neutral and Net Zero status.

A core part of Dave's mission has been to create an environment where novice anglers feel comfortable learning, experienced anglers remain challenged, and members of marginalized and underrepresented communities feel welcomed, safe, and included in the sport. Based near Seattle, he continues to work year-round to reshape perceptions of fly fishing in the region and advocate for the protection of the fisheries and wild places that make the sport possible.

Ed Fuhrken is the owner of Waters West Fly Fishing Outfitters in Port Angeles, Washington, the Olympic Peninsula's only fly shop.

Growing up in northern Mexico, Ed's relationship with fish began at an early age, fishing the local bass lakes with his father, as well as a few trips to the coast. The trips eventually expanded north to Oregon, where Ed caught his first steelhead at age 11, an experience that grew into a lifelong obsession with steelhead and salmon.

Fishing took a backseat to a software engineering career in Silicon Valley, until the grind pushed him back to the water. The obsession returned, stronger than before, and pulled him north to the Pacific Northwest. Shortly after moving to Washington, he learned that the owner of his favorite fly shop, Waters West Fly Fishing Outfitters, was ready to retire, and the shop would be closing if he couldn't find someone to take over. That was just the motivation he needed to commit to a full career change. He has owned and operated it since 2018, outfitting anglers for the Olympic Peninsula's diverse range of fisheries: winter steelhead, Chinook, coho, sea-run cutthroat, and the coastal beaches.

It became immediately obvious that Waters West only exists because of the healthy fisheries in the area, and it cannot exist without them. That reality shapes how Ed runs the business and how he thinks about his role as an Ambassador for The Conservation Angler. The Waters West guide service is swung fly only, both to preserve the Olympic Peninsula's fly fishing tradition and to limit its impact on the fishery. Wild salmon are released even when regulations allow harvest. At the shop counter, much of Ed's day is spent outfitting first-time steelhead anglers and explaining to visitors why wild steelhead are special and why the regulations that protect them exist.

Ed brings the perspective of a shop owner, angler, fly tier, and longtime member of the Olympic Peninsula fishing community. Off the clock, he fishes, hikes, and snorkels the Peninsula's rivers as often as he can.

Kyle is a dentist based in Vancouver with a lifelong passion for fly fishing and conservation. Before attending dental school at Indiana University, he earned a degree in Aquatic and Fisheries Science from the University of Washington.

Kyle's connection to rivers and fisheries began at an early age while spending time at his family's cabin along the banks of the Washougal River, where he learned to fly fish and tie flies at just eleven years old. During his college years, he guided for several seasons on the Alagnak River in Bristol Bay, further deepening his appreciation for wild fisheries and remote landscapes.

Over the years, Kyle has pursued steelhead across some of the world's most celebrated fisheries, including the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Aleutian Islands, British Columbia, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and California.

Kyle credits much of his ability to pursue his passion to the support of his wife, Lenna, who shares and encourages his commitment to fishing and conservation. Together, they are now introducing their children, Nash and Nola, to the rivers and experiences that have shaped so much of Kyle's life.

Chris is the owner and operator of Bend Fly Shop and has worked as a professional guide for more than twenty years on the Lower Deschutes River and the coastal rivers of northern Oregon.

At heart, Chris is a passionate angler whose favorite days are spent pursuing fish across Oregon, British Columbia, and beyond. His deep appreciation for wild steelhead and their conservation ultimately led him to become involved with TCA.

Chris lives in Bend with his wife and daughter.

Growing up in Southern California, Rich's passion for fishing began inshore, casting live sardines beneath kelp paddies and into boiling bait balls for yellowtail off the coast of Oceanside. Summers spent fishing for trout near his father's property east of Redding further deepened his connection to the water and the outdoors.

In 1998, Rich left the fast pace of Southern California behind and moved north, where he soon began exploring the Trinity River. On his very first steelhead outing, he hooked a fish that would permanently shape the course of his life. Captivated by the combination of ocean power and mountain river beauty embodied by wild steelhead, Rich became fully devoted to the pursuit — spending close to 200 days a year on the water.

Now based in Ashland, Rich guides full-time on some of the Pacific Northwest's most iconic rivers, including the North Umpqua, Trinity, Klamath, and Smith. For Rich, steelheading is far more than a passion — it is a lifelong dedication to the pursuit, understanding, and conservation of these remarkable fish and the waters they inhabit.

Owner and operator of Anadromous Anglers, Nick has spent the past 15+ years guiding on Oregon rivers. A native Oregonian with deep roots fishing the Northwest, Nick saw his first steelhead at eight years old — a bright wild hen his father caught. He's been in love with them ever since.

In 2008, Nick graduated from Oregon State with a degree in fisheries biology. His guiding background includes both fly-out and jet boat lodges in Alaska, multi-day camping float trips on the Lower Deschutes River, the North Coast, and other Western Oregon rivers.

In 2012, Nick founded Anadromous Anglers and continues to deliver the highest level of guiding and instruction in the industry. Nick is on the Burkheimer Fly Rods pro staff and a Montana Fly Company signature fly tier. Today he's based out of Pacific City on the North Oregon Coast, where he's able to guide his home rivers and pursue his lifelong love for steelhead.

Jason is a fly fishing guide, photographer, and farmer based in Crescent City. For the past seventeen years, he has operated Steelhead on the Spey Guide Service, specializing in fly fishing trips for salmon and steelhead on the Klamath, Smith, and Eel rivers.

From 2009 to 2021, Jason also guided in Alaska on the Sapsuk and Sandy rivers for both Hoodoo Lodge and Sandy River Camp.

Over the last six years, Jason has been closely involved in documenting the historic Klamath River dam removal project through the documentary Undamming Klamath for Swiftwater Films. His work has included managing time-lapse photography of the dam removal process and photographing the broader restoration effort.

Originally from Oakland, Justin graduated from California State University, Chico in 2004. It was during his college years that steelhead fishing became a true obsession, with countless days spent on the river immediately after class.

Hired by The Fly Shop in 2004, Justin began guiding on the Trinity River in 2006, focusing exclusively on swinging two-handed rods for steelhead. Two years later he was recruited to guide in Kamchatka, where he spent summers targeting large wild rainbow trout with mouse flies — and went on to manage The Conservation Angler's Kamchatka Steelhead Project each fall for more than fifteen years.

In 2014, Justin joined The Fly Shop's travel department, where he now represents world-class fishing destinations across the globe while continuing to guide steelhead anglers each fall. His focus remains on many of the world's premier swing-fishing destinations — British Columbia and Alaska for steelhead, Iceland and the Kola Peninsula for Atlantic salmon, and Alaska and Tierra del Fuego for Chinook salmon and sea-run brown trout. Beyond steelhead, Justin spends much of his time pursuing fish around the world, always seeking opportunities to entice large wild fish to chase a fly.

Based in San Diego, Pranjal is a dedicated fly fisherman whose connection to the river is defined by both passion and stewardship. He is a regular visitor to the wild waters of the Pacific Northwest, most notably during his annual October trips to British Columbia.

For Pranjal, steelhead angling is more than a pastime — it is a deeply personal connection to nature, where the river serves as both refuge and inspiration.

As an Ambassador for The Conservation Angler, he is passionate about increasing representation and diversity within the steelhead community. Through his work with the organization, Pranjal hopes to help ensure that future generations — including his young son — inspire and inherit healthy, vibrant rivers and a sport that is welcoming and accessible to all.

Kevin grew up in Colorado, where his passion for fly fishing first began. After college, he traveled to Southeast Alaska, where he was introduced to steelhead for the first time — an experience that permanently shaped the course of his life and sparked a lasting fascination with steelhead and anadromous fish.

Inspired by the wild landscapes and fisheries of Alaska, Kevin relocated north to pursue these fish and immerse himself in the remote environments they inhabit. He began his guiding career in Bristol Bay before eventually founding Tongass on the Fly, an outfitting operation based in Petersburg, where he now resides.

Through his work as a guide and outfitter, Kevin remains deeply connected to the conservation of wild fisheries and the protection of the unique ecosystems that sustain them.

Adrienne Comeau is a British Columbia–born fly-fishing guide, photographer, writer, and accomplished Spey caster whose work is rooted in the steelhead and salmon rivers of western Canada. Based in Terrace, B.C., she currently guides for Skeena Spey Riverside Wilderness & Lodge and also works at Kimsquit Bay Lodge on the Dean River, helping anglers pursue steelhead and Chinook on the swung fly. She is also an Ambassador for Simms and is widely recognized for her deep experience on the Skeena and Dean river systems.

Adrienne has spent more than two decades immersed in steelhead fishing and roughly 20 years working in the fly-fishing industry as a guide, fly-shop professional, casting instructor, and fly-tying instructor. Her angling travels have taken her across British Columbia, Alberta, the Pacific Northwest, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alaska, the Florida Keys, and Russia's Rynda River, but British Columbia steelhead rivers remain the place she calls home.

Alongside guiding, Adrienne is an accomplished photographer and writer whose images and stories have appeared in fly-fishing magazines, catalogues, films, and podcasts. She brings technical expertise, river knowledge, humility, and genuine passion to her work for wild fish and wild places.

Cameron grew up in Toronto and trained as an artist from a young age. At 18, he was introduced to the west coast of Vancouver Island through an opportunity to work at a wilderness resort along the rugged coastline, where he quickly fell in love with the landscape.

Over time, Cameron developed a deep connection to the region's rivers and fisheries, discovering that fly fishing provided a profound connection to the land and its wildlife. His experiences in nature and on the river have remained a lasting source of inspiration throughout his artistic career.

Eventually, his passion for fishing and ecotourism led him to a career dedicated exclusively to guiding fly anglers across some of British Columbia's most renowned watersheds, including the Spatsizi Plateau, the Dean River, and the Babine and Skeena River systems.

Today, Cameron focuses on sharing his passion for conservation, fly fishing, and the artistic inspiration that comes from spending time in nature. Through his work with TCA, he hopes to give back to the fisheries that have shaped his life and advocate for opportunities for others to engage in the sport that has given him so much.

Scott is a longtime steelhead, salmon, and trout guide who is now semi-retired after more than twenty-five seasons guiding on many of British Columbia's premier rivers and fisheries. Over the course of his career he has also worked as a lodge manager, fly shop owner and angling retailer, and currently serves as a manufacturers' representative in Western Canada, representing respected brands including Simms, G. Loomis, Sage, and Lamson since 2010.

Scott's guiding career has taken him across some of the Pacific Northwest's most iconic fisheries, including Langara Island and renowned rivers such as the Dean, Bulkley, Morice, Skeena, Babine, Yakoun, Stamp, and Squamish, along with countless other waterways throughout British Columbia, Alberta, and the Pacific Northwest.

A former President of the Steelhead Society of British Columbia (SSBC), Scott has immersed himself deeply in steelhead conservation and advocacy. Over the years, he has participated in numerous regional committees, boards, and advocacy groups focused on protecting wild steelhead, salmon, and their habitats.

Scott currently resides in Squamish, where the surrounding rivers, mountains, and coastline continue to inspire his commitment to conservation and the protection of the region's fisheries.

Dustin is an avid angler, hunter, and woodsman who grew up in rural British Columbia, where he was mentored throughout his childhood by his father and uncles. They instilled in him a deep knowledge of the natural world and a strong awareness of the importance of minimizing one's impact on it.

Since the fall of 2000, Dustin has served as Head Angling Guide and Partner at Nicholas Dean Outdoors, operating out of Yellow Cedar Lodge in Terrace, British Columbia, primarily within the Skeena and Nass watersheds.

In addition to his guiding career, Dustin has a background in forestry, fisheries biology, fish culture, and conservation. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Skeena Angling Guide Association (SAGA), is a member of the Lower Skeena Sport Fish Advisory Board, and serves on the Skeena Angling Advisory Team — actively advocating for the responsible management and conservation of fisheries in northwestern British Columbia.

Sarah discovered fly fishing later in life through her mother and quickly became deeply passionate about the sport. On her very first fishing trip to Montana, she met a friend who soon invited her to Idaho to pursue steelhead. Having grown up on the East Coast, Sarah knew very little about steelhead at the time, though she was familiar with the patience and dedication required for salmon fishing through her grandmother, an avid Atlantic salmon angler.

After teaching herself the basics of Spey casting through online videos, Sarah traveled west in search of adventure — unaware that the experience would permanently shape her life and passion for conservation.

Today, Sarah feels deeply privileged to have the opportunity to fish for steelhead and salmon throughout the Pacific Northwest. Her experiences on these rivers have inspired a strong commitment to protecting the fisheries and wild places that have given her so much. She is especially enthusiastic about the work being done by TCA to better understand and support wild fish populations and the habitats they depend upon.

Before discovering steelhead, Sarah worked as a registered nurse in Prince Edward Island, specializing in maternity and pediatrics. She currently divides her time between Miami and the Hudson Valley, where she serves on the board of Community Access to the Arts, a nonprofit dedicated to providing inclusive arts programming for people with disabilities.