John Garrett (Hood River) has been tying flies since high school in the 1970s. Honing his craft as a full-time river guide since 1992, Garret is able to make a different type of fly for each species of fish. This skill requires in-depth knowledge of each fish’s diet and behavior.
Bio
John Garret is a fly-tyer from the Hood River area, where he’s lived since he was a young child. Garret has always loved fishing; in the 1970s, he began tying flies in high school. One of his mentors was Travis Duddles, owner of the Gorge Fly Shop; Duddles provided tips on what flies work best in local rivers. Dressing a fly is a skill that requires in-depth knowledge of diet and behavior for each type of fish. Garret uses a variety of materials including craft fur, shiny wires and threads, material or anything he thinks might interest a fish. He tailors his flies for specific fish such as steelhead, salmon, trout, and sculpin. Garret’s fascination with fishing and fly-tying led to a 23-year career as a full-time fishing guide on Oregon’s Columbia, Klickitat, Lewis, and John Day Rivers as well as in Alaska. Today, Garret works at the Gorge Fly Shop and makes ties for his personal use, for special gifts, or for people at work.
