JP Ross

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Singer: Frank Sinatra

Favorite Food: Mom's Beef Stew

Favorite Place: Anywhere in the Adirondack Mountains

 

JP is 34 years old and is a graduate of Mohawk Valley Community College, and SUNY Institute of Technology with a BA in Business Administration, Finance and Marketing. JP has been self-employed since he was 16. He started his entrepreneur spirit as an auto detailer and expanded to medical collections and eventually opened a fly shop at age 20 in 1997.

Today, he runs JP Ross Fly Rods and enjoys building canoes and lightweight boats in his spare time. He also enjoys camping with his dog Montana and sailing with his brother Matt and father Joe. His day job is Global Product Manager Manager for the Engineered Products Division at Indium Corporation of America.

Montana and Patton

Every fly rod shop has to have a mascot, and our's has a black lab. Montana has been working at JP Ross for 9.5 years and she really makes the company feel like home. She has a dog bed under Mitch and Beck's rod wrapping table and she has a box of treats near the cork lathe. She is very friendly and well mannered. She loves carrots and is very allergic to chocolate. She is very tolerant in a canoe and loves to swim. She prefers smelly bogs and Adirondack lakes over pools and bath tubs. She truly is "our" dog. Although she sleeps with JP, we all think of her as our own.

Patton however is 3 months old and is full of piss and vinegar.  He was afraid of Montana for all of 24 hours.  I am looking forward to seeing how he will fair in a boat.  I always wanted a male black lab, but can never say that I will love him more than Montana. 

Update:  Patton is 6 months now, and turning into quite the partner.  He has been running with me, but still is a little skittish of the water.  I expect watching Montana jump off the dock at camp will fix that real fast. 

Steve Bechard

Steve Lives in East Hampton, NY and is Married to Amanda Switzer and has a beautiful Son Ethan.

Steve is a Friend of JP Ross and started working at the company at its conception when JP and Steve were in College.

Steve and Amanda Both Guide the East End of Long Island sight fishing the flats for stripers in the spring and summer with a 17 1/2 foot sliver shadow.

Inshore/offshore fishing for stripers, albies, bluefish, tuna and mahi in the summer and fall in a 25 foot Contender Center Console.

Steve won 1st place in the Great Outdoor Games Eastern Regional in Islamorada,Fl '04, 2nd place Fly Fishing Masters Eastern regional '03 and '04. Both times we are proud to say fishing with a JP Ross Fly Rod.

Steve also travels to fish the Keys, Bahamas, Costa Rica and the Delaware River.

Mr. Bechards has an ability to cast a fly better than anyone I know... even the big names. It is because of this that when Steve came to JP Ross with ideas on the K357 fly rod, we listened. Today the K357 is a treasured design in our line for its quick tip speed and smooth reserve power, there when you need it.

We are happy to have Steve on our staff of Bloggers.

Beck Dangler

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Band: Counting Crows

avorite Food: Italian Bread

Favorite Place: Adirondacks

Beck first started working for me in 2003. After coming around the shop time and time again, I finally gave him a position to "help out." Since then, he has been my primary rod builder and right-hand man. He is constantly anxious to learn and ready to explore new ideas. I have passed many of my passions on to him - one of which being my passion for boat building. With this, Beck and I have collaborated on numerous projects as well as completing a number of personal boats on the side. He is currently pursuing his degree at Babson College where he is studying business and entrepreneurship. He is a tireless fisherman and enjoys teaching others the art in his spare time. Like all of us, his roots run deep into the Adirondack's and is a strong ambassador of JP Ross Fly Rods.

Brian Corbett

Brian Corbett owns a specialized printing company in Albany NY. Brian is a great teammate for JP Ross because not only is he an idea guy, but he also is an implementer. It is easy to find someone with good ideas, but Brian has a way of coming up with prototypes in the blink of an eye. We use him for all our printing whether it is photos, banners, or anything.

Visit Brians Company here.

Mitch Marsden

Favorite Color: Blue Favorite Music: Any Classic Rock with a little Blue Grass, old Folk and Country, R&B, and Celtic thrown in. Favorite Food: Spicy Hot (He grows all types of hot peppers) Favorite Place: Anywhere the trout are rising

Mitch is a happy bachelor of 40 years. A former Marine, he is now a Charge Nurse at one of the local hospitals. He started fly-fishing at age 18 (thanks John Martin). He wandered into the shop about 8 years ago and after hanging around way to long, JP taught him how to wrap rods. Mitch, with his usual gusto, dove head first into this and now makes some real beauties. He also helps with the casting classes and ties some of the ugliest fish catching flies. His favorite pastimes are fishing, hunting, reading, cooking, women, and JD.

David Chew Smitty

Dave is our body guard and local certified NYS licensed Guide. He owns a drift boat and is often found floating clients on the West Canada Creek for JP. He is also available for Corporate Trips. Dave is a big guy with a lot of heart. If you are interested in a float on the West Canada you can reach Dave direct at 315-272-8858. He only guides on the side so it is best to call well in advance to work around his schedule, however because of this he usually offers a discounted rate. Dave is often seen with an enormous cup cake chew shoved in the side of his mouth. Don’t worry he does not bite.

Tom Deane

Tom is retired Police Officer and School Resource Officer, City of Geneva, New York. He's happily married to his wife, Patricia, and three grown children, daughter Meaghan, and sons Tom III and Michael. He also has a granddaughter named Claire Dorothy. He grew up life long in the Finger Lakes with ties to the Adirondacks, where his great grandparents settled and lived in Hoffmeister. He still spends time with his family and pays taxes above the south branch of the West Canada Creek.

Tom created a fly-fishing and fly-tying club at Geneva High School, of which, is still going strong with the true “Blaze your own trail” motto and the continued support of great fellow Officers and High School staff.

He's a life long hunter, trapper and fisherman with mountain man blood from his great gramps. He's fly fished and tied flies in one form or another most all his life, alongside his son, Tom, who began tying at age 7. He is a true New York State trout bum who fishes for selective trout every possible chance in Central and Western New York and on most any river or stream in New York State. In the late fall and early winter, Tom switches much of his activities toward Migratory Brown trout in the Finger Lakes and Lake Ontario Tributaries. He also fly fishes saltwater, mainly for Stripers and Bluefish out of New Hampshire and Massachusetts with close friends. Tom loves the insects as much as the fish and truly believes they are the answer to all fly fishing voids. Over the years through enormous time, research and observations he's developed an extensive insect and photography collection. He has developed a unique fly tying collection he calls his “TD” patterns all based upon New York State not some far away place. His patterns revolve around fish feeding patterns on top, in the film and below the surface. Tiny flies are his specialty and CDC makes up many of his patterns. When you fish with Tom, he will usually investigate and find a clue that leads him to say “Put this one on” and from here the story begins.

Brian Bradfield

Brian grew up in Clinton, New York and spent every moment he could fishing. Most of it was done in the waters of the nearby Oriskany creek or the many lakes, ponds and streams of the Adirondacks during the summer. At some point in his early development as a fisherman his parents bought him a fly rod, and he has never looked back. His first introduction with Jordan was in the old mill where Rising trout Outfitters and the JP Ross fly rod company used to be.

He now lives in Spencerport, New York with his wife and three kids, who he enjoys fishing with in the many waters in the Western part of the state. He loves sharing what he has learned with others in both fly fishing and tying. He also enjoys painting his passion; fly fishing and fish!

We are proud to have Brian on our team of bloggers.

Joe Riolo, Blogger

Joe has been a Central New Yorker all his life, living in Rome as a child and moving to Marcy as an adult. He has been fishing since his father was able to cast a rod out and put it in his hand. Joe is employed by a management and technical consulting firm and travels for them performing necessary tasks. Because of this, he is our traveling fly fisher, Joe has been fly fishing from Hawaii to Florida, Washington State to California and of course NY. When Joe knows he is headed out of state for a trip, he immediately begins researching areas to fish and prepares for the trip. Most recently he fished Pyramid Lake, Nevada and caught a 4 lb Lahontan cutthroat trout. Since he travels so much, his favorite fish are the ones that he catches.

Joe is a member of a fly fishing family. His wife and daughter go fly fishing with him in the summer time. His daughter has just learned how to tie flies and can find them regularly tying together.

Joe’s first interaction with JP Ross Fly Rod Company was when Joe was doing some technical consulting for Rising Trout Outfitters. The shop became a favorite place for Joe to hang out and learn more about fly fishing. Since then Joe has been an avid fly fisher and tyer and enjoys getting out to fish, hike, camp and canoe.

RJ

Capt. R.J. Waldron is a licensed California Guide, a Coast Guard licensed Captain and professional photographer with over 20 years of hunting and fishing experience. RJ created North Wind Outfitters as a way for him to share his passion and true sportsmanship for the great outdoors with others. Waldron utilizes his business acumen and customer service focus to ensure that North Wind Outfitter's customers are guaranteed a full-service and treasured outdoor experience. When he is not chasing ducks, fishing or taking pictures, Waldron drives his wife, Britta, crazy practicing the art of duck calling. Only RJ's hunting cohorts and his professionally trained Labrador, Riley, seems to truly appreciate his sweet music at home and in the field."

Capt. R.J. Waldron
North Wind Outfitters
Angling & Wingshooting
925-323-1928
Nwindoutfitters.com

Matt Dinardo

Matt DiNardo is a former resident of the MohawkValley and now resides in Richmond, Virginia, and is employed as the morning and noon meteorologist for WRIC-TV, the ABC affiliate.  While in the MohawkValley, he would pass over the West Canada Creek on his way to work at WKTV.  He would constantly stop and watch the fly fisherman work their craft casting a fly so gingerly and then be tight to a brook trout.  In the summer of 1994 he attended a one day fly fishing class, which taught the basics of the rod, reel, line and finally the cast.  From that point on he was hooked.  For the first couple of years, he spent his time casting small dry flies, size 14 to size 20, on the West Canada catching and releasing small Brook Trout.  But then one day back in the fall of 1996 that all changed, as he brought his fly rod out to the Salmon River in Pulaski, New York.  He thought about the thrill of catching and releasing a 20+ pound Salmon, or better yet a 10 to 15 pound Steelhead or Brown on a fly rod.  The first salmon he ever landed as in the lower fly zone, using his 5wt. rod, which was meant for the WestCanadaRiver.  It wasn't the freshest fish, which is probably why he didn't have graphite toothpicks during the fight.  Shortly thereafter, Matt acquired the correct equipment for the Salmon River and it became his home away from home.  For over a decade he has been living on that river and each time he steps into the river he still has butterflies, much like he did on the first day back in the fall of 1996.  While not an expert, by any means, on the Salmon River Matt has quite a bit of knowledge on the Salmon River and the many methods of fishing for Salmon, Steelhead and Browns.  Matt is well versed in the High Stick or Dead-Drift method of fishing, but over the past 5 years has really been working on Spey Fishing.  Matt will share with you his stories about fishing the Salmon River, from the past years and during the many years ahead.  If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave post after a story, it might lead to another story or discussion.

 

McKenna Moonan

McKenna is 10 years old and an avid fly tyer and fly fisher.  She has a strong love for animals and nature and spends much of her time in the Adirondacks with JP and Angela.  Her fly rod of choice is a 9 foot 5 weight 5 piece Adirondack Blue Line.  She has a number of pets including; buddy the dog, bella the cat, Violet the bunny, Butterscotch the bunny, and Dorthey and Goldy the fish. 

Look forward to seeing McKenna on our blogs.  She will be fishing and tying all year.

Her goal is to catch more fish than JP and Artie combined!!!

Only catch and release....

Lucas Carroll

I grew up in Northern NY, hunting and fishing on or around the Tug Hill Plateau since I was old enough to walk.  I now live in Buffalo, NY with my wife Stephanie and daughter Madeline.   At two years old my daughter already loves to fish and tie flies with me, which makes me a very proud dad.  I have been tying flies, fly fishing, and studying photography for the last 5 years.  I like fishing for anything and everything, but if I had to choose it would be hatch matching for picky browns first, and steelhead at a close second.I am a stay at home dad, and a freelance photographer.  My work can be found in The Drake, Eastern Fly Fishing, Midcurrent.com, JP Ross Staff Blogs, and my website www.lucascarrollphotography.com.   Someday I may get a real job as a math teacher… 

 

Vincent Jeudy

In the middle of Winter I got a very polite email from a guy in South France.  A man named Vincent Jeudy.  Vincent asked about a Beaver Meadow and was fishing for wild fish in France.  It was amazing to me that I never considered that the love for wild fish would extend all the way to Europe... but it does.  I have emailed Vincent back and forth since that day, and now he is a regular Pro-Staff Blogger.  Vincent fishes for Trouts, and other ruff fish.  You can find him on our web site on Hackle and Hair and also on the Fishing Log. 

Soon Vincent will be getting a care package from JP Ross which includes a 5 foot 2 weight beaver meadow fly rod and also some t shirts and hats and stickers.  I can not wait to see the stories he tells. 

I now consider Vincent a friend of mine and also a key member of the JP Ross Staff.  His insight on new fishing techniques is incredible, and we are honored to have him on the staff.

 

Craig Dennison

My name is Craig Dennison and I live with my wonderful wife and son in Pittsford, NY.  I enjoy working as a teacher and coach at a local school district.  My free time is spent chasing fins and our baby son!   At nine months, he was already joining me as I pursued steelhead.  As a child, my grandfather taught me to fly fish and I hope to keep the tradition going.  

Over the past two decades, I've enjoyed numerous fly fishing travels to Montana, Maine, North Carolina and Southern Florida.  I used to work as a part time trout guide in the Mountains of North Carolina.  I've owned a bay boat and flats skiff, giving them plenty of use in New England, North Carolina, the Keys and Southwest Florida.  These days, I target NYS trout/steelhead, as well as bass and pike.  I also keep busy dabbling in fly tying, presenting to clubs and am the organizer of Angler's Workshop.  Vacation time in Coastal Maine, the Thousand Islands and the random Florida trip keeps my affinity for travel fueled.   There is so much to learn about our sport.  I'm glad to share my knowledge and hope that this blog keeps me learning.  Remember to take a kid fishing, protect our waters and tight lines!

Isak Kulalic

Favorite food: whatever is in front of me
Favorite color: whatever the fish are taking
Favorite fish: salmon
Favorite place to fish: Salmon River N.Y.
 
I am 13 year's old and live in Marcy N.Y.
I go to Whitesboro middle school and fish every chance I can get. I came from Bosnia when I was 3 years old as a refugee. I have gone back to Bosnia a few times to see family and fish. I fish for Salmon,steelhead,trout,bass, pike,carp,catfish, and whatever else I can hook.

I fish mostly in N.Y. but also in Bosnia and in Maryland.
 

Caleb Lockyer

I'm 23; born in Montana and spent the majority of my upbringing fishing all over Western Montana and Island Park, Idaho. I'm a very bias and proud Montanan, along with all the other 974,000 of us. I currently residing in Gunnison, Colorado where I spend my time exploring the great fisheries that Colorado has to offer. I spent this last season in Alaska guiding for salmon, trout, and grayling. I've been fortunate enough to live around some of the most spectacular waters in the west, and want to continue my life expanding my angling adventures to different parts of the world. I love chasing big fish, but my roots lie in small western streams catching trout. Favorite Rivers: Gunnison, Clark Fork, Madison, and the mighty Missouri

Finn Morrissey

My name is Finn Morrissey and I am a 13 year old boy. I live close to the West Canada Creek, a couple of miles from the trophy section.  I moved here from New York City in 2006 and have been going to Poland Central School ever since.  I love to fish. This year I didn't get to go fishing as many times as I wanted.  I started fishing in '06 and started fly fishing in '08 when a carpenter who worked on my house, Kim Ernst, taught me.  When I go fly fishing, I usually go with him.  Last year I did a science fair project on trout.  I tested to see if a bigger environment would affect the growth rate of brook trout.  I got 1st place for Natural Science and Grand Champion Junior Level at Poland's science fair.  At the regional level at Utica College, I got 2nd place for Natural Science. Overall I won more than $500.  This year I am doing a project, also about trout, but I am testing to see if natural trout hybridization is possible.  

Mike Simmons

Mike lives in Rochester NY with his wife and 5 kids. He's fished for most of his life, and has been fly fishing and tying flies for over 15 years. Although he loves fishing for anything, bass are usually what he goes after, because of how they live in almost every pond and are closer to home. He loves to fish small overlooked ponds, and has even had people yell "there's no fish in there" from passing cars. He claims to know the location of more ponds in Rochester than anyone else. If he doesn't know about it, it doesn't exist.

He also runs Rochester's largest fly tying party called Guys, Flies & Pies.

Nick Ross

I grew up in Pueblo, Colorado fishing the Arkansas, South Platte, and many high mountain lakes. Then I moved up to Gunnison, CO for school and lost my mind the fishing was so good it was all I wanted to do. If I had to say my favorite way to fish is terrestrials and really tiny technical midge fishing. I spent a year guiding in Missoula, Montana and am now going to switch gears to the Alaska gig for a few!  When I am not fishing or tying flies I can be found playing Playstation 3 or just chatting and keeping it real with some of my good buddies.