Guide Profiles
Tom Larimer
Jeff Hickman
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Brian Styskal
Tom Larimer has devoted the past thirteen years to
being a full-time fly fishing guide for steelhead,
salmon and trout. His passion for fly fishing has led
him to some of the finest fly fishing destinations in
the world. Along the road, he has guided the famed
trout waters of Alaska's Upper Kenai River, the
storied steelhead and trout rivers of northern
Michigan, and the steelhead streams he grew up on
in Wisconsin. After many great adventures and many
great rivers, he has come to call the Columbia Gorge
and it's epic rivers his home.
Currently, he is a pro-staff member of the Ross Reel Company, the CF Burkheimer
Rod Company, and Airflo Fly Lines. Additionally, he is a fly designer for the Solitude
Fly Company. During the winter, Tom is a professional Ski Patroller at Mt. Hood
Meadows when he's not chasing steelhead. Consequently, he is certified in
Outdoor Emergency Care and CPR.
Whether you are learning the basics of fly fishing or working on advanced
two-handed techniques, Tom strives to instruct at the highest level in the industry.
Fly fishing has been the focus of his life for as long as he can remember. He lives it,
breaths it, if you cut him open, he bleeds it. His appreciation, respect and love for
the natural world is obvious from the moment you step into his boat.
Jeff Hickman has been completely obsessed with
fly fishing since his early childhood. Growing up in a
lodge on Mt Hood provided the perfect setting for
Jeff to explore and learn in depth the local lakes,
rivers and streams of northern Oregon and
Southern Washington. He started guiding fishing
trips at the ripe age of twelve for guests of the lodge
who were interested in the area’s trout and
steelhead. After fourteen years of experience, Jeff’s
intimate knowledge of our local waters brings you a
rare expertise. His passion for guiding in the
northwest eventually brought him to Alaska where he spent five consecutive
summers guiding on the Kanektok and Arolik Rivers. Jeff’s love for fly fishing has
taken him around the world, chasing trout and various anadromous species from
Alaska to Tierra del Fuego to New Zealand. Jeff’s interest in pursuing various
saltwater fish has also led him throughout Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, the
Florida Keys, Baja, the Carribean and more. He spent a full season managing a
premier bonefishing lodge in the Bahamas. Jeff has helped Simms the last three
years with product design and also designs commercially tied flies for Idylwilde fly
company. Jeff is a very creative and patient teacher. He believes you can never stop
learning about the subtleties of fishing and loves to share his vast knowledge with
others. With his laid-back personality and positive attitude, Jeff is a joy to be
around. It is clear he enjoys every day on the water.
Brian Styskal is one of the most technical
two-handed casters in the world. With thirty-five
years of fly fishing experience, seventeen of which
he was casting a Spey rod, this comes as no
surprise. His ability to cast any style of Spey line
efficiently seperates Brian from most casters and
instructors. He can pick up a 15 foot two-hander
with a long belly line and compete on a world level.
Conversely, he feels right at home chucking Skagit
heads and huge flies. More so, he is one of the
top Spey casting instructors in the country.
This is not lost on the fly fishing industry. Outside of being a member of the CF
Burkheimer advisory staff, he has influenced Spey line design for numerous
different fly line companies. On top of it, he's as fishy as they get! Brian guides the
Klickitat river from early September through November. He is also available for
private casting lessons or group instruction.
