You, the customers, are why all of us in the team get up out of bed and come to work with a grin on our faces. It is your enthusiasm to fish, your dedication to the fly rod, to drive and fly in many cases hundreds of miles to pursue this weird obsession that inspires us too. We are privileged to be able to share it and to help you get the most out of your White River experiences. We want you to love this place as much as we do.
MEET OUR TEAM
Faye Clark - Faye is indispensible around here. "Miss Faye", as she is known in the Southern way, is the one who returns order to chaos. As our office manager, she is the one to convert the boys scribbled notes, vague ideas and "get thing done first" approach into standard business and accounting practices. Miss Faye is often the first voice you will hear if you call the shop, and runs our Online Store, getting your orders packed and sent out fast. If you have shopped with us previously you will have received her "smiley face" handwritten notes accompanying your order. She is also a true local having been born and raised along the White River. Faye couldn't be better suited as the voice of reason among the fly fishing lunatics around this place, having learnt her craft after marrying her husband, well known tier and fly fisher Mike. Mike is another of our extended family around the Ozark Fly Fisher who pitches in, when all our guides are on duty and we need a reliable hand in the shop.
Steve Dally - Steve has worked in various sectors of the industry: media, marketing consultant, and guide since 2000, including the last 15 years in fly shops on the White River system, largely in managerial roles. Steve is a signature fly designer with Rainy's Flies for his conception of Dally's Tailwater Jig, Dally's Tailwater Soft Hackle, Dally's Lap Dancer, Dally's Tiny Dancer, and Dally's Twerking Minnow.
Chad Johnson - Chad Johnson might have been raised in Mississippi but fast established a reputation as one of the fishiest guys on the White River. Chad, or "Mini-Guide" as he calls himself, is a huge part of our team with a personality way bigger than his frame. He fishes hard-core, anytime, any weather, for any species, and is unforgiving on his equipment so the stuff he recommends works and will take some abuse. As our Head Guide, Chad spends more time on the river guiding than in the store these days but remains a core member of the team and as Director of Education runs our classes and programs. Chad is a signature fly designer with Montana Fly Company for creating CJ's Sluggo, CJ's Big Johnson, and CJ's Freaky Frog.
Morgan Guss - Originally born a raised in the South Bay of Los Angeles,CA, Morgan Grew up chasing waves and rays. After a childhood filled with travelhockey and beach parties Morgan made his way to Tempe AZ, where he went toschool studying civil engineering at Arizona State University. As college beganto take precedence hockey took a back seat and a need for a study breakactivity emerged. Fly fishing the small city park ponds for bass, and carp wasan easy solution that would soon take Morgan further and further from the cityand into the Northern Arizona mountains in search of trout. Fly fishing soontook a hold and the books were being opened less. After a few years of chasingdesert trout it was time to make a move. Morgan packed his bags and headed upto Steamboat Spring, CO where he would begin his guide career, learning theRocky Mountain trout ways. After spending 5 years guiding and 4 years in thelift operations department at Steamboat Resort it was again time for a move. Withfly fishing now such a large part of Morgan’s life it was time to abandon tothe snow covered peaks and look for a more year round fishing option. Cotter ARisn’t on many western peoples radar but it sure was on Morgan’s. In 2020 Morganmade the move to Cotter to pursue a more steady career in the fishing industry.Now guiding on the White and Norfork rivers, as well as playing an integralrole in the fly shop Morgan has not looked back. The beauty and abundance ofmixed fisheries in the Ozarks has truly stolen his heart. From trout fishing tosmallmouth, carp, pan fish and many more, if Morgan isn’t in the shop helpingcustomers make the most of their time on the water you can be sure you willfind him chasing fish somewhere.
Luke Coffey - Born and raised in the extreme northwestern portion of the Ozarks Plateau, Luke Coffey is no stranger to his biospheric surroundings. He is known simply as Luke to friends and family. Often there’s an ole, as in good ole, adjective injected in that nomer. That’s due to his reputation as a personable and down right likeable fellow.
