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 AR isn’t on many western peoples radar but it sure was on Morgan’s. In 2020 Morgan made 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 of mixed fisheries in the Ozarks has truly stolen his heart. From trout fishing to smallmouth, carp, pan fish and many more, if Morgan isn’t in the shop helping customers make the most of their time on the water you can be sure you will find him chasing fish somewhere.
Logan Huff - Logan was born and raised just a few miles north in West Plains MO but considers the White and Norfork Rivers his "home waters". Logan had a fly rod in his hand from the moment he could walk and was taught by his late father who instilled the love of the sport into him. Logan spent the first 7 years after college as a Junior High and High School special education teacher but the river kept calling his name. Logan soon found himself as a shop staff in Dally's and soon after started guiding and working in the shop full time. Being an educator, Logan is now using his skills to teach others how to fly fish and how to catch our trophy browns. When not in the shop or guiding, you can still probably find him on the river enjoying some time on the water with his family.
Logan is an avid fly tyer, tying several patterns sold in the store and helping manage our tying material selection. He is a great resource for tying related questions!
Vincent Cusimano - Vince comes to us from the east coast where he grew up fishing for trout, bass, and an assortment of fish in the coatal waters. After high school Vince served in the Army doing one tour in Iraq. While in the Army, Vince discovered his love of fly fishing while stationed in Texas and quickly grew to love the pruisuit of bass on the fly. After leaving the Army, Vince moved back to the east coast where he pursued trout in the small streams of Apalachia. Vince attended a guide school in Montana before settling in Arkansas when he started working in the shop. Vince is always accompanied by his dog Oakley, who has come to beloved as one our official "shop dogs".
Vince is one of our local crooked creek experts, so be sure to ask him all your crooked creek related questions while in the shop!
Paul Brown - Paul is originally from the Kansas City area but at times has lived from Texas to Alaska. Growing up Paul was an avid bass fisherman, fishing pro-am tournaments arount the midwest. Paul went on to study Fisheries and Wildlife Biology at Kansas State University. After college Paul spent nine years guiding on the world famous waters of Bristol Bay Alaska at Alaska Rainbow Lodge. During the offseasons from guiding in Alaska, Paul has been a commercial fly tyer specializing in our favorite, large streamers, you may have seen him tying at our Streamer Lovefest events. After many years of coming to fish with us, Paul decided the White and Norfork were too incredible to not call it home full time. When Paul isn't in the shop you can find him spending time with his wife and son on the river!
