Our Team

I got involved with Platte Rivers Veterans Fly Fishing group when I met Duane Cook and Kevin Yarborough at a small, local, flyfishing expo in 2019. I asked if I could donate some excess (yeah right) fly tying material to the group. They did not want any material, but asked if I would be interested in filling in as a beginning fly tying instructor. Thus began a very rewarding journey with a wonderful group of people. I am a Wyoming native, born in Evanston, WY. I am a UW graduate. My best friend and fishing partner, Kathy, and I have been married for 42 years. We have 3 children and 3 grandchildren, whom we love to take fishing. They have all tried their hand at fly tying, and some have become quite skilled. I began fly fishing in the Smiths …Read More

I was born and raised in Ashland OH. After graduating high school in 1992, I joined the Air Force as an ICBM Electro Mechanical Technician. I spent 20 years active duty with assignments in MT, ND, CA and WY. I have fished all my life but I didn’t start fly fishing until I moved to MT. When I retired from the Air Force in 2012 in WY, I started fly fishing more and more. I found the Platte Rivers group in 2021 and started attending regularly in 2022. Since joining the group, I have become the Co-lead for the Cheyenne area where I help with fly tying instruction. I also help lead and guide the Dubois trip. I work as a distiller for Pine Bluffs Distilling for my day job and I spend my nights tying flys, building rods and planning my next trip on…Read More

I am an Air Force vet, having served during the Vietnam era in Biloxi, Mississippi, the Pentagon, Turkey, and at the Air Force Academy. I have been working with Platte Rivers Veterans Fly Fishing for the past 4 years as a Fort Collins/Loveland co-lead for fly tying, rod making and fishing trips. I am a retired geologist who moved to Fort Collins from Champaign, Illinois, in 2012. I have fished since I was a child, and started fly fishing back in the 1970’s, when I lived in Colorado Springs. Since then I have fly fished wherever I lived from the Rockies, to the Midwest, to Gulf Coast, to California Coast. I volunteer in Fort Collins as a Master Naturalist, leading geological hikes. I also sing in the Larimer Chorale, a large masterworks chora…Read More

Born and raised in Western Nebraska on a farm until 1963, Don made the decision to join the United States Navy serving four years active duty and 2 years in the Naval Reserves. After being discharged in 1969, He ended up in Sterling, Colorado and lived there for nineteen years employed by Meadow Gold Dairy. He moved through a job transfer to Greeley, Colorado in 1986 and in 1988 he was introduced to flyfishing. From there it’s been an awesome ride for Don, learning how to fly fish then eventually introduced to Fly-Tying by a by a good friend leading him into his passion of tying his own flies. In 2018 he joined Platte Rivers Veterans Fly Fishing. He finds such pleasure being involved with the mission and in 2019 Don volunteered leading fly-t…Read More

I have been fly fishing for nearly my entire life and found Platte Rivers a few years ago. I am an Air Force Veteran, serving during the Vietnam War in Colorado Springs, where I worked on airplanes. Not only have I been a lucky participant in this program but I’ve also mentored on trips, and helped build fly rods. I  feel honored to be afforded the opportunity to lead the Greeley operations and bring this program to a new group of veterans.Read More

I was born & raised in Lakewood Colorado and moved to Laramie in 1979. I retired from the Navy in 2005 after 28 years of military service. In 2021, I retired from the University of Wyoming after working as a Database Analyst on the Student Information System for 25 years. I took my first class from Platte Rivers about 9 years ago. I started helping with the Laramie Chapter and have taken on some leadership roles since I retired 3 years ago. I really enjoy teaching rod building. It is amazing to see the creativity some of our Vets have when building their first rod. Since retiring, I have had the opportunity to really get involved in fly fishing. I don’t claim my technique has improved any, but I have caught some nice fish.Read More

Maron Davis is a Wyoming native and received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wyoming. He taught biology and science in Laramie for 33 years and coached football, wrestling, and track. Maron proudly served in the United States Marine Corp from 1958-1962. He is an avid fisherman and white water rafter. He has been a fishing guide on the upper Platte and Encampment Rivers. He has been a Healing Waters instructor for four years.Read More

I retired from the Army in 2003 after 20+ years of service. I was born and raised in Loveland and moved back in 2005 where I worked for a small construction management/consulting firm and eventually owned that same business until November 2021. I now am employed by the City of Loveland. My interest in fly tying and fly fishing started when I was about 12 years old when a friend of my dad taught me how to tie flies one summer. While in the Army my fly tying and fly fishing slowed way down and since moving back home that passion has been renewed. I started with Platte Rivers Veterans Fly Fishing as a participant and built my first fly rod several years ago. I also submitted another rod I built to a national rod competition. Building that first…Read More

I’m retired from a 30 year career in the defense industry where I worked for several national agencies in the satellite sub-systems area providing products and intel in direct support of our national security and troops on the ground, air, and sea. I worked with many active duty military folks during my career, and am passionate about giving something back to the veterans who have served and sacrificed for our country’s freedom and safety. I fell in love with fly fishing in the early 90’s and have been fly fishing ever since. PRVFF provides a great way for me to combine my love of all things fly fishing with my desire to support our veterans. I’m honored to co-lead the Denver region chapter with long time friend and fly fishing buddy, Grip P…Read More

After having been born at a very young age in Newark New Jersey (not a fishing mecca) it eventually became apparent to me that I was incompatible with my current geographic location; I was not initially consulted. After an unremarkable effort in high school I had a choice or either working in a foundry or serving my country; 36 years later I retired from the Air Force and picked up several degrees along the way. I served 16 years as an enlisted member followed by the remainder as an officer. Somewhere along the way I also got hooked on fly fishing and have been at it now for 3+ decades, walking beside the still waters, replenishing my soul. Post retirement I cast my efforts at fly fishing with a vengeance. In search of any fish that  would t…Read More

I’ve been passionately pursuing fly fishing for years which lead me to rafting and guiding likeminded folks for four years.  I enjoyed fishing with all levels of clients and look forward to continuing and sharing that effort with Platte Rivers. I will give all I can for the people that served this country for me and the rest of us. Glad to give a little backRead More

I am a retired 36 year Postal Service worker. I’ve been happily married to my wife Kathy for 12 years, together we have two children each and 3 grand children. I was born and raised in Cheyenne Wyoming and have been a resident for 59 years. I was introduced to the great outdoors by my father at the age of 5, I’ve been fly fishing since the age of 18. I developed a passion for fly tying and rod building soon after. I’ve been a volunteer with PRVFF for 6 years. Along with Quartermaster/Rod Building Instructor, I’ve served as fishing guide, casting instructor, and trip lead.Read More