Kal was born and raised in Kailua Hawaii. Kal has been fishing and surfing his whole life. He has worked at both the fly shop and Blue Water Tackle for Thirteen years, Kal is the man that runs the show. Kal has fished many different regions across the globe and has the hands on experience needed to run the best tackle shop in San Diego.
Kent Sliger was born and raised in central calif. where he started his fishing life style at the age of 5 on the rivers, lakes and the ocean fishing for Albacore, salmon and Trout. He has spent 30 plus years fishing the Trinity/Shasta region and has fished places around the globe. He is an expert at Long Range (big tuna) fishing, big game Marlin tournament fishing, such as, HIBT and Bisbee. He is as much at home in the cockpit of a sport fishing Yacht in Mexico as he is in Alaska throwing a fly for Salmon. He is the owner/operator of both San Diego Fly Shop and Blue Water Tackle and is always happy to answer questions and help all fishing enthusiasts.
Fly Shop Staff
Jeff Stock
Jeff grew up surfing and fishing the beaches of San Diego. As he grew up he explored the offshore fishing with his father as well as the great trout fishing in the eastern Sierra. When Jeff was twenty four he moved up to Driggs Idaho where he fought fire for the forest service. Jeff spent his time off guiding on the lower Snake river and teaching snowboarding all winter long. Returning home two years later Jeff was hired on by the shop and was determined to guide on his home waters. Jeff now guides on San Diego bay as well as the Pacific for big offshore pelagics.
Hatched: Cardiff, CA Favorite local spot: Carlsbad lagoon Place on Earth: Home Sports team: San Diego Padres Movie quote: "you should get a bowl of soup with that hat" Caddy Shack Most used rod, reel, line: Reddington 6wt CPS, Galvin ob #6, Rio Striper 300 grain Favorite destinations fished: St. Barths, Eastern Sierras and anywhere in Baja.
John Hendrickson Hatched: Pittsburgh, PA Favorite local spot: Lake Morena Place on Earth: in front of the grill Sports team: I bleed black & gold Movie quote: "wish in one hand sh*t in the other, see which fills up faster." Grumpier old men. Most used rod, reel, line: Sage 6wt XP Ross Evolution #2, Rio Striper 300grain. Favorite destinations fished: Naples, Florida for big migratory Tarpon and Erie, Pa for "Steelhead of Erie."
John grew up back east learning to fish the world famous chalk streams of central PA. After graduating high school, College and the rocky mountains came calling so he moved to Colorado. Needless to say the fabled tailwaters of this beautiful state distracted him from his schoolwork and thus John began a career as a fishing bum. Finally, tired of the cold weather and in need of a suntan, his fly rod brought him to San Diego in search of big Pelagics.
Matt Payne
Temecula guide staff
Being born and raised in the “burbs” of Los Angeles one would think that there are not many opportunities to fish pristine waters within the hustle and bustle of car horns and traffic . Thanks to forethought and research on my fathers behalf, we would make our weekend retreats to the small creeks and tributaries an hours drive from home. Although the view from the mountain streams revealed freeways and a puzzle of single family homes tightly packed together, a rod in hand transformed my surroundings to every page I turned to in the barber shop back issues of Field and Stream Magazine. Little did my father ever guess his son from L.A. would grow up and become a fly fishing guide.
Since cutting my teeth on those small creeks, I have traveled and worked on some of the best regarded trout and steelhead waters in the West. I have been fly fishing and tying flies non-stop full throttle for 20 years. My travels and experiences has allowed me to write articles for several respected fly fishing magazines, and hopefully has inspired others to become artful and knowledgeable in their pursuit of fish. My passion for this sport and my career has literally changed my life to become a steward of conservation and preservation of our waters and treat every fish released as if my first born. I fish through my clients and still giggle uncontrollably every time my client “hooks up.”
St. Croix Fly Rod & Aqua Design Water Camo pro staff member
James F. Hanson (A Fly Fisherman’s Bio) Fly fishing courses through his veins.Actually his father believes he ‘thinks’ like the fish he seeks to catch! As far back as James can remember, fly fishing has been part of his life.As he grew, his love and passion for the sport grew with him.He’s not only a great sport fisherman, but a student of the ‘art’ of fly fishing, always looking for just the right fly pattern and the perfect drift. He has successfully fished some of the finest trout rivers and streams in the West.Any fly fisherman who appreciates the art and sport of fly fishing, will enjoy and appreciate time spent with James, talking techniques, fly’s or gear and especially swapping fish stories.
Hatched: Auburn, CA Favorite local spot: Seascape, Solana Beach Place on Earth:Dozier Creek, Idaho Sports team: San Francisco 49ers Movie quote: "We may be in a bit of a pickle Dick” Most used rod, reel, line: Sage TCX 4 weight, Galvan Torque 4, Shark Skin Ultimate Trout Taper 4 Favorite destinations fished: Little Weiser, Kelly Creek, Big Creek, Idaho
