About Us
About Us
Gordon Tharrett and Justin Thompson met back in the 90s when they both began working on the Green. At that time they had only a guide service and no shop. Doug and Gordon both miss those days when the company was more like a family than a business. They hit it off straight away over lunch when they discovered they both very much enjoyed hockey. It was playoff time in the NHL so that evening they watched a game together and have been great friends ever since.
Doug and Gordon still spend time fishing and bird hunting and canoeing and exploring whenever they can. Gordon discovered setters through Doug and Gordon peaked Doug's interest in canoes and paddling. If they were to hit the lotto they'd likely still be planning their next outing while sitting on a tailgate at the end of the current one....
ON THE FLY is an effort to revive the fun and camaraderie that fly fishing and guiding can be.
Gordon has worked a number of rivers over the years and Utah's Green River heads his list of favorites. Others earning special mention are the St. Regis and Northern Salmon Rivers, NY; Middle Fork of the Salmon, Idaho; and Yellowstone River above Gardiner, MT. Gordon has been quoted as saying, "It is not about the size of the fish, it's about the size of the experience".
"Fish the dry, learn a lot, and have fun!"
Justin began guiding before he could legally visit a bar. While attending college at the University of Utah, he would spend weekends and summers in Dutch John so he could guide and fish on the Green. After graduating, Justin began a career as a high school teacher and football coach. After over 20 years of coaching, he has hung up the whistle so he can again spend more time on the river. Justin believes all anglers he guides should take home a skill they can use on their home waters, so he works hard to give his clients an opportunity to catch fish on dry flies every day.
“Helping someone catch fish with a dry fly for the first time, or the thousandth time is always a wonderful experience”
Stephen is the newest addition to On The Fly, but he isn't new to the river. He’s been fishing the river since 2002. Spending his summers in Dutch John, Stephen worked at the fly shops, raft shops, and the occasional swamp trip. While working and in his free time, he developed his knowledge of the river. Stephen’s love for the outdoors drove him to study wildlife and recieve his degree in environmental science. After graduating and moving back to the area, Stephen spent more time on the river to make up for lost time. While teaching friends and family how to fly fish, he found that teaching and improving their skills is more gratifying than catching fish.