Dave represents a traditional breed of fly tyer, harking back to the old-school approach. His journey into the world of tying began at the tender age of 5, under the watchful guidance of his grandfather, an accomplished Irish champion in both fly casting and tying. Dave's early lessons involved tirelessly perfecting the art of attaching tails to hooks, a foundation upon which he gradually built his skills, advancing to crafting intricate dry fly bodies. Those formative experiences, spanning many years, have culminated in a nearly six-decade-long devotion to fly tying.

His repertoire encompasses a broad spectrum, ranging from delicate midges to timeless Catskill dries and even elaborate Classic Atlantic Salmon flies. Beyond his prowess at the tying bench, Dave is an enthusiastic fly angler who proudly earned the 'Oregon Fly Tyer of the Year title. Guiding along the upper Rogue River is among his pursuits, and he's renowned for his genuine enthusiasm for bamboo rods.

An active participant in the fly fishing community, Dave is a member of the Federation of Fly Fishers. He is engaged with three fly-tying groups and often assumes the role of a Demonstration Tyer at various fly fishing and tying trade shows. Even when he's not on the water guiding or fishing, Dave dedicates substantial portions of his day to the vise, dedicating 4 to 9 hours to honing his craft.