Rick Hafele caught his first trout on a fly at the age of 12 on a spring creek in Missouri. His interest in fly fishing and aquatic insects fully developed after he moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1969. Since then he has traveled throughout the West and beyond fishing for wild native trout, and collecting and studying the insects upon which they feed.

Rick has a Master of Science degree in aquatic entomology from Oregon State University, and worked as a professional aquatic biologist for over 30 years, specializing in water quality assessment using aquatic insects.

Jeff Perin guides fly-fishing trips all over the world, but his favorite places to bring fishers are the Central Oregon waters he calls home. Within an hour’s drive of the fly shop he operates in downtown Sisters, the waterways are a fly fisher’s delight. The Deschutes, Metolius, Crooked, Fall, McKenzie, and Santiam are prime trout streams, and among them lie hundreds of fishable lakes. Perin got his start on East Lake, and it’s still his favorite spot. He is steeped in the regional cultural traditions that accompany this recreational and professional pursuit. Perin possesses and disseminates a wealth of knowledge that is unique to the Central Oregon fly-fishing community.

For as long as I can remember, fly fishing and fly tying have been a huge part of my life. I’ve been lucky enough to fish all over North America, the Bahamas, & Christmas Island, but have called Central Oregon “home” since 2010. Early on, I discovered a passion for teaching other people how to cast a fly rod and become better anglers. Fortunately, in 2013 I was blessed with the opportunity to open Confluence Fly Shop and share my fervor with others. When not in the shop or exploring the fantastic water of Central Oregon, some of my other loves include illustrating, cooking, and upland game bird hunting.

Quite simply, I love everything about the sport of Fly Fishing. Whether its chasing steelhead in Alaska or Canada or stalking wary trout on the Deschutes or Metolius, the roots of the sport go deep for me. After 35 years of pursuing fish on a fly I am here to give my time to you. Whether its fixing a little hitch in your cast or understanding a hatch on your local waters, you can trust that I am looking out for your interest in growing with the sport.

Bruce has over 25 years of experience in the outdoor industry as a seasoned professional renowned for his expertise in sales, product management, and market analysis. Currently serving as the PNW Representative at Patagonia, Bruce has curated a vast knowledge of fly fishing across Washington, Oregon, California, and Alaska. His career has been marked by significant achievements, from pioneering technical sales programs and online training at Columbia Sportswear to conceiving and designing targeted product lines at Solstice Outdoor. Throughout his journey, Bruce's passion for the outdoors has driven his success, making him a respected figure in the industry.