New USA Signature Tiers for 2022

We’re thrilled to have brought on 6 new signature tiers who have flies in our 2022 collection. From Ken Burkholder’s foam flies to George Daniel’s jig streamers, we’ve made a big upgrade to our trout flies. If you want to view all new flies for 2022, you can check them out here.

We believe that the story behind each tier and their pattern is important. As a result, we asked each of our new Signature Tiers to introduce themselves. Enjoy!

George Daniel

I grew up in Potter County, Pennsylvania. It’s an isolated region near the PA/NY border. A small brook trout stream named Germania Branch flowed literally in front of my doorstep. The stream was a “kids only” section and luckily I was the only child in the village that fished, so I ended having my own private fishery. Then my family moved to central PA at age 14 where I began exploring the famed limestone streams. I also learned about two gentlemen who taught fly fishing at Penn State University, George Harvey and Joe Humphreys. As soon as I learned about these guys making a living as fly fishers instructors I became obsessed with the idea of also making a living in the fly fishing industry as an instructor.

So much of my fly fishing and teaching foundation came through the teachings of my mentor, Joe Humphreys. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have had Joe as a mentor. Besides Joe, I’ve had the privilege to learn from so many other well-known—and not so well-known—fly fishers. What I love about fly fishing is that it’s a never-ending source of continuous learning. I’m also a former competitor and coach for Fly Fishing Team USA, and coach for the US Youth Fly Fishing Team. I’ve authored several books, written countless articles, run lessons near and far, and conduct seminars across the country. I consider myself a teacher first and a fly fisher second. Fly Fishing education is what I love to do and I enjoy helping other become more successful. I’m currently the Director of Fly Fishing for Penn State University, a position held by my friend and mentor, Joe Humphreys.

I’m excited to join Fulling Mill as Signature Tier! It’s a company striving to produce high quality flies at affordable prices. Plus, the entire Fulling Mill team is a core group of anglers and more importantly, they’re good people. There are companies out there making good product, but they lack in the ethics department. This is not Fulling Mill. I couldn’t be happier working with a great company that’s full of great people making quality fly fishing products.

Ken Burkholder

Ever since fly fishing as a boy with my dad and brothers on the streams and mountain lakes of Idaho, I’ve been hooked. After studying music and oboe performance at Goshen College and Northwestern University, I returned to Idaho with a dream to combine my passions for music and fishing. I have been able to do this, spending thirty summers as a fly fishing guide on the South Fork of the Snake in Eastern Idaho, and four years on the Owyhee in Oregon, along with thirty-four years of performing with the Boise Philharmonic Orchestra. 

For over thirty years, whether the time in the Midwest, or back in Idaho raising my family, one constant has been my fly-tying bench. I am always fishing, studying the hatch; looking for innovative techniques and materials to replicate what I observe. Fly fishing and fly design have provided a way to satisfy this curiosity, to spend time outdoors, to stay connected with old friends and to meet new people similarly obsessed.

Pat Weiss

I began fly fishing nearly 40 years ago in Western Pennsylvania. I started dabbling in tying not long after. Between then and now, I’ve fished many places with many styles of flies. These range from old-school Central PA patterns, to new style European-inspired patterns that come from experience while representing the US at 6 World Fly Fishing Championships. 

I try to tie flies that work. Period.

Elden Berrett

I’m 65 years old, and was born and raised in eastern Idaho. I started fly fishing when I was 14. Then, I started tying flies soon after and have had several of my patterns produced commercially. My golden stone pattern is my most well-known fly. 

I’ve been a guide for 32 years. I guide on the South Fork of the snake, the Henry’s Fork, the Main Snake River, and the Teton River. I have guided in Montana and Yellowstone National Park. It’s hard to pick a favorite river to fish because they all have their moments. 

I’m lucky to live in such a great place to fish and enjoy the outdoors. I’ve met many good people, made some great friends, and experienced some great times over my career as a guide.

Josh Keslar

I’m a bigfoot knowin’, fly fishin’, gun totin’, beer drinkin’ son of a gun, grew up in the Laurel Highlands of southwestern Pennsylvania where my love for fly fishing began. I then attended the Pennsylvania State University and received a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science. I stayed in the State College area after college due to the great fishing opportunities that exist there. After, I got in the fly fishing competition scene, which forced me to evolve my style of fishing and tying to become more effective on the water. I use my knowledge and experience from time on the water to continue to develop new patterns for all situations.

Tyler Boroff

I’m a well-rounded fly fishing fanatic. With a strong attention to detail, I creates unique and highly effective fly patterns for a variety of water types. I tied my first fly at the age of 4, and from there I realized fly fishing would become a major part of my everyday life. I had the opportunity to travel to several different rivers, lakes, and streams all over the world, allowing me to benefit from my father’s military career. Spending all my time fishing with my father throughout my childhood instilled a passion for all bodies of water and the creatures that live within.

I am currently a full-time guide residing in Colorado. For me, guiding is much more than a job. It’s instead an opportunity for me to share my expertise as well as learn from others. Whether it’s someone’s hobby or someone’s escape, being able to share that moment and the joy of fly fishing with others is why I love guiding.

I see tying flies as an art form. The process starts with being in tune with the waters at hand and current weather to anticipate the possible insect activity occurring that day. From there, I make an educated decision using my research and skills to adapt accordingly. I understand a fly can be developed from several species of insects, then narrowed down to a precise functional fly pattern. Small, subtle differences in my designs are what make my patterns distinctive and extremely productive. By sharing my patterns with the world I hope to inspire future generations to follow their dreams and do more of what they love.

To view the all of our new SignatureTiers and new flies, head here.

Looking for more fly tying inspiration? Head to our tying section of the blog.

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