About WCA

Our Guides

BILL HAPPERSETT A thirty-year resident of Jackson Hole, Bill Happersett has been guiding fishing for 25 years. He guided 5 years on little Cayman Island in B.W.I. for bonefish, baby tarpon, and permit. Bill has been with Bressler Outfitters/WorldCast Anglers since day one in the early 80's. The thrill is not gone!
JIM HICKEY After fourteen years of guiding, Jim enjoys everyday on the water with his guests like his very first day. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Jim grew up fishing the rivers of North Carolina and Virginia. Jim graduated from Hampden-Sydney College in 1993 and then moved west to Wyoming, where he started guiding in the Wind River Mountain Range. In his eighth season with WorldCast Anglers, Jim continues to guide and teach fly anglers on the spectacular waters of Jackson Hole and eastern Idaho. Jim also oversees the Western Rivers Professional Guide School, specializing in training and placing the best guides in the Rocky Mountain West and throughout the world. As a Federation of Fly fishers Certified Casting Instructor, Orvis Endorsed Guide, Clackacraft ProStaff member, and member of the United States Fly Fishing Team, Jim ads his knowledge, passion, and experience to the WorldCast Anglers Team.
MITCH PRISSEL Mitch Prissel has been exploring the the Tetons now for 12 years. Brewed on finns and feathers in the Great Plains of South Dakota his passion for the outdoors developed at a young age. With his dedication to the "outdoor lifestyle" Mitch opened a new outdoor store in Victor, Idaho named of all things "Habitat". Mitch has had the opportunity to meet and learn from the local unknown legends the secrets of the Teton R., The S. Fork and the many "notellum" streams the greater Yellowstone area has to offer. When you take a step into Mitch's S. Fork Skiff be ready for a adventure of a lifetime.
KASEY COLLINS A love of the outdoors and a family with a long-standing fly fishing history led Kasey to what has been an unbelievably successful guiding career. Educated in the tradition of WorldCast Anglers and its predecessor Bressler Outfitters, fishing with Kasey is a truly unique and exciting experience where "fun is the first priority... and catching fish sure is fun!"
PETE ERICKSON A northwest native and veteran Rocky Mountain guide for nearly a decade, Pete has a Masters in English and magically infuses his current experiences as a 9th grade school teacher into guiding. Even after years of flyfishing and guiding from Alaska to South Florida, Pete still espouses a fundamental philosophy: "Basically guiding is teaching... and I love to teach people."
AJ SANDERS Born and bred a true outdoorsman, AJ grew up planting and harvesting on the plains of Iowa, but his overwhelming desire to explore the outdoors brought him to Jackson in 1996 where quickly made a name for himself as one of the valleys top fishing and ski instructors. Although he is fully qualified to work with anglers of every ability, his specialty lies in his uncanny ability to turn the first day novice into a competent angler by day(s) end.
CARLOS ORDONEZ Originally from Colombia, South America, Carlos grew up in Chattanooga, TN, where from an early age he learned to appreciate and indulge in all that the outdoors had to offer. As an avid fly fisherman, Carlos spent a great deal of his time fishing the eastern streams of the Southern Appalachian Mountains and the Great Smokey Mountains. Following his graduation from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as a double major with a degree in Economics and Spanish, his passion for fishing, hunting and the outdoors in general, would later take him to the bigger waters of the Rocky Mountain West. More importantly the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem where he has had many successful years of guiding many of the regions most famous rivers. Carlos invites everyone from the most skilled expert, to the first time fly fisherman to spend a day on the water with him for a truly unforgettable experience. In the off season, you can find Carlos at Live Water Properties in Jackson Hole, where they take a conservation approach to real estate and specialize in sporting properties and ranches throughout all of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. www.livewaterproperties.com
DAN OAS Raised in Manchester NH, Dan spent his summer youth learning the art of fly fishing with his father on the Connecticut River and the lakes in Northern New England. Dan graduated from St. Lawrence University in upstate New York with a B.A. in Fine Arts and English. In his free time, he followed the salmon and steelhead runs and explored local rivers in the Adirondacks. Following his passion, Dan moved to Jackson, WY and soon started working as a guide for WorldCast Anglers. He spends his winters working for the Jackson Hole Mountain as a Kids Ranch Supervisor. In the spring Dan heads down to Utah's Green River to guide for Trout Creek Flies before heading back to Jackson for the summer.
CHAS MARSH Chas's enthusiasm for teaching and sharing the outdoors with friends and clients is contagious. For 20 years Chas has been fly-fishing (fresh and salt water), fly tying, back packing, skiing and snowboarding, horse packing, throughout North America, Argentina, Patagonia and Europe. Chas completed WorldCast Anglers, Western Rivers Professional Guide School after graduating from Villanova University and has been guiding for WorldCast Anglers for 3 years. Chas is continually searching for new waters around the world. First timers and experienced anglers alike are sure to have a great fishing adventure with Chas.
BRIAN GROSETH The lure of the Tetons and the endless fishing opportunities in and around the Jackson Hole area brought Brian here from Colorado. After completion of the Western Rivers Guide School, he found his calling. He's a knowledgeable and friendly guide whose energy and enthusiasm are highlighted while on the river. Whether you're just a beginner or a seasoned veteran fly-fisher, you'll have an enjoyable experience with Brian G. Los Rios y las montanas me encantada...
KEITH SMITH Keith Smith is native to Wyoming. Born in Casper he has had the opportunity to fish a lot of the waters in this great state. Keith has taken full advantage of Wyoming's high mountain lakes and steams. From the far reaches of Laramie to the Tetons, he has fished it all. Keith attended Casper College and the University of Wyoming where he studied biology. When Keith was not in school, he worked on guest ranches throughout Wyoming as a wrangler, fishing guide and hunting guide. Drawn to the allure of the Tetons, Keith pursued his passion for the outdoors where he became a full time ski instructor at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Keith has made his home in Jackson, Wyoming where you will be hard pressed to find him standing around. Always on the prowl for some excitement, he brings a vivid flavor to guiding fishing trips for WorldCast Anglers.
TYLER HARDY Tyler grew up in Australia and Brazil before returning to the U.S. in the mid-eighties. He spent his high school years in Connecticut where he competed against fellow guide Mike "No Wins" Janssen in athletics. A 1997 graduate of Duke, Tyler majored in history, earned a certificate in marketing and management, and was a three-time All America selection in lacrosse. During his college years he fly-fished for albacore tuna on the coast and brookies in the mountains. His first western experience occurred in 1993 -- a week floating the South Fork, Henry's Fork and Teton with his Dad and brother. His Dad, an aggressive caster fueled with clearance sale Madam X's bought in bulk, has helped hone Tyler's particular skill at snag-clearing, and is well known at WorldCast for his maxim of keeping the fly on the water--"One false cast, max, and make sure to use each backcast for an additional presentation". Apart from guiding, Tyler is the Marketing and Admissions Director for the Jackson Hole Community School where he also teaches history, math, and economics. He enjoys the lifestyle that teaching and guiding affords him and feels that teaching makes him a better guide and guiding makes him a better teacher.
VANCE FREED Vance Freed began his fly fishing odyssey at age 10 in his hometown of Trumbull, Ct. That he would rise before dawn to pursue the resident sunfish in the neighborhood pond was only the first of many glaring signs that would lead him to his future career as a guide. 20 years later, having naturally undergone the metamorphosis that would leave guiding as his most obvious and beloved livelihood, he said goodbye to his job in television, spent three days camping and fishing on his Housatonic river home waters and headed west. Now entering his fifth season with WorldCast Anglers, Vance guides upwards of 130 days a year on the South Fork, Snake, Salt, Green and Teton rivers. He has also served as our Camp Manager and guide at Los Torres Lodge in South America during 2006 and was the second American to ever work as a guide in the Seychelles Islands, located 1000 miles off the coast of South Africa in the majestic Indian Ocean. Now a resident of Driggs, ID, Vance divides his time guiding and fishing over the entire western region of the U.S. He has many clients he now counts as friends and the unique aura of a man that truly loves his job.
CHARLES KEMPE Charles grew up in Richmond, Virginia, where he discovered his love for fly fishing while in pursuit of largemouth and smallmouth bass. Later, on vacations to the west, Charles had his first experiences trout fishing on western waters. In 2002, he began spending summers in Teton Valley, pursuing his passion for fly-fishing and the outdoors. During these summers, Charles learned to be a professional fly fishing guide by completing the Western Rivers Guide School and interning for WorldCast. Charles spent his winters in Sewanee, Tennessee attending the University of the South, where he fished the technical water of the southeast extensively. After graduating in 2006 with a B.A. in Environmental Studies, Charles decided to advance his career as a professional fly fishing guide and moved to Wilson, Wyoming. He spends the spring months guiding on the Green River at Flaming Gorge, where he continues to sharpen his skills on a technical, complex river. Charles’s unending patience, exceptional work ethic, knowledge of fly fishing, and enthusiasm for the outdoors make fishing with him a great experience.
WILL FROHLICH Born and raised in a small fishing town in southwest Florida, Will started operating boats and fishing at an early age. He spent most of his free time stalking redfish, tarpon, and snook on the flats of Charlotte Harbor. Being exposed to the outdoors at such a young age, Will grew a great appreciation for what it had to offer. After graduating from Elon University in North Carolina with a business degree, Will decided to pack his bags and head West. Being fortunate enough to have traveled all over the world to different fly-fishing destinations, Will found his true passion in teaching and fishing the beautiful rivers of Wyoming. Whether you are a novice or an expert, stalking bonefish or casting for trout, Will is a great guide to spend the day with.
DEREK HUTTON Derek was born in East Tennessee near Great Smoky Mountain National Park. He attended prep school in Deerfield, MA and graduated from Washington & Lee University in 1993 with a degree in geology. A geology field course first brought Derek to the Tetons and Yellowstone National Park in 1992. The next summer he returned with his father to fly fish Yellowstone National Park, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. He returned often to fish and ski and in 2005 decided to turn his avocations into his full time professions. In the winter Derek can be found enjoying the heavy snowfall and deep powder at Grand Targhee Resort in Alta, Wyoming teaching alpine skiing. Derek is passionate about spending as much time as he can on the rivers and in the mountains. He would love to guide you into a Yellowstone or Snake River Cutthroat, maybe even a Rainbow or a Brown. We think you will truly enjoy your time on the river with Derek.
TREVOR WINE Trevor is originally from Roanoke, VA. He has joined our guide staff from the Tahoe fly fishing outfitters in lake Tahoe, CA. He has been the head guide for the last five years. Trevor has attended many professional clinics and schools. His first fishing lesson was from his Grandpa with the improved clinch knot. Trevor has completed the Clear Water House guide school as well The Western Rivers guide school. He has also had the opportunity to learn instructional casting techniques from Lefty Kreh, Tim Rajeff. He has written many fly fishing columns during the last seven years of guiding for The Mountain News in South Lake Tahoe. Most of the time Trevor is sporting a large smile and waiting to tell a good story or net you a trout.
CASEY BIRKHOLZ Casey grew up in the great state of Wyoming and now lives part time in Idaho and Utah. Now in his 9th year guiding, Casey spends the winter teaching history to high school students in North Ogden, Utah. When out of the classroom and off the river, you can find him skiing famous powder in Utah, chasing monster Mule Deer in the fall or spending quality time with his lovely German Short Hair "Brika". An true educator in the classroom and on the water, Casey has the knowledge and patience for the true beignner as well as the seasoned fly-fishing veteren. He has also been featured on "Familiar Waters" broadcasted on the Outdoor Channel and the upcoming film "The Angler." So if you are looking for a float trip on the South Fork, a walk and wade trip on the Ranch, or whitewater in the Teton Canyon, Casey can do it all.
PAT BENNETT Pat began fly-fishing the Henry's Fork area in 1970 when his grandfather built a cabin in Island Park, ID. After twenty-two years as an infantry officer, he retired from the U.S. Army as a Lieutenant Colonel, and began guiding in 1997. Pat is a very patient, enthusiastic and knowledgeable instructor who not only enjoys teaching and introducing beginners to fly-fishing but also accommodates to those experienced anglers looking for a new challenge. A member of the Solitude Fly design team, Pats's "Pat's Rubber Leg Stone Fly Nymph" has been known to wreck havoc on fisheries throughout the western United States. Pat has been featured on many ESPN and OLN fishing shows and can be seen in Northwest Flyfishing Magazine, Flyfishing and Tying Journal and Sports Illustrated. Pat and his wife, Deneice, are year round residents of Rexburg, Idaho.
ROD BOWDEN Rod "Hot Rod" Bowden was born in Utah but was weaned on the small steams and rivers of the Bitterroot Valley in Montana. By the age of ten, fly fishing has become a passion for Rod and he soon followed his father's wisdom of "find something you really love and figure out a way to make a living at it." Entering his 24th season of guiding, Rod still brings the same enthusiasm and energy that he brought to his very first guided trip. When not guiding Rod has spent his "off-seasons" in Utah as a Firefighter and Paramedic, helping him pursue his life goal and dream of becoming a fly fishing guide. Rod is also a certified paramedic, white water rescue technician, and Hyde Drift Boat Pro Staff member as well as one of the most knowledgeable and veteran guides in the Henry's Fork River area. Rod loves his work and will use every resource he has to make sure your experience with WorldCast Anglers is the trip dreams are made of.
MIKE BEAN Mike Bean was born and raised in Blackfoot, Idaho and is an avid outdoorsman. Mike graduated from Idaho State and has a degree in biology. Mike grew up in a fly-fishing family and learned to fish at an early age from his father and brother. Mike has been a professional Fly-fishing guide for the past 14 years on the South Fork of the Snake River and also guides on the Henry's Fork, Teton River, and Main Snake. Mike is on the Clackacraft Pro Staff and has been featured in Fly-Tyer magazine. He has also guided in Chile and Argentina. Mike lives in Idaho Falls with his wife Melissa and two children Karly and Bobby. Whether guiding a new angler out for the first time or an experienced fly fisher Mike enjoys every day on the river.
BRIAN MCCABE Brian was born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania where soon after his family moved to Gooding Idaho. There he grew up learning to fish the Big Wood River and areas around Central Idaho. At the age of ten his grandfather, E.H. Adkins, taught him the art of fly fishing. The McCabe family spent many summers, winters and weekends in the mountains of Idaho fishing, skiing and camping. Soon after learning his new skill, his family moved to Watertown Wisconsin. Vacant of western rivers Brian adapted his new love of fly fishing to the complexities of Watertown’s Rock River. Growing up across the street from the Rock River, Brian spent many days fishing for carp, walleye, bullheads, northern, catfish, bass and bluegill. After turning sixteen and attaining a drivers license, Brian was able to branch out more often to Wisconsin’s many other fishing and outdoor opportunities. His passion for the was not lost and Brian and his family spent summer and winter vacations back in Idaho. Brian attend college at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, though his studies soon took a second billing to his love for the outdoors. He spent many days fishing the tributaries of Lake Michigan for the multiple species of fish rather than in the classroom and lecture halls. In the summer of 1998 Brian decided to spend a summer away from his studies and found a job at Harriman State Park. He spent that summer getting to know the rivers in the area and also started working for Last Chance Lodge. That fall heading back to Wisconsin he took a detour through Denver Colorado. Falling in love with the people and outdoor life of Denver he never quite made it back to Wisconsin. Brian now splits his time between Idaho and Colorado, working the ski industry in the winter and guiding the rivers of Idaho and Montana in the summer. Brian is very patient with those just starting out and loves to teach newcomers to the sport. His love and excitement, passion and enthusiasm is ever-present. A day on the river spent with Brian is fun filled, his knowledge, stories and ideas make for a wonderful trip.
LEVI DORIA Levi enters his fourth season guiding in the Jackson Hole region. A graduate of the Western Rivers Guide School, Levi took his passion for fishing and his love of teaching and turned them both into a career. A true student of the sport, Levi began his fishing odyssey on small, technical rivers in Vermont and New York. He started guiding at age 17, stalking brook and brown trout in the Green Mountains and Adirondacks. After graduating from Middlebury College, Levi packed his bags and headed for Jackson where he quickly made a name for himself as a fun-loving and knowledgeable guide. To pass the time during the off-season, Levi works as a middle school science teacher at The Indian Mountain School in Connecticut. Levi is appreciative of his New England surroundings during the school year; his home is situated on the Housatonic River, an esteemed trout river in northwestern Connecticut. At the end of each year, he makes the journey back to the Tetons for some fun on the water and to be reacquainted with old friends. An avid fly-fisherman and outdoors enthusiast, any day spent with Levi will be a memorable occasion.
ERIK WHITE Erik White was raised in Truckee, California just north of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Growing up in the Sierras meant skiing, hiking, biking and fishing. While studying for his BA in Graphic Arts, his spare time was consumed with whitewater rafting in the Sierras. His enthusiasm for whitewater continued and spurred a ten year whitewater guiding career, bringing him all over Northern California, Colorado, Arizona, Mexico, and finally to Idaho to conduct wilderness trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon. It was the crystal clear waters of the Middle Fork of the Salmon that sparked his love for fly fishing; Silver Creek, Big Wood, Little Wood, and the Big Lost Rivers confirmed this passion. After seven seasons guiding for Hyde Outfitters, the Teton, Henry's Fork, South Fork Snake and Madison are now under his belt. Erik believes a good day fishing should not only include catching fish, it should be an escape into the wildlife and beauty of these amazing rivers!
GRETA MARTINSON Born in Bozeman, MT, Greta enjoyed spending Sundays with her dad wading Rocky Creek, followed by a provocative episode of "Fishing the West" and a Rocky Creek supper. Greta re-discovered fly fishing while she was working as a whitewater rafting guide on the Flathead river in West Glacier MT. Graduating with a degree in photojournalism from the University of Montana, Greta has had her own opportunity to "fish the West" exploring water across Montana, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming and occasional trips north and south of the border. She loves the continual education and exploration fishing provides self and others. Greta enjoys all that the outdoors has to offer, whether on the trail, skiing the mountains or floating with friends and clients. This is Greta's second season with Worldcast Anglers.
HOPE STRONG When Hope was seven he caught a nine pound bass with Charlie Helin's original flatfish lure and a Zebco 202. Like Lefty Gomez, Hope would rather be lucky than good, but it doesn't hurt being both. Hope is a Sagittarius. He likes long walks on the beach and barbaque sandwiches.
MIKE MEDVECZ Originally from the midwest, Mike spent his youth exploring the lakes and river systems of northern Wisconsin and Michigan's upper peninsula. Even with the distraction of the many spring fed creeks and rivers within the vicinity of UW-Madison, he earned undergrad and graduate degrees studying wildlife biology and environmental monitoring, including a few courses in entomology. After graduating, Mike followed his passion for open spaces and wild trout west where his enthusiasm for the sport of flyfishing became an obsession. Continuing wildlife work allowed him to fish many remote and pristine areas of the Northwest and much of Alaska. When he wasn't fishing, he was reading about fishing, dreaming about fishing, or being harassed by his girlfriend for spending too much time on the water. Several years later, Mike has decided to make his living doing what he enjoys most. Mike takes pleasure in teaching others and finds as much satisfaction in seeing his friends and clients catch fish as he does in catching them himself. His patience, appreciation for the natural world, and drive for success make a day in Mike's boat one to be remembered.
BILL DAILEY Bill was raised in rural Vermont where he pursued the many wild and wary trout that inhabit the small rivers and streams of the area. After graduating from the University of Vermont in 2003 his love of mountains, rivers, cold weather and deep snow brought him to Jackson Hole. He completed the Western Rivers Guide School the following spring and has been guiding in the Rockies ever since. His passion for guiding and fly fishing has brought him to Utah in the spring to work on the Green River with Trout Creek Flies before finishing the seasons with WorldCast Anglers. Thenatural beauty of the greater Teton area and it's abundance of wild and native trout are what Bill loves to share most with anglers of all abilities.
BENNY WILSON Raised on the banks of Fish creek in Wilson, Wyoming, Benny has been fishing the waters in and around Jackson Hole since the mid 60's. Completing his training with Worldcast Anglers at the Western Rivers Professional Guide School was just another step in his evolution as a fishing guide. His first big fish was at the age of 8 when he hooked a 5 lb Mackinaw in the Snake River just below the Wilson Bridge. He has spent a lifetime fly fishing in and around Jackson Hole on the Snake, Teton, Gros Ventre, Henrys Fork, Warm, and Fish Creek, but his favorite fishing hole is the one he has a fly in that day, stalking Cutthroat, Rainbow, Browns or the occasional lake trout. Here he is training his son Mattias the basics of rowing and looking for rising trout, becoming the fourth generation Wilson to fish in Jackson Hole!
LEIGH GARDNER Leigh grew up in nearly every part of the country, and along the way he always found a way to fish. His junior high football coach changed everything by putting a fly rod in his hands and explaining the ins and outs of both casting and entomology. After managing a fly shop during college, Leigh transferred to Boulder, Colorado and began his guiding career. After years in Boulder, he took the plunge and moved north to Jackson after attending the World Cast Guide School. Leigh is very excited to be guiding the famous rivers of the area, but can still be found wade-fishing a local creek after a long day in the boat.
JACOB GINTER Jake was born and raised in Southern California but spent most of his childhood bouncing back and forth from the beaches of California to the rivers of Utah, where his mother is originally from. At age 5, Jake picked up his first fly rod and hasn't put one down since. This outdoorsman decided he needed a break from the city and went on to pursue his passion of fly fishing. After attending World Cast's Guide School, he officially left Los Angeles and relocated to Victor, Idaho. He loves guiding eager anglers, hanging out with friends and enjoying the beauty that surrounds him.