Aaron O'Leary
Owner / Head Guide
Aaron inherited his first fly rod at age nine and never looked back. At age 18, Aaron's first guide job took him to Alaska, where he spent two summers with Bristol Bay Lodge and three summers with Reel Wilderness Adventures where he is currenly the head guide. Aaron has fished across the globe. He spent six months in New Zealand, where he bounced back and forth between islands hunting kiwi browns. "My time in New Zealand taught me about precision, persistence, and patience; but most of all I realized I wanted to devote the rest of my life to fly fishing." Upon his return to Washington, Aaron started Angler's Obsession and now focuses primarily on Olympic Peninsula Steelhead and Summer Steelhead on the Columbia River Tributaries. Aaron currently spends just about every day of the year on a river somewhere, blown out or in shape. His passion for our sport is highly contagious and truly inspirational.
Nate McDonough
Guide
Nate grew up with a fly rod in hand, a vise at his desk, and bedtime stories of Alaska. Nate began venturing to Alaska to work when he was 15 years old following in the footsteps of his father, who spent over a decade guiding in AK back in the late 70s. After two seasons guiding on the Kenai Peninsula, Nate felt the urge to work in a more remote area and took a job guiding for Bristol Bay Lodge (BBL), located within the Wood-Tikchik State Park. Nate has chased salmon and trout on many rivers across the Bristol Bay region, and has thoroughly enjoyed putting many guests on the fish of a lifetime. In the Alaska off-season, Nate spends as much time as possible on the water, typically pursuing his steelhead addiction across much of the Northwest. He also works for BBL as Head Guide/Assistant Manager. Whether it's Alaska or Washington, Nate works hard to provide his guests with an exceptional and memorable experience on the water.
Ryan White
Guide
Ryan is a very experienced guide we are glad to have on our team. He has spent six seasons guiding in Bristol Bay, Alaska where he was the head guide for four seasons. Ryan is a dedicated guide, he rows off the river in the dark more often than anyone I know. A Washington local, Ryan grew up chasing steelhead on the Olympic Peninsula and Puget Sound rivers. His fly fishing obsession has taken him to Alaska, British Columbia, Montana, and the Yucatan chasing trout, steelhead, bone fish, tarpon, and permit. Ryan is an experienced angler and guide who will show you a great time on the water. He has a great personality and will do everything he can to make you a better angler and get you into fish.
