Mentor Staff Biographies

Bob Kaiser

I have been fly fishing for about 18 years, primarily in Maryland and Pennsylvania, but also NY, ME, NH, WV, and MI.  My focus has been on trout, but also pursue other species as opportunities permit.  Smallmouth bass are lots of fun, as are panfish on a light rod.  I am typically out fishing 2 days per week, tie my own flies, and I fish all year.  Nearby favorite streams within a 2 hour drive include the Gunpowder, Morgan Run, Big Hunting Creek, Owens Creek, Little and Middle Patuxent in Maryland, and Conewago Creek, Yellow Breeches, and Big Spring in Pennsylvania.  I have mentored multiple people starting fly fishing, and participate in Trout in the Classroom field activities.  Wade fishing streams with north country spyders and other wet flies is my favorite style.

Bob O'Donnell

I've been fishing since childhood and fly fishing since I was in high school. Growing up in Pennsylvania there were plenty of rivers, lakes, ponds and streams to explore. I got into fly tying while in high school and college, took a hiatus for several years while serving in the military but started up again shortly after moving to Maryland in 1988 and eventually joining PPTU. The group renewed my interest in tying and trout fishing.

Besides tying flies, I've built a few fly rods and volunteer in many fly fishing activities as time allows. I've mentored both individuals and groups in fly casting instruction and often assist in Orvis run fly fishing schools. I'm currently working on obtaining my Casting Instructor certification from Fly Fishers International. I'm an artist by trade, so when I'm not fishing or tying flies you'll find me either painting or drawing.

 

Joe Robinson

I was first introduced to flyfishing as a kid some sixty years ago while watching The Flying Fisherman, Gadabout Gaddis, on the old black & white Zenith, followed up later by The American Sportsman with Curt Gowdy, Ted Williams and another fellow with an airplane, Lee Wulff.  A couple of decades would go by before I picked up my own flyrod, but even then, it was a bit of a false cast, until a few more years passed when I finally hired a local guide for a day of one-on-one instruction, after which, I was truly hooked.  Since then, I've had the good fortune to fish in some distant places like those guys on TV, but mostly I find my joy on the small freestone streams of Shenandoah and the Catoctin Mts.