Teddy, founder of Up North Fly Fishing, has been fishing and guiding in the Matanuska-Susitna valley based out of Talkeetna since 2014. When Teddy is not guiding, he is most certainly out in nature fishing with his dog “Bow”. A passionate teacher and angler, Teddy’s love for the outdoors is matched by his dedication to sharing fishing knowledge. With over 12 years of guiding expertise in South-Central Alaska his deep connection to the land ensures you’ll experience the best it has to offer. After safety, Teddy’s primary focus is to guide in remote areas that offer spectacular wildlife, and of course, big and beautiful freshwater fish! Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned pro, you are guaranteed to learn something new and sharpen your skills with Teddy!

Favorite River - Montana Creek

Favorite Fly - Articulated Mouse

Favorite fish to target - Wild Ak Steelhead

Fondest fishing memory - Going on a family reunion to Possum Kingdom Lake at 12 years old and rallying 40+ sunfish off the dock in one weekend!

Favorite hobbies outside of fishing - Whitewater kayaking, snowboarding, cooking, and time with family!

Best piece of advice for aspiring anglers - Enjoy your time on the water & respect the fishery!

Casey is a master fly fisherman and fly tying artist with 4 years of Alaskan fly fish guiding under his belt. He has been inventing fly patterns and fly fishing all types of bodies of water for over the last decade. From chasing spring carp, to backcountry guiding in Alaska, and fishing streamers all winter long, Casey enjoys each and every moment he has on the water. Casey is also a phenomenal chef, eager to make river side meals, but more importantly prefers feeding fish his custom hand tied flies! Bugs, streamers, mice, frogs, plunkers, poppers - Casey ties it all! If interested in purchasing his custom hand tied flies, check out the fly shop, or check out his full selection on Instagram and send him a message - you will be very pleased with his quality! IG @farudadamaja

Favorite River - The Missouri River and its tributaries

Favorite Fly - Shaggy squirrel sculpin

Favorite fish to target - Northern Pike

Fondest fishing memory - Floating upper Montana creek throwing a mouse the whole time, turned a corner to a helicopter 20 feet off the ground counting King Salmon. The oarsmen pulled over to throw a full moon at the helicopter and I stuck one on the mouse at the exact same time! The helicopter was hovering directly above us and the co-pilot was partially hanging out of the bird snapping photos of us with a DSLR camera! EPIC!!

Favorite hobbies outside of fishing - Tying flies and raising my son Torben!

Best piece of advice for aspiring anglers - If your fly isn’t in the water you aren’t going to catch anything.

Justin grew up in a small town in south Texas, fishing wherever he could with whoever would take him. As he got older and gained access to a vehicle, he started venturing to the coast and began to chase redfish on the flats of south Texas. Soon after this he picked up a fly rod and instantly fell in love with the sport. Justin has been guiding fly anglers on the Texas Coast for the past three years where he has grown passionate about sharing his knowledge and love of the sport. During this time he ventured up to Alaska twice and began exploring the rivers and creeks the state has to offer. Since then he has obsessed over chasing wild freshwater fish in the great state of Alaska!

Favorite River - Goose Creek

Favorite Fly - Anything topwater

Favorite fish to target - freshwater- Rainbow Trout / Saltwater - Speckled Trout

Fondest fishing memory - Cheering on my dad with all my siblings as he reeled in the first redfish I ever saw-and later tasted.

Favorite hobbies outside of fishing - Bbq’ing and camping!

Best Piece of advice for aspiring anglers - Enjoy the good days, learn from the tough ones, and never give up! Strive to be a constant student of the fishery.

Maia is a second generation Alaskan, growing up in Southeast Alaska with a backyard stream full of salmon and steelhead. Some of her earliest memories include collecting lures and selling them back to the fishermen, or hand catching pinkies to have “humpy fights” with all the kids that lived on the creek. Fish fights led to sport fishing which turned into deck handing in Southeast Alaska and Bristol Bay. After six seasons working on commercial fishing boats she now lives in Challis, Idaho. In her spare time she can be found fly fishing the Salmon River and its tributaries with her dogs, Bristol and June. Maia is excited to be working in Alaska again, exploring and fishing a new part of the state!

Favorite River - Middle fork of the Salmon

Favorite Fly - Stone fly

Favorite fish to target - Rainbows

Fondest fishing memory - Catching my first coho when I was 9 on the first cast, and my dad catching one right after and full body wrestling it in the water where it came off the hook a few feet from shore!

Favorite hobbies outside of fishing - Horn hunting and leatherwork.

Best piece of advice for aspiring anglers - Keep your fly in the water!

Dom developed an infectious passion for fishing at the age of thirteen where he practiced fly casting in his backyard every day after school, refining his skills and deepening his connection to the sport. For the past three years, he has been studying journalism and writing, working toward a career as a storyteller. To support himself through school, Dom has worked at numerous restaurants as both a waiter and bartender. Now based in Sacramento, he lives at the center of California’s fishing action, from fast running carp to gorgeous steelhead! Thanks to the state’s remarkable diversity of species, including saltwater striped bass, big Delta largemouth, and beautiful native rainbow trout in the High Sierras, fly fishing keeps Dom happily entertained. Dom is a very passionate angler and is ready to embrace on his first season guiding Up North in Alaska!

Favorite River - Truckee River

Favorite Fly - 4” streamer

Favorite Fish to Target - Carp

Fondest fishing memory - When I was around 6 my grandpa would get field and stream magazines. He pointed out a section where it was all about grayling in AK, he said he always wanted to fish there and catch a grayling. When I finally had the chance to fish in Alaska the first thing I wanted to do catch was a grayling. On my second outing during this trip I caught a 16” grayling on my first cast! It was truly a special moment.

Favorite hobbies outside of fishing - Tying flies and cooking.

Best piece of advice for aspiring anglers - Educate yourself and slow down. Read books, learn how to tie a nail knot, and only false cast a couple times before sending out your line.

Riley resides in beautiful Bozeman Montana and works full time as a geologist for a major oil and gas company. In his free time, he takes on a multifaceted role at Up North managing the website, providing IT support and providing business strategy. Riley enjoys fishing in his home state of Montana but takes every opportunity he gets to head up north to Alaska. Riley can be reached at our 406 number to help get you booked!

Favorite River - Upper Madison

Favorite Fly - White woolly bugger

Favorite fish to target - Brown trout

Fondest fishing memory - My buddy broke off on a real nice fish - so I caught the same fat trout moments later and gave him his fly back!

Favorite hobbies outside of fishing - Backcountry skiing and rock climbing.

Best piece of advice for aspiring anglers - Be grateful for every day on the water - catching fish is just a bonus!