As the son of a coal miner growing up in Central West Virginia, I would sit within classrooms and daydream of being outdoors on a stream instead of listening to the drone of my teachers. In middle school, I joined the outdoor club and had no idea of the impact it would have on my life. The leader of the club soon became not only a mentor but later the best man in my wedding. Joe Leonette, my dearest friend, not only taught me about the great outdoors but taught me how to appreciate precious time spent in God's country. Mr. Joe Leonette was a legend in Harrison County. Unfortunately, Joe lost a battle with a brain tumor way too early in his life and many children got cheated for not getting to know Joe. Joe taught me how to have fun and respect the outdoors.

It was my father that I owe the most to for teaching me about life and introducing me to hunting and fishing. Dad served our country in the United State Marine Corp in the early 60's and then followed a family tradition in becoming an underground coal miner. Dad worked very hard six to seven days a week in the coal mines of West Virginia that claim the lives of many men and women. When Dad would get that rare day off or take his well earned vacation time, we would spend it camping along a trout stream or in the hard woods of West Virginia chasing whitetail deer.

Competitive sports were a big part of my life and I never remember my mother or father not sitting on the hot bleachers on the field or in the gym. It is to them I owe many thanks. In Little League baseball my father told me that he would buy me my first bow if I hit a homerun. I hit two that next game. When congratulated by my father he asked, why two homeruns, I told him that I needed arrows to go with the bow. My fondest memories were spent along a stream in a wall tent listening to Dad tell ole Semper Fi stories or how he made a living in the dark & damp coal mines.

I broke family tradition and went to college and did not become a coal miner. Although I don't regret not becoming a miner, I do respect and salute all of the men and women that protect and serve our country. Today, I am blessed with two lovely daughters, Laken and Autumn and a beautiful wife Shelly. They are my cheerleaders that now sit on the bleachers and make me smile. I thank God for letting me borrow his children for our short time on this earth. Shelly is a public school principal and works very hard at her job. Not much has changed in my life as I still end up in the Principal's Office when daydreaming of the outdoors or neglect my household chores. Ha!

After working 15 years in education with troubled youth as well as serving as President & CEO of a gas & oil company, with the support of my family, I have decided to leave my work behind to pursue my passion for the art of fly fishing. Traveling both far away and close to home at our base at Riverbound X-Stream in SW Virginia, please join me, my friends, and special guests, in our ultimate outdoor adventures. These are my Fly Rod Chronicles.

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