Guides and Staff
Meet Brazda's Fly Fishing Crew
Jeff Brazda, Owner & Head Guide
My life to become a professional fishing guide started at the age of 7 as I first learned to tie flies with my grandfather. By age 13 I was catching steelhead and salmon with regularity under his tutelage. I pursued the normal life, incessantly fishing my way along in the North West until age 32 when I began spey fishing and started a custom fly line and rod business. I soon discovered the fun money was in guiding and promptly quite a lucrative construction job and jumped in with both feet. I have been guiding anglers for trout and steelhead over 16 years now between Montana, Alaska and my home state of Washington. I presently guide steelhead at three locations in Washington including the famed Olympic Peninsula and follow that up with hosted trips abroad and then back to my home in Ellensburg. I run a simple day to day guide business for the summer months in central Washington targeting trout. I finish out my 200 plus day season on my true home waters of the upper Columbia tributaries, steelhead fishing the most beautiful water in the state the Methow River a river of my beginning into this career/culture we call guide life. In the off season I enjoy bird hunting with my Labrador Jesse. My Philosophy on Steelhead Guiding: As a professional fishing guide my job #1 is to care for the wild steelhead and trout we pursue. I guarantee you this is my highest consideration and I will pursue this perfection right down to the hook point. The debate of what really constitutes fly fishing may never be resolved, some fly fishers fish only the dry; some go as far as attaching drift weights (i.e.; slinkies, pencil lead, etc.). Other anglers attach flies to a simple running line, and strip cast it – somewhat like egg fishermen did, in the late 50′s called rolling shot. I do have fond memories of following grandpa
Andy Simon
Andy has been fishing from age two, when his family moved to a house in Walla Walla with a spring fed pond in the back yard. From a young age he fished for the bass and kamloops trout that were stocked there. From his sophomore through senior year in high school he was part of the USA Youth Fly Fishing Team, traveling to the Czech Republic, Portugal, and Pennsylvania during the summer to compete and learn fly fishing methods from the rest of the angling world. Andy started guiding in Alaska in 2008 and has worked in Norton Sound and Bristol Bay, now guiding on the Naknek River and other fly in only locations from June through early October. An avid tier and spey fisherman, Andy relocated to steelhead land after finishing college in Missoula Montana. Mid October through December Andy guides in the Clearwater River in Idaho for steelhead and fall run chinook, while moving to the Olympic Peninsula for the spring steelhead fishery from January to late April. Andy has guided for Brazda’s fly fishing since 2011.
Chris Maher
Chris Maher has been a professional guide for over a decade in NorCal, Truckee, and Southeast Alaska. Chris is an Eagle Scout, USCG certified Captain, and a graduate of Chico State University. Chris guides The Olympic Peninsula from January to mid-April, and in Montana during the summer. Chris grew up in Pleasant Hill, CA and he now calls Missoula Mt home. Chris has fished all over the world targeting trout in Patagonia and South America, sea run browns in Tierra del Fuego, steelhead up and down the west coast, and all manner of saltwater species on Christmas Island, Alaska and Mexico. Chris has guided for Brazdas fly fishing since 2019.
Garrett walters
Garrett Walters is a private chef dedicated to creating intimate three course meals catered to the dietary needs and desires of his patrons. He believes that guests should be serviced to the finest meals during their vacation as their rest and relaxation at the lodge is just as important as their time spent out on the rivers of Washington. With over a decade of experience in the kitchen industry, Chef Garrett has honed his skillset to provide a well-rounded experience for all who come by seeking their dream fly fishing getaway.
tim Morrison
Tim Morrison came to us a few years ago as a steelhead fanatic highly educated in all things Steelhead. His hard-core work ethics and drive for the best fishing to be had makes him a huge bonus guide. He also guides fall steelhead and Salmon with us both on the Klickitat and OP.
He hails from the mining world with dedicated responsibilities toward family and the traveling guide life. We are lucky having him as a part time guide and confidant.
Ashton Clark
Ashton is a young man with a great background. The grandson of Mikey Z a longtime Forks guide and legend in himself. Growing up with such a mentor has given him a great start on a winning career as a up and coming guide. Ashton has a tremendous desire to catch steelhead and the ability to do so. He is mature beyond his years and a truly great asset to the team. Ashton will be guiding Salmon and Steelhead in Forks from October to July and then in Alaska August through September. We are blessed to have such an energetic young man on the team from October through May.