Kat

Master Fly Tyer/Owner

How it all began...❤️ I was the first-born girl in a family of three sisters and two brothers, and I was a Daddy’s girl right from the start. Wherever Dad went, I wanted to go. Whatever he was doing, I wanted to learn about. He taught me so much and instilled in me a deep love for the outdoors, along with the importance of family, honor, integrity, hard work, and believing in yourself. Those are lessons I have carried throughout my life and have tried to pass along to my four sons. Some of my fondest memories are of family camping and fishing trips in the wilderness of Maine and New Hampshire, and time spent at our family camps. My dad loved to fish—and I loved nothing more than tagging along. ❤️ So how did a hairdresser end up becoming a fly tier? 🎣 I think that story actually began many years before I ever sat down at a vise. My dad was a hunter and a well-known butcher who owned his own shop. From a young age, I loved helping him there. It might have been something some little girls would shy away from, but to me it meant I got to spend time with Dad. Every so often, he would bring bucktails and hides to local fly tiers, and of course, I would tag along. I remember being fascinated by the beautiful flies they created from the materials he brought them. I can still picture those spinning fly carousels in the shops and remember listening to Dad swap fishing stories with the owners. Many, many years went by. Then one day Dad was showing me some old, mangled flies in his fly box. They were some of his favorites. He asked if I remembered them from all those years ago and told me he couldn't find those patterns anymore. He wished he could. And so it began... As luck would have it, a friend was getting out of fly tying and gave me a vise and some materials. Armed with those and a basic fly-tying book, I taught myself how to tie. My first attempts were pretty scraggly! But every time I showed one to Dad, he told me it was beautiful. ❤️ The first patterns I tried to recreate were for him, and every one of them was tied with love. Dad always told me I had talent and an artistic eye. He encouraged me to stick with it. He believed in me. After he passed, I found myself tying more and more. Sitting at my vise became a place of comfort—a way of filling a little bit of the enormous space left by missing him. It still is. Dad was a great sportsman and fisherman, but most importantly, he was an amazing father. I miss him with all my heart. He gave me so much of what I needed to raise four amazing sons of my own, and I see pieces of him in each of them in their own special ways. ❤️ Over the years, fly tying has become about even more than the flies themselves. It's also about the fishermen and women I've met along the way—the conversations, the fishing stories, the friendships, and hearing from someone who caught a beautiful fish on a fly I created. Those moments fill my heart and soul. I'm truly blessed to love what I do. Call it a passion. Call it a journey. Call it a legacy. For me, it's a little bit of all three. And I'm just going to keep on tying... Because someday, I hope to leave behind more than a collection of flies. I hope to leave behind something created with love, rooted in family and tradition, for generations to come to fish, enjoy, and remember. ❤️ Oh yeah and I love to fish !!!

Gronk

Devoted Companion/ Co-Captain

Basically wherever I was.... he was! ❤🥰❤ He was ...my sweet boy! Totally adored! Extremely smart ! Our Family enjoyed the love and joy he brought. My Sons and the grandkids adored him also. He was the best of the best . Our shop mascot, he never missed a fishing trip with us ! He always makes sure to "kiss & release" the fish. He got very mad if we didn't let him!! Bark bark bark! 😆 We will honor and continue to always keep you alive with us! 😇 RIP Our sweet boy...taken too soon. My heart lost a piece 💔 that day..... 09/28/2018~07/26/2024 Will miss you till we meet again...... ●●●●●●●●●●●●● Daddy and I miss our buddy so much !

Lance

Shop Assistant/Boat Captain

Meet Lance 🐾🎣⚓ Retired from the 9-to-5 and enjoying life at a little slower pace. When hes not tinkering on boat motors,cars and such he helps me out at the shop. Helping with the day-to-day shop operations, including shipping and receiving, and lending a hand wherever he's needed. 😀 When we're able to sneak away, fishing is still one of our favorite ways to spend time together—especially now with the two newest members of our family, Lander & Seeker. Our pups are quickly learning the ropes and are ready to take over as our newest little co-captains. 🐾🐾 Retired life also means more time to enjoy the grandkids, going hiking and exploring with our pups . We love Maine and everything the outdoors has to offer. He may be without a boat at the moment, but not for long! Another one is definitely in the plans. Soon enough, Captain Lance will be back at the helm, and we'll be setting sail for new adventures—with two new co-captains leaving paw prints along the way. ⚓🐾❤️ Retired life. Family. Fishing. Lakeside living. It doesn't get much better than that.

Lander & Seeker

Chasing Fish / Keeping us Young!

🐾🎣❤️ Meet Lander & Seeker Brothers🐾🐾 Adoption date September 23, 2024 ❤️ Our newest members of the Lakeside Flies crew have officially turned TWO—and these boys are already seasoned little adventurers! ❤️ Just mention the word “fishing” and they're ready to go! 🎣 They'll patiently wait at the end of the dock, eyes glued to the water, watching and waiting for someone to reel in a fish. They don't want to miss a thing! Lander & Seeker absolutely love boat rides and can't wait until we have another boat of our own. Something tells us Captain Lance's newest co-captains are going to take their jobs very seriously. ⚓🐾 When they're not supervising the fishing, these two are busy exploring the great outdoors. They've been brook fishing in the Maine woods, hiking, exploring, chasing ducks, watching fish, chasing chipmunks, and finding just about any other adventure two energetic pups can get themselves into! They are curious, funny, loving, and absolutely FULL of energy. They've already brought so much happiness, laughter, and love into our lives—and they definitely keep us young at heart. ❤️ We can't wait to see where our adventures take us next. Whether it's down a wooded trail, along a brook, out on the lake, or simply hanging around the shop, Lander & Seeker are officially part of the crew. After all... A house is not a home without pets to love. 🐾❤️ And around here, there's always room for a few more paw prints. 🐾🐾