Welcome to my web site!

My name is Phil Simpson. I have been fly fishing since I was seven and I have been teaching friends and family to fish for years. I grew up in Northern California and fished primarily for bass and trout in local lakes and streams. I also spent time backpacking and hiking in the Sierras, usually with a rod in my hand. I lived in Utah for eight years and spent a lot of time chasing cutthroats, browns, brookies, and rainbows across Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Colorado.

Eleven years ago, I decided to chase a dream. At the time I was working in the computer industry. Long hours, high stress and lots of travel kept me from doing the thing that I truly love: Fly fishing. After years of dreaming (and a couple of week-long fishing trips north), I quit my job and headed to Alaska to spend the entire summer fishing. After 9 years guiding in Alaska and Washington I am now staying closer to my central Washington home and my family. With multiple world-class fishing opportunities within driving distance, who could blame me?

I spend my winters fishing for Olympic Peninsula steelhead and trout on the Yakima River and my summer and fall chasing summer-run steelhead, trout and salmon in the dry sunny weather of central and eastern Washington. I only fish “World Class” Rivers and all of the rivers fly-fish well. (I have, however, converted many “die hard” fly fishing “purists” to run a plug for steelhead and a few have even soaked some bait for salmon. – I’m just sayin’…)

While I am no longer (temporarily?) guiding in Alaska, I still work closely with Herb and Tina at the Schwager Haus B&B and Heather and Justin at the Deshka Landing Lodge. I can also set you up with the best guides in South Central Alaska.

Take a look around the site and contact me if you have any questions or comments. I would love to take you fishing soon!