Derek Bechtel

Derek Bechtel

I grew up on the westside, Kirkland, WA. I was raised a trout bum. Growing up, my grandpa taught me to fly fish on local west-slope streams, along with annual fishing trips to the Methow River and up to Canada to fish Little Fort area lakes for Kamloops Rainbows. When I was experienced enough, he started taking me to fish the Yakima out of Cle Elum on weekend day trips. Once my drivers license came to hand, no river was out of touch. My day trips started to include fishing the Skagit, Sauk, Cascade, N. Fork Stilly, Methow, Puget Sound beaches, Skykomish, and Snoqualmie River systems, and a variety of lakes and mountain/desert creeks and streams, all while still consistently returning to fish the Yakima. I picked up and moved to Ellensburg fall of 08', and I currently now live with my black lab, Zoie, and girlfriend Maddy, living the life of a grade A trout bum. I love enjoying life to its fullest, and fully appreciate the beautiful and majestic environment that mama Earth gifts us with.

Favorite Trout Rod - Sage Fli 4wt
Favorite Two Hander- Sage VT2 13' 7wt.
Favorite Washington Waters - the YAK!
Favorite Waters outside of Washington - Kamloops Lakes out of Little Fort, BC
Favorite Fish - Yakima River bows and Methow River Steelhead
Favorite One Liner - "Tugs, not drugs"