Born and raised in Oregon, Alex spent his childhood exploring the state’s rivers, lakes, and beaches with a fly rod in hand. By high school, his parents’ borrowed camera was always close by, documenting fishing adventures with his longtime friend Jeremy. That dual passion—for angling and photography—has carried through ever since. Alex graduated from Oregon State University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Ecology, and briefly worked as a university research technician before realizing his true calling was on the water.

In 2009, Alex began guiding with The Fly Fisher’s Place in Sisters, Oregon. What started as a summer job quickly grew into a career. By 2012, he joined John and Amy Hazel at Deschutes Angler, where he spent a decade honing his skills and guiding both trout and steelhead. In 2022, Alex struck out on his own, securing his own Deschutes permit. Two years later, in 2024, he purchased the Hazels’ John Day permit, expanding his guiding operation to include two of Oregon’s most iconic rivers.

From May through November, Alex now runs his own trips on the Deschutes and John Day, focusing on trout and summer steelhead. Each January, he heads west to Tillamook, where he spends four months guiding anglers in pursuit of winter steelhead on the coastal rivers of his youth. “The Shack,” his small outpost near the ocean, serves as both base camp and creative space. Whether on the Deschutes, the John Day, or the coast, Alex is rarely without a camera around his neck—always looking to capture the beauty, grit, and fleeting moments of the fishing life.

When not guiding, Alex can be found fishing for himself, wandering coastal rainforests or sagebrush deserts, always with a camera close at hand. He also enjoys long walks and frisbee sessions with his McNab dog, Nellie, who may be the only fishing partner more excited about steelhead than he is.

With years of guiding experience, his own permits on two legendary rivers, and a deep knowledge of the fishing industry, Alex brings a unique perspective to both guiding and photography. He knows what matters to anglers, outfitters, and clients alike, and his work captures not only the essence of the pursuit but the landscapes and communities that make it unforgettable.