Long-time BVFF members, Joy and Don Knickrehm, have decided to accept the role of leads in further developing and growing the educational opportunities available to BVFF members and the general public. We are excited and blessed to have them bring their decades of fly fishing knowledge, experience, mentoring, and teaching to BVFF.

(Don and Joy pictured after an enjoyable day fly fishing the Owyhee River in Oregon)

We asked Joy and Don to tell us a little about themselves and their deep connection to fly fishing. Following, they tell us in their own words:

Joy

I learned to fly fish over 37 years ago. Since then, my husband Don and I have traveled many parts of the U.S. and the world in search of fly fishing adventures. In 1993 we founded the Idaho Anglers Fly Shop in Boise, Idaho with partner Ken Pursley. We are proud of the Shop’s support of fly fishing and conservation.

I was FFF (Federation of Fly Fishermen) certified as a casting instructor by Doug Swisher in 1995 in Livingston, Montana. I was also certified as a casting instructor by the Joan Wulff School for fly casting instructors, by Joan herself in 1996.

I have served on the Board of Directors of the Boise Valley Fly Fisher’s Club and was their first woman President; and served on the Board of Directors of the industry organization American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA).

Over the years, with the help of my gracious fly fishing women friends and generous business and club support, I have conducted many shop sponsored “Women Only” programs, including beginning fly fishing and casting seminars; fly fishing outings and a “Tying Bee” (twice-monthly fly tying sessions which continued through the winter months every year for over 25 years).

Don

Don graduated from Idaho State University in 1967 with a B.A. degree, and then attended and graduated from the University of California, Berkley Law School in 1970 with a Juris Doctor degree. He returned to Idaho and worked as a law clerk for the Idaho Supreme Court and then a Deputy District Attorney General for the State of Idaho, before entering into private practice. He continued to practice until he retired at the end of 2015, specializing in real estate, finance, and business law.

Early on, Don met John F. Croner (an avid and skilled fly fisher and tier, now deceased), who some of you knew. John taught Don to cast and tie, and a life-long friendship and passion for fly fishing began.

Don has taught fly casting (beginning to advanced) and fly fishing classes since his 1995 FFF certification. He also led the effort (ably assisted by Rick Williams and Tim Mansell), to bring the Fly Fishing International (formerly FFF) annual “conclave” to Boise, Idaho in 2018 (for the first and only time it was held in Boise).

Don continues to support many conservation organizations and efforts, and has served on the Board of Directors of the Henry’s Fork Foundation. He has also served as Counsel for AFFTA.

THANK YOU! Joy and Don for your dedication to the art of fly fishing and to BVFF.