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Confluence Fly Shop

Meet the Team!

Our Owner

Tye Krueger

For as long as he can remember, fly fishing and fly tying has been a huge part of his life. Tye has been lucky enough to fly fish all over the world: from Canada to Colombia, Mongolia to the Bahamas, even going as far away as Christmas Island and Fanning Islands, but has called Central Oregon “home” since 2010. Early on, he discovered a passion for teaching other people how to cast a fly rod and become better anglers. In 2013, Tye was able to open Confluence Fly Shop and share his passion with others. When not in the shop or exploring the fantastic water of Central Oregon, some of his other loves include illustrating, cooking, and upland game bird hunting.

Hometown: Bryan, Texas

Fun Fact: Has fished for taimen in Mongolia

Favorite Species: Anything with “trout” in the name

Instagram: @tyekrueger

Guides

Dalton Romanowski

Growing up in San Francisco, CA, Dalton fished for stripers and perch up and down the coast with his grandfather. Faced with limited fishing opportunities, Dalton moved across the country to attend college at University of Southern Maine where he spent more time catching native brook trout in small streams than in class. After college, Dalton moved to Central Oregon to pursue guiding full-time. He attended the Western Rivers Guide school and decided that he wanted to split his time between Idaho and Oregon to fish and guide year-round. After spending a few seasons guiding in Eastern Idaho and Wyoming, Dalton is now back to guiding in Oregon full time. Regardless of skill-level, Dalton loves to share his passion and knowledge of fly fishing with anyone who gets in his boat. During the off season he spends most of his time either in the duck blind, swinging for steelhead, or tying flies. 

Hometown: San Francisco, CA

Fun Fact: Once shot a limit of ducks in under 10 minutes

Favorite Species: Prosopium williamsoni (aka the Mountain Whitefish)

Instagram: @romoflyfishing

MATTHEW MORAN

Matthew grew up in San Diego fishing the ocean for local and pelagic species. He very quickly fell in love with casting long rods with surface “iron” jigs. For Matthew, casting long distances is what gave him the greatest satisfaction. He started fly fishing in high school but the long drives to the Sierras prevented him from any real progress with his casting technique. In 2016, after an incredible year fishing for giant Bluefin and Yellowfin tuna something changes, “I had a big bluefin come to gaff and as it was being hoisted over the rail it looked at me…”. From then on, catch and release became exponentially more important to him, and what better way to have a lower impact on a fishery than to fly fish (with barbless flies). That same year he purchased a minivan, outfitted it for camping, and started to take trips all over California and Oregon. On these trips, Matthew crafted a consistent and advanced casting technique. After a 20 year career as a photographer/videographer, he decided it was time to pursue a professional career as a fly fishing guide. Matthew packed up his things and moved to Bend. Since then, he has been able to get back to his roots; fishing long rods and utilizing spey techniques to chase big Redband rainbows and Steelhead.

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Fun Fact: Unknown…

Favorite Species: Yellowfin Tuna

Instagram: @wherethefstops

LAFE PETERSEN

A true outdoorsman, Lafe’s pursuits have ranged from chasing trophy lake trout in the Northern Territories of Canada, to hunting alligators in the bayou of Louisiana. Before becoming the manager here at Confluence, Lafe spent 13 years as a Backcountry Ranger in the Wallowa-Whitman Nat’l Forest. In his free time, you can find Lafe exploring wild spaces with his wife and son.

Hometown: Bothell, WA

Fun Fact: Completed the Pacific Crest Trail in 157 days

Favorite Species: Redfish

Instagram: @blackdiamondjunkie

CAIMAN JENSEN

Joining the shop at the ripe age of 14(!), Caiman is the youngest member of the Confluence team. A fourth-generation “Bendite”, Caiman has been fishing Central Oregon for as long as he can remember. Despite his relative youth, Caiman has fished all around over the world–from Alaska to Belize–and has caught over 30 species of fish along the way!

Hometown: Bend, OR

Fun Fact: Youngest angler to complete the Saltwater Grand Slam at Turneffe Flats Lodge

Favorite Species: Steelhead

Instagram: @fishing_cjensen

LUKE COONEY

Luke has spent his life chasing fish across the PNW and beyond. A true multi-species angler, Luke specializes in trout on the fly, as well as striped bass and other saltwater species. When he’s not guiding, he’s likely chasing birdies on the golf course or exploring the many fisheries that Oregon has to offer.

Hometown: Baltimore, MD

Fun Fact: Current fly shop fantasy football league champion

Favorite Species: Striped Bass

Instagram: @luk3.cooney

hugh russell

Hugh hails from the mean streets of Newport Beach, California where he grew up spearfishing with his older brothers, in the pursuit of any species that could be turned into tacos. Hugh regards water in all its forms as his higher power. From class 5 rafting over waterfalls, to class 4 technical drift boating on the wild and scenic rogue river on the hunt for steelhead, rivers have become a home for Hugh for the last decade. 

Moving from California to Texas, to Wyoming, Hugh found Bend, Oregon in 2014 and hasn’t had any itch to leave. He attributes his interest and most of his knowledge in fly fishing to his father.

When not on/in the river or in a boat, Hugh can be found working at Mt Bachelor on the professional ski patrol team, or at home with his wife, daughter and german shepherd, woodturning, rockhounding, or hunting/fishing with his dad. 

Hometown: Newport Beach, CA

Fun Fact: There are 7 other Hugh’s in my family

Favorite Species: Half Pounders (steelhead)

Instagram: @hugh_russell

Shop staff

KADEN LEEPER

A native-Oregonian himself, Kaden was first taught to fish by his grandfather, and starting fly fishing around the age of 10. After graduating the University of Oregon with degrees in Global Studies and German, Kaden moved to Bend to pursue a career in the fly fishing industry. Aside from fishing, he enjoys ceramics, videography/photography, and posts fly fishing-related videos under the name “kcflytie” on YouTube!

Hometown: Portland, OR

Fun Fact: Has never eaten McDonald’s in his life

Favorite Species: Bull trout

Instagram: @kcflytie

 

Vinny detweiler

Born and raised in Bend, Vinny Detweiler grew up with the Deschutes River in his backyard. From nymphing for red sides to steamer fishing for browns, Vinny grew up on the river and knows the river like an old friend. He is always happy to point people toward the right fly or stretch of water.

His deep local knowledge, easygoing attitude, and genuine love for the sport makes him easy and fun to talk to. If you’re looking for the inside scoop on the Deschutes or just want to talk, Vinny’s your guy.

Hometown: Bend, OR

Fun Fact:  Won a fly tying competition at the age of 13

Favorite Species: Brown and Redband trout

ALEX SERKEY

Alex’s passion for fly fishing has taken him across the globe, most memorably to the remote rivers and coastlines of New Zealand, where he spent seasons chasing trout in crystal-clear streams and wrangling kingfish on saltwater flats.

Between fishing seasons, Alex has lived life on the road—literally. He’s worked as a seasonal roadie for touring musicians, hauling gear, preparing food, and soaking up stories from every corner of the country. That mix of grit, adaptability, and appreciation for the outdoors makes him an invaluable part of our team.

Whether you’re new to fly fishing or planning your next trip abroad, Alex is always ready with a recommendation, a rig, or a story to get you inspired!

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Fun Fact: Cannot grow hair below his knees

Favorite Species: Yellowtail Kingfish

Instagram: @deepflydfish

Bryan darby

Hometown: Lake Tapps, WA

Fun Fact: Known to wear electric socks with leaky waders

Favorite Species: Steelhead

Harry blackburn