<  To Orvis Page

To News & Events Page >

OUR STAFF

Chris Strainer:  Owner/Manager/Guide/Instructor, Chris has been fishing and hunting since he was big enough to handle a rod and gun.  Chris started fly fishing in 1982 and it has taken him to some wonderful places including Ireland, Canada and all over the United States.  His addiction for the sport eventually got the best of him and he decided to give up his career as a field biologist for The Nature Conservancy to run his own fly shop (now 2 fly shops!).  He still gets to somewhat use his Biology Degree from Furman University and graduate studies from SFS at Northeastern University, University of Alabama at Birmingham and South Dakota State University as he is a member of the Citizens Advisory Panel for the Future Fisheries Improvement Fund for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and is a current Board Member of the Pat Barnes Missouri River Chapter of Trout Unlimited (a two-term President, Vise President & two-term Treasurer), and also was on the Montana Trout Unlimited State Council.

Chris is the lead instructor for CrossCurrents Beginner & Intermediate Fly Tying Classes, Rod Building Classes and Group & Private Casting Lessons.  He is also a Montana Fly Fishing Guide (#9980) and guides on the Missouri, the Smith and the Blackfoot.  As a business owner, Chris was a two-term Board of Directors member for Downtown Helena, Inc. and served as Vice President of the association for two years.  He also has an addiction for upland, waterfowl and big game hunting.

Our Sensational Seasonal Staff:  Since 1994, CrossCurrents has been blessed with the best seasonal employees.  We hire intelligent, articulate people that love to fly fish and help people.  Many of our alumni are now successful Outfitters, Guides, fisheries biologists, business owners, military officers, teachers, attorneys, engineers, dentists, loving parents - and a few trout bums.  Most have or are acquiring a Bachelors, Masters, PhD’s and JD’s.   I don’t know if we are just plain lucky or that we attract great people of solid character.  (I hope it’s the latter.)

Lisa Verzani:  Shop Staff and Guide.  Lisa grew up in Helena and has always had a love of the outdoors.  Several years ago she took a fly fishing clinic from our own FFF Casting Instructor, Gene Shimel and the fly fishing fever has only gotten stronger!  In 2006 she attended the Reel Women Guide School and for 3 years got paid for pullin’ oars, untangling knots and nettin’ fish on the Missouri.  Lisa is also a Board Member or our local, Pat Barnes Missouri River Chapter of Trout Unlimited.  In the off season, she teaches not on the river but in the classrooms in Helena.

Lisa in the Spring of 2010 was diagnosed with a serious illness that will keep her busier with the doctors than with the trout.  Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers for a full and speedy recovery.

Larry the Urban Legend:  Shop Staff.  Larry grew up in New Jersey fishing both in freshwater for trout and on the Jersey shore for big, saltwater species like “stripas.”  You’ll catch Larry only on the weekends & holidays during the Summer season in either shop because during the week he pulls duty as the Wetlands Mitigation Specialist for the MT DOT. 

Jim Bowerman:  Part-Time Shop Staff & Full-Time Angler.  Jim retired fairly early from a career as a Conservation Officer (aka Game Warden) in Michigan.  Now he has the pleasure of traveling full-time in his 5th wheel.  Winters in Arkansas & other sweet, mostly tropical fishin’ locales and then Summers on the MO.  Very knowledgeable, friendly and one, super-handy dude around the shop, we are pleased to have Jim hang out with us in the Summer up in our Craig shop!

Don’t Ask!

With Greg, some things are better left unanswered!

Believe it or not, this guy worked for the MT Supreme Court!

Jim Stein:  Instructor of our Fly-Fishing Schools & Fly Tying Classes.  Jim has done an absolute amazing job with CrossCurrents’ Fly-Fishing Schools since starting them in 2006.  Besides having a passion for teaching people about fly fishing and tying, Jim loves working with his horses all year around and hunting for upland birds with his English Setters in the Fall.

If you want to get started right in fly fishing -or just want to greatly improve your skills and knowledge in this lifetime pursuit, you would do yourself right by taking one of Jim’s fly fishing schools!

Matt was our original Web Designer, getting us online in 1998.  Now he has a Ph.D. in Genetics!

Home      Our Fly Shops      Guided Trips      Lodging      Boat & Equipment Rentals      Schools & Instructions      Fishing Reports      Missouri River      Smith River      Blackfoot River      Other Waters      Streamflows      Conservation      Photo Galleries      Lodging Photos      Videos      Shopping            Sale Room      Orvis      Our Staff      News & Events      Policies      Links      Contact Us   |   Fly Tying Room

Gene Shimel:  Shop Staff and Certified Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) Casting Instructor and all around fly fishing guru!  Gene has fished more places with more people (many you’ve read about in magazines and books) then the rest of CrossCurrents staff combined.  You will not meet a more experienced or knowledgeable person in any other shop in the area!  Gene’s time in Montana will very limited this year due to family obligations back home in Colorado.

Beth Hood: Shop Staff & Guide,  Beth has been in the fly fishing business on the Missouri since 2005 now and we are glad to have her working part-time in both the Helena shop and in our Craig store.  Beth loves to fish, float and hunt and she and her boyfriend, Geoff are just plain fun to hang out with in the shop, on the water, in the field or at the pub.  CrossCurrents is privileged to have Beth on board even if it is just part time.

See Below for Job & Application Information for 2012.

Jennifer Harris:  Jennifer joined the crew in 2010 and has taken on many hats for CrossCurrents.  Growing up in northern Cali fishing small streams, Jen is very comfortable in a pair of waders and her Helios 4-wt rod in hand.  Having a background in graphic arts, Jen will be doing most of our marketing and website work (as well as scheduling, merchandising, working on the sales floor in both shops, installing our new POS system, a bit of bookkeeping.... and raising 3 kids!).

Matt Campbell: A Montana native, Matty grew up fishing on many waters under the big sky.  A world-class wrestler, Matty has coached literally thousands of young grapplers through the years.  This affinity for coaching and his boundless energy shows on the sales floor of our Craig shop where he truly wants you to understand about fly fishing and what’s working.  When he’s not working, he’s usually out fishing (just ask his wife!).  Unless it’s in the Fall, when he could be chasing birds as well.

Steve Lane: Another Montana native, Steve has fished a lot of waters in this state but also spent quite a few years in western Washington where he put in a serious amount time on the Steelhead rivers of the Pacific Coast learning and mastering the two-handed rod.  Steve spends most days in our Helena store but you will see him in Craig and on the river as a Guide.  Steve also does most of our private spey casting lessons.

Tyler Dean: Tyler grew up in Billings but has been in Helena for the past few years -and now up in Craig.  Tyler is a “keep quiet and get it done” kind of guy.  You will see him busy in the shop making the day to day things work and the same on the river, gettin’ it done to catch some fish on a fly rod!  He also loves to run and hit a single track on his mountain bike.  (Hey, ladies, he’s single and he just signed up for Facebook in April.  He’s going to love me posting this info!)

Chase Krywaruchka: Yeah, that’s a lot of letters in his last name!  Chase is another Billings boy that moved to Helena with his wife a few years ago.  He’s loving having more fishable water in this area than in the “big city.”  You’ll see Chase mostly in our Craig store -and on the MO.  Chase likes the single track as well  and is still looking for a great river you have to mountain bike to get to!

Mika Keleti: Mika comes from some serious fly fishing genealogy (along with big man, Samoan genetics -which comes in handy on the grid iron for UM-Western in Dillon, where he crushes defensive lineman as a tackle!).  Mika’s grandfather is THE Jerry Wilkerson, past Orvis-Endorsed Guide of the Year (and a former CrossCurrents employee as well).  Mika has spent many hours on the water learning from the master, Jer Dog, on the Missouri, Blackfoot, Smith and a lot of other trout water in Montana.  Don’t be intimidated by his stature, Mika is one of the nicest guys you’ll meet (unless you are a linebacker and he’s heading your way at full steam!).