Mike Lawson - interviewed by JD Miller
How did you get into fly fishing and what was it like growing up fishing on such famous rivers as the Henry’s Fork, Teton, and South Fork?
I started fly fishing when I was too young to remember. My grandfather on my mother’s side fly fished the waters in the Ashton and Island Park area. He died when I was only about 6 years old but I was really close to him. My other grandfather also fly fished and so did my father. There really wasn’t any other option for me. I remember getting a spinning outfit as a gift when I was about 12 or so. I tried it a couple of times but I didn’t enjoy it and eventually gave it away.
Who had the biggest influence on your angling career and why?
My father. He was the best angler I ever met. I don’t think anybody enjoyed it more. Yet he had all of the other responsibilities of life. He made fishing count among the finest hours of his short life. He died when I was 21.
How did you first get into guiding?
My wife and I tied flies for several fly shops. One of them was owned by Pat Barnes, in West Yellowstone. I also knew a couple of other outfitters in West Yellowstone --Bud Lilly and Jim Danskin for example. One day I was visiting with Jim and he asked me if I would like to do some guiding. I worked one summer in 1973 for him, guiding on the Madison and Henry’s Fork, as well as a few trips in Yellowstone National Park. I really enjoyed it but I spent a lot of time away from home so I only guided for one season. We also had so many obligations with our fly tying business that I didn’t have time to guide. We started up Henry’s Fork Anglers in the fall of 1976. I personally ran quite a few more trips then than I do now. My highest priority has always been to stay in the shop where I could be there to work with the customers, but I still really enjoy a little time on the oars.
