Umpqua Promotes Dave Student to Fly Specialist

Umpqua Feather Merchants has announced Dave Student in the role of Fly Specialist. Student will be responsible for quality assurance, sourcing new fly-tying materials, and selecting new fly patterns.

Read more in the press release below.  

Umpqua Promotes Dave Student to Fly Specialist to Lead Fly Innovation & Quality

LOUISVILLE, CO — Umpqua has announced that Dave Student has taken over the Fly Specialist role. In his new role at Umpqua, Dave will be responsible for assuring the quality of Umpqua flies, sourcing fly-tying materials, and playing a key role in selecting the new fly patterns to be introduced into Umpqua’s vast offering of flies. He will also head up Umpqua’s Signature Fly Designer Royalty Program, the first program of its kind in the industry that recognizes, rewards and promotes fly designers for their creativity.

“Fifty years a fly tier and over 30 professionally has landed me in a dream position.  Working at Umpqua means rubbing elbows with the “best of the best” both in fly design and world class production. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish. I look forward to carrying on the fine Umpqua tradition of excellence.”
— Dave Student, Fly Specialist, Umpqua Feather Merchants

“Dave’s 30 years as a commercial tyer prepare him very well for understanding our customers’ needs and developing new flies that will meet consumer demands. His dedication to unique patterns built to last, aligns perfectly with Umpqua’s history of innovation and quality. I believe Dave will continue Umpqua’s distinguished tradition of creating and introducing industry-changing flies as Umpqua has with famous tiers like A.K. Best, Sandy Moret, John Barr, Charlie Craven, Ken Morrish, etc., over our 44 year history.”
— Brent Bauer, Director of Product, Umpqua Feather Merchants

Student’s connection to Umpqua goes back several years, having joined the distinguished ranks of Umpqua’s Signature Fly Designer Program in 2011 when his Megalopsicle and Tarpon Tapas patterns were inducted into the Tarpon/Big Game section of the Umpqua catalog. Since then, several more of his creations have been added to Umpqua’s vast selection of flies. They include the Fishalicious (2013), Belly Flop and Skinny Mini Shrimp (both new for 2017).

ABOUT UMPQUA FEATHER MERCHANTS

Since being founded in Glide, Oregon by the late Dennis Black in 1972, Umpqua has been an innovator in the fly-fishing industry. In creating the first-ever Royalty Signature Fly Tyer Program, Umpqua altered the course of the industry by making flies more readily available and affordable to anglers everywhere, while at the same time enabling designers to receive recognition and compensation for their creativity. Today, Umpqua has nearly 200 Signature Fly Designers and has introduced hundreds of revolutionary, game changing fly patterns throughout the years. Umpqua’s innovations extend far beyond just flies, and include award-winning fly boxes, packs and vests; industry unique, ultra-effective leader tapers; and a comprehensive assortment of high quality streamside accessories, hooks, fly-tying tying materials, tools and more.

Umpqua’s headquarters are located in Louisville, Colorado.

For more information, please visit www.umpqua.com, or contact:

Luke Wennik, Marketing Manager
Phone: 303.567.6696, ext. 102
Email: [email protected]

Brent Bauer, Director of Product
Phone: 303.567.6696, ext. 113
Email: [email protected]