RIO Products is announcing the addition of three new Signature Tyers – Richard Magill, Justin McGuffin, and Joe Webster. RIO’s signature tyer program has grown to ten tyers in just over a year.
Tyers span the country, world, and a broad range of applications. RIO’s newest tyers will increase their warmwater, trout, and coastal fly selection from the shores of Maine, to the trout havens of Montana while bringing their own unique patterns and perspectives.
About the new tyers:
RICHARD “DICK” MAGILL:
• Hometown – Vicksburg, Michigan
• Target Region – Rockies, Great lakes
Richard got his start angling while stationed with the United States Coast Guard on the St. Lawrence River—a dream location for any angler with some of the best warm and cold-water fly fishing around. It wasn’t too long after beginning fly fishing that he discovered fly tying and the creativity it allowed him to express. Richard’s tying style is informed through the examination of undisturbed ecosystems and their predators. His on the water knowledge, artistic talent, and angling passion results in patterns that emulate prey across the fishy spectrum.
New Flies: RIO’s Dick’s Interstellar Overdrive, RIO’s Dick’s Li’l PMDeeez
RIO Signature Tyer – Richard Magill
JUSTIN MCGUFFIN:
• Hometown – Homewood, Illinois
• Target Region – Great Lakes
Justin’s one of the rare ones that was tying before ever picking up a fly rod. Originally inspired by tying light jigs for conventional angling but needing a way to throw them further—he learned to fly cast. The rest is history. A self-proclaimed fishing nerd—he’s hyper focused and downright obsessed with developing the right motion for each fly pattern. The greatest reward for him as a tyer is the feedback he receives from folks after a day on the water with one of his patterns. Not only do we appreciate Justin’s skills as a tyer and angler, but also his core beliefs—that the best fishing experiences are the ones shared with good company, and there’s always something new to learn.
New Flies: RIO’s McGuffin Good Idea
RIO Signature Tyer – Justin McGuffin
JOE WEBSTER:
• Hometown – Portland, Maine
• Target Region – Northeast
Joe brings 20 years of angling and fly tying experience with a non-traditional background of starting out with a 9ft 9wt instead of the normal 9ft 5wt. You know what that means? To those on the east coast, that means Joe is probably a striped bass fanatic. Lucky for RIO, he cut his teeth targeting the species along the coast, and with that experience brings a unique fly tying skill set. His relentless drive also lead him to other predatory species including landlocked salmon, northern pike, and smallmouth bass. His flies are extremely durable, carefully considered, and a stunning display of his passion for art and design. Joe is also a team member at All Points Fly Shop + Outfitters in South Portland, Maine. We’re excited to get to fish his Crouser and see what else Joe brings to us in the future.
New Flies: RIO’s Webster Crouser
RIO Signature Tyer – Joe Webster
About RIO:
In 1990, Jim and Kitty Vincent founded RIO in the mountains of Idaho on the idea that exceptional fly fishing products should be built by anglers for anglers. More than twenty five years later, we are still in Idaho and driven by that same ethos. Most of us here are passionate fly fishing anglers, wading all day in cold, clear Idaho trout streams, lighting delicate dries and heaving huge streamers – hooking, (losing), landing, turning loose fish after fish… We will not even mention the horror of having to battle tarpon after bonefish after permit in the balmy turquoise tropics, or braving the wrath of angry chrome in BC.