Fly Fish The World Expert Guidance + Zero Extra Cost

Tom has been with Yellow Dog for more than ten years, after first starting as an intern at the company straight after graduation from the University of Montana. He has literally worn every hat and worked in every position possible at Yellow Dog, and no one knows the inner-working of the company – or the fishing travel industry – better. After working for years in an overall sales role for the company, Tom’s role expanded in 2020, and he now manages and directs all freshwater and coldwater programs for Yellow Dog. Originally from the Midwest, Tom is a graduate of the University of Montana and as fanatical an angler as anyone we’ve ever met. When not in the office, Tom can be found fishing one of the many backcountry streams Montana has to offer or sitting at the vise tying up some new creations. Over his years with Yellow Dog, Tom has traveled extensively throughout both fresh and saltwater destinations around the globe. If you attend any of the consumer shows where Yellow Dog is participating, chances are great that you’ll meet Tom in the Yellow Dog booth!

Shaun Lawson is Yellow Dog’s program manager and director for our Yucatán, Baja, and Christmas Island programs. Shaun grew up on the Henry’s Fork River – literally. His father Mike opened Henry’s Fork Anglers in 1976 and Shaun spent every summer on the river from the age of three on. Shaun brings a ton of industry experience to the position, having guided throughout Montana and Idaho for more than 20 years. Shaun also worked as past fishing operations manager for Idaho’s South Fork Lodge, one of the top lodge and outfitting operations in the business. There are very few people in the entire fly fishing industry as knowledgeable and experienced as Shaun and we are super excited to have him as a part of the Yellow Dog team! His friendly demeanor is often overshadowed by his sheer stature, and you will be hard-pressed to find a more inspired and outgoing angler on any river.

Doug works as Yellow Dog’s program manager for the Bahamas and Honduras. A serious saltwater addict, Doug has fished extensively throughout the Bahamas, Belize, Honduras, Cuba, the Florida Keys and the Yucatán. Growing up in Pennsylvania, Doug McKnight was captivated and obsessed with fishing at a very early age. Hunting and fishing in the McKnight household were always family traditions, and his father Ron and grandfather Stanley always made the time to take him and encourage him to follow his outdoor pursuits. Doug began tying flies at age 9 under his father’s instruction, and soon was tying flies professionally for several local fly shops. For nearly two decades, Doug McKnight has built a reputation as an expert fly tyer in nearly every facet of the craft. From trout flies, bass, saltwater, big game flies, deer hair flies, realistic flies and Atlantic Salmon flies, Doug is an incredibly versatile fly tyer and his creativity shines through in his many published and trademarked patterns. In 2003, Umpqua Feather Merchants signed him up as a signature fly tyer. Today Doug McKnight resides in Livingston, Montana where he lives with his wife Shayla, his two children, and his faithful and crazy bird dog Hawk.

Jake is Yellow Dog’s program director for our U.S. West and Louisiana programs. Originally from Virginia, Jake moved to Idaho in 2005 and started his career in the fly fishing industry at Henry’s Fork Anglers, one of the most well-known destination fly shops in the Western United States. After leaving Idaho at the beginning of 2013, he relocated to Salt Lake City and worked for a top fly fishing e-commerce retailer, and then as a sales representative for some of the top brands in the industry. Jake is an unbelievable source of knowledge on all things having to do with fly fishing, and he now looks forward to travelling the globe pursuing his passion and helping others to do the same.

Kristen Tripp is Yellow Dog’s Program Director for Cuba and Yellow Dog’s Bluewater Program. A love of travel, culture, the outdoors and angling were cultivated from growing up in Nepal with summers in the Grand Tetons of Wyoming. With travel in her blood, Kristen has lived and traveled all over Latin and South America (including Chile, Argentina, Peru, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Cuba) along with a long list of countries in other continents as well. Despite her global travel experience, she still maintains a healthy bucket list for future exploration. Kristen’s international travel experience combined with her Spanish language skills and an aptitude for complex trip logistics give her the skills necessary to provide travelers to Cuba with a fantastic experience. An angler, paddler, biker, hiker and general outdoor enthusiast, Kristen loves to get outside when possible to explore, and always loves the opportunity to put her Spanish to use. A “logistics addict” with a get-it-done attitude, you can bet that Kristen will work hard to take care of your trip details. If she ever lacks for an immediate answer to your questions, she will work hard to track down the information for you and can troubleshoot in two languages, a must for Cuba trips!