My name is Matt Tucker, and I am a wannabe Trout Bum. I was born and raised a bass fisherman and a deer hunter with a great respect for the outdoors (big props to my Dad for giving me the background). It wasn't until my days in graduate school chasing my MBA, that a fellow classmate had suggested we head to the river to do a little fly fishing. I was all about needing a break, and we hiked down the Cardiac Hill access to the Meramac River in 14" of snow with rods and gear (not to mention the Neoprene rubber soled waders). I didn't catch a fish, but it was definitely the moment a fly fisherman was born.

2004 was the year that my pursuit of fly fishing really took off. A friend and I were selected to participate in the Fly Rod & Reel Trout Bum Tournament, sponsored by Fly Rod & Reel Magazine and Ford Motor Co., and spent ten days fishing the tailwaters of the Ozarks. It was during this time that I was emersed into the cult of ozark fly fishermen. That year, I also participated in the 2004 Hooked on a Cure Celebrity Fly Fishing Classic, where I met a ton of nice folks and was subsequently asked to be bartender to the stars at the 2005 event. Following the TBT and HOAC, and largely because of the people I met along the way, I was asked to do some promotional work in the fly fishing industry through a manufacturer rep company, which has proved to be very educational and a ton of fun. In the process of all of this, I have met a ton of great people (and a few asses) and wouldn't trade it for the world.

I fish as often as possible, but the rigors of homelife and career often win out more times than I would like, however I do make it out to on the water more than some (including my grad school friend that got me started in this); and less than others (as I try to convince my wife). Join me as I attempt to chronicle my pursuit to trout bum happiness.

Fish Hard,
Matt Tucker
www.OzarkChronicles.com