Meet the Landsend Outfitters Pro Staff

Our Pro Staff is made up of experienced fly tiers, anglers, and guides who know what it takes to create flies that perform in the real world. These are the people testing Terresta-Foam on the water, offering feedback from the bench, and helping push the limits of what fly tying materials can do. We’re proud to have them representing Landsend Outfitters — and even more proud to support the passion and expertise they bring to the craft.

Nick Benik

Nick Benik is an avid angler, fly tyer, and professional photographer/videographer from Denver Colorado. Growing up in Evergreen, he developed a love for fly fishing at an early age and an interest in tying soon thereafter.  Although mountain streams and trout flies were the catalyst, Nick moved to Florida where he became accustomed to the salt, whether it was chasing tarpon in brackish creeks, largemouth bass in neighborhood ponds, or redfish and snook on the flats. Nick has since moved back to where it all began, and now lives in Denver with his wife and daughter who just tied her first fly this year at 3 years old (with a little help from Dad of course). Between working as a creative director for a biotech startup and fatherhood, getting out on the water can be challenging these days but Nick can be found fishing the numerous tailwaters and freestones around Colorado in his free time. And if he doesn't have a rod or camera in hand, he's behind the vise tying anything from size 24 midges to floating crabs.

Charlie Craven

After mysteriously losing all of his dad’s lures in a single day, Charlie was gifted a fly tying kit for his eighth birthday — and he’s been at the vise ever since.

In the 40 years since, Charlie has become a prolific commercial fly tyer and occasional fishing guide (whose liverwurst-and-onion lunches weren’t always popular with clients). Opinionated and passionate, he’s known for sharing hard-earned insights on flies, fur, feathers, and fish.

Charlie has been an Umpqua Feather Merchants Signature Tyer for over 18 years, with fly box staples like the Jujubaetis, Two Bit Hooker, and Baby Gonga among his many patterns. In 2004, he opened Charlie’s Fly Box in Arvada, Colorado, where he serves as CEO, fry cook, and everything in between.

He’s authored three books, writes the Fly Tyer’s Bench column for Flyfisherman Magazine, and was named one of their 50 Most Influential People in Flyfishing — though he insists being ranked #45 was a conspiracy to keep him humble.

Charlie lives in Palmer Lake, Colorado with his wife Lisa, two massive dogs, and a rotating crew of young adult children. He still prefers quiet water, the Parachute Adams, Colorado whiskey, and dry-dropper fishing from a boat.

Jason Haddix

Jason resides in Berthoud, Colorado where he enjoys fishing and tying for the many different species the area has to offer. He has been fly fishing/tying for over 30 years. Since his beginnings in the sport he has become a demonstration tier, full time commercial tier, speaker, writer & guide.

Along this journey Jason has formed several rewarding partnerships with great companies in the fly fishing industry. Some of these include Ahrex Hooks, Anadromous Fly Co, Cortland lines, Veevus, Twisted Feather Chests, Nature’s Spirit, Regal Vises, Upavon Fly Fishing, Raidzap, Lagartun, Squimpish and of course Landsend Outfitters.

Many days you will find him at Arbor Anglers in Lafayette, CO teaching tying classes or just hanging out sharing his knowledge of local fisheries. When not in the shop be can be found guiding & operating a tying business where he ties streamer patterns, deer hair bass bugs, pike/musky flies, carp flies, trout bugs and more for shops/guides. If he’s not in the shop, at the vise or on the water you can find him tying or speaking at shows/shop events across the country.

Benn Gilmour

I'm originally from the Isle of Man, a tiny island in the Irish sea circled by England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales.  The Isle of Man is completely surrounded by sea and our residents have often been described as 80,000 alcoholics clinging to a rock....thankfully I escaped!

I have spent my entire life fishing.  I caught my first Marlin at age 19 and have been hooked on offshore fishing ever since.   I have been a mate on Good Day since 2016 but now Captain our new boat the 23' Regulator 'Knot Easy' taking our guests on Inshore & Offshore fishing adventures.