Our Story
The Idaho Angler opened its doors in downtown Boise in June 1993, founded by four lifelong friends and passionate fly fishers. Drawing on years of experience fishing the western U.S., Alaska, and saltwater destinations, they envisioned a premier fly shop for the Treasure Valley—one that would deliver exceptional customer service, reliable fishing information, a full range of high-quality products, and a welcoming environment. From the beginning, education was central to the mission, with classes designed for anglers of all skill levels, especially those new to the sport.
In 1997, Rick and Shauna Williams—both avid fly fishers—purchased John Croner’s share of the business. Rick, who holds a PhD in fish genetics, is a published author on fish conservation and salmon recovery, and an FFI Certified Master Instructor.
As the shop grew, a new store was built in 1999 on Vista Avenue, offering more space, an outdoor casting area, and improved customer access. In 2016, the shop underwent a major expansion and remodel, further enhancing both retail and support facilities. Today, The Idaho Angler remains focused on outstanding customer service, expanding classes and clinics, and providing the most up-to-date fishing information available.
Meet The Shop Staff
Tim Mansell - General Manager, Owner
Tim, an Idaho native, has spent over 30 years perfecting his fly fishing skills on the state’s rivers, spring creeks, and still waters. This deep knowledge has fueled adventures worldwide, pursuing both fresh and saltwater species. For the past 20 years, he has worked in the fly fishing industry, where his expertise ensures top-quality service at The Idaho Angler. An accomplished fly tier, FFI Certified Casting Instructor, and outstanding guide, Tim became a company shareholder in 2012.
Jacob Erickson - Director of Marketing
Growing up in Idaho, Jacob began fly fishing at an early age. He spent 2 seasons guiding the Owyhee River while attending college. Jacob graduated from Boise State with a degree in marketing in 2023. Jacob spent 2 years living in Reno working with Pyramid Fly Company. Jacob now shares his passion for stillwater fly fishing and spends much of his free time on our local waters or at Pyramid Lake.
Cooper Spalding - Shop
Originally from Northern California, a passion for the outdoors led Cooper to Idaho in 2021 to attend Boise State. When Cooper is not in the shop, he can be found on our surrounding waters chasing trout or hunting.
Jared Lyon - Shop
Born and raised in Northern California, Jared moved to Idaho where he currently attends Boise State. Jared has chased everything from small-stream trout to striped bass in the surf. Jared also shares a passion for chasing steelhead.
Jim Goodman - Shop
An Idaho native and Idaho State University graduate, Jim has spent his career in retail and joined The Idaho Angler staff after retiring from BSU. Jim is a lifelong outdoorsman and avid fisherman. His favorites are chasing rainbows on the South Fork of the Boise and casting to big browns on the Owyhee.
Dale Pennecard - Shop
Dale is originally from Whitefish, Montana, has lived in Boise since the 80’s and has been in the fly fishing business since the early 90’s. He is an avid hunter and fisherman with a vast knowledge of the recreational opportunities in the surrounding areas. While Dale is a dry fly “purist”, he has expertise on all aspects of fly fishing, and he can help you with any questions and share his valuable insight.
Gordon Salzman - Shop
Born and raised in Boise, Gordon Graduated from Boise High School in 2023. Gordon is the founder of the Boise High Fly Fishing Club, a high school club focused on teaching students the basics of fly fishing. Gordon is currently attending Boise State pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering. Gordon is passionate about fly fishing our local waters and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to fly tying.
Meet Our Guides
Brady Kallas
Born and raised in Northern California, Brady grew up fishing for trout and stripers with a fly rod. Brady started working for the Idaho Angler in March 2021 and provides customer service and is also an FFI Certified Casting Instructor.
Tom Governale
Tom has lived in Boise since 1984 and has been fishing for as long as he can remember. A true all-species angler, he pursues fish with a fly rod in rivers, lakes, and oceans, targeting everything from trout, salmon, and grayling to bass, carp, pike, and a wide range of saltwater species like bonefish, permit, trevally, and sharks. As the shop’s lead warmwater consultant, Tom shares his trout expertise and also guides for smallmouth bass on the Snake River during summer.
Erik Moncada
Erik dove deeply into the local fly fishing community over the past fifteen years, involving himself in local organizations and nonprofits that use fly fishing as a means to educate and heal. After becoming a stay-home-dad he shifted his focus to his kids, and can sometimes be spotted in the fly shop between teaching or guiding on the Boise River. Erik also specializes in underwater photography.
Owners
Matt Knickrehm - President, Owner
Matt grew up in a fly fishing family, learning to cast and tie flies before he could tie his shoes. Matt worked as a guide on Silver Creek during college. After graduating, Matt worked as the General Manager of a fly fishing manufacturing company. After Idaho Angler's Co-Founder Ken Pursley passed, Matt was offered an opportunity to join the Idaho Angler as an owner giving him a better platform to share his lifelong passion for fly fishing with others.
Don Knickrehm - Founder, Owner
Don is an FFI Certified Casting Instructor and lifelong fly fisher. His favorite fishing spots include the South Fork of the Boise River, Silver Creek, Owyhee River , and any saltwater flat where permit, redfish, bonefish or tarpon are found. Don is a longtime supporter of Trout Unlimited, Fly Fishers International, The Henry’s Fork Foundation, and the Nature Conservancy. Don has been CEO of Idaho Angler since the beginning.
Joy Knickrehm - Founder, Owner
Joy is an FFI Certified Casting Instructor, and founder of The Idaho Angler’s programs for women. For over 20 years, she has led a women’s fly tying group, which meets monthly from November through March. Her favorite fishing destination is the Laguna Madre at South Padre Island in Texas.
Rick Williams - Owner, Instructor
Rick is an Idaho native, an avid steelhead and saltwater flats angler, and a FFI Certified Master Casting and Two-Hand (Spey) Instructor. He teaches Idaho Angler’s advanced and Spey casting classes and hosts international fishing expeditions to various steelhead and saltwater destinations. He is a nationally recognized salmon conservation biologist and author, and serves as a Senior Conservation Adviser to Fly Fishers International (FFI). In 2018 Rick was presented with the FFI’s Lifetime Achievement in Fly Casting Award.
Shauna Williams - Owner, Instructor
Shauna, a Boise-area surgeon, is an accomplished fly angler. She enjoys all fly fishing, but steelhead fishing and chasing bonefish are her two favorite pursuits. She and Rick host many of Idaho Angler’s international fishing trips. Shauna is also an FFI Certified Casting Instructor who donates her casting and medical expertise each year to Casting for Recovery in Idaho since 2005, a program that uses fly fishing to support recovery for breast cancer survivors.
Ken Pursley - Founder, Owner
Ken was an excellent and adventurous fly fisherman, a dedicated conservationist, and as fine a man as you could hope to know. In October of 2015, Ken died in a tragic boating accident during a fishing expedition on a tributary of the Amazon River in Brazil. We miss him dearly.