John McMillan

Pro Staff

John was raised along the banks of the Washougal River in Southwest Washington where he spent most of his youth fly fishing for trout, steelhead and salmon. His favorite fish were the summer steelhead, from the early June rains through the late Indian Summers. All other interests were set aside during this period. Only steelhead mattered.

His early interest to steelhead carried over to adulthood. He has lived much of the past twenty years on the west-side of the Olympic Peninsula, and for a decade he fished an average of 340 days a year. He spent that time adapting a style of casting and fishing in isolation -- wading deep, casting far, and swimming the fly broadside rather than solely swinging -- to solve the unique challenges of catching large winter steelhead in the brawling rainforest rivers. 

He also spent 100's of days snorkeling the rivers, not only to inform his angling but also because he is a fisheries scientist. He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals, the vast majority of which has focused on the biology and ecology of steelhead and rainbow trout. In addition, he has authored two books and several book chapters on steelhead and other topics, and his underwater photography and videography has been broadly published in books, magazines, newspapers, movies and television. His latest publication is the book May the Rivers Never Sleep, which was a collaboration with his father Bill McMillan and pays homage to the strong conservation influence of Roderick Haig-Brown. He now works as the Science Director for Trout Unlimited's Wild Steelhead Initiative after spending the previous five years studying steelhead and salmon recolonization in the Elwha River. 

Ever thankful for his understanding and lovely wife, Laurel, and his sidekick Gordon Setter, Honey, much of his free time is spent casting Burkheimer spey rods, snorkeling and taking underwater photographs of juvenile and adult steelhead. 

If you are interested in contacting John about the Wild Steelhead Initiative, or would like insight into one of his favorite Burkheimers, feel free to contact him at: john.mcmillan@tu.org.  www.wildsteelheaders.org