I live in Johnstown, PA and am a retired steelworker with 28 years in the steel mills.  I'm also an Army veteran of the Vietnam era.  Much of my retirement time is spent fly fishing, fly tying, and teaching others to tie.  I also enjoy wood working and specialize in building shadow boxes.  Email me if interested in obtaining a custom box to display your flies. 

I've been fly fishing and fly tying since the age of 13.  That was in 1952, when a gentleman friend and master fly tier, Karl Kesel, took me "under his wing" and taught me to make something from feathers that would catch fish.  He became ill and passed away later that same same year but not before instilling in me the desire to be as good a tier as he was, and carry on for him. 

After my first year of mentoring I taught myself and learned mostly by trial and error.   I still use the same vice today that my father bought me when he saw me tie my first flies on his workbench vice. 

Note by Ed Gallop:  Bob had a pet rabbit named "Bunny" that was house broken and accompanies him when tying.  Sadly, Bunny passed away on September 8, 2003.  He went peacefully in his sleep, and will be sorely missed.

Not only did Bunny provide an endless supply of dubbing, he also provides other tying material.  Bob sent me a fly he said Bunny made just for me.  It sort of looks like a beetle but could be mistaken for a cased caddis.  Click here to see it...  Bunny Dung Fly.

Bob is quite a craftsman with feather, fur, and even wood.  He builds shadow boxes for sale at very reasonable prices.  A few of his many designs are pictured.  Tell him what you want and he will design and build it for you.  

Bob also made and marketed "Clear Wings," which can be seen on his "Cahill" and "Trico Parachute" flies below.  The wings are clear with prisms of iridescent colors reflecting in the light.  He makes them in various sizes and colors for mayflies and caddis.  Flies tied with the wings have proved productive for several anglers, including myself.  This endeavor has been curtailed due to arthritis in the fingers.  Bob now just does the wings for himself and close friends.

I am fortunate to have Bob as a personal friend and fishing buddy.   His eccentric humor keeps me laughing, his knowledge and talent keeps me learning, and his cooking keeps me wanting more.  Ed.