THE IRIDEUS - AUGUST 2020
From the Vault: Interview with Leo Siren: Co-Founder & Owner/Manager of Fish First!
By: Kirston Koths & Roger Wachtler Editors Note: As first time editor of the Irideus, I was thrilled when Kirsten Koths suggested we re-run this oldie-but-goodie interview with Leo Siren, the owner/manager of the First First flyshop in Albany. I met Leo when I bought my first fly rod, a Scott, back in 1999, and he’s added to my enjoyment of the sport immeasurably over the years (and no doubt saved me hundreds of bucks by advising against buying overpriced stuff I didn’t need). Leo has remained a great friend to the club, most recently donating his time and providing a discount on the “materials kit” for Mark Lykos’ GPFF online fly tying course. This interview
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first ran in the Irideus eight years ago, but our appreciation for Leo and his generosity have not diminished in the least. GPFF: How and when did you start fly-fishing? Leo: My dad started me fishing when I was four years old. But he didn’t fly fish. I had a buddy who I had been fishing with since I was a kid, and he heard they had this fly fishing class for two days on the Upper Sac. We took that class and I have been fly fishing ever since. GPFF: Why did you get started as fly shop owner?
