Dr. Robert L. “Bob” Bartlett (he/him) @bartlett_robert is African American, a Vietnam War combat veteran, a retired university educator, writer, storyteller, film maker and passionate fly fisher.  Bob was born and raised in a small rural town in West Virginia where a river runs through it. Five generations of his family lived on or near this mountain tributary to the North Branch of the Potomac River.  That rural place and his upbringing nurtured his love for the great outdoors and flyfishing.  As a young teenager in the 60s Bob’s father introduced him to fly fishing after watching Curt Gowdy do it on the American Sportsman show.  Heavy, clunky fly rods, automatic reels and big fluffy flies quickly became Bob’s preferred method of fishing. 

As a young adult Bob found himself living in western Colorado fishing uncrowded streams and rivers that have long since been discovered.  Graduate School brought him and his family to the Pacific Northwest in the early 80s.  Fifty plus years since Curt Gowdy Bob is still at it with a fly rod.  He loves chasing trout on foot with big streamers, occasionally fishing the salt for sea run cutthroat and swinging flies for steelhead.  His favorite go-to-places, besides Washington State are–the northern panhandle of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. He especially enjoys spending river time with his four adult children and grandchildren. 

Bob is a life member of Trout Unlimited, is currently on the board of the Spokane Riverkeeper and is working toward becoming a certified casting/fly-fishing instructor.  Bob is committed to being a better fly angler, river guardian and changing the complexion of our sport through relationship building and deliberate acts of inclusion.  He and his wife Shonna have called eastern Washington home for nearly 40 years.  They currently share 7 amazing grandchildren.