From Costa:
Costa Sunglasses announced it recently added fly fishing guides Tom Larimer, Dave McCoy and Marty and Mia Sheppard to its pro staff. As Costa pro staff members, each will bring their expertise, knowledge and understanding of fly fishing and related conservation issues to Costa-sponsored events in their area, engage young anglers in the art of fly fishing, and represent Costa in several fly fishing contests and tournaments in 2014.
Larimer owns and operates Larimer Outfitters, based in Hood River, Ore. He has more than 18 years of professional fly guiding experience, and is a renowned spey casting instructor. He is also a pro staff member for Hatch Reels and Yamaha Outboards, serves as a Simms Fishing ambassador, and is an advisor to Airflo Fly Lines and RL Winston Rod Company. Larimer is a board member for the Deschutes River Alliance.
McCoy owns Emerald Water Anglers, a full service fly fishing outfitter located in Seattle, Wash. and Glenwood Springs, Colo. In addition to joining Costa’s pro team, he serves as a Patagonia ambassador, and is a pro staff member for brands including Winston, Bauer, Airflo, Rajeff Sports, Koffler Boat and Recycled Waders. He is a member of the Wild Fish Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, the Native Fish Society, and the Wild Steelhead Coalition. McCoy is also a FFF Certified Casting Instructor and a Swiftwater Rescue Technician.
Marty and Mia Sheppard own the year-round guide service, Little Creek Outfitters, in Brightwood, Ore. With over 13 years of guiding experience they specialize in spey casting instruction and guiding an angler into a steelhead with two handed rods. Mia is also a two-time women’s champion of Spey-o-Rama, the World Championships held in San Francisco and the Oregon Representative of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. They are both river stewards for the Native Fish Society and supporters of the Deschutes River Alliance and Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation and Simms Fishing Ambassadors.
“We take a lot of time to select members to invite to be part of our fly fishing guide pro community,” said Peter Vandergrift, Costa’s fly fishing community manager. “We look for people who embody the spirit of Costa, meaning they live to be on the water, and they take great care to protect and sustain their fishing resources. Tom Larimer, Dave McCoy and the Sheppards have all of those qualities and more. We’re proud to have them on the Costa team.”
For more information on Costa’s pro staff program, visit www.costadelmar.com/inside-costa/become-a-costa-pro.
About Costa™
As the leading manufacturer of the world’s clearest polarized performance sunglasses, Costa offers superior lens technology and unparalleled fit and durability. Still handcrafted today in Florida, Costa has created the highest quality, best performing sunglasses and prescription sunglasses (Rx) for outdoor enthusiasts since 1983.
For Costa, conservation is all about sustainable fishing. Many fisheries that should be vibrant and healthy are all but devoid of native fish because they have fallen victim to poor fishing practices, unregulated development, lack of watershed protection or all of the above. Costa works with partners around the world to help increase awareness and influence policy so that both the fish and fishermen of tomorrow will have healthy waters to enjoy. Costa encourages others to help in any way they can.
For more information, contact 1-800-447-3700 or visit the company’s web site at www.costadelmar.com. Join the conversation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/costasunglasses or on Twitter @CostaSunglasses.