Meet the Team
Dave and Kelly Leonhard are Orvis Streamside’s owners. Dave has been a fly angler for more than 50 years and has taught fly casting and fishing to thousands of anglers. Dave Leonhard is a master casting instructor for Fly Fishers International, head of fly casting for the Michigan Trout Unlimited Fly Fishing School, a life member of TU, a former director and charter member of the Adams Chapter of Trout Unlimited in Traverse City, Michigan, former president of the Challenge Chapter of TU, owner of Orvis Streamside in Traverse City, and owner/director of the Orvis Michigan Fly Fishing School.
Kelly is a lifelong fly angler. She is a regular in the store where she can spool a new line, or help you find the right waders. In addition, she handles the corporate intricacies of the store. Kelly is also an avid equestrian and cares for the family’s horses at their small horse farm south of Traverse City. When they can, Kelly and Dave love to fish Montana waters, grouse hunt Michigan coverts, and match the hatches on the Upper Manistee and Boardman Rivers.
Tyler Sarasin is Streamside’s store manager as well as one of Orvis Michigan’s highly talented instructors and lecturers. Tyler came to Streamside via Virginia, although he is a native Michigander. Tyler is not only a highly skilled trout angler, but also an expert fly tyer specializing in large modern articulated predator patterns. Tyler is in the store most days to answer any fly angling questions you may have about either trout, salmon, steelhead, smallmouth, pike, carp, or musky fishing.
Mike Sipkoski is one of our knowledgeable instructors at the Orvis Michigan Fly Fishing School who doubles in the store as an expert sales associate. Mike is a dedicated conservationist who has served on the local Trout Unlimited board for many years. His local knowledge about the Boardman River and Upper Manistee is a valuable resource for anglers looking for the best wadable water. Mike is always eager to help you find the right water. He often enjoys the similarities between fine nylon classical guitar strings and Orvis leader and tippet material at the end of a fly line.
Greg Miller is Streamside’s Head Guide and one of the region’s top river guides. Greg came to Orvis Streamside from the Detroit area after helping out the gang at the corporate store in Royal Oak. His executive experience, pleasant demeanor, and fly angling skills make him one of the most productive guides on Michigan’s top trout, steelhead, and salmon rivers, as well as one of Orvis Michigan’s best and most experienced instructors. Greg’s experiences include fishing Alaskan rivers, Belize’s Savana and flats, and the streams of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming.
Jim Craig is one of our lead instructors at our Orvis Michigan Fly Fishing School, as well as one of our most popular river guides. Jimmy is an FFI Certified Fly Casting Instructor and veteran instructor for the FFI and Trout Unlimited. Jim’s background includes guiding duck hunting in Tennessee, and goose hunting in Michigan. He is a “carp on the flats” expert and heads up the Orvis Michigan Specialty Schools. Jim’s fly fishing experiences also include fishing the streams of Montana and Wyoming, bonefish in the Bahamas and redfish in Florida, and hosts fly angling trips to Montana and Cuba for Streamside.
Mike Dunckley comes to Streamside with the passion for fishing that is highly contagious. Mike doubles as our Head Instructor for the Orvis Michigan Fly Fishing School. His skills as an instructor are rare and his sense of humor is exceptional! His eye for the for slot and feeding fish is obvious. Mike has fished all of our local watersheds since childhood and is available for both trout, salmon/steelhead, and instructional trips.
Phil Croff is a custom drift boat designer — his 12 foot 2-seater highlighted in the Orvis catalog — and experienced river guide. He has a particular passion for hunting large, predatory brown trout late at night. Spending a day… or night… with Phil in one of his custom drift boats is a great experience. Phil takes pride in teaching his clients the finer points of fly fishing and sharing his lifetime of fly fishing experience. Phil brings his fly tying experience, craftsmanship, local knowledge and tenaciousness to each float trip. If you want a unique trip, in a unique craft, with a professional who is eager to share his knowledge… take a trip with Phil.
Kole Luedtke grew up in the area, and was first introduced to fly fishing by his grandfather on the Au Sable River over a decade ago. He began guiding in the Upper Peninsula while attending college at Northern Michigan University in Marquette. Kole is a passionate instructor in the Orvis Michigan Fly Fishing School and enjoys introducing newcomers to the sport. Kole guides for trout, carp, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and musky across Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Kole accommodates all skill levels and prides himself in sharing the unique fishing opportunities of Michigan, from the small brook trout streams of the U.P. to the expansive flats of Lake Michigan.
