Our Staff

Shannon's Staff

Eric Hildebrant Owner/Fly-Tying Instructor Eric grew up in western New Jersey splitting his time between the South Branch and the Musky. He enjoys catching all kinds of fish from Native Brookies to Shad, Bass, Muskies, Snook and Tarpon on the fly. Eric planned and leads our popular fly tying classes every winter. When he isn't tying, he's out on the water fishing cane. Favorite hatch: Hendrickson!
Jim Holland Owner/Instructor For Jim Holland, Co-owner of Shannon’s, fishing and fly fishing in particular has been a lifelong pursuit. His friendship with the late Les Shannon led him to both the South Branch and other area rivers and of course, to the pursuit of trout and other species on the fly rod. A full time History Teacher at Villa Walsh Academy, Jim writes a fly fishing column entitled “What’s Hatching” in the quarterly Black River Journal (click here to read his articles) and makes weekly contributions to the New Jersey edition of The Fisherman.
Chally Bates Fly Tyer Emeritus Chally Bates, a member of the Catskill Guild of Fly Tyers started fly fishing as a young boy; tying flies for his father and himself soon after. This life passion kept him focused through past careers as both a real estate broker and in the entertainment business. Chally and his wife, Nancy, fly fish extensively in New Jersey, the Catskills, Vermont, Arizona, and the Florida Keys. “We’ve fished with all types of tackle”, Chally says, “But catching a fish on the fly is so much fun.” His home river is the South Branch. His home fly shop is Shannon’s on its bank in historic Califon, and the Ken Lockwood Gorge is just down the road. Chally ties now more than ever now, recreating Les Shannon’s legendary fly patterns as well as his own for the shop.
Don Tretsky Shop Manager/Guide/Concert Promoter Don Tretsky has fished extensively across North & Central America from Salmon and Bull Trout in B.C. to Pacific Sailfish in Costa Rica. Don Lives on the ridge above "The Gorge" on the South Branch he's always in the know of what's hatching & working .He ran the Charter boat Gypsy Star for 17 years out of Belmar N.J A long time music industry veteran, Don loves listening to the Fishing Blues by Taj Mahal.
Daniel Ansbach Guide/Instructor/Travel Host Dan lives along New Jersey's finest trout water, the South Branch of the Raritan River. He offers almost 30 years fly fishing experience and has an intimate knowledge of New York's Catskill Rivers as well as his home state trout waters. In addition to coordinating our local guide activities, he also organizes and runs our Destination and Group Trips. Dan is a New York State Licensed Guide, a member of the New York State Outdoor Guides Association, a past president of Jersey Shore Trout Unlimited, a Hunter Education Instructor for NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife and a member in good standing of Trout Unlimited, Federation of Fly Fisherman, and the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum.
Len Ruggia Fly Tyer/Guide/Instructor/Sales Associate Len worked in business development for a large corporation until his retirement in 2007. He spent so much time in the shop that we put him on the payroll! He now claims he has the only job he ever wanted. Likes: Blues music and fly fishing.
Harvey Rude Guide/Sales Associate/Fly Tyer Harvey is a retired Phone Company Manager who fishes 2-4 times a week year round. Harvey resides in Hillsborough NJ for 9 months and then sets up shop in Seaside Park NJ from October thru December. Equally at home on a trout stream or on the beach Harvey guides for Shannon's and also offers guided surf trips for Stripers, blues and albies. Harvey has successfully pursued Stripers from Maine to North Carolina and has 2 50+ lbers and numerous 30-40 lb bass to his credit. Harvey is a member of the NJ Beach Buggy Association and the Ernest Schwiebert Chapter of TU.
Brian Cowden Head Guide Brian Cowden is on Trout Unlimited’s Eastern Conservation staff serving as the Coordinator for the Musconetcong Home Rivers Initiative here in New Jersey, and he has been a lifelong conservationist active in causes related to New Jersey’s outdoor pursuits. The Musconetcong Home Rivers Initiative is designed to work closely with landowners and non-profit, local, state and federal agencies to protect and restore the beautiful Musconetcong River and its tributaries in this 158 square mile watershed that drains into the Delaware River. Brian has been an active angler since he was only four years old and a fly angler since the age of seven. He currently serves as Shannon’s head guide when he’s not restoring our trout rivers.