Hal Janssen's
Stillwater
Fly-Fishing Secrets

Hal Janssen, nationally known writer, artist, lecturer, video personality has been fly-fishing over 60 years in fresh and saltwater. Golden Gate Casting Club “old-timers” mentored him as a child, giving him a shooting head, teaching him to cast. His rare naturally polarized eyes enable him to quickly analyze stream conditions, taking fish when others are unsuccessful.  Growing up in the 50’s Hal was an active member of the Rivers of a Lost Coast greats group and a consummate Stillwater authority, Hal’s self-confidence and fiery enthusiasm seem to guide him in everything he does.

Hal and Scientific Anglers developed S/A’s wet tip fly line. He helped develop Sunset Line Company’s fly lines, the first tapered lead core line, and the invention of the density compensated uniform sink line.  Hal was the first to conceptualize the clear fly line and was part of changing Amnesia from solid to fluorescent colors. He created fly display boxes, tools, shirts, and more.  Hal also designed a signature line of hooks with Partridge-U.K., and consulted with a number of companies on rod design. Over 70 Janssen fly patterns have been distributed worldwide.  Hal's has a series of three Fly-Fishing Secrets DVD’s, and founded the Hal Janssen Company in 1979, the first exclusively fly fishing equipment distributor. 

As a fine artist, Hal Janssen illustrated all of the fly drawings and paintings for Anglers’ Calendar for over 20 years and has illustrated many magazine articles. When Hal gets involved he usually gets “Best of Show,” as with his fish carvings. He calls them “Living Wood” because of their unique life-like realism. In his spare time Hal restores classic cars and has achieved professional pin striper status.

Hal has written over 25 articles for leading fly-fishing magazines.  He has contributed to 21 books as both artist and author.  Hal gained broad recognition as an instructor for his stillwater fly-fishing seminars and schools, and has entertained thousands in fly club presentations, as a member of the Coors Outdoor Team, and Ed Rice's International Sportsman's Exposition Pro Staff. He helped found the Diablo Valley Fly Fishers Club and is a fisheries consultant to conservation groups. Hal’s book “Stillwater Fly-Fishing Secrets” is full of never before available Stillwater information, revolutionary fly patterns and instruction on how to tie and fish them.

Hal is a member of the Federation of Fly-Fishing Hall of Fame and a member of the prestigious California Outdoor Hall of Fame.  He is an exceptional individual who has made significant contributions to the sport of fly-fishing.

Written by Marty Seldon