John Sindland was raised in New England. He served aboard nuclear submarines in the US Navy.  He has lived in Montana the past 30 years, and has been a fly fishing guide for over 20 seasons on the Bighorn River.  He has acted as a board member for the Bighorn River Alliance since 2008 and also serves on the board of the Southern Arizona Quail Forever chapter.  He and his wife Debbie, along with their four Brittany Spaniels, split their time between Fort Smith, Montana and Patagonia, Arizona.

Doug Haacke is a self-employed software developer and part-time guide who started fly fishing over 50 year ago in Ohio. His love for trout fishing brought him from Ohio to Montana after college, where he met his wife Kathie, married, and settled in Billings. While fishing the many treasured rivers and streams in Montana, Doug's appreciation for conservation efforts blossomed, and through the years he remains active in Montana Trout Unlimited, Magic City Fly Fishers, and Bighorn Alliance. Doug's conservation efforts has earned him awards from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and Montana Fisheries Society, and he was named a Hero of Conservation by Field and Stream magazine."

Don Jackson’s passion for the Bighorn River and its wild trout fishery began in October, 1986 when he first fished the River with his good friend and fishing guide, Kurt Olson. Although Don has fished many rivers, the Bighorn is his “home water” where he averages 10-15 days a year on the water. Since retiring from his work life, preserving, protecting and enhancing the Bighorn River and its magnificent wild trout fishery has been one of Don’s top priorities.

Jim Chalmers is an academic economist and real estate consultant who retired to Montana in the early 2000’s. He, his wife Josie, and the bird dogs now live in Billings which is their home base for fishing and hunting throughout the northwest.  As a frequent visitor to the Bighorn, Jim had more questions than answers concerning the condition and health of the river.  That led to the development of the BHRA Research Initiative program which serves as the information base that is critical for the Bighorn River Alliance to succeed in its stewardship mission.

Mike Parnell is currently serving on the board of directors for the Bighorn River Alliance.  Prior to his work with the Alliance, Parnell was captain of the US skydiving team for eight years while also serving as the Vice President of the brand Surwear Op.  In the mid 80’s he worked with the founder of Oakley sunglasses in introducing sports sunglasses into the brand.  Mike first fished the Bighorn with his daughter Halley when she was ten years old and has been trying to match her angling skills since.  With a homestead on the river, Mike and his wife Dawn spend over 100 days a year on the Bighorn where they enjoy fishing Schneider’s channel with their children.  

Steve Buterbaugh lives in Lancaster, PA, with his wife Jody of over 35 years. A former college golfer and finance major, Steve built a successful entrepreneurial career in the insurance industry, retiring in 2021 as CEO of a nationally recognized brokerage firm. He now manages real estate investments and remains active in his community, contributing to major events like the 2015 and 2024 U.S. Women’s Open in Lancaster, which generated $50 million for the local economy.

An avid angler, Steve has fished Central PA’s spring creeks and the Bighorn River since the early 2000s. He is a lifetime member of Trout Unlimited, a fly-fishing club president, and a board member of Camp 6X near Fort Smith, MT. Passionate about preserving the Bighorn River, Steve has been an active fundraiser for the Bighorn River Alliance and serves on its board, focusing on fundraising and advocacy. Known for his motto, "Let's get it done," Steve dedicates nearly a month each year to the Bighorn and its conservation.

Shane Colton is a fifth generation Montanan who grew up in a small farm and ranch community in Denton.  Shane obtained his undergraduate degree from Montana State University in 1991.  While maintaining his allegiance to the Montana State University Bobcats, Shane attended law school at the University of Montana and graduated in 1996.  With some minor exceptions, Shane has practiced as a personal injury litigator in Billings and is currently the owner and managing partner of the law firm of Edmiston & Colton.  

An avid and often compulsive outdoorsman as well as a committed conservationist, Shane served over twelve years on Montana’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks commission.  During this time Shane served under two separate governors and presided as chairman of the Commission for three years.  Of note, Shane first became involved in issues regarding the Big Horn River in 2006 when he as commissioner for Region 5, traveled to Lander, Wyoming with Doug Haake and members of the Region 5’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department.  Attendance at this meeting led to years of advocacy for the Big Horn River, the businesses that rely on it, its anglers, and most importantly, its fish and wildlife.  Along with countless others, including U.S. Senators, Shane helped prevent some of the devastation being facilitated by the Bureau of Reclamation and a handful of special interest groups in Wyoming.  In addition to conservation advocacy, Shane and his wife, Gina, a licensed clinical social worker, have volunteered countless hours as board members for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Yellowstone County, Family Promise of Yellowstone Valley, Tumbleweed and CASA of Yellowstone County, Montana Land Reliance and Montana Conservation Corps.

Over the course of his career as litigation attorney Shane has had numerous successes and accolades.  However, all of those successes and accolades shrink in comparison to the greatest success of being able to bring his English Setter, Ridley, with him to work every day.

Born and raised in southeastern Pa. Started fishing local trout streams. Graduated from Campbell University in North Carolina with a BBA. Began fishing Western North Carolina trout streams after graduation. Career included working for Johnson and Johnson and BBA over 30 years in nonwovens manufacturing for Medical and industrial fabrics. In the mid 80’s lived in Little Rock  for 3 years. Became a regular fishing the White River.  Read an article in Field and Stream in 1989 about the Bighorn River.  Set up a trip to fish in 1991 and got hooked.  Fished the Bighorn every year since that time. Currently spend about 4 -months in Fort Smith fishing balance of the time in North Carolina.

Rick Gehweiler is a published author and current manager of the Bighorn River Lodge. After graduating from the University of North Carolina in 1966, Rick served as a Marine Corp helicopter pilot from 1966 until 1971. In 1992 in Bend Oregon he helped establish Central Oregon Veterans Outreach, serving as board president for two years. COVO is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing counseling, housing and job placement for veterans in need. Rick’s passion for fly fishing has taken him to most western states, as well as the Bahamas, Cuba, The Yucatan and Belize. Rick and his wife, Cheryl began fishing the Bighorn in the early 90’s, fell in love with the river and the area returning almost every summer until 2012 when they became managers of the Bighorn River Lodge. “The Bighorn is a very special river and an extremely important natural resource for Montana and the country as a whole. It needs and deserves stewardship that will ensure its protection and enhancement. I am proud to be part of such an active organization that is working tirelessly to achieve that goal.”

Tom Hansen is an avid fly fisherman, upland bird hunter, outdoorsman and conservationist. Tom owns and operates a commercial real estate company, E.P. Hacienda Group, Inc. that specializes in property management.  In 1978, Tom and his father, Jon T. Hansen, met a lodge owner from the Big Horn River while quail hunting in Patagonia, AZ.  Thus began the life long relationship with the Big Horn River and Montana.  The Hansen Family owns the infamous “Yellow Rose” which has a long and notable history with the river and valley.  Tom helps source new membership, product donations and promoting the Mission of the Bighorn River Alliance. Tom is an active member of the Henry’s Fork Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Mule Deer Federation, Ducks Unlimited, and National Sporting Clays Association.  He loves fishing with his two daughters, Kaylee (11) and Karlee (10) and watching the incredible sunsets in the Bighorn Valley.

The Bighorn River has proven to be one of the best trout fisheries in the country because of its diversity, resilience and quality of fish. I am a life long outdoorsman, guide and outfitter and I have been very blessed through the years to be able to share this great resource with others.

Mike grew up in Bozeman, MT. After several stops, he followed his Father to the Bighorn in 1987. He started guiding on the river in 1989. He spent his summers on the river and his winters in school and later in the ski industry.  He spent 6 years away from the river working full time in the ski industry. He returned to the river in 2010, where he has lived and guided full time ever since. He lives with his 3 labs in Fort Smith.

The Bighorn River is one of the best trout fisheries in the country because of its diversity and quality of fish. My passion for the Bighorn River began when I started fishing here in the mid 80's and I have been fishing here ever since. Living in Ft Smith and working with the Bighorn River Alliance has allowed me a chance to give back to the river that has given me so much joy over the years. The Bighorn River is considered to be one of the best tailwater rivers in the country. This resource needs to be protected for future generations.

"I was fortunate to grow up with both grandfathers and a father and uncle that all adored fly fishing.  I was taught to "throw" with both hands before I was given an actual fly.  I learned a ton about fishing small waters in the Beartooths, upper Mushellshell and stories about Sixteen Mile Creek.  I spent over 50 years in healthcare administration, and I am now retired.  Along with two others, I formed the first TU chapter in Billings in 1970.  I am the past president of that original chapter (Beartooth TU), Montana State Council of TU, National TU and MT Trout Foundation.  I walk constantly, hike to headwaters for small stream fly fishing, bike, and shoot sporting clays.  I hope to help the Alliance in adding Montana donors and members.  I am pleased to serve on the board of what I see as a dynamic and needed organization."