Craig Stephens - Fly Shop Manager

Craig Stephens is quite simply, the nicest human I know. He’s hilarious, and welcoming, and knowledgable and kind. He also happens to run my favorite store in the whole wide world, T Hargrove Fly Fishing Shop.

Three years ago, my wife walked into T Hargove Fly Shop on Manchester Road in St. Louis Missouri and told the guys working behind the counter she’d like to buy her boyfriend (me at that time) his first fly rod. She also informed them that I’d likely want to make a video about the experience for my youtube channel, which was focused on the outdoors. Craig, the shops General Manager showed Sara a few basic combo kits that would get me started, and let her know they’d love to have me film the experience…”that’s free advertising!”.

A couple of days later, we entered the shop, camera in hand and I was greeted with “You must be AJ”…I was pretty blown away to say the least.

Craig and the rest of the guys at T. Hargrove welcomed me into their band of characters and the rest is history. The shop quickly became my second place (I work from home) and I found myself hanging out there regularly even when I had no intention of buying anything.

Craig plugged me into the local Trout Unlimited chapter where I helped produce a film on Planting Wild Brown Trout in Dry Creek at Westover Farms and and Update Film on the progress of our little browns.

I couldn’t be more grateful for the friendship Craig and I have developed over the last three years and the kindness he shows to every single person that walks in the shop.

There are a lot of people who talk the talk about helping new people get into the outdoor sports, and very few who walk the walk. Craig is making a huge impact on conservation, outdoor ethics and helping people have more fun.

Thanks for spending time with me and sharing your knowledge with so many people.