Steelhead Spey Fly Tying Tutorials
Along with being an avid steelhead angler, Winston is an accomplished fly tier with a passion for traditional Spey patterns. Every fly used on the water is hand-tied by him, barbless, and proven effective. His work has been featured in John Shewey’s book Spey Flies: Their History and Construction, and he has also shared his expertise through fly-tying instructional videos on the Drift Outfitters YouTube channel.
SPEY FLIES Their History & Construction
Author: John Shewey
Guided Steelhead Fishing
Ontario's Premier Steelhead Guide
Winston also has a strong passion for food, which led to a full-time career in the culinary industry. He has worked in some of Toronto’s finest kitchens and luxury hotels, as well as abroad in Europe.
Today, he serves as Executive Chef at one of Canada’s most prestigious private golf clubs, where his love of food carries onto the river with a chef-curated shore lunch prepared for his guests.
Winston, Tham
Head Guide & Chef
Meet Winston Tham
Winston’s journey with steelhead began at the young age of six. He could often be found following his father along the banks of Ontario’s Great Lakes tributaries, soaking in every moment on the water and watching the pursuit of these powerful fish. Although Spey wasn’t the method of choice at the time, it was centrepin fishing that first ignited his passion and shaped his lifelong connection to the river.
Through his teens and early twenties, Winston continued to develop his skills, spending countless hours learning how fish move, how water behaves, and what truly draws steelhead to a fly. By the age of twenty-five, that passion had evolved. The pull toward a more traditional and connected method led him to retire the centrepin and pick up a Spey rod for the first time. Friends introduced him to two-handed casting, and after that first clean swing, he was hooked. The rhythm, timing, and precision of Spey fishing aligned perfectly with how he wanted to experience the river.
When not guiding, Winston is a dedicated fly tier known for his attention to detail and commitment to traditional Spey patterns. Every fly he provides on the water is tied by his own hands, barbless and proven effective through years of testing. His approach to tying reflects the same patience and precision he brings to guiding—nothing rushed, nothing wasted, everything with purpose.
Outside of fishing, Winston is a devoted husband and proud father of twins, with a loyal dog named Skeena who often joins him on outdoor adventures. His balance between family, fishing, and guiding reflects the same values that define his approach on the river—respect, care, and a deep appreciation for every moment spent outdoors.
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His Pursuit of Steelhead in North America
Winston has since travelled across North America chasing steelhead on some of the most celebrated waters on the continent. From the misty banks of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula to the legendary Skeena River and its wild tributaries in northern British Columbia.
His pursuit has always been about more than the fish, it’s about understanding each river and respecting what makes it unique.
