It all started when...

Our Story

Zach Mertens has spent most of his life fly fishing.  

Born and raised on Molokai, Zach spent much of his childhood exploring the flats off the south coast of the island.  As they say, he  knows it like the back of his hand.

Zach eventually settled in the Pacific Northwest after graduating from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon.  He loves fishing so much he founded Idylwilde Flies in 1996, a producer of signature-tiers, just as an excuse to fish and get paid for it.  

Of course this backfired and Zach then spent the next 20 years working nonstop, making Idylwilde into one of the most popular brands among fishing enthusiasts, as well as one of the top wholesale suppliers in the industry.   

During this time, Zach also discovered a natural talent for guiding, and over the years casual outings with friends evolved into private bookings taking anglers fishing around the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, gaining a reputation among enthusiasts as an expert guide.  

Now years later, Zach has returned home to his beloved island, where under the newly formed Idylwilde Hawaii, he guides anglers of all levels fishing for bonefish in Molokai.