Armand Courchaine

Armand Courchaine: Daiichi Pro Staff

Armand Courchaine

Armand J. Courchaine, born in Fall River, MA.  Life long fly tier, fly fisherman, photographer and instructor currently residing in Marlborough, MA.  Life member of United Fly Tyers, Rhody Fly Rodders.  Founder of Crossroads Anglers.

At nine years old, while looking through the window of E.F. Cornell Sporting Goods Store, Armand was approached by the owner and asked if he had a job such as selling newspapers.  The answer was, “No.”  Mr. Cornell then asked if he would like the opportunity to make money?  Armand asked, “Doing what?”  The owner said, “Tying flies.”  Armand’s reply was, “Do you hold them by the wings?”  Thus, was the beginning of Armand’s career of tying flies commercially.

In 1980, he wrote a column called Fishing Time for Somerset Spectator which was a weekly newspaper until 1996.  He wrote articles for My Father’s Canoe, New England Fisherman and On the Water magazine.  He was a member of New England Outdoor Writers from 1980 to 2004.  In 1997, Armand received the prestigious “Lifetime Achievement Award” by United Fly Tyers and Federation of Fly Fishers.

Armand’s fly patterns have appeared in Ken Bay’s book, Salt Water Flies, Jack Gartside’s Salt Water Patterns, Dick Surette’s Fly Tyer, Ray Bonderow’s Stripers and Streamers, Lefty Kreh’s Salt Water Flies, Angleo Peluso’s Saltwater Flies of the Northeast.  Armand’s Snake Bug was in Fly Tying Clinic, October/November 2009 issue of Fly Fish America.

Armand shares his tying experience with monthly classes at United Fly Tyers, New England Fly Tyers, Crossroads Anglers and Rhody Fly Rodders.  He is currently president of Rhody Fly Rodders, the oldest saltwater fly fishing club in America.