Like so many kids, Tye Krueger’s love of fishing began with a bargain-basement rod and Zebco spinning reel. Born in Texas, weaned on Southern bass ponds, Krueger landed his first trout after a family move to Canada in the 1970s. So different from bass and bluegills, that rainbow’s shape and coloration hooked him.
He had always drawn animals, never fish. That came after landing a fishing manager position at the Orvis store in Richmond, Virginia, where his hyper-realistic fish illustrations gained notice and quickly evolved from casual pursuit to a formal passion.
Where the Art Took Shape
With a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from North Carolina State University, the Marine Corps veteran considers himself a student of science. Each colored pencil drawing is an exercise in anatomical precision and faithful coloration involving more than 100 hours. Totally self-taught, Krueger pursues realism and continually strives to perfect technique, inviting the scrutiny of ichthyophiles. Expertly preserved under a glossy, protective clearcoat, each completed drawing leaves the fish looking wet and ready to return to its river.
Beyond the Drawing Board
Countless hours on the water, thousands of fish brought to hand and exhaustive online research imbue each commissioned assignment or personal project. Krueger finds commissions based on customer-provided photos especially rewarding, capturing the angler’s experience with a specific fish’s unique markings, colors and shapes. Found in numerous private collections and featured in guidebooks, species identification manuals and angling periodicals, his illustrations have also been expertly recreated as stickers, greeting cards, coffee mugs and signed reproductions.
The Orvis Company may have brought Krueger to Bend, but when Orvis left, it was Central Oregon’s spectacular landscape, incredible fishing and business opportunities that enticed him to stay. Krueger opened Confluence Fly Shop in 2013 and purchased Deep Canyon Outfitters Guide Service from a colleague in 2016. The combination continues to create meaningful fly-fishing experiences with clients while preserving the memories with his art.
See confluenceflyshop.com and see how Tye Krueger is embedded with the Central Oregon fly fishing community.
