Fins & Pins history
The story of Fins & Pins started when two golfers met in the California desert and became friends through their pursuit of professional golf and their love of all things fishing. One, a self-proclaimed puddle fisherman from Montana, known for the slinging hook and fishing any water big enough to hold a baby sculpin. The other, a small stream fly fisherman from the Pacific Northwest, now trapped in a new world of golf course carp, bass and catfish.
The beginning years of professional golf were spent working to secure any playing opportunity possible. This meant practicing tirelessly, picking up jobs caddying, playing mini-tour events, organizing money games - anything we could do to fund the next stint of competitive golf or a shot at qualifying school. Our escape from the stress of golf was always fishing, often combining the two on days we couldn’t get off the golf course.
One evening, after caddying in an event at a high-end club in California, we had received permission to play the course afterwards. We had already spotted several trophy-sized bass in the lakes while caddying the previous few days and we knew just playing golf wasn’t an option. So, we packed up our fly rods, grabbed a few of our favorite beverages and headed out on the course. After a few birdies, a few large double ups on bass and many laughs later we knew that this was going be a way of life for us for years to come. That was the day the Fins & Pins slogan Play 9, Fish 9 was born.
Over the years, we were lucky enough to travel the country and the world doing the things we loved most – playing golf and chasing fish. And although we both ended up leaving professional golf and following different paths, the people we met along the way who shared these passions with us always stood out in our minds.
Whether it be the impossible pursuit of perfection in a golf swing or cast, or the infinite possibility that every round or trip to the river holds, the connection is authentic. We hope that you will join us and help us grow this community through shared experiences, unique equipment and apparel and, soon, guided trips!
Hit ‘em long and Fish on,
- Fins & Pins owners