Ross Purnell is a Calgary, Alberta, native who grew up fishing the Bow River. Through the first half of the 1990s, he was owner and operator of the Bow River Company. While pursuing a journalism degree during the winters, he eventually quit guiding and went into the newspaper business first as a reporter, and eventually as editor of a small-town newspaper in rural Alberta.

At the same time, he cultured his interest in something new called the Internet. His first fly-fishing article was published on The Virtual Flyshop, owned and operated by Greg McDermid—a fishing buddy from the University of Calgary. McDermid’s enterprise was eventually purchased by Fly Fisherman magazine in 1996. Purnell came on board as the web site’s content director, working out of Fort Collins, Colorado.

In 2001 Ross and his family moved to the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area where he officially became part of the editorial staff of Fly Fisherman, working directly with longtime publisher and editor John Randolph who was a mentor, boss, and an inspiration.

Purnell’s fishing background is mostly Alberta and Montana trout fishing, with many seasons of Skeena River fall steelheading thrown in. He has also fished extensively in Colorado and throughout the Rockies, and especially loves America’s national parks. Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain National Park are two of his favorites.

His favorite fishing is Spey casting for steelhead. “Maybe I love it because I’m so terrible at it. On every cast there is incredible opportunity to improve, and on every swing there’s a chance to relax, enjoy the scenery, and think about what you can do better on the next cast. It’s reflective, challenging, and methodical.”

Ross and his wife Anna have three children Ashley (20), Carson (18), and Breanna (16).