-ACHIEVEMENTS-
While attending Western Carolina University (WCU), Leland was a Dean’s List Honor’s Student for the College of Arts and Sciences throughout his academic career. During his sophomore year, Leland acquired an interest for insects and began to pursue entomology related subjects. Leland developed a strong rapport with Dr. Brian Byrd, who was Leland’s research advisor, and was instrumental in Leland’s success in mosquito identification. The skills Leland developed throughout his studies at WCU provided him the opportunity to work for three years with the WCU Faculty Research Program, the WCU Quality Enhancement Program, and the WCU College of Health and Human Sciences, for a research project on the Relative Species Abundance of Mosquitoes in Edge vs Interior Forest Sites within a La Crosse Encephalitis Endemic Region of Western North Carolina. Through this research, Leland was accepted into the 6th International Congress of the Society for Vector Ecology (SOVE), where he represented WCU to present the findings of this research project. Leland was also nominated and won the Excellence in Research Award for the School of Health Sciences, Environmental Health Program as a result of this research project.
Leland graduated from WCU in December 2013 with a Bachelor’s of Environmental Health. After graduation, Leland continued his passion for guiding and teaching the sport of fly-fishing, as well as insect identification. In July 2015 Leland attended a graduate level course through the Highlands Biological Station, and achieved a certificate of credit in the Southern Appalachian Mayflies, Stoneflies, and Caddisflies identification course. Leland stated, “The knowledge I gained from this course has allowed me to tie flies that accurately represent the natural aquatic insects living in the rivers and streams of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.” Leland was then nominated as fly-tier for the South East in Southern Trout Magazine, August/September 2015 issue.
Leland has been a professional fly-fishing guide for the past 12 years. Leland has received a certification in aquatic entomology through the Highland’s Biological Station. Leland also received a fly-fishing guide certification through Sweetwater Travel Company Guide School.
Leland has been featured in magazines such as; Southern Trout Magazine, Garden & Gun Magazine, and The Laurel Magazine. Leland was also featured on an episode of Anglers & Appetites. Leland has presented to the WNC Fly-Fishing Expo, the Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and the Fly Fishers International Virtual Expo.
Leland won the Three Rivers Fly-Fishing Tournament in 2016; he placed 9th overall in the Regional Qualifier for Fly Fishing Team USA in 2017; and placed 30th overall in the U.S. National Fly-Fishing Championships in 2018.
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