Rick was born and raised in Northeastern Washington, just south of the British Colombian border; also known as, as he puts it, "God's country." Practically growing up in the outdoors, he began fly fishing at the very soonest moment he could hold a fly rod.

Rick learned the trade from his father Mike Matney, owner and operator of Three Lakes Flyfishing, and began guiding on his father's lakes and surrounding rivers at an early age.

Rick went off to college in the fall of 2000 at Montana State University where he earned his degree in Cellular Biology and Neuroscience. Rick now works three jobs (yes, THREE) in the Gallatin Valley to support his fishing and hunting addiction. He is also an avid land and water conservationist who believes preservation of the environment is the key to continuing to enjoy hobbies like fly fishing.

As a confessed steelhead junkie and recovering trout-a-holic, Rick finds himself going to great lengths to instill the addiction on everyone he meets. His love and ambition for the sport has forced him into a lifetime commitment to the waters and fish he loves.

This sickness has led him all over the world in search of anything that will eat a fly, whether it's chasing 50 mph sailfish off the coast of Mexico, or standing in 33 degree water in a snowstorm launching 120 foot spey casts for a steelhead, Rick seems to always be looking for that next big adventure.