David has fished extensively through out Montana, Idaho and Wyoming over the last 39 years and presently makes his home in Helena, Montana with his wife, Candace. He has fished the Missouri River since 1983 and is a past two-term president of the Pat Barns/Missouri River Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

David is a patient instructor that takes a practical approach to the art of fly fishing and offers advice is both pragmatic and fun.

He spends his winters handcrafting driftboats and various other objects made of wood.

Candace is from a fourth generation Montana ranch family who grew up in family of fishermen. Her great grandparents established the Mercier Ranch south of Livingston, MT along the Yellowstone River in 1904. The original ranch house and outbuildings still exist and serve as the family cabin and fishing retreat.

Candace wears many hats for us which includes partner in David Payne Outdoors,LLC, head chef, chief traffic director, friendly voice mail hostess, and chief of critique for driftboat design.