Our Staff

The Desert Sportsman Team

Chris Baiker
Owner

Chris started fishing at the age of five on the lakes and streams of his native Pennsylvania. Since then, Chris has traveled the world extensively in pursuit of angling adventure. His angling efforts have taken him to some of the most remote waters available, from Scottish Highlands to the atolls of the South Pacific. At the store, Chris is often asked what his perfect flyfishing day would entail. His reply: “One more day on Penn’s Creek with my grandfather … He taught me so many elements of angling but he also taught me the virtues of sportsmanship, and a healthy respect of the outdoors.”

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Flyfishing Experience: 22 Years
Industry Experience: 12 years
Best Trip To Date: Palmyra Atoll, South Pacific
Rods I Use: Sage ZXL Series, Winston BIIMX Series
Reels I Use: Abel
Hunting Guns I Use: Westley Richards Droplock 500 NE, Beretta EELL 28/410

Matt Baker
General Manager

As an Arizona native, Matt has had the opportunity to fish and hunt most of the Grand Canyon State. Matt’s flyfishing and wingshooting experience began at an early age, with the benefit of being raised in a family well-versed in outdoor pursuits. Although his travels have taken him around the globe, Matt still enjoys the diverse landscape and outdoor opportunities found only in Arizona. While flyfishing trips to varying destinations consume most of his summer, during the winter months he can be found hauling his team of pointers all over the west in search of wild quail country.

Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ
Flyfishing Experience: 21 Years
Industry Experience: 12 years
Best Trip To Date: Oberammergau, Germany
Rods I Use: Sage Z-Axis Series, Sage Xi2 Series, Winston LT Series
Reels I Use: Tibor, Abel, Galvan
Hunting Guns I Use: Arrieta 802 Sidelock 28 Gauge, Ultra Light Arms 300 Win Mag,

Mike O’Connor
Sales Manager

Growing up in Arizona, Mike learned to hunt and fish throughout the Southwest. His knowledge of our state and its opportunities are evident as he suggests destinations to our customers. Mike oversees day to day operations at Desert Sportsman and on his days off he is sure to be found in the field or on the stream. Mike is an avid quail hunter and enjoys training his pointers on wild birds. During the summer Mike fishes all over the west for a variety of species.

Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Flyfishing Experience: 16 Years
Industry Experience: 10 years
Best Trip To Date: Fresh Creek, Andros Island, Bahamas
Rods I Use: Sage Z-Axis Series, Winston WT & BII Series
Reels I Use: Abel, Sage
Hunting Guns I Use: Aya 453 Boxlock 20 & 28 Gauge, Winchester M70 .270

Kyle Bourassa
Travel Director

Kyle was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. A strong passion for the outdoors was given to him by his father at a very early age. Since then, Kyle taken his interest to the next level. As travel director for Desert Sportsman, Kyle has fished around the world but still enjoys finding new spots in the backcountry of Arizona. Over the years Kyle’s knowledge has successfully prepared customers for destinations near and far.

Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Flyfishing Experience: 15 Years
Industry Experience: 8 years
Best Trip To Date: Wollaston Lake, Saskatchewan
Rods I Use: Sage Z-Axis Series, Winston LT & BIIX Series
Reels I Use: Abel, Tibor, Lamson
Hunting Guns I Use: Browning Citori, Winchester Model 70 270

Nels Paulson
Sales Associate

Nels was born and raised in Cambridge, Minnesota where fishing was a central part of his life. Nels picked up his first fly rod in college and found his passion throwing poppers at bass and panfish on local farm ponds. After college, Nels moved to Arizona where he took his first job in the flyfishing industry. Since then Nels has fished across the southwest and beyond. Nels joined the Desert Sportsman team in 2004 and has proven himself to be a valuable asset in preparing our customers for adventures near and far. On his days off, Nels can be found either on the water or at Arizona State University, where he is a professor of sociology.

Hometown: Cambridge, MN
Flyfishing Experience: 10 Years
Industry Experience: 8 years
Best Trip To Date: Kenai Peninsula, AK
Rods I Use: Sage Z-Axis Series, Winston LT Series
Reels I Use: Abel, Galvan, Sage
Hunting Guns I Use: Browning Citori Superlight, Winchester Model 70 25 WSSM