Hi all,

I'm Kelsyee Magnusen — owner, designer, seamstress, and salesperson behind West Fork Fly Company.

Sewing has been a part of my life since middle school, but for years it remained just a hobby. In 2014, I stepped away from a career in finance to stay home with our newborn daughter. During naptimes, I began crafting baby gear and selling it through an Etsy shop. I found joy in hunting down the perfect fabrics and creating with purpose.

By the time our son was born in 2019, my passion for baby items began to fade—our family felt complete, and I found myself craving a new creative direction. I wanted something flexible and fulfilling as our kids grew and started school. Sewing was my skill and my passion—but how could I turn that into a career?

The answer came during a long drive home from a fly fishing trip with my husband in October 2021. “What if you combined your two passions and sewed fly fishing gear?” he asked. That single question sparked the idea for West Fork Fly Company.

Named after the West Fork of the Bitterroot River—our favorite fishing spot, growing up in the Bitterroot Valley—this company blends my love for sewing and the outdoors. It’s a business built around family, creativity, and a passion for adventure.

What began in a corner of our basement has grown into a full-fledged studio space built onto our Missoula property—complete with vaulted ceilings, natural light, and a full workbench of sewing machines (thanks to my dad, a talented contractor who helped bring the vision to life!).

Since officially launching West Fork, I’ve gone from a single craft fair table to shipping hundreds of products across the U.S. and abroad. I've been honored to participate in sportsmen’s expos and partner with some of Western Montana’s top fly-fishing outfitters.

This truly is my dream job—one that allows me to design, create, explore the outdoors with my family, and connect with fellow anglers along the way. Thank you for being part of the journey!

— Kelsyee