Forrest started fly fishing at the young age of 10 years old. He found his true passion for the sport after his grandfather took him to Cherokee NC where he caught his first trout. He has been hooked ever since. He grew up fishing & guiding the waters locally around Western NC, and guided for different outfitters and fly shops before starting Cross Rivers. Forrest was a member of the USA fly fishing team where he competed against some of the best anglers in the country.