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Meet THE TEAM

Welcome to the SOUTH HOLSTON RIVER LODGE family

We’re excited for you to meet the South Holston River Lodge team. Here are our operational team members, instrumental in day-to-day operations at South Holston River Lodge. We’re sure you’ll see them around the lodge, we couldn’t do it without these guys!

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JON HOOPER

General Manager | Head Fishing Guide

A native of upstate New York, Jon has been fishing & hunting all of his life and is a true outdoorsman. He has been with SHRL since day one and in the fly-fishing industry for the last 20 years. 

Rest assured, he clearly knows the meaning of exceptional customer service & makes everyone’s stay at the lodge a memorable experience. Jon’s extremely high standards along with his diligent work ethic and attention to detail is just one of the many reasons that SHRL is so successful to this day. He possesses a strong commitment for conservation as well as his dedication to our U.S. veterans. 

Jon is just as comfortable running a week-long trip down a remote river in Alaska as he is as the General manager of SHRL. When he has some free time you can bet bow hunting, fly fishing and enjoying the outdoors is at the top of his list.

Matthew Smith | Meet the Team | South Holston River Lodge

MATTHEW SMITH

Operations Manager

Matthew grew up catching fish on Long Island, NY. He studied at Princeton & moved to Bristol, TN in 2009. He spends his free time in his wife’s carpentry shop & chasing after their 5 dogs & 3 cats. He also enjoys tinkering with his old Jeep, police car & pick-up trucks.

He’s a huge sports fan & loves the Giants (FB), Mets, Rangers, Knicks & Hokies. Matt loves Sturgill Simpson, mushrooms & onions, fantasy baseball, the great state of TN, & his family.

 

Kathy Stitt | South Holston River Lodge

KATHY STITT

HEAD OF HOUSEKEEPING

Born and raised in East Tennessee, Kathy is entering her fourth year at SHRL and is our head of housekeeping & breakfast server.

She is always smiling and truly understands the meaning of exceptional customer service. When Kathy is not at SHRL, she can be found spending time with her family or spoiling her 6 grandchildren.

BRAD MCCONNELL

CHEF

Brad is our lead Chef at SHRL and is originally from Damascus, Virginia. He has a deep appreciation for southern cuisine (A.K.A. Grandma’s cooking with flair). His passion for intense flavors of New Orleans and Mexico keeps us all on our toes and we are always excited to see his next culinary creation. 

 Brad has worked side by side with some great ambassadors of the culinary industry, including Chef Joe Ragan at the historical Martha Washington Inn located in Abingdon Virginia. He joined the team at South Holston River Lodge in 2022 and has not looked back. When Brad is not whipping up something tasty or spending time with his wife Jen and two kids, Liam and Everly, You can find him sharpening his guitar skills as a talented musician.

Sarah Saunders | South Holston River Lodge

SARAH Saunders

CHEF DE PARTIE
Sarah is our morning Chef at SHRL & was born in Lafayette, Indiana. She is a graduate of East Tennessee State University, with a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design and Concentration in Visualization.

Sarah lives on her family’s farm in Bristol & is a proud part of the 5 generations to do so. When not at the lodge she enjoys spending time with family & friends & has a passion for music, art, great food, & nature. She has been a part of the SHRL team for several years & she is a great asset with her wonderful culinary skills.

WILL ANDERSEN

Lodge Owner
In 2007 we purchased the property where we could enjoy time relaxing and hone our skills on some of the best fly-fishing waters in the country. I enjoyed this natural resource so much and knew others would as well, and that’s how the South Holston River Lodge was born. I hope you enjoy our little piece of heaven.

Tony Marcucci

Accountant | Consultant
Born and raised Minnesotan. Tony made his way to Eastern Tennessee to join his long-time friend Jon Hooper. He is just as comfortable running a week-long canoe trip through the boundary waters as he is working the books as SHRL off site accountant.
Brandon Barbour | South Holston River Lodge
Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide of the Year 24 Finalist

Meet OUR GUIDES

WORLD-CLASS ANGLERS

Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about our fishing-guides. As a matter of fact, they have a whole page of their own, please visit them below. We’re also so proud to announce, Brandon Barbour has been named an Orvis® Endorsed Fly-Fishing Guide of the Year Finalist for 2024!