Here’s the formal bio.
Aaron received a Bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, a liberal arts college, where he was a biology major. He received a Master’s degree in marine science from the College of William and Mary, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, with a thesis focused on fish assemblages associated with artificial reefs offshore of Virginia. He received a Ph.D. in environmental science from University of Massachusetts Boston, and studied ontogenetic habitat shifts of juvenile coral reef fishes in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands for his dissertation. Between college and his Master’s degree, he worked in California as an outdoor education instructor, commercial diver, and as a biologist for California Department of Fish and Game.  After completing his Master’s degree, he worked as a Fish Biologist for the U.S. Virgin Islands Division of Fish and Wildlife.  He now is Director of Operations for Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, and a Senior Scientist for Mote Marine Laboratory.  He also holds a Coast Guard Captain’s license.

Fishing has long been an influence in Aaron’s life, ever since he caught his first fish soon after he could walk. This interest in fishing soon expanded to a quest for a better understanding of the why, where, and how of fish.  The rest is history. He uses his interest in fishing to improve outreach to non-scientists, and to bridge the gap between science, anglers, and resource managers. His intimate knowledge of fishing and the angler side of fisheries also helps to predict future conservation needs and thus guide research. He is author of Fisherman’s Coast and Fly Fisherman'sGuide to Saltwater Prey, wrote four chapters for Chico Fernandez’s Fly-Fishing for Bonefish, has written numerous articles for fly fishing magazines, has had many photos published in fishing magazines and other outlets, and has given many seminars on fish ecology for anglers in numerous venues.

Here is a less formal version.
I like to fly fish. Friends will tell you that’s an understatement. Some would say I’m obsessed. I say I’m just practicing. A friend’s ex-girlfriend (key here is ‘ex’) once told me I should go to fisherman’s anonymous. I replied that no cure was needed for something that wasn’t broken. She wasn’t a bad person or anything, she just didn’t understand. She also never saw a 100 pound tarpon jump over the bow of a skiff.

In my parallel life, I study fish and their habitats.

When asked by people if I had it all to do over again would I be a marine biologist, the answer is 'yes and no'. Doing what I do is a great way to live, but a tough way to make a living. In any case, it's a moot point - I have no idea what else I'd do.

My favorite style of fishing – sight fishing (it’s just about all I do). To sight fish, you have to have a decent understanding of your quarry – when it’s most likely to be where, and what it’s probably willing to eat. Then you have to see the fish before the fish sees you, and present a fly to the fish without raising the alarm. Not only do you have to use the appropriate fly, you have to present it to the fish in a manner that imitates the preferred prey. Plus, when you’re sight fishing, you have to be stealthy and observant, so you see more of everything else that’s out there.

My favorite fish – tarpon. Sight fishing for monsters. Tarpon have speed, power, grace, stealth, and can be moody with the best of them. Plus, they look cool. What more can you ask for?

All material copyright Aaron Adams 2007, 2008, and beyond, unless noted.