About Us
Making our Splash
After many years of fishing with men’s gear in a “sportmen’s” world, April began to notice a problem – not just with the lack of products made for women but also for lack of respect given to women for their skills, passion and love of the sport. She turned frustration into opportunity when she began to see that with smart beautiful products and a better overall experience, we can change the way women fish.
Sara and Bella are the names of our beloved dogs. They fish, they run, they play, they point, they love. We have said to our dogs, Sara & Bella, “get in the car”, Sara & Bella, “stay” and Sara & Bella “leave it”. When saying their names quickly, it sounds more like SaraBella….which reminded April of the cerebellum of the brain. When we started to think about the cognitive, sensory, pleasure, and motor aspects of fishing, we began to appreciate the relevance of the cerebellum.
With SaraBella, we create smart-beautiful fishing.

Our Team
Leadership Team

April Archer
Chief Executive Officer
April Archer, Chief Executive Officer

JT Archer
Chief Operations Officer
Jt Archer, Chief Operations Officer

Scott Grieble
Chief Technical & Production Officer
Scott Grieble, Chief Technical & Production Officer
Scott Grieble serves as SaraBella’s Chief Production Officer and he oversees all aspects of product development, quality, and design. With profound attention to detail and a deep commitment to perfection, Scott exceeds all expectations for the creation of each SaraBella fly rod. Scott has engaged his family and friends in fly fishing, and he enjoys the thrill of each fish.
Rod-Building and Marketing Team

Pat Higgins
Rod-Building
Pat Higgins is a US Veteran, fly fishing guide, and lead rod-building instructor for Denver Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. Pat has built hundreds of rods…
Pat Higgins (Rod-Building)
Pat Higgins is a US Veteran, fly fishing guide, and lead rod-building instructor for Denver Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. Pat has built hundreds of rods over the years, and he enjoys teaching Veterans the art of rod-building so that they can enjoy the healing power of fly fishing.
- Daily mantra: Find something positive in every day
- Favorite fly: The PPL (fabulously tied by Pat) – PMD, Adams, BWO, Yellow Sally, and Callibaetis
- Interesting accomplishment: traveled to every continent except Antarctica

Cookie Hooper
Rod-Building
Cookie Hooper is a community activist, entrepreneur, fly fishing guide school graduate, and cancer Survivor. Cookie enjoys volunteering…
Cookie Hooper (Rod-Building)
Cookie Hooper is a community activist, entrepreneur, fly fishing guide school graduate, and cancer Survivor. Cookie enjoys volunteering with Project Healing Waters and supporting various non-profits through her many fly fishing talents.
- Daily mantra: All I saw was a skinny kid. I didn’t know who you were. – Hacksaw Ridge
- Favorite fly: Casting a Chubby Chernobyl with a Prince Nymph dropper toward the banks is a killer combo and my go-to on float trips.
- Interesting accomplishment: Completed the Professional Fly Fishing Guide Program at Colorado Mountain College in 2019. She also owns two thriving businesses – a real estate company and a fabulous coffee shop and is learning to play the banjo!

Elaine Huskey
Rod-Building
Elaine Huskey is a fly fishing guide, department of energy employee, and cancer Survivor. Elaine loves to teach fly fishing, tie flies, and volunteer with…
Elaine Huskey (Rod-Building)
- Daily mantra: My breaths will be deep and my heart will be open.
- Favorite fly: RS2 and No Mercy Midge, When I started tying flies 3 years ago the creators of these two flies took Elaine under their wings and taught her the confidence and the know-how to tie flies…..and they catch fish
- Interesting accomplishment: guided for many years and now enjoying teaching, volunteering, and having new adventures with fly fishing

Tom Manka
Rod-Building
Tom Manka is a US Veteran and retired deputy chief of police. Tom enjoys keeping an active routine through rod-building and other woodworking projects…
Tom Manka, Rod-Building
- Daily mantra: work hard, be a good person
- Favorite fly: caddis because they serve him well on lakes and rivers
- Interesting accomplishment: having a son in US special forces inspires Tom to connect and give back through Project Healing Waters fly fishing

David McElwain
Rod-Building
David McElwain is a master fly tyer, author, certified guide, and male breast cancer Survivor. David enjoys building fly rods, fishing, and…
David McElwain (Rod-Building)
- Daily mantra: stay involved with fly fishing, teach others, making a difference
- Favorite fly: wooly bugger because they catch fish!
- Interesting accomplishment: Winner of the 2020 IFTD hog pond casting championship

Dean Millard
Rod-Building
Dean Millard is a US Veteran, accountant, and nationally-recognized rod builder. Dean enjoys building fly rods, fishing, and volunteering with…
Dean Millard (Rod-Building)
Dean Millard is a US Veteran, accountant, and nationally-recognized rod builder. Dean enjoys building fly rods, fishing, and volunteering with Project Healing Waters.
- Favorite fly: Elk Hair Caddis – the elk is the only North American land animal that has ivory in its mouth. Plus, the elk hair really makes the Elk Hair Caddis stand out.
- Interesting accomplishment: Won First Place in Category 1 (1st year rod builders) of the 2019 National Fly Rod Building Competition with Project Healing Waters.

Irma Reyes
Rod-Building
Irma Reyes leads cut/sew efforts to create our SaraBella rod sleeves. She works at The Mile High Workshop, a long-time non-profit partner and owns…
Irma Reyes (Rod-Building)
- Daily mantra: Spread joy one day at a time
- Favorite fly: the one that catches fish
- Interesting accomplishment: came to Colorado for college and loves to play soccer

Mike Shaeffer
Rod-Building
Mike Shaeffer is a wood-working professional and handyman by trade. He supports Scott with turning reel seats, and he loves to fish. He supports small…
Mike Shaeffer (Rod-Building)
- Daily mantra: Live to die happy
- Favorite fly: Bead head nymphs because his Grandfather used to tie these…and they’ve been his most successful fly
- Interesting accomplishment: hockey player with a degree in construction craft/management

Jennifer Rudolph
Marketing (Public Relations)
Jenn Rudolph is a multi-talented PR professional with passions for outdoor adventure, community impact, and living life to the fullest. She has shared…
Jennifer Rudolph (Public Relations)
Jenn Rudolph is a multi-talented PR professional with passions for outdoor adventure, community impact, and living life to the fullest. She has shared wisdom and enthusiasm to ignite SaraBella’s public relationships since 2015. As she battles each day for her life as a breast cancer Survivor, she brings abundant joy and insight to SaraBella.
- Daily mantra: Being a natural optimist my outlook is generally positive and I tend to follow the golden rule of treating others how I would like to be treated. Kindness wins.
- Favorite fly: Woolly Bugger, it’s fun to say.
- Interesting accomplishment: Level 3 certified ski instructor; her first fly fishing experience was in New Zealand

Noah Solomon
Marketing (Technology)
Noah Solomon runs SaraBella’s website/technology with poise and creativity. He works tirelessly to ensure a fabulous customer…
Noah Solomon (Technology)
- Daily mantra: Never set limits for yourself! Always keep reaching.
- Favorite fly: My favorite fly is the Lefty’s Deceiver. I really like the colors – it matches a Colorado sunset!
- Interesting accomplishment: attending Cornell University, and very active in the community
You must be logged in to post a comment.