In addition, Sam is known for his professionalism and attention to detail. A native North Carolinian, he earned a U.S. Coast Guard captain's license and moved to Carteret County in 1997 to start a business as one of the area's first light-tackle and fly-fishing guides. Very quickly making connections in the industry, he soon was also guiding fishermen at lodges in Alaska and Chile on a seasonal basis.
After traveling to some of the world's most exotic destinations in pursuit of fish, Sam was more certain than ever that Beaufort was the place he would call home. Today he and his wife Ashley live in the heart of town, along with their two miniature schnauzers, Winnie and Sugar. The four of them still get out on the water often, to Cape Lookout National Seashore or one of the sandbars where the locals gather on weekends to drop anchor and search for sand dollars at low tide.