About Us
Keepsake Outdoors was founded in 2024 by husband-and-wife guide team Jesse Vadala and Tara Tornello. We believe that the outdoors are meant for everyone, and we aim to create memorable experiences in nature and build confidence for anglers whether they are brand new to fly fishing or just looking for a new experience on the water.
Keepsake Outdoors specializes in walk/wade trips for trout and warm water species in the Catskills, Capital Region, and beyond. We are stewards for our local waters, are deeply committed to conservation, and enjoy sharing the unique beauty and charm of our rivers and their tributaries.
Meet the Guides
Jesse Vadala
While nearly all styles of trout fishing were interesting to Jesse as a kid, his journey with the fly rod took shape on the Neversink River in Sullivan County. In the years that followed, he became a dedicated student of presenting imitations of the natural trout stream insects and created a keen focus on learning to tie the traditional yet devilishly cool and time-tested dry flies that made the Catskills famous!
While enjoying time deep in the minutiae of trout flies and their tackle, Jesse truly enjoys connecting brand new anglers with the experiences to complement their curiosity and helping outfit them with the skills to explore the many cold flowing waters in the region.
NYS Licensed Guide #9428
CPR, First Aid + NYS Water Safety Certified
Tara Tornello
Tara’s first fishing trips were with her grandfather at the family lake house in Pennsylvania. Many years later, she picked up a fly rod for the first time and was immediately entranced. The early days of fumbling with knots and untangling tippet from tree branches quickly evolved into a deeper love of fly fishing and trout habitat, with many lessons in patience and commitment. Now, the quiet pulse of the river is her favorite way to connect with nature.
Fly fishing has brought Tara around the northeast and out west searching for wild trout in beautiful, remote places. She enjoys finding native eastern brook trout in tiny mountain tributaries as much as identifying mushrooms and wildflowers along the stream banks.
NYS Licensed Guide #9407
CPR, First Aid + NYS Water Safety Certified