Ketchum native Wes Walsworth no longer plays music (other than as a hobby), but he may be best known to many in the Sun Valley area—and beyond—as a member of punk/bluegrass band the Scotch Greens, which formed in Sun Valley in 1998 before relocating to San Diego. It was while living in San Diego that Wes began to tap into some of his family’s woodworking roots; his father was a builder, and his grandfather was a woodworker. Wes grew up with a woodworking shop at his house and eventually learned finish carpentry and worked for his father.

In San Diego he started working for Taylor Guitars and become a luthier, someone who builds or repairs string instruments. After coming back to the Wood River Valley on and off for many years, Wes traveled to Australia, where his professional woodworking career would begin. Wes Walsworth was living on a winery, which had lots of discarded wine barrels that were going to waste. He started taking them apart and using his woodworking skills to create furniture—the rest, as they say, is history. More than a decade later, Wes has created a name for himself as a renowned furniture designer/builder, with designs sold nationwide.

As of late, Wes has shifted into more sculptural aspects of woodworking, focusing on modern, indigenous-inspired totems made from early 1900s reclaimed timbers and hints of steel and turquoise. His totems are on display at the Hemmings Gallery in Ketchum, where he is represented. While the Wood River Valley will always be home, Wes relocated to the Hagerman Valley four years ago after falling in love with the area’s fishing and exploring the Snake River. He and partner, Nicky, bought a house on a few acres that already included a shop, making it the perfect live/work space. Wes’s parents ended up buying a house a few minutes away as well. Nicky and Wes have a son just over a year old, Rowan Sage, as well as three dogs (Kevin, Brutus, Remzi) and two cats (Clifford and Daisy). Wes Walsworth describes visiting Ketchum for a perfect day.

How’s your morning in Ketchum starting?

Wes: We’d wake up here, so stay the night before. We’d go to the Kneadery where I’d get eggs benedict.

Where are you heading next?

Wes: Then I would probably hit the river with the dogs and spend the morning fishing on the Bigwood River north of town, maybe the Lake Creek area. I’d probably also be looking for morels!

Where’s lunch?

Wes: Definitely Grumpy’s for a burger and a schooner.

What’s your afternoon looking like?

Wes: I’d probably go back to fishing but change it up and got to a different fishing spot, where the baby and the dogs could go—like Hulen Meadows Pond.

What’s the evening like?

Wes: We’d go to dinner at either The Covey or the Pioneer. At the Covey, I get whatever [owner/chef] Jesse Shue gives me. I know Jesse from growing up together, and I made all of The Covey’s dining tables. One thing I really like is their pheasant pasta; it’s insanely good. At the Pio, I’d get a bar margarita or Sierra Nevada and then either the beef kabobs or prime rib.

How’s your night cap off?

Wes: Maybe Nicky and I get a babysitter and we go hit the Cellar or Casino for a drink.