FRYING PAN ANGLERS - Key Persons
Austin's love for fly fishing was passed down to him by his grandpa, who taught him how to fly fish while growing up in Missouri. The two of them have many fond memories of fishing trips out west together searching for the ever elusive big brown. The experiences Austin had on those trips are what lead him to eventually pursue guiding as a profession. While he tries not to choose favorites, his favorite "client" each year is definitely his Grandpa who feels very lucky to have a guide for a grandson. Austin and his fiancé are living the true fish bum lifestyle in their old RV, which they've called home for the past 3 years. When not on the water, they enjoy embracing the mountains through hiking, camping and unwinding at the hot springs after long days.
Cam was introduced to the outdoors through fishing and hunting at a very young age. Born in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and raised in South Dakota along the Missouri River, Cam was exposed to the pursuit of many different species of fish, including fly fishing for trout. Quickly, the outdoors became his passion and top priority. Cam began his guiding career in his teens chasing upland birds, waterfowl and fishing near his hometown. In 2017, he decided to head West to chase his childhood dream of becoming a fly fishing guide and immediately attended a fly fishing guide school. Living as a fish bum, he found himself drawn to the Roaring Fork Valley and knew he had found the rivers he wanted to live and work on. Cam guides wade and float fishing trips as well as ice fishing trips in the winter. When not guiding, Cam is likely out exploring the rivers and lakes, foraging wild edibles, or scouting for the upcoming archery season. Having spent so much time in the outdoors, he is a wealth of knowledge on the area and it's abundant wildlife.
Carter came to us from Boston, Massachusetts (although you would never guess with a missing accent). Carter's father's passion for fishing was imprinted on him at a young age. Spending most of his time in New Hampshire, Carter immersed himself in the fishing culture chasing lake trout, striped bass, brown trout, and rainbow trout. After mastering the New England water and in search of a new challenge, Carter heard about the fishing community in Colorado and took a road trip to the Rockies to see what the fuss was about. He quickly discovered this valley is an angler's dream. Either after trips, on his day off, or in a snowstorm, Carter can often be found chasing trout every free moment he gets. His passion for finding fish and what they are eating makes him an exceptional angler. His patience, outgoing personality, and knowledge make him an even better guide.
Ed started fishing in the North East with his father as soon as he could walk. Saltwater, freshwater, it didn't matter. After graduating from the University of West Virginia in Forestry and Wildlife management, Ed headed out west and settled first in Boulder in 1993 fishing all the rivers on the Front Range. It didn't take long though before he discovered the Roaring Fork Valley moving here and commencing guiding in 1997.
He has fished here ever since. Over the winters he heads to Florida for saltwater fishing as well.
Eric began his fly fishing life just over 20 years ago. Starting with fly tying that has naturally progressed to fly fishing, guiding, and a passion for teaching. He is a proud U.S. Army Veteran who chases trout from the high mountain alpine lakes and tiny streams to the biggest of rivers. Eric grew up in West Virginia and spent many of his years chasing trout in the streams of Appalachia. The never ending chase for trout has brought him permanently to Colorado. Eric has a passion for classic tackle and fishing methods. Split Bamboo and glass fly rods, braided silk lines, and English Spider patterns of long ago can always be found in his tackle bag. Mix that with a healthy taste for Tenkara and "Western" Fly fishing and the outcome is sure to be a great time on the river. When not on the water Eric can be found in his workshop creating custom tackle. Flies, Leaders (both furled and hand tied tapered), and custom rods are always in the works.
Harry grew up in Sea Isle City, New Jersey and started saltwater surf and pier fishing with his grandfather and father at age four. He spent his youth working at bait and tackle shops and on chartered fishing boats. Harry moved west in 1990 and quickly found his way to the Roaring Fork Valley. After landing in Colorado, he took up fly fishing and became hooked, "fly fishing for trout is like playing chess with Mother Nature." From his charter boat days to taxi driving to trips to the Amazon, he has quite the story to tell. In his free time, Harry enjoys reading and collecting books on entomology, fly tying, and anything related to the ecosystem of the rivers. It is safe to say that Harry knows more about the river than the fish that inhabit it.
Jay has always lived in prime fishing areas, due to his father being a Captain in the US Navy. Growing up on the water, fishing was a natural part of his everyday life. From Virginia to South Carolina to Connecticut to California to Hawaii, Jay has chased countless different species across the country. Jay came to Colorado in 1995 to check another fishery off of his list. Like everyone else who comes here for the fishing, he planted roots and never left. Legend has it, Jay used to burn through two pairs of waders and two pairs of boots a year he spent so much time exploring the different rivers that the Roaring Fork Valley has to offer. Jay enjoys teaching and sharing with others not only the art and skill of fly fishing, but also the metaphoric lessons and natural experience that accompanies it.
Joe "Hillbilly" Welk came to us from Pennsylvania by way of Frying Pan Anglers Guide School. Joe grew up on his family's dairy farm, spending every free minute (and maybe chore time) sneaking over to the fly-fishing only creek that bordered their property. Joe caught the fly-fishing bug early and followed it here to the Roaring Fork Valley. Joe's love for sharing his fly-fishing passion and addition to chasing big browns encouraged him to attend Frying Pan Anglers' Guide School and he has been fishing with us ever since! There is not much Joe enjoys more than sharing his passion with others. Big smiles, tight lines, and Carhartt labels can often be found on the water with Joe!
Jordan Duchein was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he spent all his free time catching bass, brim, crappie, speckled trout and redfish in the ponds and marshes of southern Louisiana. Jordan spent the summers of his youth in Aspen where he fell in love with the Roaring Fork Valley. After enlisting in the USMC infantry and serving in Iraq, he graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in finance and commercial real estate. Jordan spent his first few summers in the valley as a raft guide but found himself constantly thinking about the trout lurking beneath the surface. Spending all his free time and rafting time either thinking about trout or fishing, Jordan decided it was time to change jobs. Jordan attended Frying Pan Anglers Guide School in 2015 and has been fishing with us ever since! Jordan's enthusiasm and love for sharing his passion of fly fishing with others is sure to make for a memorable day on the water.
Matt was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan and began fly-fishing the trout streams of Michigan at the age of 8. He started guiding in Northwest Michigan for steelhead, trout, and smallmouth bass over a decade ago, and still guides the fall and spring seasons for Hawkins Outfitters out of Traverse City. Matt has been spending his summers chasing trout out in the Roaring Fork Valley for nearly the same amount of time. He spends most of his time floating down the Roaring Fork and Colorado Rivers. On off days, you can find him throwing dries in the high country, swinging flies for steelhead, or stripping streamers for large predatory fish. In the off season, Matt commercially ties flies for local shops, usually with a craft beer in hand.
Patrick started fishing as a young man growing up in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. Living a stones throw away from Lake Michigan, Pat fished daily with his trusted Little Cleo Spoon for large salmon and trout. Many summers were spent on the Chain of Lakes in Minocqua, WI fishing for pike, bass, and walleye-a tradition he still continues. Patrick moved to Colorado as a young newlywed and was instantly hooked on fly fishing. Patrick shares, "I'm so blessed to have spent the past 30 years fishing the Roaring Fork Valley's streams and rivers. My passion for fly fishing and all its trappings runs deep in my veins. A quiet mountain morning, the sound of the wind blowing through the Aspens, standing knee deep in a gin clear mountain stream-let me show you the true essence of a day on the water."
Growing up in New York, Scott caught the fly-fishing bug chasing trout and salmon in the Great Lakes and Croton Watershed. However, Scott's fly-fishing habits did not stop there. After graduating college, Scott started his guiding career in Bolivia, targeting Golden Dorados. After Bolivia, Scott traveled to different areas targeting different species and hatches. Scott heard about the Roaring Fork Valley's infamous Green Drake Hatch and decided to come see what all the fuss was about. Discovering our Gold Medal Rivers and abundant fishing opportunities, Scott planted his roots and has been guiding with us ever since! Even on his days off you can find Scott on the water chasing fish in our rivers and exploring other fisheries. If there is a cure for fly-fishing-itis, he does not want to know about it.
Originally from Virginia, Taylor grew up with fly-fishing addicted parents who brainwashed her from a young age. Taylor spent a great deal of her youth and most of college chasing trout around Appalachia and Tennessee. Despite spending more time on the water than she did in class, Taylor graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Animal and Poultry Sciences. Not quite sure where to go next and with a fishing habit, she packed up her car and drove out west to chase trout and avoid corporate America. What she sold to herself as a three-month gap summer has grown into her greatest adventure yet. Taylor managed and guided for Frying Pan Anglers before purchasing the business in 2023.
Trey grew up in Texas and his passion for fishing was clear from day one. Introduced to fishing with a spin rod, Trey was gifted a fly-fishing rod for his tenth Birthday and he has not set it down since! Following his passion for fly fishing, Trey landed in the Roaring Fork Valley. Wanting to spend more time on the water and share his passion with others, Trey attended Frying Pan Anglers Guide School in 2015. Leading both wade and ice fishing tours, Trey enjoys teaching others and introducing them to the sport. When he is not guiding, Trey can be found fly tying, foraging, hunting, fishing, or spending time with friends and family.
When asked how long he has been fishing, Woody can only come up with "a long, long time." Growing up in Vermont, he spent a great deal of his childhood exploring the different fisheries the East Coast had to offer. Woody then logged over 25 years as a Captain on a longline fishing boat where he chased swordfish and tuna. Woody traded in his sea legs and landed in Colorado where he returned to his fly-fishing roots. Once described as "a fish's worst nightmare," he likely has a story to accompany each fish you catch. Woody enjoys sharing his passion for the water with his clients as well as different techniques and methods needed to adapt to the changing conditions. On the rare occasion he has a day off, Woody can be found fishing, tying flies, or taking his two pups on long walks along the river.