Colorado Fly Fishing Guides
Guide School
OVERVIEW
At CFFG we provide our students of the guide school with the skill and knowledge it takes to work in some of the most beautiful offices in the world. This five day course will provide you with enough instruction on guiding techniques, guide/client interaction, and overall understanding of fly fishing from a guide’s perspective to give you the qualifications and confidence it takes to pursue a career on the river.
Although fly fishing entails a lifetime of learning, and you will learn some technique related elements of the sport, this course should not be considered a fly fishing course. Instead, this is a course that is focused on fly fishing from a guide’s perspective, so those who enroll should already possess some solid fundamental fly fishing skills.
Over the five days, students will participate in both classroom and field instruction in guiding walk/wade fly fishing trips. Each day will start with a 2 – 3 hour classroom discussion. In the afternoons we will travel to some local waters for a 3 - 4 hour field session to apply what was discussed in the classroom to the field.
The guide school is based in Leadville CO., home of the headwaters of the Arkansas River. With 102 miles of gold medal water stretching from Leadville to Parkdale, the Arkansas River is widely considered one of the best wild brown fisheries in the state. In addition to the “Ark”, there is a wide variety of still and small water venues that are in close proximity to town. Perched on top of Rockies, it is not hard to draw inspiration from the environment that surrounds you in the upper Arkansas River Valley.
INSTRUCTOR
The primary instructor for the program is Tim Hill. Tim is the owner and lead guide at Colorado Fly Fishing Guides in Leadville CO., and has been a resident of the valley for over 30 years. He has owned the shop since 2006 and was the instructor of the Colorado Mountain College professional fly fishing guide program since 2012. His extensive time in the outdoors and experience teaching guides for the cmc campus in Leadville has given him the opportunity to develop an effective and interpretive curriculum to give his students an edge when it comes to learning the trade.
Curriculum
Day One – Discussion: introduction to the program. The process of fly fishing as it relates to guiding – this is a very detailed and comprehensive discussion on the fundamentals of fly fishing including knots & rigging, casting, entomology, fly selection, fly tying, fighting & netting fish, and much more.
Day One – Field: fundamental skills assessment
Day Two – Discussion: conducting a still water casting lesson and still water strategy & techniques.
Day Two – Field: demonstration on conducting a still water casting lesson followed by peer to peer “guide/client” casting lesson and still water fishing matchups.
Day Three – Discussion: conducting a moving water casting lesson and moving water strategy and techniques.
Day Three – Field: demonstration on conducting a moving water casting lesson followed by peer to peer “guide/client” casting lesson and moving water fishing matchups.
Day Four – Discussion: small water techniques including an introduction to Tenkara.
Tenkara does not appeal to everybody, but this streamlined application of fly fishing is extremely effective on small water, and having a working knowledge of it will make you a more well rounded, versatile and equitable guide.
Day Four – Field: Tenkara demonstration followed by peer to peer “guide/client” interaction while creek fishing with tenkara and/or traditional fly rods. Tenkara rods will be furnished – or bring your favorite 3wt!
Day Five – Discussion: guide ethics and responsibilities – this is an in depth discussion covering what exactly is expected of a guide in terms of how a trip is conducted, protecting resources, interactions with clients, and obligations to an outfitter.
Day Five – Field: guiding skills assessment on still and moving water.
Cost, Dates and Availability
The cost of the program is $995/student. Participants are required to put 50% down upon enrollment and be fully paid by 5/1/2024. There is a 5 student limit for the course so early enrollment is highly encouraged to secure your spot. The course will be conducted May 6th - May 10th 2024. Additional dates may be added as per enrollment.
What to bring?
The course is conducted in early spring in order for the students to be qualified and have an opportunity to find employment during the peak hiring season for outfitters. High in the Rockies the spring weather can and will be very unpredictable. It can be sunny one minute and a blizzard the next – quite literally! So bring proper outdoor attire for all conditions.
Students are expected to have their own rods and waders, as well as, be properly equipped with terminal gear such as leader, tippet, indicators, floatant, etc. All of that is also available at the shop for purchase. All participants must possess a Colorado fishing license which can be purchased at www.cpwshop.com
Accommodations
There is a wide variety of lodging available in Leadville, including the hostel, camping, hotels/motels, or vacation rentals. Please let us know if you need assistance in finding what you’re looking for.
Enrollment
To enroll or for any other questions send an email to: [email protected]. Please put “guide school” in the subject line.
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Colorado Fly Fishing Guides
A division of Alpine Ski & Sport LLC
504 Harrison Ave.
Leadville CO 80461
866 908 7547
web: www.coloradoflyfishingguides.com
email: [email protected]
State of Colorado Outfitters Registration #2530