Colorado Fly Fishing 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 course 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.

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 students an edge when it comes to learning the trade.

Curriculum

1. Day One – Discussion: Introduction to the program. The process of fly fishing as it relates to guiding, including knots and rigging, casting, entomology, fly selection, fly tying, fighting and netting fish, and more.
2. Day One – Field: Fundamental skills assessment.
3. Day Two – Discussion: Conducting a still-water casting lesson and still-water strategy and techniques.
4. Day Two – Field: Demonstration of a still-water casting lesson followed by peer-to-peer guide/client casting lesson and still-water fishing matchups.
5. Day Three – Discussion: Conducting a moving-water casting lesson and moving-water strategy and techniques.
6. Day Three – Field: Demonstration of a moving-water casting lesson followed by peer-to-peer guide/client casting lesson and moving-water fishing matchups.
7. 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 effective on small water and can make a guide more versatile.
8. 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!
9. Day Five – Discussion: Guide ethics and responsibilities, including trip conduct, protecting resources, client interactions and obligations to an outfitter.
10. 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 5/1/2026. 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 4th – May 8th 2026. Additional dates may be added as per enrollment.

The dates and enrollment terms above are reproduced from the source page and refer to its 2026 course listing. Confirm whether a new session is being offered.

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 & Enrollment

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.

To enroll or for any other questions send an email to: [email protected]. Please put “guide school” in the subject line.