MEET OUR GUIDES

Alex Albers
Fly Fishing Guide - Gunnison Gorge
Alex grew up in Southern Minnesota, a warm water fishing mecca. He spent his summer days on local ponds with his brother, digging up worms and fishing all day till dark. Family camping and fishing trips to Northern Minnesota led to a life of outdoor pursuits and skiing led to an interest in moving to Colorado to attend Western State University in Gunnison, CO in the fall of 2004. The whitewater bug quickly grabbed hold of Alex through raft guiding but oar frames opened up the West and several iconic fly fishing rivers When injury sidelined him from skateboarding and mountain biking he picked up a fly rod and found something that would change his life and push him in a new direction. After 6 years working the Upper Gunnison, he wanted to stretch his horizons and pursue the lower section of the Gunnison River where it disappears into the Black Canyon and Gunnison Gorge. His eagerness to help new fly fisherman and experienced anglers pursue a trip of a lifetime is what fulfills his passions. He’ll be sure you’re well taken care of, teaching trout tactics and getting lots of chances at catching some of the Gunnison River’s finest trout.

Chance Harris
Fly Fishing Guide - Gunnison Gorge

True Jiron
Fly Fishing Guide

Tim Patterson
Owner / Fly Fishing Guide

Ethan Scott
Fly Fishing Guide - Gunnison Gorge

Jack Caprio
Fly Fishing Guide - Gunnison Gorge

Spencer Hemker
Fly Shop Manager / Fly Fishing Guide

Matt McCannel
Fly Fishing Guide - Fly Tier
Matt McCannel started his guiding career in Colorado, leading three-day expeditions in the depths of Gunnison Gorge and on the tailwater of the Uncompahgre River inside Ridgway State Park “PACO” in 2004. Were he still guides both locations to this day. Matt’s fishing and guiding tactics are outside of the norm but have proven to be very effective for his clients. He is passionate about hunting double-digit trout on his technical home waters of the Uncompahgre River. Matt’s ability to explain the smallest details of the sport to people is a huge driver for the successes of his clients. He takes great pride in capturing the moment for his clients through the lens of his camera. Matt travels the state of Colorado speaking on behalf of RIGS Fly Shop for fly fishing clubs and at fly fishing shows. Matt guides for RIGS Fly Shop in Ridgway, Colorado. Matt is also proud to be a Sage, SIMMS, Fishpond, and Costa Ambassador, as well as, a royalty tier for Umpqua Feather Merchants. You can find Matt part-time in Ridgway, CO where he relaxes by fishing to Grass Carp just outside his back door.

Jacob Ramirez
Fly Fishing Guide

Spencer Terry
Fly Fishing Guide - Gunnison Gorge

Doug Freemann
Fly Fishing Guide

Chris Hull
Fly Fishing Guide / Fly Shop

Kevin O’Hara
Fly Fishing Guide

Zach Sauer
Fly Shop / Fly Fishing Guide
Zach says he was lucky to be born in Western Colorado. Since he can remember he always wanted to be outside as much as possible. While he grew up spin fishing on local lakes for trout, fly fishing never had really crossed his mind but the fishing was always something he enjoyed. Over the years, even before Zach started as an intern with us, he would visit the shop every week, look at fly patterns and take it all in. He started tying flies about a year before he actually got into fly fishing. Once he got his first fly rod and caught his first fish on a fly he had tied, it made everything that much more enjoyable. He was hooked! Now, he chases trout as much as possible, everywhere from technical tailwaters to high alpine lakes. Let’s just say he has immersed himself in all things fly fishing and we look forward to the day when he is old enough to be a guide for us!

Keith Trumbull