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KNOWLEDGEABLE, LOCAL ORVIS ENDORSED GUIDES (THEY ARE THE BEST!)

Orvis Endorsed Vail Fly Fishing Guides

Our Orvis Endorsed personable, knowledgeable, and professional guide staff is the most experienced in the Vail Valley with a combined 225 + years guiding on local waters.

Our guides closely monitors river flows, water clarity and movement of bug hatches to put you where the fish are biting best.

Many of our guides have been with us over a decade and know the waters we fish like the back of their hand.

35+ guides on staff in the peak season; 15+ certified rowing guides for float trips.

Meet The Colorado Fly Fishing Outfitter's Guides:

Norm Raffelson

Hometown: East Moline Illinois
Years Fly Fishing: 5 years
Favorite Fly: Royal wulff,Parachute Adams
Favorite Trip: Floating on the upper Colorado River with close friends

Bryan Crossley

Hometown: Tillamook, Oregon.
Years Fly Fishing: Fly fishing Colorado for eight years
Favorite Fly: Mercer Micro May
Favorite Trip: Gunny Gorge, Gunnison River.

Ross Guillen

Hometown: Denver, Co
Years Fly Fishing: 30 years
Favorite Fly: parachute adams on top and Bead Head Prince down under!
Favorite Trip: Chasing Greenback Cutthroat trout in the High country lakes of RMN

Kelly Bobye

Hometown: Denver
Years Fly Fishing: 25 years fly fishing
Favorite Fly: Barrs emerger, rs-2, anything caddis and a pig sticke
Favorite Trip: Full day at deep creek

Mike Devins

Hometown: Eagle, Colorado
Years Fly Fishing: 1980
Favorite Fly: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
First Pair of Waders: 1980
Favorite Trip: Situk River at Yakutat, AK

Jim Phillips

Hometown: Sonora, CA
Years Fly Fishing: 50+
Favorite Fly: Patriot
Favorite Trip: Kamchatka, Russia

Craig Crumbliss

Hometown: Miami, FL
Years Fly Fishing: 14 years
Favorite Fly: Superhair Caddis
Favorite Trip: Full Day on a Small Stream

Dan Houck

Hometown: Lake St. Clair, MI
Years Fly Fishing: 21 years fly fishing, 9 years guiding
Favorite Fly: Royal PMX
Favorite Trip: Half Day Float on the Eagle River in the morning during the Caddis hatch

John Packer

Hometown: Eagle, Colorado
Years Fly Fishing: A long time
Favorite Fly: Royal Wulff/ Wooly Bugger
Favorite Trip: Float trip on the Eagle

Marc Barnwell

Hometown: Camarillo, CA
Years Fly Fishing: 15 Years guiding
Favorite Fly: Royal Stimy/Chuck's Caddis
Favorite Trip: Floating Eagle/Backcountry fishing for native Cuttroats

John Muir

Hometown: Atlanta, Ga
Years Fly Fishing: 15 years
Favorite Fly: x-2 Caddis,BIG streamers
Favorite Trip: Any trip that gets me out of the shop, Pike on Stagecoach res.

Bill Perry

Hometown: Seaside Park, NJ
Years Fly Fishing: 40 years
Favorite Fly: Renegade
Favorite Trip: Float

"Twenty plus years guiding central Colorado"

Danny Land

Hometown: Tahoe Winters and Beaver Creek Summers
Years Fly Fishing: 31 years
Favorite Fly: My dogs name....Caddis
Favorite Trip: Fishing Hat Creek with an amazing Trico hatch in late August.

Come fish with me and have a ton of fun and stick some fish!

Jonathan Schuster

Hometown: Hopkinton, MA
Years Fly Fishing: 21 years
Favorite Fly: Wayne's Arkansas Special
Favorite Trip: Doc's Mountain Creek

Rick Lewis

Hometown: Whittier, CA
Years Fly Fishing: 30+ years
Favorite Fly: Barr Emerger, RS-2
Favorite Trip: Half day wade

Retired 8 years ago to become a guide (best decision ever). Love the rivers, and teaching people this great sport. A real plus is getting to guide and fish with my son Matt "Lew" Lewis.

Types of Trips

FFO Schools

Lodging Specials

Cordillera Lodge & Spa

Fly Fishing Outfitters
1060 West Beaver Creek Blvd
Avon, CO 81620

P: 970-845-8090
F: 970-845-0284
E: fish@flyfishingoutfitters.net

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"I want to thank Jeff Lyon, my instructor through the Orvis program out of Edwards, CO. What a solid start I have to a lifetime of fly fishing! Not only was the course and his instruction technically beneficial, but we spent a majority of our time practicing various techniques while on the water. Needless to say, I've come back to St. Louis eager to join experienced fly fishermen on upcoming outings and I am no longer anxious about being new to the sport. It is evident to me that the knowledge gained through the Orvis school is beneficial to anyone, no matter their experience level.

Thanks again, Jeff, Orvis and Cordillera! I look forward to seeing you again next year and catching the one that got away!"

Tim Ward

St. Louis

"First of all I would like to thank Jeff for all his expertise and patience with me and my buddy. I'm sure we were a handful at times with our witty comments and bickering at each other, but we were having such a good time with Jeff we felt that he was one of the guys.

His instruction and laid back approach was spot on when it comes to learning how to fly fish. He tailored his instruction to fit both our personalities and he was very patient with us even when we were frustrated, but by the end of the second day everything begin to click and let's just say I'm excited to continue fly fishing the rest of my life.

Next year I plan on taking the class again with my son since the experience is unlike any other instruction in Colorado. Thanks Jeff for the great weekend!

"FFO, We really had a great time and Jodi is really hooked on fishing now. Thanks for your patience with us – we had a wonderful experience. Now, I am looking forward to another FLOAT TRIP – with you, of course! If my Father comes to town – I’ll be calling to book a float – location based on your recommendation. Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

John K.

"We were a four boat party on a float trip on the Colorado River. All the guides were knowledgeable, personable, and tried their best to make the fish take the fly. Yes the fishing was slow but that's fishing and all of us thoroughly enjoyed our experience. We would certainly recommend this outfitter. The staff runs a great shop. Great shop and people."

Cirith

"This was the second time I have fished with Fly Fishing Outfitters and it was even better than before. Kevin was superb!"

Kyle O.

FFO,

I'm writing to commend one of your guides, Kevin Wildgen, for his excellent customer service and guiding skills. The fishing trip was a surprise birthday present from my parents. He was extremely patient with my rusty fishing skills, and he provided me expert instruction while helping me catch some nice trout. I learned a great deal on this trip and had a fun, relaxing time in the process, everything you'd expect from a top-notch guide. I'll use your services again and tell everyone I know to do the same.

Regards, Todd C.

"FFO runs a first rate shop and is always a source of great information. As a result, I recently purchased a TLS Rod from him and will soon be adding a reel."

Jerry P.

"Fly Fishing Outfitters is a very professional and well run operation."

Michael R.

"This is a first class operation. I understand why they were the Orvis Outfitter of the Year!"

Tom S.

"Everyone in the store and on the river were great at sharing information. We had a great time and a great fishing adventure."

Kenneth M.

"Fly Fishing Outfitters is a great operation! I used Kevin Wildgen last year, and he was so good. He is a great fishing partner!"

Michael R.

" This is my second trip with Fly Fishing Outfitters. They are world class! The total experience could not have been better."

Richard C.

"Fly Fishing Outfitters is a first class organization!"

Steven M.

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MEET OUR ORVIS ENDORSED FLY FISHING GUIDES

KNOWLEDGEABLE, LOCAL ORVIS ENDORSED GUIDES (THEY ARE THE BEST!)

Meet The Colorado Fly Fishing Outfitter's Guides:

Norm Raffelson

Bryan Crossley

Ross Guillen

Kelly Bobye

Mike Devins

Jim Phillips

Craig Crumbliss

Dan Houck

John Packer

Marc Barnwell

John Muir

Bill Perry

Danny Land

Jonathan Schuster

Rick Lewis

Quick Links

Contact FFO

Have a Question?

FFO Testimonials

MEET OUR ORVIS ENDORSED FLY FISHING GUIDES

KNOWLEDGEABLE, LOCAL ORVIS ENDORSED GUIDES (THEY ARE THE BEST!)

Meet The Colorado Fly Fishing Outfitter's Guides:

Norm Raffelson

Bryan Crossley

Ross Guillen

Kelly Bobye

Mike Devins

Jim Phillips

Craig Crumbliss

Dan Houck

John Packer

Marc Barnwell

John Muir

Bill Perry

Danny Land

Jonathan Schuster

Rick Lewis

Quick Links

Contact FFO

Have a Question?

FFO Testimonials

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