Growing up in Boise, Idaho, Adam spent his childhood fishing lakes, rivers, and creeks across the state. Introduced to fly fishing at a young age by his father, his passion for the sport has only grown over time. After attending guide school, Adam landed his first guiding job 15 years ago and has been a fly-fishing guide with Brush Creek Ranch for the past 12 years.

Tailoring his approach to different skill levels, Adam starts slow with beginners and challenges advanced anglers with more difficult fishing techniques and areas. He loves that each fishing day is unique with the diverse fishing environments at Brush Creek Ranch, from small creeks to expansive rivers. He defines the ideal day on the water by a positive fishing attitude rather than perfect conditions. One of his favorite experiences is building lasting relationships with clients he taught as beginners and helping them grow their skills during return trips over the years.

He stays updated with the latest techniques by fly-fishing frequently. Outside of work, Adam spends his time fishing and aims to fish 300 days per year. His advice to newcomers is to hire a guide and avoid unnecessary gear purchases. His favorite tip is to keep your flies wet and avoid overcasting.

A fly-fishing guide at Brush Creek Ranch for the past four years, Katie was initially drawn to fishing because it puts you in the outdoors with a purpose and forces you to connect with your environment. She has never been one to climb a mountain just for the picture, but if there’s a fishable lake up there, the climb suddenly has purpose. Fly fishing requires understanding not only fish behavior but also the ecology of the river. Most western communities revolve around water rights, and as a guide, Katie has a front-row seat to how precipitation affects agriculture, recreation, and ecology.

Growing up in Colorado, where rivers are crowded and fish are constantly pressured, Katie says the fishing environment at Brush Creek Ranch is unmatched, since it’s more remote and the fish don’t see as much pressure.

Katie says the most rewarding days are when she’s guiding guests with minimal experience, in tough conditions, and a short window to fish, but they still hook a trout! They feel like they’ve accomplished the impossible after that.

Katie’s advice for beginners is not to muscle the fly rod into casting for them. It never works. If your arm is getting tired, you’re doing it wrong. It’s a finesse sport, not a strength sport. Her favorite way to start her fishing trips is to fish the most unassuming piece of water first before moving to what looks fishy. Fish may be sitting 10 feet in front of you while you’re trying to cast 40 feet.

Matt’s passion for fly fishing began at the age of 12. He started guiding during college as a summer job and has now been guiding for 20 years. For the past 11 years, Matt has been sharing his expertise at Brush Creek Ranch. Fly fishing initially drew him in because it offers the perfect blend of getting outdoors, enjoying solitude, embracing challenges, and appreciating the beautiful places where trout live.

The water and fishing conditions are constantly changing, making each day different. The scenery is both beautiful and unique. Matt describes the ideal day for fly fishing at Brush Creek Ranch as early June, with the North Platte at 1250 CFS, water temperatures in the mid-50s, a high of 70 degrees, a slight breeze, and afternoon clouds, floating from 6 Mile to Sanger.

Outside of work, Matt enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, and hunting. His personal fly-fishing goal is to travel the world in pursuit of fish other than trout. His advice to someone new to fly fishing is to stick with it and practice. The learning curve can seem daunting at first, but it’s important not to get frustrated, enjoy observing the natural world, and never stop learning. He cautions beginners against developing bad habits early, as they can be hard to break later on. Matt’s favorite fly-fishing tip is about casting: “It’s the foundation of the sport. If you can cast well, you can fish well.”