RIGS Fly Shop

Spencer’s fascination with fly fishing began as a kid casting his dad’s old Eagle Claw rod. By 13, a casting class transformed curiosity into obsession, and during his senior year of high school he skipped finals week to attend guide school — sealing his future on the water.

With a degree in Wildlife Biology and a minor in Art, Spencer deepened his knowledge of entomology and fly tying, building a reputation as a well-rounded angler and teacher. His personal goal is to learn and catch as many species as possible.

Today, as RIGS’ Fly Shop Manager and a dedicated guide, Spencer loves sharing everything from bug ID to casting fundamentals. Whether in the shop or on the river, he’s a go-to resource for anglers of all levels.

Raised on Colorado’s Western Slope, Jake grew up with the Grand Valley as his backyard. He discovered the tranquility of fly fishing during his college years on the Front Range and has spent the last decade making it a lifestyle, not just a hobby.

Jake has guided on premier waters across Colorado, including a season at the 4UR Ranch in Creede, where he refined his passion for teaching anglers the art of fly fishing. His experience extends from Colorado trout streams to waters in Idaho, Utah, Arizona, New York, and even Mexico.

For Jake, guiding is about more than the catch—it’s about moments by the river, camaraderie, and learning something new. Whether chasing trout, warm-water species, or planning his next fishing adventure, he brings curiosity, patience, and a true love for the outdoors to every trip.

Doug was born and raised in the Philadelphia area, where we picked up fly fishing at a young age. Cutting his teeth on Pennsylvania’s technical spring creeks, he quickly fell in love with the sport. He was then introduced to the competitive fly-fishing world, where he spent five years on the U.S. Youth Fly Fishing Team.

During this time, he was fortunate to fish in multiple World Youth Fly Fishing Championships, culminating his tenure as the team captain. This experience also afforded him the chance to learn from some of the nation’s leading fly anglers. During his college years Doug guided on Wyoming’s North Platte River as well as Colorado’s Front Range. When asked about his guiding style, he adapts to the experience level of each client in an easy going and relaxed manner.

Striving to help clients find success at any level from exploring the nuts and bolts of angling technique, to refining advanced skills.  With a deep passion for sharing the pursuits he enjoys the most with others, he is well equipped to show you a fantastic day on the water!

Born and raised on Colorado’s Western Slope, Tyler has been fishing since he could walk—even “casting” into neighborhood ditches just to practice. A childhood trip to the Fryingpan River taught him the value of fly fishing skill, sparking a passion that’s only grown stronger over the last thirty years.

After a career in the stone industry, Tyler shifted gears to guiding full time, inspired by a 2017 shadow trip with Jeff McKenna. Today, he calls East Orchard Mesa home, where he lives with his wife, two kids, and four dogs.

Tyler guides across the Grand Mesa’s stillwaters and the Colorado and Gunnison rivers, and has even begun hosting trips to his wife’s home country of Panama. For him, guiding is about creating memorable experiences on the water—celebrating both familiar faces and new clients as they land fish of a lifetime.

Born and raised on Colorado’s Front Range, Oliver was introduced to fly fishing at a young age by a family friend. That spark quickly grew into a lifelong passion, and he spent his childhood and college years chasing trout and exploring as much water as possible.

While earning his degree at CU Boulder, Oliver worked in a fly shop, where he deepened his knowledge of the sport and honed his skills in both customer service and angling. His love for the high country pushed him to spend countless days hiking into remote streams and alpine lakes.

After graduating, Oliver relocated to Ridgway to be closer to the outdoors and to share his enthusiasm for fishing some of Colorado’s most scenic waters. Whether in the shop or on the river, he brings energy, knowledge, and a genuine love for the sport.

Born in Southern California, Jason grew up exploring the Sierra Nevada rivers under the mentorship of his grandfather, who instilled in him a deep appreciation for fly fishing. That early influence sparked a lifelong passion for the sport.

After moving to Colorado as a teenager, Jason embraced the adventurous lifestyle of the Rockies—rodeo, climbing, hunting, and plenty of time on the water. Over the past 15 years, he has refined his skills drifting legendary rivers like the San Juan, Rio Grande, Roaring Fork, Piedra, and Arkansas.

Today, Jason shares his expertise with anglers of all levels. Whether you’re a seasoned fly fisher or stepping into waders for the first time, his goal is to create an experience that blends serenity, adventure, and unforgettable memories on the water.

Born in East Tennessee at the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, Brody grew up chasing smallmouth bass on conventional tackle before discovering the fly rod. Teaching himself the craft, he spent countless hours exploring small streams for native brook trout.

While working as a school teacher, Brody used every spare moment to fish and every school break to travel west in search of legendary rivers. On one of those trips he connected with the team at RIGS and knew he had found the right place to guide.

Brody brings his background in education to the water, using patience and clear instruction to help both new and experienced anglers grow. His greatest satisfaction comes from seeing clients achieve their goals and share in the passion that drives him.

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Sam first fell in love with fishing while chasing native brook trout in small creeks. That early spark grew into a career on the water, and today he brings more than a decade of guiding experience to every trip.

Sam’s journey has taken him from Colorado to Alaska and Florida, with seven years on Western rivers, two summers in Alaska’s remote fisheries, and a season chasing saltwater species in Florida. His passion for guiding began at a Colorado dude ranch, where he realized teaching others was just as rewarding as fishing himself.

Armed with a degree in education, Sam blends technical skill with an enthusiasm for instruction. Whether you’re new to fly fishing or looking to refine advanced techniques, he thrives on helping anglers learn and enjoy their time on the water.

Born and raised in Colorado, Trey quickly developed a passion for all things outdoors. Spending their formative years hunting, fly fishing, mountain biking, and skiing in the Rockies, he fostered a deep connection to nature. More recently, Trey discovered a love for boating white water. Having pursued studies in Adventure Education and Wilderness Leadership with a focus in Psychology at Prescott College, he is currently engaged in obtaining a master’s degree in adventure-based counseling. He finds fulfillment in exploring and working in wild places, particularly relishing the experience of being on the river.

A Western Colorado native, Zach grew up outdoors with fishing as an early passion. He started with a spin rod on local lakes, but after years of visiting the RIGS shop, he picked up fly tying—and eventually a fly rod of his own. The first trout he landed on one of his own flies sealed his lifelong love for the sport.

Today, Zach fishes anywhere he can, from technical tailwaters to remote alpine lakes. His time on the water has built a depth of knowledge well beyond his years, making him a versatile and skilled guide.

What sets Zach apart is his enthusiasm for teaching. Whether working with a beginner or an experienced angler, he brings patience, energy, and a passion for helping clients succeed on the water.

A Colorado native, Spencer started fly fishing at ten years old. Twenty-two years later his passion for the sport has only grown. As a guide, his goal is to help people strive to make the transition from guided trips only to getting out on their own and catching fish. Spencer’s mantra is, “However much I love fly fishing I enjoy teaching people to fly fish even more! If you want to learn, I want to teach you.”

Originally from Swampscott, Massachusetts, Ethan first discovered fly fishing on New Hampshire’s small creeks and the Pemigewasset River, chasing brook trout with his family. That early spark grew into an obsession, and as a young adult he immersed himself in every aspect of the sport.

Drawn west by dreams of big rivers and bigger trout, Ethan moved to Colorado in his early 20s to finish a degree in outdoor education. After leading raft trips and float fishing with RIGS, guiding became the natural next step in making fly fishing his daily life.

Ethan’s passion is simple: to share the joy of fly fishing with others. No matter your age or experience level, he thrives on teaching and creating memorable days on the water. As he says, “I jump at the opportunity to share my knowledge and passion with anyone who wants to learn.”

Originally from Washington, D.C., Jack moved to Colorado in 2017 after graduating from Santa Clara University. Summers guiding backcountry trips in Rocky Mountain National Park and winters skiing in Crested Butte cemented his love for the Rocky Mountain lifestyle.

After discovering RIGS and the diverse fisheries around Ridgway, Jack knew he had found the perfect place to put down roots. His guiding experience and enthusiasm for teaching anglers made the transition a natural fit.

Jack is passionate about helping others experience the thrill of fly fishing, whether on alpine streams, canyon rivers, or the Gunnison Gorge. His goal is to share both his knowledge and the joy of time spent on the water.

Michael’s path to fly fishing started like many others—transitioning from bass fishing in Virginia’s small lakes to chasing trout with a fly rod. An avid climber and cyclist, he found that fly fishing offered the perfect counterbalance, a way to clear his mind without raising his heart rate.

He spent years walk-wading streams in Virginia and Colorado before expanding to drift boat trips on the Colorado, Gunnison Gorge, and rivers across Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and New Mexico. Those experiences deepened his skills and opened new ways to cover water.

Michael’s fly fishing journey eventually led him to saltwater. What began with hesitation turned into an obsession, and today he pursues permit and other saltwater species with the same passion he brings to western rivers. His role as Destination Ambassador reflects his love for both adventure travel and the sport itself.

Keith moved to Colorado in the early 2000s chasing powder days and skate parks, but quickly added fly fishing to his two-for-one adventures—skating in the morning and stalking trout by afternoon. He cut his teeth on classic Front Range waters like Deckers, Cheesman Canyon, and the Big Thompson before making his way west.

With more than 15 seasons in the fly fishing industry, Keith has developed an eclectic approach to fishing, tying, and guiding. He’s spent countless days in the Gunnison Gorge and the North Fork Valley, and loves chasing everything from trout and carp to pike on rivers and lakes across the Rockies.

For Keith, guiding is “trout counseling”—helping clients connect with the river while creating memorable experiences. His goal is simple: deliver so much fun and insight on the water that anglers leave hooked for life.

Jimmie grew up on a ranch in north Texas, where days were spent hunting and fishing with his father. While his dad favored offshore big game, Jimmie gravitated toward fly fishing, chasing redfish in skinny water near Port Aransas with his Hells Bay Skiff. Summers were dedicated to freshwater in Ketchum, Idaho, which eventually became home.

In 2017, Jimmie began guiding full-time with Silver Creek Outfitters, sharing his knowledge of local waters and helping clients grow in the sport. His passion for fly fishing is matched only by his love for travel, with adventures taking him to Hokkaido, Patagonia, and Alaska in pursuit of new species and cultures.

Today, Jimmie calls Ridgway home, where he and his wife are raising their son surrounded by world-class fly fishing, skiing, biking, and climbing. As a Destination Ambassador, he unites his love of fishing and travel, always eager to share both the water and the culture that comes with it.