Greg Blessing has been guiding professionally for over 25 years, full-time since 1991.  He has been fly fishing personally since 1967. His expertise offers access to private waters, as well as the public waterways and Greg has held his Montana Guide License (#7505) for 15 years, since 1996. Greg is requested by all ages since his focus is the fishing experience and sharing his professional techniques in a great learning experience.  His clients have returned eagerly looking forward to another fishing adventure. He has been a FFF Certified Casting Instructor for 14 years and Orvis currently offers his professionally tied flies. www.troutblessing.com

 Anthony Surage, of all of our guides, gets "the longest" awards: he has the longest hair and has been guiding for us the longest. His day job is counseling middle school students. He loves to be with kids and he loves fly fishing. Anthony communicates the finer points of fly fishing well to anyone. Twenty plus years of guiding has allowed Anthony to quickly know how to take the beginner (child or adult) to catch their first fish on a fly as well as help the experienced fly fisher learn advanced techniques for catching trophy trout. He loves to teach others the art of casting the dry fly and the skills needed to sight fish. He also loves the metaphors and the poetry of the river and the whole fly fishing experience.

Steve Gossage is a Colorado Springs native and has fly fished the South Platte and surrounding waters for 30 years. He also has guided on the South Platte for 14 years. Currently, Steve is the Merchandise Manager at Angler’s Covey as well as a guide. He is an avid fly tier and has tied flies commercially in the past and currently has some custom patterns at the Angler’s Covey. Steve’s passion is fly fishing and teaching people how to fly fish with emphases on casting and presentation techniques.

Jon Kleis is a Colorado native who has been fishing on the South Platte River for over 24 years.  He has been fly fishing and fly tying for the last 13 years.  His passion and enthusiasm for the sport of fly fishing is evident in everything he does from his time spent on the water fishing and guiding, to tying and creating new fly patterns, video production, photography, and writing.  When Jon is fishing he spends most of his time hunting for trophy fish on the many amazing and productive tailwater fisheries Colorado has to offer, though he loves all facets of the sport. 

Jon Easdon, is a Colorado native hailing from Leadville, Colorado. He has been fishing all around the state his entire life. A true outdoorsman that loves the mountains, he enjoys sharing the love and passion of fly fishing with others. From first descents on his snowboard, to showing up to the river for a huge hatch, he has the ability to really encompass what it means to "be outside". One of his favorite things about fly fishing is that one can never stop learning. He enjoys all aspects of fly fishing from tying, dry fly fishing, nymphing, to high alpine excursions deep in the mountains. His love for this is contagious and you are sure to get the bug after a day on the water with him.

Kevin Gossage, a Colorado Springs native, learned the art of fly fishing from his dad, Steve Gossage, at the young age of 5. Over the past 20 years, he has developed a love for the sport and sharing it with others. He enjoys dry fly fishing during the fall on the serine waters throughout the state of Colorado. When he is not on the water, you can find Kevin working at Angler’s Covey educating people on the sport. 

Robert Younghanz works at the Angler's Covey as our resident Aquatic Entomologist. For close to two decades, Robert's passion for fly fishing has landed him on 6 continents and over 60 countries. You'll often find Robert stream-side with his faithful Golden Retriever and shop dog Belikin. Whether casting for rising trout on the South Platte, landing Peacock Bass from a dug-out canoe in the middle of the Amazon or fooling Bonefish on a flat somewhere in the Caribbean, Robert's addiction to fly fishing is beyond help.

Gene Rea is a dedicated – ok, slightly obsessed -- fly fisherman who enjoys good conversation as much as he enjoys fishing.  He has almost forty years of fly fishing experience, starting at a young age when his dad taught him to fly fish on the fabled waters of the Ausable and Battenkill Rivers near his upstate New York hometown.  Later, serving twenty plus years in the military enabled him to not only serve his country but also pursue his fly fishing passion by rounding out his experience in storied places such as Alaska and Montana.  He has explored much of Colorado, and over the last ten years has fine-tuned his talents on some of Colorado’s most notable Gold-Medal waters.

Juan Ramirez grew up in Northern New Mexico fishing the small streams and creeks of the Sangre De Cristos. In 1997, he made a switch to fly fishing and has never looked back. Over the years, he has guided on the Cimarron River in New Mexico, as well as the Conejos River in Southern Colorado.  
Juan is also a passionate and accomplished fly tier. He has tied commercially for 7 years, and spends most of his free time behind a vise. Juan eats, sleeps, and dreams of fly fishing and tying. Currently a guide for Angler's Covey, you can also find Juan behind the tying bench at the Covey sharing his tricks and knowledge of the flies he loves fishing.

Paul Martinez has three passions in his life: the top two are for his wife, Mari, and their two Golden Retrievers, Sierra and Singita. Coming in a close third: fly fishing. As a native of Colorado, Paul grew up fishing small creeks with his father in the Sangre De Cristo mountain range. Paul spent 22 years as a Fire Fighter for the City of Colorado Springs where he was awarded Fire Fighter of the Year in 1995 and gained the rank of Captain. This is where he met one of his best friends and a fly fishing mentor, Neil Luehring. In addition, Paul is one of our instructors for our nymphing, dry fly, and streamside classes. Paul shares this knowledge and skill with you when he guides:  "one of my favorite things in life is sharing my passion, knowledge and skills in fly fishing and coaching client/students on the water into fish and watching a new passion be born."

Tim Hannon came to Colorado fifteen years ago on a guided fly fishing trip during his college years -- and never returned to the Midwest. With his roots now firmly planted in Colorado with his young family, Tim serves as the shop manager at Angler's Covey and also is one of our Discovery Fly Fishing Class instructors. Tim’s passion is in teaching and working with newcomers to this great adventure of fly fishing.  So, what can you expect from going on a trip with Tim? If you have a special interest you want to explore – hiking to a lake for some still-water fishing, fishing with dry flies only, or fishing in the afternoon to catch your fresh dinner – Tim creates that experience for you. More importantly, though, he wants you to make this sport your own. Tim wants you to have the know-how and the passion to find and catch fish your next time out. 

Neil Luehring is the expert. Starting when he was 14, for over 30 years he has shared his passion for fly fishing with others. His current job as Captain for the Colorado Springs Fire Department is at times a distraction for his real love. We're proud of him for receiving the Fire Fighter of the Year for 2003. Neil has been teaching our Nymph Class for the past 10 years, and also teaches our Dry Fly Fishing and Intermediate Fly Tying classes and his enthusiasm becomes evident when he gets you to the river.

Mark Mahler is one of our fly fishing instructors, and has been teaching our nymphing and dry fly classes for over 15 years! In his "day job" as a commercial General Contractor, one of his favorite projects was building the new Angler's Covey. Mark delights in the instruction of new and intermediate fly fishers, including kids, and enjoys teaching fly fishing skills, techniques, and observation skills, as well as streamside etiquette, and outdoor ethics.

Sharon Wright  started fly fishing 20 years ago on small, high mountain streams and lakes, during her many backpacking trips in the Colorado rockies.  Since that time, her passion for fly fishing has taken her to Scotland,  several trips to Chilean Patagonia and numerous days spent fishing Montana’s rivers, however, her favorite times are still spent exploring and fishing Colorado’s small streams – many of which can be found close to home! Sharon  helps lead the Pikes Peak Women Anglers group and assists with the women’s classes at Angler’s Covey.  In addition to her fishing interests, Sharon works at Angler’s Covey as the bookkeeper.

Julie Sprinkle is a naturalist at heart, her approach to fly fishing focuses on the total outdoor experience. A day on the river with her might include a brief lesson on the region's wildflowers, history or geology to enhance your fishing experience. Julie is the clothing guru for Angler's Covey, an active member of the Pikes Peak Women Anglers and assists with the women's classes and Women's Camp -- she also spends an inordinate amount of time tying flies to replace the ones her husband has pilfered from her fly boxes. She especially enjoys stalking small, wild trout with her 3-weight in obscure, high-country streams.

Dave Herber started his wild trout fishing in British Columbia, Canada in the 1960's. For the last 18 years he has spent much of his time learning the rivers and streams in Colorado Spring's great "back yard". His passion is casting dry flies, with the focus on presentation, and sharing that zeal with those wishing to learn the techniques. Over the last several years his fly tying has concentrated on developing effective dry fly patterns that are more visible to the angler. Dave delights in sharing with the angler the excitement of the pursuit and the wonders of nature in our trout waters.

David Leinweber, the owner of Angler's Covey, finds himself often tied to responsibilities at the store. But with a little persuading he is eager to share his experience with you on the stream. He particularly likes to work with the beginner fly fisher and currently teaches the Discover Fly Fishing and Discover Fly Casting classes.

Kevin Leonard was born in Leadville Colorado. He grew up exploring and fishing the mountain streams of Buena Vista, Leadville and Summit County.  He has spent many seasons fly fishing the warm waters of Southern California, catching everything from bass to catfish on the fly. His passion is throwing dry flies to native cutthroat high in the mountains with his dog Charlie Brown. He is always smiling and will do whatever it takes to make you smile as well.    

Matt Van Wieren grew up fishing the big lakes of Michigan. After moving to Colorado, he became zealous about the sport of fly fishing. He is the consummate learner, with a passion for sight nymphing for larger trout in the Front Range area. Matt finds joy in teaching others the thrill of sight fishing for larger trout as well. During the summer, when he is not teaching, he is found fishing his home water of the South Platte River, including Elevenmile and the Deckers area of the Platte. 

Jim White (The Rev. Dr. Ret.) is the “Senior” Guide at the Covey,  meaning he’s the oldest ghillie in the stable. He’s actually been fishing the waters of the central Colorado since he was three and with a fly rod since he was twelve. He’s taught hundreds of people to cast-and-catch. In recent years Jim has concentrated on lake fishing, especially in the Spinney/Antero Reservoirs and the close-by Rainbow Falls Lakes.

Jerry Griffin started fly fishing at the tender age of six on the famed Beaverkill River in the Catskill Mountains of New York. He tied his first fly at 12 years old with a basic kit he received from his dad for his birthday and has literally been hooked ever since. Jerry’s wife, June, was the first to get him out on the South Platte River in Elevenmile Canyon in the Spring of '85 when, being new to the area, she wanted to explore more of Colorado. In addition to guiding, Jerry leads a small group through his local church called "Fly Fishers of Men," introducing men of all ages to the great sport of fly fishing by providing free fly casting and fly tying instruction to those interested, and leading fly fishing trips throughout the year. Jerry is also very active volunteering in our local Project Healing Waters chapter as the IT Committee Lead, and as a tying instructor and fly fishing guide to many Wounded Warriors. Jerry served on the Cheyenne Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited as VP of Communications from August 2010 to April 2012.

Scott Tarrant can describe his goal for his clients in one word:  fun.  While he loves guiding the seasoned angler to find big fish, he equally loves teaching new fly fishers the joy of casting, reading the stream, and identifying what the fish are eating.  He particularly likes guiding women and children because of their easily expressed excitement during the day. Scott’s experience runs deep and wide.  He’s been chasing this love since his childhood in the Roaring Fork Valley on the western slope – where he ditched some classes every now and then to hit the river.  Part of the joy of guiding for Scott is that if fish aren’t particularly active, there is still learning that can take place:  moving and working the river, practicing casting, responding to changing conditions throughout the day.  There’s plenty to “do” on the river – and he believes that he learns from the client, too, when out on the river.  His guide trips let him refuel his love and pass it on to others. 

Deborah Jo Mance gets excited when she talks about guiding, particularly when she’s talking about teaching beginners. She is always excited to share her knowledge of the sport, and she’s thrilled every time her students catch fish. “It's more challenging, unpredictable and fun to catch fish through the hands of a beginner! And if they are excited and empowered to come back to the river and fish confidently on their own, I have done my job.” Deborah Jo is also an outdoor writer, and shares her experiences, tips and fly fishing parables on www.theflyfishingwoman.com. Deborah Jo has been fly fishing and fly tying in Colorado for 15 years.