Meet Your EPIC Guides



The relationship between an angler and their guide is a special one. We take that very seriously. After all, this is a person you are going to spend the day fishing with and we don’t take that responsibility lightly. Your Rio Epic guide is not just a fishing guide, at the end of your guide day you will call them a friend.



Will Blanchard



Owner / Guide





Will Blanchard had a dream to move West once graduating high school in 1989. So he did. He rolled up his sleeves and started guiding in 1992. He has not let up since. When he is not guiding he can be found fishing, skiing, playing hockey, steelheading and chasing his wife & 2 kids.



Derek Ems


Guide




There has never been a guide in this region with more stoke. Derek is the real deal. He is dialed on all waters and brings nothing but fun to a guide trip. When he is not in guide mode he can found fishing for Reds off the coast of Texas, steelheading or snowboarding.


Rollie Murchison



Guide





Rollie if an ace of a guide. He is great with guests of all ages and a solid teacher that truly loves sharing the fly fishing experience. He is beyond patient and extremely hard working. From the Rio to the Juan, Rollie enjoys all of our fisheries. During his down time he spends it fishing.



Chris Eagan



Guide





Chris is hard working, easy going and will do everything in his power to make sure a guest has a great time on the water. From the Juan to mountain streams Chris enjoys sharing all types of water. When he is not guiding you can find him fishing of behind the lens of his camera.



Owen Olsen



Guide





Owen is a young buck with a ton of ambition. He guides with a relaxed no-pressure style. He has a great personality that makes him a guest favorite with kids and adults alike. From mountain streams to Rio floats Owen has it dialed. Like most Epic guides he spends his down time fishing and exploring.



Tanner Paulek



Guide





Tanner is one of the nicest guys you could possibly spend time with on the water. From advanced anglers to rookies Tanner is a fantastic coach and teacher. His enthusiasm for the sport is pretty hard to match. Tanner was born and raised in Bayfield Colorado. As local as they come.



James (Kemper) Fitzpatrick



Guide





Born and raised in Colorado. I love to fish anywhere from the quiet small mountains streams, chasing pike in the reservouras, targeting bass in small ponds and everything in between. I am a 2nd grade teacher here in Durango during the school year. In the summers you can find me riding my mountain bike in the high country or casting a fly.



Kara Armno



Guide





Kara caught the fishing bug early in life from her great-grandmother and father and hasn't put down a rod since. After working in the fly fishing industry for well over a decade in both for profit and non, putting on women's clinics and camps, and urging her friends to join her on the water, she's decided to try her hand at guiding in the abundant and enjoyable waters of SW CO. When she's not exploring high mountain streams, she's chasing tarpon in Mexico, riding her mountain bike and playing with her hubby and pup.



Seasonal Epic Guides



Not all Rio Epic guides guide year-round, many have other jobs like teaching, carpentry or guiding in other regions of the country. They might be part time, but they are full-on when guiding for Rio Epic.



Michael Docherty



Guide





Michael has a deep obsession for fly fishing and loves sharing his knowledge with guests. He has over 15 years experience on the water. Michael is undoubtably one of the most patient guides and instructors you will find. With good humor and instruction he will create your new obsession.



Reed Ryan



Guide





Reed Ryan is a total pro. He spends most of his guide season in central Colorado guiding for Cutthroat Anglers. Reed guides the Rio Grande with Rio Epic. When he is not on the water he enjoys time with his family, plays hockey, skis and patrols for Copper Mountain.



BRANDON OMAHEN



Guide





Brandon is a professional and career guide that works most of his season with Cutthroat Angler in central Colrado, but he spends part of his season guiding the Rio Grande with Rio Epic. Brandon is an ace on the oars and a lot of fun to fish with.



Aaron Hyder



Guide





Aaron Hyder is one of the fishiest guides out there. His laid back no-pressure style has earned him a great reputation from the San Juan to Alaska and all waters in between. He can get rookies into fish in no-time and tune up veteran anglers like no other.



CAIDEN BOYT



Guide





Caiden brings a lot of fun to Rio Epic. He has plenty of youthful energy, but the skills and patience of a veteran guide. He is well versed on the Rio, Animas, Pine as well as other waters here in the Southwest. During downtime you will find Caiden fishing, elk hunting and exploring.



Nate Bronson



Guide





Nate is a long time local and an expert on every piece of water in the region. Nate and Will have been fishing together as early as 1990. Nate stays very busy off the water with his construction company and raising a family with his wife Tami.



Josh Jarvis



Guide





Josh is a true veteran with Rio Epic. He brings humor and fun to every guide trip and has a work ethic that will not quit. Josh is also a gifted carpenter. When he is not guiding he is busy raising three amazing daughters or chasing turkeys or elk.



Josh Curtis



Guide





Josh Curtis is one dialed angler and a great guide to spend the day with. He is versed in traditional stylers of fly fishing as well as modern Euro styles that he perfected while on Team USA. When not swinging a hammer you can find Josh on the water.



Amanda Blanchard



Biologist / nature hikes





Amanda is a fishy gal that leads all Rio Epic nature/birding hikes as well as helps with fly fishing clinics. She has traveled to Belize, Costa Rica and northern BC in search of fish. She is also very busy as an environmental regulatory specialist and raising two kiddos.



Rick Hooley



Guide





Rick is one of the nicest guys on the water. With years and years of experience he brings a lot to a guide trip. Rick's main focus is on the San Juan, but guide days in the mountains help recharge his guide batteries. When not guiding Rick is an avid hunter and hiker.



Ralph Blanchard



Bookings (retired)





Ralph is one of our bookings coordinators. He is full of humor and wit, making him fun to book a trip with. Ralph is a retired US Naval Captain and his free time keeps him busy with grandkids and writing poetry. In his early years his passions included surfing and skiing.



Southwest Fly Fishing Guide Service



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