Meet Our Expert Fishing Guides
Mike Geisler
My dad had a pontoon boat with a crib on it. He would put me and my two sisters in it while he fished. My sisters would feed me worms, but I was really checking to make sure the bait was fresh. He once caught a huge northern pike with three screaming kids in the boat. Without a net, he wrestled that beast into the boat, and everybody in town took pictures of him. When I was ten, I sold enough fresh worms to buy my first fishing pole—a fly rod because I thought it looked neat, and I still have that rod. Once, on summer vacation, my friend caught a big musky on a bobber with a worm, and when he first saw the fish, he threw me the rod. When I was older, I tied a diamond ring on the end of a fishing pole and had the catch of a lifetime—my beautiful wife, a skilled angler herself. One time she tried to lift a gigantic lake trout out of her ice hole when the line snapped, but the fish was so big it was stuck in the hole. Another time, she thought she was stuck in the weeds, but it was a monster bass—or was it a walleye? That woman catches so many fish, one time I "accidentally" kicked the tackle box, and all the lures stuck in the back of her sweater. I'm glad she puts up with me. Our daughter once dropped her fishing pole to chase a butterfly, with a nice trout on it! She also fell in an ice fishing hole after I promised my wife she wouldn't. I am a hardworking guide who loves his job. I can't wait to hear your stories or make some ourselves.
Nathan Simmonds
I grew up fishing the mountain lakes of the Appalachians with my dad. It was there I learned waking up early to fish is always a worthwhile endeavor. After graduating from the University of Georgia, I packed the truck, loaded my dog, and drove west to the Rocky Mountains. It was here I met my wife, Lindsey. Over the past 18 years, we have been traveling, exploring, and fishing. Now, we bring our 4-year-old son Fisher along! I’ve been lucky enough to fish waters from Bermuda to Hawaii—and all the great stuff in between! When I moved to the Eagle Valley, I knew we had to live near the water. Now, I have the Eagle River in my backyard. Most nights, I can be seen sneaking off to wet a line until darkness comes and pushes me home. I am proud to work with the amazing staff and anglers at Gore Creek Fly Fisherman. I look forward to sharing my experience and love of fly fishing in the Rockies with the clients we serve.
Seth Johnson
Since moving to Colorado as a small child, the outdoors have always called to me. Growing up in Boulder, I loved going camping and fishing whenever I could. Fly fishing always intrigued me when I was younger. I still remember the first time I ever saw a fly fisherman. I was at a lake fishing with my grandpa, and there was a guy casting out dry flies from the dock. I was mesmerized, and I remember thinking, “that’s what I want to do when I’m older.” I later moved to Avon in 2008, right after graduating high school, and I finally got my first fly setup a couple of years after that. From that day forward, I was hooked. The challenge of learning and the degree to which you can fine-tune everything to catch more fish drew me in like nothing else. I still haven’t fished with a spin rod since that day because I got too addicted to catching fish on a fly. It’s become a way of life for me now and has taken me to some of the most amazing places I’ve been and given me many of my best experiences. Now let me share a piece of that experience with you.
Jake Searer
Jake grew up in Central Pennsylvania, where he fell in love with chasing wild brook trout in mountain streams. He picked up fly fishing in middle school—no one in his family fished, so he walked into the local fly shop, Yellow Breeches Outfitters, and started asking questions. The owner set him up with a fly rod but didn’t give away any fishing spots. That part, Jake had to figure out on his own. Luckily, his family had a cabin tucked away in the mountains, originally used as a deer camp. But Jake quickly traded big game for small streams, spending his days exploring and learning the water. After studying finance at Penn State, Jake moved to Colorado to ski—but once summer rolled around, fly fishing took over. He began guiding on the Eagle River and still guides there today. When he’s not on the water, you’ll find him guiding upland bird hunts or teaching skiing in the winter. Get to know Jake and tap into his deep knowledge and passion for fly fishing—he’s always happy to share what he’s learned from years on the water.
Brendon Glenwright
....
Matt Fair
Born and raised in Wisconsin, I grew up casting lines and honing my angling skills from a young age. In 2018, I relocated to the stunning Vail Valley, where I discovered the art of fly fishing. What began as a new adventure quickly transformed into a passion that now defines my life. As a professional float and wade fly fishing guide, I live and breathe this sport, embracing it not just as a hobby but as a lifestyle. Whether drifting down the river or wading through pristine waters, I’m dedicated to sharing the thrill and serenity of fly fishing with others, helping them connect with the beauty of the Vail Valley’s rivers and the craft of the cast.
Mark Wechsler
Bringing over twenty years of experience, Mark began fly fishing a few years after moving to the Vail Valley in 1994. Since then, fly fishing has become more than a favorite sport or hobby—it has become a passion that he enjoys sharing with clients, friends, and family.
David Phillips
With 20 years of experience chasing trout in the Vail Valley, I’m originally from the great state of Michigan but have found my home here in Vail. I’m always excited to take anyone who is interested in fishing our amazing fishery. If you haven’t given the Vail Valley a shot, you’re missing out on one of the best fishing experiences in the West.
Dan Werney
Growing up in the suburbs of New York City, fly fishing does not come to mind for many people. My father had always been a fisherman. “Whatever gets a fish on your line” is what I remember him saying. I never had any appreciation for fly fishing until after graduation from The College of Charleston in South Carolina. I began working in the city, commuting from home, about an hour and a half each way. That was a long year working in midtown Manhattan for me, and what helped me through were the long weekends spent in the woods in Westchester County fly fishing local streams. After that year, I made my way out west to God’s country, Colorado!