Colorado Guide School, Fly Fishing Guide School, Colorado Float Certification, Become a Fly Fishing Guide

Frying Pan Anglers
Guide Class

The goal of this class is to qualify the applicant to be a confident and equipped fly-fishing guide in Colorado. Taught by guides, this class is structured to adapt to the needs of the students and educate them in their pursuit of expanding their knowledge and becoming more confident instructing on the water. With both a wade and float course, this class prepares all levels of anglers for their future guiding career.

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101 Course (5 Days)

The 101 course is specifically designed to improve wading skills and confidence. Topics such as entimology, gear, how to read water, and how to instruct others will be taught during this course. Students will spend all five days on the water, actively learning and participating from our experienced wade guides. This course is also a great opportunity for those who are not necessarily interested in becoming a wade guide, but anglers who want to improve their knowledge and fishing skills.

101 Course Price:

$1,500

Spring 2025 101 Course Dates

Saturday, April 5th - Wednesday, April 9th

Fall 2025 101 Course Dates

Monday, October 13th - Friday, October 17th

102 Course (Additional 3 Days)

The 102 course is designed to extend the 101 course. The full course focuses on both wading and floating techniques. The additional three days gives the student more time on the water to receive their minimum certification rowing hours under an instructor. To be a float guide in Colorado, boatsman must complete hours under a certified instructor. Our instructors for this course are certified instructors and work with students to improve their comfortability behind the oars and how to navigate rapids while keeping their passengers safe and on fish. Topics covered in the 101 course will be covered in this course with the addition of floating techniques and skills. Students will spend all eight days on the water, actively learning from and participating with our experienced wade and float guides. Students will graduate from this course with wade guide skills and a minimum rowing certification required for float guides.

*This course must be taken in conjunction with the 101 course.*

102 Course Price:

$1,000

*Does not include 101 Course Price*

Spring 2025 102 Course Dates

Thursday, April 10th - Saturday, April 12th

Fall 2025 102 Course Dates

Saturday, October 18th - Monday, October 20th

Float Certification Course (6 Days)

The float certification course is specifically designed to improve floating skills, boat safety, and confidence. To be a float guide in Colorado, boatsmen must complete minimum hours under a certified instructor. Our instructors for this course are certified instructors and work with students to improve their comfortability behind the oars and how to navigate rapids while keeping their passengers safe and on fish. The entirety of this course is spent on the river, in the boat, with our experienced and certified float guides. Topics covered in this course include how to read the river, boat safety, river etiquette, gear, and how to instruct others. This course is also a great opportunity for those who are not necessarily interested in becoming a float guide, but boat owners who want to improve their safety and confidence behind the oars.

Float Certification Price:

$1,800

Spring 2025 Float Certification Course Dates

Monday, April 21st - Saturday, April 26th

Fall 2025 Float Certification Course Dates

Saturday, October 25th - Thursday, October 30th

For those who are unable to attend the course at one time, ask us about our "weekend warrior" option!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are housing accommodations included?

Housing is not included in the listed prices. We recommend staying at Frying Pan River Lodge, Taylor Creek Cabins, or the Aspenalt Lodge. These accommodations are located in Basalt in close proximity to the fly shop.

Why Frying Pan Anglers Guide Class?

Being an outfitter, taking the course with our instructors can double as a job interview. Many of our guide staff has come from our classes. We also have three sister shops located in Woodland Park, Durango, and Glenwood Springs that we can reference you to.

What do I need to bring?

Instructors will provide all the necessary gear. You are welcome to bring your own gear if you prefer, but plan on packing a hat, polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, warm socks, a Colorado Fishing License, and food/lunch. Check the weather prior to your trip and pack accordingly. We fish rain, snow, or shine!

What is included?

Instructors will provide all necessary gear. This includes rods, reels, waders, wading boots, and boats. You are welcome to bring your own gear if you prefer. A binder, including knot diagrams, the syllabus, and other materials, will be issued your first day to use throughout the course.

How do I register?

Call the fly shop (970-927-3441) to register for your desired course. A $500 nonrefundable deposit will be taken at the time of your enrollment. The remaining tuition will be due the first day of your course.

Testimonies

101 Student

Jake Glaser

Short answer...The Frying Pan Anglers Guide Class was epic. Long answer... I have been fishing the Rivers around Basalt and Aspen for over a decade with my father and when I would float with guides from Frying Pan Anglers I would always envision myself as a guide one day. As my skill set grew on the river, I started to realize that the guide was really there to row the boat while I would do most of my own knots, rigs and strategies and not just for myself but for my father too.

So....I pulled the trigger and joined the FPA Guide Class! Shop owner Taylor (who I have known for years) seamlessly guided me into the class and understood my goals which was awesome because she placed me with an instructor I truly vibed with.... non other than Harry himself!

From day one it was game on and the knowledge poured in. From understanding the business side to client relations as well as navigating all levels of clients from beginners to experts, Harry educated me on when, where and how to approach each aspect of guiding to provide the best experience for each angler. Even showed us some fun hacks when it comes to entertaining the kids, as we all know the attention span of kids on guided trips can me as small as some of the bugs we throw!

All in all, diving deep into etymology, creative rigging, knot tying, and truly thinking as a trout gave me such an elevated understanding of my own angling and how to share that love and passion I have for fly fishing with others.

Thank you Taylor, Harry and the whole Frying Pan Anglers family!

Float Cert Student

Mike Younger

I think I learned more last week than I have in all the other classes I have taken combined. Woody had me rowing in waters I usually avoided. I really feel more confident. The rowing school is an excellent venue to add more sections of the rivers to row.

I would definitely recommend this class to anyone considering becoming a float guide, wanting to improve their rowing in general, or mastering a section of water.

I will be enrolling in as many future classes as my schedule allows.

101 & 102 Student

Aidan Newcomber

Frying Pan Anglers Guide Class was an absolute blast. From awesome guides to trying new fishing techniques, this class is highly recommended! The class has a 1 teacher to 2 student ratio which really sets this class apart. The guides really focus on what you want to improve as a fisherman, not just showing you one way to do things. Overall, I couldn’t be happier with my decision to take this class and start my fishing career! Thanks FPA!