As owner of the company, an avid outdoorsman, and a member of the Hyde Pro Staff, Paul takes his fishing seriously. Having spent many years hunting and fishing in the Canadian Rockies, along with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, his outdoor knowledge and skills are difficult to match. Paul used to fish nearly 100 days per year, with 75 of those days on the Elk River & tributaries. However, he is now often stuck in the shop. Not to worry. he is a wealth of knowledge and is willing to share his expertise on a guided fly fishing trip or just during shop chat. His new found passion lies on the salt water flats of Crooked Island Bahamas so be sure to join us on one of our hosted trips.
The Guides
Beckie Clarke
There are not many female fly fishing guides as passionate about the sport as Rebecca Clarke. Beckie has spent the most part of her 10
years in the Fernie area walking the banks of the numerous tributaries with her dog Toby. A true outdoor enthusiast, Beckie is dedicated to sharing and educating others on the passions of nature and the art of fly fishing. She enjoys a day of guiding or teaching as much as she likes to fish on her own. Beckie is also a critical component of the Elk River Guiding Company Management team and is a wealth of information to anyone who enters the fly shop.
Steve Harris
Steve has guided fly fisherman on many of the Kootenays' finest lakes and streams for over 15 years. He is an excellent teacher of Fly Tying, Casting and Still Water tactics. Being a local, Steve spends over a 100 days a year on the water, and when he is not guiding, he will be polishing his still water skills targeting the elusive rainbow trout. In the off season Steve ties flies commercially and works as a freelance writer. Steve also has a nack for creativity and his articles and fly patterns have appeared in numerous magazines and books. If Steve can't catch them, no one can! For more on Steve, check out his company web site at www.wildriversflyfishing.com
Louis Cloutier
AKA "Coach" Louis has held a guide licence In the Elk Valley since 1980, which is longer than any current guide on the Elk River. Louis and his wife Donna, run the Angler Guide Service. Being a Fernie resident for over 35 years, he has intimate knowledge of the local rivers and lakes. He is incredibly genuine on ensuring that your day becomes an experience to remember. His passion.....DRY FLY ACTION!!!
Kevin Green
Kevin is a teacher...both on the river and in the classrooms of the Elk Valley. Full of life and always smiling, he is one of the most enthusiastic guides you will ever find. His eagerness for guests to become better fisherman and his knowledge of the local fishery ensures a day full of bent rods and happy clients. He will show you where the fish live and might even get more excited than you do with your catch. His love for fishing finds him travelling to Northern BC where he also guides for fall steelhead.
Darren Yuers
To say Darren is a trout bum is to hit the nail on the head! Darren has lived along the banks of the Elk River since 1994 and hasen't moved since. Having this "local eye" keeps us all informed on any river happenings year round. Darren starts fishing as soon as the ice is off our local lakes, guides all summer, fishes some more in the fall, and then relaxes in the winter by skiing almost every day. A very personable guide who is laid back and almost nothing bothers him. If you need a real time river report.... call Darren and he will walk out his back door to check it out!
Donna Cloutier
Donna was born and raised in Fernie and can claim the Elk River and Region 4 as her "Home Waters". As a young girl Donna fished with her father who introduced her to the local waters in the Fernie area. The fascination with fishing continued to a higher level with her other half, Louis and their company Angler Guide Service. Donna specializes on walk and wade trips and having over 10 years experience as an angling guide, Donna's passion is to "Match the Hatch" on her guided trips.
Darcy Richardson
Darcy has a great passion for Guiding. He has been a full time fishing guide in Fernie for the past 17 years and now also guides bird hunts through the fall. In winters you will find him managing the Griz Bar at our local ski resort. To say Darcy is easy to get along with is like saying water is wet. Everyone who spends a day with him enjoys his company as well as his expertise. Along with ending your day with Darcy and having a camera full of photos, you will likely go home with a great new joke to tell your friends.
John Avery
John Avery, AKA Jumpin John or Longevity John, has been a Fernie fixture for over 13 years. John has worked in Fly Shops, Guided, tied flies, and is a fall time Steelheader. He is defined as a "character" as he always has something to say about everything. Having John on the oars telling stories makes a day on the river an enlightening experience. Make sure to ask him about the "bear" story! Be sure to let us know early if you want to request John as he is often booked by the other shops in town.
Tom Klingspohn
Tom has lived and fished in Fernie since 1992, Thats 20 years experience on our waters!. Operating his Ski instructional company "Peak Performance" in the winter, and guiding full time in the summer, Tom has gained exceptional experience in teaching people and showing them how to enjoy the beauty of the Elk Valley. Tom is now going into his 10th consecutive year of guiding and will be easily recognized floating the Elk in his Hyde Drift Boat.
Sean McCullough
Hunting and Fishing runs deep in the McCullough family. Sean's grandfather Charlie immigrated to Canada in the early 1900's to earn his living trapping, hunting and fishing in Northern Saskatchewan. He later settled on his favorite of the pristine lakes to raise a family. Sean's father John followed in his father's footsteps and became a trophy fishing and big game hunting guide. Charlie and John ensured that Sean was introduced to the world of hunting and fishing at an early age. As a student Sean spent many springs, summers, and falls working part time for big game and bird hunting outfitters. A deep appreciation for hunting and fishing was formed. And over years of enjoying hunting and fishing Sean's outdoor pursuits eventually lead him to Fly Fishing and to the many productive trout waters in Alberta, Montana and British Columbia. Sean handles most of our Bow River trips.
Randy Dolighan
Randy is a retired Fisheries Biologist who grew up in the East Kootenay's fishing the local rivers and still-waters. For the past three decades he has worked in Wildlife, Fisheries and Ecosystems management throughout the province of B.C. Whether your main interests are to catch fish, education, or enjoy a peaceful day drifting the river you are certain to have a rewarding experience with Randy. Because Randy is so passionate about sharing his knowledge and skills, and is particularly interested in connecting the next generation to the outdoors, we will be offering a new service this summer. Randy still operates as a consultant and will be guiding Eco-tourism river drifts and stream walks for us this season. These will be designed for anglers, adults, kids, or families and will be either full or 1/2 days. For more information check out our eco-floats and stream walks page under "guided trips".
Our Outfitter Friends
Looking for an adventure other than Fernie and the Elk Valley ? Check out our Outfitter Friends!
Brian Chan with Riseform Flyfishing http://www.riseformflyfishing.com/
Vince Tobia with Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters http://www.cattarauguscreekoutfitters.com/
Sean O'Brien with Osprey Outfitters Fly Shop http://www.ospreyoutfittersflyshop.com
