Mike Caldwell has been guiding for Kirk's for 6 years and is not only a resident, year-round  fly fishing guide on the Big Thompson River and in RMNP, but also guides most of our Longs Peak trips, as well as snow shoeing trips, overnight backpacking trips, llama trips and trips over the Divide. Mike's speciality is trips over the Divide via Boulder Grand Pass, fishing Thunder Lake and Lake Verna on the way, and hiking to and fishing pristine high mountain lakes. He is also an avid climber and can be found hanging off the rock when he is not fishing. His wonderful wife Terry is also on the Kirk's pro shop staff!

Marsh Thomson Originally from Savannah, Georgia and St. Petersburg, Florida, Marsh has had a fishing rod in his hand since he was three years old. Marsh has lived in Colorado since 1998, and has been working in the fly fishing industry and guiding for 8 years now. He loves teaching the sport, dry fly fishing, and chasing large Greenback Cutthroat trout in Rocky Mountain National Park.This is Marsh’s fourth season with Kirk’s Fly Shop, guiding up to 150 trips year-round in RMNP, the Big T, and Waterdale Ranch, where Marsh is a regular. When not guiding for Kirk’s, Marsh enjoys spending time with friends at his home located on the Big Thomson River, which dubs as private water for clients, and searching for new water on the River. Marsh’s other hobbies include bow hunting for elk and deer, snowboarding, photography and video.

Duane Simmons has been a fly fisherman, horseman and avid outdoorsman all his life, having grown up in Wyoming ranch country. He has spent years fishing throughout the Rocky Mountains and across Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Montana and Idaho. He lives year round in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado, and has been professionally guiding in Rocky Mountain National Park for the past five years. Duane has guided all major streams, rivers and lakes on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as hiked nearly every trail and backcountry area. Duane feels equally at home in a river as he does on horseback, and loves to combine the two with overnight backcountry trips into the National Park. He enjoys introducing novice fisherman to fly fishing, and takes pride in watching students and friends grow into accomplished fly fisherman and women.

Dave Baughman's passion for fly-fishing began the first time he witnessed the quiet rise of a golden trout on a meandering meadow stream, high up in the Sierra Mountains of California.  “The moment is etched forever in my mind, and I love reliving it through the anticipating eyes of each enthusiastic client that adventures out with me”.  Dave’s been fly-fishing the west for 24 years and guiding with Kirk’s Fly Shop since 2004.  His preference is to have you stalking rising wild trout on high mountain streams, abundant in Rocky Mountains. Dave simply enjoys guiding, whether you are a first time novice or seasoned veteran.  Enjoy catching fish but be prepared to learn the technique that will reward you with success when you return solo to the river.  And leave with memories of the most amazing video and photographs, made available to every client.  He’ll get you “hooked” too!
 

Chris Eussen has been fishing in Colorado all his life, less 4 years spent in the United States Navy. This will be Chris’s second year with Kirk’s. Chris is a Certified Guide through CMC college in Leadville, CO. During the summer he loves guiding throughout the Big Thompson Canyon, as well as in RMNP. Chris has an undeniable passion for guiding and the sport of fly fishing. Teaching new anglers and watching the youth succeed is what drives him. When not guiding you can find him year round chasing many different species of fish in Colorado and Wyoming. Chris enjoys fishing with his dad, and spending time with his wife Angie and family.

Apryle Craig has been guiding with Kirk's since 2005 and leads day hikes, snow shoe trips, and Longs Peak summit trips.  In 2008, she completed "Mummy Madness", a 17 mile hike that summits seven peaks in the Mummy Range, six of which are above 13,000 feet in elevation.  In 2009, Apryle spent over 110 days in the backcountry, paddling a sea kayak from Gig Harbor, Washington to Glacier Bay, Alaska, and raising awareness for the issues threatening wild Pacific salmon.  She loves helping folks reach goals that they might have never thought possible.  She lives in Estes Park with her husband, Phil, where they enjoy hiking, climbing, and skiing.

Phil Magistro has been guiding with Kirk's since 2005 and leads day hikes, snow shoe trips, and Longs Peak trips.  Phil is a NOLS alum, completing a course in Patagonia where he spent over 72 nights out kayaking, hiking, and climbing.  He has spent time living in China and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese as well as Spanish.  In 2009, Phil logged more than 110 days in the backcountry, paddling kayaks to Glacier Bay, Alaska, with his wife, Apryle.  He hikes, skis, snowshoes, climbs, and cooks amazing backcountry meals. Phil lives in Estes Park with his wife, Apryle. 

Jan and Larry Kilgore have lived in Estes Park for 5 years and in Colorado for 34 years. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of our favorite places to hike,  snowshoe. and bicycle.   We are avid bicyclists participating in 1 to 2 long distance bicycle rides a year including ones in Colorado and last year one down the coast of California. We have guided snow shoe treks and hikes for Kirk’s Fly Shop for 3 years and have enjoyed meeting wonderful people on these hikes.  Each hike we lead is a new adventure for us and hopefully a rewarding and fun experience for those we take with us.