The Guides
Who you fish with
Guide · 30 years fly fishing, 8 guiding
Cole Atchley
Cole Atchley has been fly fishing for 30 years, specializing in dry fly and backcountry technique.
He grew up fishing in southern Colorado, where his grandparents owned a lodge on the Conejos River — one of the most challenging rivers in the state to fish, and the water that taught him how to read picky, selective fish.
That upbringing shaped how he guides today — patient, technical, and focused on water where presentation matters more than volume.
At a glance
- Fly fishing
- 30 years
- Guiding
- 8 years
- Specialties
- Dry fly, backcountry fly fishing
- Guiding area
- Colorado Front Range
- Specialty trips
- Conejos River
- Favorite fish
- Rio Grande cutthroat trout
- Flies tied by
- Monument Fly Company
Licensed and covered
- Liability insurance carried
- Current first aid and CPR certification
- USFS special-use permits — Pike and Rio Grande National Forests
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife permits for state wildlife areas
Full seasonal availability is posted ahead of each season.
Guide
Brad Pitchford
Brad grew up in Oklahoma, where his grandfather taught him to fly fish — and a good deal more than casting: to slow down, respect the outdoors, and value the time spent on the water.
That start turned into a lifelong pull toward rivers and open country. Eventually he and his wife left what was familiar behind and moved to Colorado for the life they had always talked about.
Fly fishing still ties him back to those early mornings with his grandpa.
Common questions
How long has Cole Atchley been guiding?
Cole Atchley has been fly fishing for 30 years and guiding for 8. He specialises in dry fly and backcountry technique.
Where did Cole learn to fly fish?
He grew up fishing in southern Colorado, where his grandparents owned a lodge on the Conejos River — one of the most challenging rivers in the state, and the water that taught him to read picky, selective fish.
Who is Brad Pitchford?
Brad is the second guide at Cole Atchley Fly Fishing. He grew up in Oklahoma, where his grandfather taught him to fly fish, and later moved to Colorado with his wife for the rivers and open country.
Is Cole Atchley insured and certified?
Yes. He carries liability insurance, holds current first aid and CPR certification, and works under USFS special-use permits for the Pike and Rio Grande National Forests plus Colorado Parks and Wildlife permits for state wildlife areas.
Who ties the flies Cole uses?
Monument Fly Company ties Cole's custom flies. They are a veteran-owned fly company based in Colorado.