When it comes to launching a career as a fishing guide, there are many seat-of-the-waders flights to take you there. But there’s only one that offers a college study course that places business training alongside insect identification.
The Timberline Campus of Colorado Mountain College in Leadville will begin a summer 2007 course of study that will deliver a certificate of proficiency in the the fine art of guiding.
The commercial aspect of Colorado fly-fishing has blossomed in recent years, in the numbers of fly shops and the many experts who make a living as guides, at least during part of the year.
Beginning in mid-May, the in-residence course spans a six-week period during which students will learn a wide range of skills designed to qualify as professionals – from aquatic entomology to managing a small business.
The Leadville campus places students in the center of Colorado’s fishing action, including the Arkansas River, several large reservoirs and numerous high-mountain lakes. The program is designed to accommodate people who work, with a projection of from 10 to 20 students.
Professor Curtis Bender will direct an instructional staff that includes fly-shop owners Barry Kirkpatrick and Pat Chant, along with fly-tying guru Mark Cole.
While proprietary guide schools are available in various parts of the country, this is among the first to feature a college certification. For information, call 719-486-4291 or visit www.ColoradoMtn.edu/flyfish.
