Meet Our Guides
Meet Our Guides
“At the heart of 5280 Angler is our knowledgeable and friendly staff. Let us help make memories on the water that will last a lifetime.”
Jay Baichi, Owner
Jay & Jen Baichi, Owners

The Baichi's live in Arvada, CO with their three sons and enjoy sharing their love of the out-or-doors with others. They started 5280 Angler in 2011.
Morgan Altherr

Born and raised in the desert, Morgan “Mo” Altherr, hails from Tucson, Arizona. Wherever he is fishing, trout fear his mustache and it’s ability to find fish wherever they may be hiding. Morgan is a Stillwater junkie and loves catching trout in high and low elevation lakes. His methods are renowned for finding and catching these incredible trout across the state of Colorado. A trip with Morgan will include time on the river and if you’re up to it, some time on the Stillwater. Ask for Morgan for your next trip!
Blake Bennett

Blake Bennett was born and raised in the beautiful state of Colorado just south of Denver. He first started fishing when he was 4 years old and found a passion for fly fishing shortly after. He grew up fishing various stretches of the South Platte and Eagle river as well as many other rivers and lakes throughout Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. He may be young at only 21 years of age, but has a keen ability to find and catch hogs. Blake is currently studying finance and real estate at the Leeds school of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder. He is excited to share the sport and his knowledge of fly fishing. He is patient, calm, and encouraging and excited to spend some quality time on the water.
Tom Caprio

Tom enjoys fishing a wide array of locations - from well-known rivers to backcountry lakes and creeks, and every blue line in between. A love of adventure and the mountains has led him to fish all across Colorado including finding out of the way uncrowded places for clients to enjoy. If there is a stretch of water to be found (or not) on the Colorado map, he has probably fished it. Tom has Intimate knowledge of all the public and private water that we guide along with ability and patience to teach the variety of effective river and lake techniques. He’s fly fished over 25 years and been guiding since 2009. Tom is as comfortable helping experienced anglers hone their skills, learn new techniques and try new water as he is introducing new anglers to the sport. He has guided kids as young as 7 and adults up to age 91. Tom spends over 200 days/year on the water and brings his knowledge and experience to every trip crafting quality experiences for anglers of all ages and abilities.
Dylan Grierson

Born and raised in Colorado and spending his summers up in British Columbia, the Rockies and its waters have always been home to Dylan. For two years, Dylan played baseball and perused Engineering before realizing there were not enough trout in the classrooms, thus, moving the classroom outdoors seemed to be the logical solution! His fascination and dedication to the pursuit of trout has taken him on ventures from 500 to 12000 feet in elevation and everywhere in-between. From unnamed alpine streams and ponds, to gold medal waters, Dylan has the insight and tactics to help you fill the net.
Jeremy Hamilton, Head Guide

Head Guide Jeremy learned to cast a fly on bass ponds and beaver ponds for brook trout in the Northeast. He moved to Colorado in 1995 and made the full time switch to trout and never looked back. After spending his college years fishing the rivers around Gunnison and Ft. Collins instead of going to class, he began guiding in 2000. He’s taken people fishing on many of our local rivers including the South Platte, Blue, Colorado, William’s Fork, Arkansas and Clear Creek. Jeremy has a very well rounded knowledge base for fly fishing in the Rockies and he loves using all different techniques for catching trout on a fly. However, one of his biggest thrills is getting someone their first trout on a dry fly.
Ben Helgeson, General Manager

Ben grew up hunting, fishing and making outdoor memories in rural Minnesota. When Ben accepted a position as an elementary teacher and moved to Colorado in 2003, he started fly fishing for trout with his new teaching teammate, Jay Baichi. Ben summarizes his love for guiding this way, “Fly fishing gives everyone a chance to experience something that makes them feel in the zone. That’s pretty cool.”
Kurt "Pork Chop" Johnson

Kurt has been all over, and he’s brought his fly gear along for the ride. He got his start with bluegills and poppers in the Midwest. Later, he spent time in Florida chasing bonefish, tarpon, and sunshine. Needing a little more elevation in his life, Kurt headed to Colorado where he honed his trout skills on the famous South Platte River. Kurt and his wife have been all over the world, chasing fish and making memories. Lately, Kurt has taken up custom rod building. “It’s something fun to do,” He says. Kurt is also a rock climber, and sees a real connection there with fly fishing…beautiful scenery, true focus on the task at hand, and pure clean fun!
Ty Jukes

Thought by many to be a myth, guide Ty Jukes is a real man. Though his exploits are the stuff of legend, due to FAA, FCC, University of Nebraska, CIA, and other federal, state, county, city, and ISE regulations, we are unable to tell any of the stories here.
What we can say is that you won’t regret a day on the water with 5280angler guide Ty Jukes.
Dave "Hard To Believe" Kemp

Dave first learned about trout fishing when he was in his early teens. He grew up fishing on Horsetooth reservoir where he and his family lived. There was a section of the reservoir that he could go to any day of the week and catch trout all day long. Now, he calls the Deckers’ area on the South Platte his home water. “This is where I learned to fly fish and I think it was a blessing and a curse. Learning the sport on one of the hardest sections of river made for some very frustrating days, but I’m a better guide for it and it is such a fun place to fish and is always challenging.” Dave’s other interests include Mountain biking, hiking with the family, and snowboarding.
Greg Lundvick

Greg Lundvick brings his experience as a whitewater river guide and extreme kayaker, along with a background in competitive fishing to his position as a fly fishing guide. Greg has a passion for moving water, and is excited to share that knowledge and love of river adventure with all his guests.
Doug Maes

Growing up Doug Maes was lucky enough to spend a lot of his childhood fishing with friends and family in these amazing lakes and rivers we have here in Colorado. His love for fishing and the outdoors rerouted his career path in 2016 and he hasn’t looked back, he spends his time either fishing for trout out west, Redfish and bass in Florida or hunting elk and birds! His love and passion for fishing shows through his guiding and says he can’t see himself doing anything else!
Jason "No IPA's" Maxwell

Jason has been guiding professionally since 2001 and loves to share his passion for the sport with as many people as he can. In that time he has taught beginning fly fishing classes, enjoying the excitement as people learn to rig their rod for the first time to their first catch. “There is nothing better than to watch the excitement in a client as they catch and land a fish, no matter if it’s their first or their 100th”. Jason looks forward to the opportunity to spend a day on the water with you.
Jeff McIlroy

Jeff was raised in the tropics of Hawaii where he spent many hours in the sun surfing white sand beaches, hiking to magical waterfalls, and mountain biking in the mud. After graduating from the University of Hawaii in Tourism and Hospitality Jeff moved to Golden, Colorado in pursuit of something else. You guessed it, fly fishing. Immediately addicted, Jeff has since spent countless hours fishing the rivers of Colorado and is happy to share his knowledge and expertise with anyone willing to learn. Some of the things Jeff enjoys most about fly fishing are the majestic surroundings, the companionship of like-minded people, and the way the river can somehow completely clear his mind.
Gary Okisaki

Gary Okizaki has been a guide for over 20 years and brings a wealth of experience and tall tails to his clients. He has been described as an accomplished nymph and streamer fisherman and recently expanded his skills to include European fishing (Czech and Polish nymphing) and Japanese style fishing (Tenkara). He has taught an Introductory Fly Fishing seminar to various front range fly shops and recently taught a guide workshop, in the Frying Pan Valley, on European Nymphing Techniques.
Tony Ramos

Tony is a Denver native. Growing up in west Denver and attending the University of Colorado as a Fine Art major, Tony has shown his art work in galleries around Denver in past years and now uses that creativity tying flies. Tony is a graduate of the Orvis Guide School and is passionate about teaching the sport he loves. “Being on the river is not just a sport but a meditative experience that can move you from the rat race of everyday life, to a re-connection with the soul”
Gene Rea

Guide Gene Rea is a dedicated, slightly obsessed fly fisherman who enjoys good conversation as much as he enjoys fishing. He has over forty years of fly fishing experience, starting at a young age when his dad taught him to fly fish on the fabled waters of the Ausable and Battenkill Rivers near his upstate New York hometown. Later, serving twenty plus years in the military enabled him to not only serve his country but also pursue his fly fishing passion by rounding out his experience in storied places such as Alaska and Montana.
Vincent Renda

Vince began fly fishing at the age of 11, after completing an Orvis introductory class in fly fishing. Growing up in the Northeast United States he had access to many fresh, and saltwater species. Frequently targeting them any chance he got. In his late twenties he moved to Colorado, and in 2015 began guiding for a local fly shop. It quickly became evident to him that this profession was what he would devote himself to for as long as he was able. Vince not only enjoys the act of guiding but, has twice been selected by Orvis online to write in a pro advice column. Vince is both at home instructing seasoned and beginner anglers. Follow @fish_with_vince on Instagram for destination specific video/photo content, showing you what a guide trip with Vince is all about.
"Never forget trout have a brain the size of a pea, ours is big as a cantaloupe"
-Vince
Joe Schwonke

Joe was found in driftwood as an infant. His first job was as a trout gaucho. He had to round up the trout each evening. That way the Russians couldn’t come in and snag them by moonlight. Proficient in both pistol and rapier tactics, Broadway Joe gets the job done in the pocket. He dances with trout and wolves. No drive is too heavy for this cowboy. He has many leather bound flies that smell of rich mahogany. If you like fun, he abides.
Nick Souder

From the flats and deep water of central Florida to the mountain streams of Colorado, Nick Souder has over 25 years of fishing and guiding experience. He is an avid fly tier and spends over 250 days a year on the water. Whether you are a beginner who needs a patient teacher with a background in education or an experienced fisherman looking to hone your skills, or learn a new technique on the water, Nick’s fun, energetic, and educational guiding style will suit any individual or group’s needs.
From the flats and deep water of central Florida to the mountain streams of Colorado, Nick Souder has over 25 years of fishing and guiding experience. He is an avid fly tier and spends over 250 days a year on the water. Whether you are a beginner who needs a patient teacher with a background in education or an experienced fisherman looking to hone your skills, or learn a new technique on the water, Nick’s fun, energetic, and educational guiding style will suit any individual or group’s needs.
Jalen Whitt

Jalen Whitt, a Colorado native, has always been an outdoor enthusiast. His passion for nature and the Rocky Mountains is unmatched, and started when he began fishing in Colorado at the age of 12. He grew up fishing the South Platte, Eagle, Roaring Fork, and Gunnison rivers. Jalen is always eager to find new species of trout to mark off his list. Jalen's passion for fly-fishing has led him all over the country, including many states including California, Wyoming, Montana, New York, and Nevada. His favorite place to fish is Pyramid Lake in Reno, Nevada, a majestic lake where you can find the unique Lahontan Cutthroat trout. Jalen has a passion for teaching and educating new anglers. He is patient, versatile, and exceptional in working with anglers from all levels, largely driven from his background in the United States Navy. He takes pride in putting clients on fish and sharing the many lessons that can be learned on the river. One of the most exciting parts of being a guide is watching clients light up when they land a fish!
Tyler Wilson

Tyler is a native to Colorado, but has spent most of his life time in Texas fly fishing and pursuing bass
fishing tournaments all around Texas throughout his younger years. He has been fly fishing for 11 years
and has spent every summer since 2011 in Colorado fly fishing the many rivers/alpine lakes the state has
to offer. Tyler is passionate about fly fishing and enjoys sharing his passion with others in a calm and
exciting fashion that gives the experience of a lifetime. On the other hand, he enjoys putting big brown
and rainbow trout in the net that allows for that amazing photo to be hung up in the office for an awesome
story to tell everyone! Tyler graduated from Southwestern University with his business degree in the fall of
2022 with the pursuit of making fly fishing his main profession moving forward. Overall, having fun is the
priority on the water and that's the goal that Tyler seeks to accomplish everyday on the water.