Fly Fishing Experience, Knowledge, and Professionalism
Utah Fly Guides is owned and operated by Utah natives who are experienced hospitality pros. Our fly fishing guides all have years of the on-the-water training and the specific know-how to help you succeed. Whether you are a beginner looking to learn this magical sport, or an expert that just needs a nudge in the right direction and another set of eyes to spot the big bruiser trout waiting in the next riffle, Utah Fly Guides knows how to make your fly fishing trip special. We fish at your pace and focus on accomplishing your goals for a great fly fishing experience.
Meet the Utah Fly Guides
Bryan Eldredge - Bryan is an admitted fish addict with no aims towards recovery. He has managed to find therapy in helping others catch fish and experience the waters of his youth. In the “off season” Bryan is an Associate Professor of American Sign Language & Deaf Studies at Utah Valley University. (He has to do something to justify his Ph.D. in linguistic anthropology.) He attributes his love of guiding to the fact that it combines his avocation (fly fishing) and his vocation (teaching). Bryan lives in Pleasant Grove with his wife, Julie, and their three daughters.
Jake Ricks - Jake is a Utah native who began fly fishing at around 12 years old. By the end of high school, Jake knew the Provo River and American Fork Creek better than he should have. Jake has guided on numerous streams, rivers, and lakes around Utah since 1998. Jake’s true success is in achieving his 3rd grade career goal of making fly fishing into his profession. He has worked in fly fishing retail, guided, managed lodges, competed in professional fly fishing tournaments, and has had several fly fishing articles, tips, and photos published in periodicals and online—but he hasn’t yet finished the fly fishing book in his head. He lives in South Jordan, Utah with his lovely wife, Emily, and their two very active boys.
Jeff Lindstrom - Jeff was born in Provo, Utah. His first experience fly fishing was on the Fire Hole River in Yellowstone when he was eight. Jeff has been fly fishing off and on all his life but he got serious about it 12 years ago. Jeff enjoys helping others enjoy the challenge and thrill of fly-fishing. Some know Jeff from his days as a star quarterback at Timpview High School and Dixie College and as as a defensive back for BYU. Jeff has a strong background in hospitality, and it shows in his deep-seated commitment to service. His skill as an angler and his passion for providing top-flight customer service make Jeff a great guide for any angler.
Darren Ward - Darren was born and raised in the Utah Mountains and grew up fishing their rivers and lakes. He loves sight fishing for large trout in small water. Darren is an unassuming guide with a great sense of humor and a happy-go-lucky personality. He is a consummate professional who exemplifies service. Darren is also a writer who completed his first novel last year. He also holds a black belt in Kung Fu which he used to hone his teaching skills as a martial arts instructor. He now loves teaching on the water. Darren lives in Draper with his understanding wife, daughter, and son.
Tim Johnson - Tragically, little Timmy hadn’t even finished elementary school when he fell victim to a serious fly fishing addiction. Stuck growing up in the Arizona desert (fly fishing Hell), he spent his days peddling his yellow Schwinn Cruiser to every bluegill and bass-filled pond he could reach and spent his nights absorbing fly fishing magazines and tying flies. Soon Tim began feeding his hunger for monster trout by visiting Utah (under the auspices of visiting family). In 2000 he moved to Utah and has been making up for lost time, fishing and guiding ever since. Tim lives in Provo with his wife, Georgie, and their 2 year old girl, Bailey, who already loves to fish with “Dadda.” When he’s not on the water, Tim can be found painting watercolors of big, bright, trout. You can see Tim’s paintings here.
Grant Bench - Grant grew up in Missouri (we forgive him) fishing for warm water species with flies. When he missed his senior prom to go on a fishing trip his hobby officially turned into his passion. His lifestyle is now molded around the sport. Grant enjoys every aspect of fly fishing but “fishing with dry flies is preferred because I’m so visually oriented.” Adventure, different species, watching someone catch a first fish, and good times with good people are what make him love it so. Grant continues the search for the holy grail of fly fishing—”I’ll let you know when I find it”—until then, he spends his free time occupied with school, mountain sports, and his son, G2. In addition to English, Grant speaks Spanish, Russian and Ukrainian.
Tim Jenkins - Tim actually grew up in Colorado (we forgive him too) and spent every moment he could chasing every fish he could find. Little has changed now that he is grown although today, grad school and work eat into his fishing time a little more then he would like. Tim’s true passion is catching big fish in small streams on dry flies. He especially likes to get away from crowds and enjoy the peace that fly fishing can provide. Tim spends most of his time now trying to convince his wife Amy, that they should use cool fishing names for their children. Although Amy dismissed most of Tim’s suggestions, Tim did score one big victory with his first-born; Drake Fisher was born in August of 2008.
