Rocky Drift Co.
A fly fishing blog rooted in the South Platte — Cheesman Canyon, Deckers, the Dream Stream, and tailwaters across Colorado.
What we cover
Weekly flow data, water temps, and exactly what's hatching right now. Every section, every week.
Only gear we own and have fished hard. Buy once, cry once. If it's not worth the money, we'll say so.
Access, hatches, best beats, and what makes each section worth the drive.
The writers
I didn't grow up fly fishing. I found it, fell hard, and never looked back. Now I log 80+ days a year on the water — impressive or alarming, depending on who you ask.
Home base is Colorado Springs, which keeps Deckers within striking distance and puts the Arkansas at Pueblo, the Dream Stream, and Eleven Mile in reach when I've got a full day. The South Platte is the water I know best — but I'm just as happy chasing the small blue lines that don't show up in most fishing content. I tie most of what ends up on my tippet.
I'm particular about gear — buy once, cry once, own it right. Or so I tell myself. The quiver runs from a Scott Centric 5-weight for most days, to a little 3-weight for tight creeks, to a long rod for euro nymphing technical tailwater — plus a few more I can justify one at a time but never all at once. I preach owning less. My closet didn't get the memo.
By trade, I'm a developer and marketer. Off the river, I'm in the Colorado backcountry chasing big game — bow in hand, same tunnel vision, different terrain. Winter just means ice fishing. There's no off-season.
My son's already caught the same bug — which makes me either a great dad or a very persuasive one.
The best days usually end the same way: last light on the water, a cigar on the bank, no hurry to leave. That's the part all the gear is really in service of.
No best-of clickbait. No padded reviews of gear I've never touched — I fish what I write about. If something isn't worth your money, I'll tell you. The South Platte deserves better writing than that.
With over a decade of professional guiding experience on Colorado's legendary tailwaters, I've dedicated my career to sharing the art and adventure of fly fishing with anglers of all skill levels.
I specialize in guiding on two of Colorado's premier fisheries: the South Platte River and the Arkansas River. These world-class tailwaters offer exceptional year-round fishing, and I've spent hundreds of days learning their rhythms, hatches, and hidden secrets. Whether you're a first-timer learning to cast or an experienced angler chasing selective trout on technical water, I'll help you make the most of your time on the river.
My approach to guiding combines patience, expertise, and a genuine passion for the sport. I believe fly fishing is about more than just catching fish; it's about connecting with nature, mastering new skills, and creating lasting memories on the water.
When I'm not on the river, I work as a college advisor, where I help students navigate their educational journeys. This experience has sharpened my teaching abilities and reinforced my commitment to helping others succeed, whether they're pursuing academic goals or the perfect drift. And the drift does matter :)
Brands we fish
Gear and shops we actually use, and the partners we work with. A few of these links are affiliate — that's covered in the disclosure below.
Reader discounts
Codes from partners I work with — these ones are for you, not just me. Use them at checkout and save.
Affiliate disclosure
Some links on this site are affiliate links — if you buy through one, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That's what keeps me in tippet and the truck pointed at the river. It doesn't change what I cover or what I say about it. Full disclosure →