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Chip Hodlmair
After more than 15 years and thousands of hours in a drift boat from Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico, Chip Hodlmair's number one goal is to have a productive, relaxing and fun day on the river. Chip is not only an excellent guide, he is also a kindergarten teacher. This assures our clients that he has the patience and instructional skills to show them everything they need to know to catch fish. Chip will not hesitate to tie on a dry or streamer to get you into fish and is a top wading guide on the San Juan as well as an expert behind the oars. Check out Chip's You Tube clip on our home page. Reading river conditions and knowing where the fish are Chip'strengths. A day on the river with Chip will be a great time and you will recommend him to friends.
Aaron Hyder
Aaron Hyder began fishing the San Juan when he was only 12 years old. He now knows the San Juan as well as anyone and ranks as one of the river’s best guides. Aaron has also spent part of his life guiding for a fly-in guide service in Togiak, Alaska. During that time, he mastered numerous techniques for catching Alaskan salmon and enormous rainbow trout. Aaron has successfully integrated many of those special techniques into fishing the San Juan River. Aaron truly believes that guiding is not just a job, but it is a way of life. He’s an excellent instructor and says, “There is nothing like teaching a beginner how to lay out a perfect cast to a rising trout or surprising an experienced angler with a new technique”. Aaron has a great sense of humor and is an absolute blast to be around. Aaron is not afraid to toss a dry fly, ant or terrestrial to hook fish. You may see the San Juan differently after fishing with Aaron. You will request this guy again.
Bubba Smith
Bubba started fly fishing at the young age of 5 and became a professional guide at the age of 14. Growing up in the holy land...Montana, Bubba grew up around some of the finest guides in the industry working for some of the most famous fly shops in North America. He has fished most of the famous trout streams in the West and is a purist at heart. Friends know that Bubba would just as soon be casting a bamboo rod from a wooden drift boat. From a guide standpoint, Bubba has been guiding the San Juan for over 15 years. He has met the famous Lefty Kreh and considers his friendship with him a huge influence. Bubba also designs flies for Orvis and really enjoys working with kids, women anglers and beginners. Fishing with Bubba will be an experience you will not forget.
Mark Clark
Mark first picked up a fly rod at the age of 10. His Dad was an avid fisherman and it didn't take long for Mark to be bit by the fly fishing bug. Living in Colorado it was not hard to find ample opportunities to fish. Flyfishing had a magical allure to him and toting a fly rod into the back countries of Colorado sealed the deal. His first trout on a fly was a Brown that took an Irresistable. First trout on a dry, unforgettable.
Mark's abilities are multifaceted. Aquatic entomology is something he has mastered. He has been commercially fly tying for 10 years. His mentors are of the likes of Jack Dennis, Mike Lawson, and Gary LaFontaine. A graduate of Hubbard's Orvis guide school in Gardiner, Montana, has added to his guiding skills. River guide certified through Fly Fishing Outfitters in Vail, Mark is comfortable on any river. His patience and ability to communicate makes him an awesome teacher. His fishing skills are impeccable.
P.S. Mark; (a.k.a. Dr.Mark, practiced medicine prior to guiding for us. He has fishing on the brain. What can you say?)
Ben Rae
Ben Rae has fished the San Juan River for over 12 years and has professionally guided for over 9 years. He grew up in the great state of New Hampshire and relocated here after completing his Bachelor’s degree in business from UNH. Business has not been his calling, but catching fish on the world famous San Juan has. He has a passion for fly fishing and an abundance of patience and knowledge for any level of angler. If this is your first experience fly fishing or you are a seasoned angler you will find that he will put you on the fish.
Aztec Anglers also utilizes the following Great Guides
Jeremy Nolan-Full Time SJR Guide
Bruce Lane-Full Time SJR Guide
Roger Hibner-Long Time SJ Wade Guide
Matt Norton-Guides off season, Seasoned Alaska Guide and Tyer
Matt Clifton- Owner and Guide, Octagon Inn
All our guides are CPR and First Aid Certified
Toll Free 877.298.3204 | 
