Key Players

Matthew Burkett — Founder and CEO

While on an academic and athletic scholarship to Oberlin College, Colorado native Matthew Burkett was a standout student and athlete, even earning All-Conference status on the basketball court, and spending his spare time volunteering with numerous organizations.

After college, Burkett became a successful lobbyist in Washington D.C. for a large broadband telecommunications company. Despite his thriving career, however, he was drawn back to Colorado by three passions: family, community and fly fishing.

Back in Colorado, Burkett immersed himself in urban community redevelopment. As the co-founder and President/CEO of Blackducks Corporation he managed renovation projects throughout Denver’s most historic districts, including the Curtis Park, Cole and San Rafael/Five Points neighborhoods.

Continuing his childhood hobby of fly fishing, Burkett soon realized that his skills as an elite-level angler could be used along with his entrepreneurial and management skills to fashion a custom-made career. He soon became a professional fly fishing guide and eventually started The Flyfisher Guide Service, now Colorado’s premier fly fishing outfitter.

Burkett went on to form a partnership to purchase, resurrect and manage an historic stretch of South Boulder Creek in Gilpin County. Lincoln Hills Fly Fishing Club was established on the site of the historic Lincoln Hills Resort.

Developed in the 1940s, Lincoln Hills Resort was the only retreat west of the Mississippi that catered to the African-American community. Jazz stars Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Lena Horn often relaxed there after gigs in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood. Literary greats, Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston brought a bit of the Harlem Renaissance to the foothills above Boulder.

Burkett has also applied his many energies to development of Angling University, Angling Aquatics and Habitat Restoration Corps (youth employment).

Now, Mr. Burkett’s vision has grown. The Historic Lincoln Hills Resort, Boulder River Ranch, and expanded river restoration projects are under way along this beautiful stretch of river.

The Flyfisher Group, the parent organization for all of Burkett’s efforts, provides top level services dedicated to creating unforgettable angling experiences.

Burkett remains devoted to the notion that fly fishing offers something invaluable to all folks, privileged or not: “a quieting of the mind.”

Cody DeGuelle — Senior Manager of Fisheries & Facilities

Cody DeGuelle was born and raised in Craig, Colorado. A third generation fly fisherman, Cody is an avid outdoorsman, hunting and fishing are his true passions and he loves sharing his skill and knowledge with others. Cody is a Colorado State University graduate with a degree in fisheries and wildlife biology. Cody has used his degree to pursue a thriving career in the outdoor industry. He is an integral part of The Flyfisher Group, serving as our Guide Service Manager, Project manager for Angling Aquatics, Senior Fisheries & Property Manager, and Pro-Staff Guide. Cody enjoys traveling the world in pursuit of the next great fishing adventure; he has fished from the Alaska Tundra to the Flats of Belize. In addition to fishing, Cody is a skilled hunter, pursuing everything from upland birds and waterfowl to trophy Bull Elk. When he's not working, fishing, or hunting Cody likes nothing better than spending time with his wife Meghan, black labs, and riding horses in the beautiful Colorado Mountains they call home.

Ethan Emery — Director of Outreach and Education

A Colorado native, Ethan Emery earned his degree in Science Education from the University of Northern Colorado. While attending UNC he played football and won an NCAA National Championship, and was the recipient of the Department Scholar award from the School of Teaching and Teacher Education. Being an expert fly angler, Ethan became a guide on the famous Green River, where he spent the summer months during his college years becoming an excellent oarsmen and fly designer. After graduating, Ethan worked as a high school science teacher then transitioned into the non-profit realm where he and his wife Tina, worked with at risk youth in Denver. In 2004 he returned to the classroom where he went on to become a department chair, mentor teacher, and recipient of the Mile High Teacher award and Jared Polis Teacher Recognition Award. Also in 2004, Ethan returned to guiding and joined the ranks of The Flyfisher Guide Service. Since then he has become a senior Pro-Staff Guide member and has developed and launched Angling University, Colorado's premier fly fishing school.

As Director of Outreach and Education for The Flyfisher Group, Ethan will oversee our efforts to increase the awareness of fly fishing education and conservation in both the angling and non-angling community. Ethan's passion for angling is evident as he enjoys teaching the art of fly fishing to all ages and experience levels. Whether it is tying flies or casting fly rods Ethan likes nothing more than helping people grow and learn in a sport he truly admires. We believe that community outreach and education is very important to the future of our sport and we are very privileged to have Ethan as a member of our team.

Brynne Jensen — Client Services Specialist

A Colorado transplant, Brynne Jensen has always felt at home in the Rockies. Brynne's love for the outdoors and all things Colorado are a product of many family vacations and fun-filled summer months spent in the mountains. This love (and the love for a boy who also loved the mountains) is why a former-Michigander has made a home out west.

Working for The Flyfisher Group has been a perfect way for Brynne to share her passion for Colorado as well as utilize her passion for and life-long dream of working with families, kids and the outdoors. Brynne completed her education at Hope College with B.A. in Communication. Her education and professional training have made it possible for Brynne to effectively present information, listen to the client and execute the details. Whether Brynne is assisting with a client reservation or creating an analytical report, you can rest assure the highest quality of work will be the outcome. Brynne has m any years of experience working in the customer service industry providing a deep understanding to what the client needs are.

Brynne's role as Client Services Specialist is to make sure the client and the details are taken care of - ensuring that everyone working with The Flyfisher Group has an unforgettable angling experience. New to fly fishing herself, Brynne has quickly realized how the thrill of the catch and the calm of the water can be such a wonderful part of her daily regime and is excited to be able to facilitate memorable experiences for others.

Tyler Bowman — Guide Service Specialist

Tyler's guiding career started while attending college at The University of Colorado, fishing many Front Range watersheds including Boulder Creek, South Boulder Creek, The Big Thompson, and Rocky Mountain National Park. After college Tyler just couldn't get enough guiding so he moved to Steamboat Springs where he then spent several summers living and working on the Yampa, Elk, and Little Snake Rivers. Now at The Flyfisher Group, Tyler is our Guide Service Specialist and loves helping anglers of all experience levels achieve their goals and further their knowledge of angling. In addition Tyler enjoys working with both new and experienced guides in order to further their skills as a guide and instructor. When Tyler is not fishing or guiding he enjoys hunting upland birds and waterfowl and in general just doing anything outside!

Spencer Williams — Fisheries Specialist

Spencer Williams has been fly fishing since his teenage years. He grew up fly fishing for King Salmon, Brown Trout, and steelhead on the Lake Ontario tributaries in and around New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York State. In 1997 Spencer moved to Colorado in pursuit of more trout streams. After getting familiar with Colorado fishing, Spencer's passion for angling inspired him to pursue a career as a professional fly fishing guide. Spencer's easy going personality and informative approach to angling makes him the perfect guide for anglers of all ages and experience levels. In addition to his skills as a guide, Spencer is our Fisheries Specialist. Spencer can be found at the Flyfisher Group's various properties ensuring that our streams are properly managed and maintained to create unforgettable angling experiences.