Episode 99: Kyle Holt - Trout Fishing The Roaring Fork Valley

Kyle Holt is Taylor Creek Fly Shop’s head guide, whose favorite
saying is "Fish Hard and Die Rich.” Having been raised in
Springfield, Illinois, Kyle became heavily involved in fishing,
hunting, and trapping the "flatlands" surrounding his home. As
fortune would have it, Kyle's family decided to take regular
vacations to Rocky Mountain National Park where he hooked his first
browns, rainbows, and brookies - subsequently becoming hooked
himself. In 1983 Kyle packed up all of his worldly possessions
(which he relates were few) and moved from the cornfields to the
Rockies in pursuit of any trout that would take a fly. Holt has
been fishing in the Roaring Fork Valley & Frying Pan River for
over 29 years, and is now considered a sub-god by many of his
clientele because of his skill and knowledge of the area waters.
Many years back, after taking a trip to the Bahamas with a group of
clients, Kyle returned to Colorado in a sorry state. He realized
his addiction for salt water fly fishing is an itch he can’t get
rid of. Fast forward many moons, Kyle has been to Mexico, Belize,
the Seychelles, Christmas Island, the Amazon, Costa Rica,
Louisiana, and of course the Florida Keys targeting his dream
catches on fly. On today’s podcast, we speak about the state of the
fishery in the Roaring Fork and Frying Pan River, the challenges
they face, etiquette on the river, and the Guide Alliance that Kyle
helped start in 2014. We hope you enjoy.