Steamboat Flyfisher

What Steamboat Flyfisher does

Steamboat Flyfisher is a privately held fly fishing outfitter, guide service, and specialty retail shop headquartered at 655 Yampa Street in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The company was founded in 2001 as a guiding operation; it was purchased in 2013 by Olympic Nordic Combined silver medalist Johnny Spillane, who now co-owns the business with Rob Burden (guiding since 2007). The firm operates from a 2,200+ square foot retail showroom located steps from the Yampa River and runs a staff of 24 professional guides, including commercially endorsed anglers such as Keith Hale (Winston Rods, Scientific Anglers) and Tim Widmer (whose four proprietary fly patterns are sold through Solitude Fly Company).

Its revenue model combines four streams: (i) guided fly fishing trips—walk-wade ($350-$1,100), float ($600-$750 per day), and ice fishing (from $350)—across 12+ private ranch beats on the Yampa, Elk, Stagecoach Tailwater, North Platte/Roaring Fork, and Little Snake (Colorado-Wyoming border), plus public waters, with per-person ranch trespass fees of $135-$185 layered on; (ii) fully guided big game hunts in GMU 13 south of Hayden at $2,500 per first species and $1,000 per additional; (iii) retail equipment sales of premium rods, reels, waders, apparel and flies from Sage, Winston, Scott, Simms, Patagonia, Costa Del Mar, Hatch, Abel, Redington, and others; and (iv) bundled equipment rentals for un-equipped customers. The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via phone, walk-in, and the company website, with marketing concentrated on Google/Yelp reviews, an Instagram channel, and location foot traffic—Steamboat Flyfisher holds no third-party booking distribution.

Commercially the operation is regulated by Colorado Outfitter License #2419, River Outfitter License #537, and a BLM Special Use Permit, and is a seasonal, single-town business with no app, API, or proprietary technology platform.

Name

Steamboat Flyfisher

Legal name

Steamboat Flyfisher

Website

https://steamboatflyfisher.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Steamboat Flyfisher is a privately held fly fishing outfitter and specialty retail shop in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, offering guided fishing trips across 12+ private ranch properties, big game hunts in GMU 13, and premium equipment sales and rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fly Fishing Guide Services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Hunting and Trapping (1142)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Fishing Charters & Angling Experiences (Deep Sea, Sportfishing, Fly Fishing) (THAJAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Lures, Flies & Terminal Tackle Specialty Retail (CRAMALAJ), Fishing & Angling Charters / Guides (THAAALAD)

Keywords

• Guided fly fishing
• Private ranch fishing
• Fly fishing equipment retail
• Guided big game hunts
• Outdoor recreation guiding

Headquarters

HQ city

Steamboat Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Guided Fly Fishing Trips: The primary revenue stream comes from guiding fees for guided float trips, walk-wade trips, and private ranch access. Pricing varies by trip type, duration (half-day vs full-day), and group size. Additional per-person access fees apply for private ranch properties ranging from $125-$185.
2. Equipment Sales: Retail sales of premium fly fishing equipment including rods, reels, waders, boots, flies, and accessories from partner brands (Sage, Winston, Simms, Patagonia, Costa Del Mar, Hatch, Abel, Redington, and others). The shop has over 2,200 square feet of display space.
3. Equipment Rentals: Rental packages are available for customers who want to get on the river for a day but don't have their own equipment. Packages include everything needed for a day on the water.
4. Guided Big Game Hunts: The business expanded to offer fully guided big game hunts including 5-day archery hunts and 4-day muzzleloader and rifle hunts for elk, deer, and pronghorn. Rates are $2,500 per person for first species and $1,000 for additional species. Located south of Hayden in GMU 13.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Steamboat Flyfisher runs guided fly fishing trips (float trips, walk-wade trips, and ice fishing) across 12+ private ranch properties and public waters of the Yampa, Elk, North Platte and other Northwest Colorado rivers, and operates a 2,200+ sq ft retail shop on Yampa Street selling premium rods, reels, waders, and flies from brands such as Sage, Winston, Simms, Patagonia, Costa Del Mar, Hatch, and Abel. The business additionally offers fully guided big game hunts for elk, deer, and pronghorn in GMU 13 and rents complete day-use equipment packages.

Product overview

Steamboat Flyfisher is a fly fishing outfitter and guide service based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, operating a 2,200+ square foot retail shop and offering guided fishing and hunting experiences. The core offering consists of guided trips across multiple fishing styles—guided float trips, walk-wade trips, and ice fishing—across 12 private ranch properties on the Yampa, Elk, and other regional rivers plus public water access. Additional services include fully guided big game hunts for elk, deer, and pronghorn in GMU 13. The retail shop sells equipment from premium brands (Sage, Winston, Simms, Patagonia, Costa Del Mar, Abel, Hatch, Ross, Waterworks/Lamson, Redington) and rents complete fishing packages. A staff of 24 professional guides, including Olympic medalist Johnny Spillane and notable figures like Keith Hale, provides instruction and guiding services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Guided Float Trips Full-day drift boat fishing trips on the lower Yampa River for 1-2 people, typically running from late May through mid-July depending on water levels and runoff conditions. Pricing $600-$650 half day and $700-$750 full day for 1-2 persons.
• Walk Wade Trips Half-day ($350-$800) and full-day ($500-$1,100) wade fishing trips for 1-3 people; private ranch access fees of $125-$175 per person additional. All equipment provided.
• Ice Fishing Half-day ice fishing trips at $350 for one person, with $50 per additional person up to four.
• Private Ranch Fly Fishing Access Guided fishing access on 12+ private ranch properties across Northwest Colorado, including Hoogendorn Ranch, Simon/Brown Ranch, Grace Ranch, Rossi Ranch, Yeager Ranch, Vale Ranch, Swift Ranch, Little Snake, Ball Ranch, Hogue Ranch, and Holloran Ranch on the Yampa, Elk, North Platte and Colorado-Wyoming border waters. Per-person trespass/access fees range from $135 (Hogue) to $185 (Holloran).
• Big Game Guided Hunts Fully guided big game hunts for elk, deer, and pronghorn on private property and BLM land in GMU 13 south of Hayden, offering 5-day archery hunts and 4-day muzzleloader and rifle hunts at $2,500 per person first species and $1,000 for each additional species, with 2:1 client-to-guide ratio and lunches from Backcountry Delicatessen included.
• Equipment Rental Packages Complete day packages including waders, boots, rods, reels, and flies for customers without their own equipment; price quoted in-shop.
• Retail Shop - Fly Fishing Equipment Sales 2,200+ square foot retail shop at 655 Yampa St Unit C-2, Steamboat Springs selling premium fly fishing equipment from Sage, Winston, Scott, Echo, Simms, Patagonia, Costa Del Mar, Smith, Scientific Anglers, Rio, Abel, Hatch, Ross, Waterworks/Lamson, and Redington, plus Northwest Colorado's most extensive selection of flies and fly tying material.

Quantifiable outcome

• Fish averaging around 17 inches with fish over 20 inches caught almost daily on private waters
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Winston RodscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWinston Rods is a premier fly rod manufacturer. Guide Keith Hale has endorsements from Winston Rods. The shop sells Winston rod products, featuring them as a flagship brand alongside Sage and Scott.
• Scientific AnglerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScientific Anglers is a leading fly line manufacturer. Guide Keith Hale has endorsements from Scientific Anglers. Their products are sold in the shop and featured prominently.
• SagecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSage is a premium fly rod brand. The shop features Sage rods alongside Winston and Scott as premium equipment options.
• Simms FishingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSimms is a leading manufacturer of waders and fishing apparel. Featured brand in the retail shop.
• PatagoniacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPatagonia is an outdoor recreation apparel brand. Featured in the shop alongside other premium outdoor gear brands.
• Solitude Fly CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuide Tim Widmer has four proprietary fly patterns (Timmy's Hopindicator, Terresticator, Cicadicator, Timmy's Nymphinator) sold through this California-based fly company.
• Winona's Restaurant and BakeryminorOthersLocal Steamboat Springs restaurant that provides lunches for guided fishing trips. Full-day trips include lunches included in service; half-day lunches available for $13 per person.
• Backcountry DelicatessenminorOthersLocal deli that provides lunches for big game hunting trips. Lunches are included in the hunting package rates.
• Costa Del MarcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium polarized sunglasses brand for fishing. Featured in retail shop alongside other fishing eyewear brands like Smith.
• HatchcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium fly reel manufacturer. Featured alongside Abel and Ross in the shop's premium equipment selection.
• Waterworks/LamsoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFly reel manufacturer. Part of the shop's premium reel selection including Hatch, Abel, and Ross.
• RedingtoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFly fishing equipment brand offering both premium and entry-level equipment. The shop uses Redington to outfit beginners with quality gear at reasonable prices.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Blue Ribbon Flies: Long-established fly shop and guide service in West Yellowstone, Montana. Operates a comparable hybrid retail + guided trip model on the Madison and surrounding rivers, targeting visiting anglers with premium equipment and walk-in store traffic.
• The Fly Shop: Iconic Redding, California fly shop combining retail, guide service, and travel/trip packages across Northern California rivers. Comparable full-service fly fishing outfitter model with destination angler customers.
• Trout's Fly Fishing: Denver-based Colorado fly shop and guide service operating retail, classes, and guided trips statewide. Direct overlap with Steamboat Flyfisher in customer base (Colorado anglers) and product mix (retail + guiding).
• The Blue Quill Angler: Evergreen, Colorado fly shop and guide service on Clear Creek with a hybrid retail + guided trip model. Comparable size, customer profile, and product assortment for Colorado-based destination anglers.

Broad incumbents

• Orvis: Long-established Manchester, Vermont-based outdoor retailer and fly fishing brand with national retail footprint, schools, lodges, and guided trips. Represents the scaled incumbent version of the Steamboat Flyfisher business model.
• Bass Pro Shops: National outdoor recreation retailer with deep fishing assortment and growing guide/trip offerings. Sets the broad-incumbent competitive context for the local fly shop retail model.

Others

• Sage Fly Fish: Premium fly rod manufacturer (Bainbridge Island, WA) and key equipment partner whose rods anchor Steamboat Flyfisher's retail mix. Not a competitor, but a benchmark for the wholesale side of the business.
• Patagonia: Outdoor apparel brand featured prominently in Steamboat Flyfisher's retail assortment. A supplier and ecosystem partner rather than a direct competitor, but shapes customer expectations and category pricing.
• Simms Fishing Products: Leading manufacturer of waders and fishing apparel (Bozeman, MT) and another core wholesale partner in the shop's retail mix. Comparable ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor.
• Winston Rod Co. Boutique fly rod manufacturer (Twin Bridges, MT) and flagship equipment partner. Industry peer in the sense of operating in the same fly fishing value chain rather than competing for end customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/steamboatflyfisher
• Xx.com/StmbtFlyfisher
• Facebookfacebook.com/SteamboatFlyfisher

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Steamboat Flyfisher