Flyfishing in Central Colorado
with

"Dark Hacklewing"

"Dark Hacklewing" is the alter-ego of Doug Hardwick, a Colorado native and 25-year resident of Summit County. A Certified Ski Instructor at Breckenridge Ski Resort in the winter and Senior Fly-Fishing Guide with The Mountain Angler in the summer, Doug's teaching style is characterized by his dry sense of humor and desire to give all his "clients" an enjoyable experience. If you're more curious than put-off by now, a thumbnail autobiography follows...

Dark Hacklewing It seems that given enough time, anything can change. Growing up in Denver, I was able to spend a lot of time in the near-by mountains skiing, hiking, rock climbing, and became pretty proficient at all of them; but when it came to fishing, FORGET IT! Even in a freshly stocked pond with people hauling 'em out all around me, I couldn't buy a fish. Many years later, I found myself in Breckenridge teaching skiing in the winter & pounding nails in the summer. Being surrounded by great trout water, I decided to try fishing again -- if I still didn't like it, no big deal. After a couple of years learning that I actually could catch fish with ultra-light spinning gear, I figured it was time to try this fly-fishing stuff. As you might guess, the "skunk" found me again, but I kept trying until a 4" Brook Trout in a beaver pond changed my life forever by actually eating my Royal Wulff! Of course, in my surprise and excitement, "fly fishing" became "fish-flying" as I launched him into the bushes behind me, but it didn't matter -- This was FUN!

Five years later I was tying all my own flies (& quite a few of my friends'), serving as a Regional Be Ready... V.P. for Colorado Trout Unlimited, and writing our local T.U. newsletter. I had also changed my 28 oz. framing hammer for a 3 oz. fly rod and was guiding for the Mountain Angler in Breckenridge. I've been the "Senior Guide" for 16 years now, and I've found that the reason I love this job is seeing that same excitement and satisfaction in my clients. Whether it's the first fish of the day -- or of a lifetime; a "P.B" (Personal Best) or "just another little guy", -- they're all fun. As a matter of fact, when you're casting a fly, the fishing is always good - even if the "catching" is only so-so!

South Park As you'll see from browsing the following pages, we have almost every imaginable type of trout water here in and around Summit County. Lessons & guided trips are always tailored to your personal needs and goals. Where we fish on any given day will be determined in part by water conditions & where the fish are most active (cooperative?), but mainly by the type of experience you're looking for. Do you prefer free-stone mountain streams, or slow wandering meadow streams? Are you hoping to sight-cast to big rising fish, or are solitude or plenty of "action" higher prioities? How about trying for a "Grand Slam" (Brown, Rainbow, Cutthroat and Brook - all in 1 day)? While I can't control what the fish will do, I'll do whatever I can (except the "San Juan Shuffle") to make your day a memorable experience.
All I expect of my clients is that they are willing to adapt to whatever the day offers us, and are not opposed to having some fun in the process!

Double-Haul

Flyfishing in Central Coloradowith

"Dark Hacklewing"

Flyfishing in Central Colorado
with