After we announced our current job openings including one for Head Guide at Trouts Frisco, we received more than a couple inquiries about our once Head Guide Zeke Hersh and where he was going. Zeke isn't going anywhere! We're excited to announce that Zeke has taken over as the new General Manager of our Trouts Frisco Location. If you want to fish with Zeke, don't worry, he'll still be guiding in 2019 (although his availability will be limited to 60 days on the water).

With all that in mind, we wanted to give you the opportunity to get to know Zeke. Without further adieu, let's see what makes Zeke tick on the water.

Trouts: Let's start this from the top- how did you get your start fly-fishing and what keeps you heading back to the river every chance you get?

ZH: I got my start by being surrounded by some great rivers and water in Washington State. I was intrigued by a Steelhead fisherman I would see on the water. Then, visiting my Dad in New Mexico, I frequented a fly shop around the corner from his house. Became friends with the people working in the shop and they steered me in the direction of a great beginner set up and the rest is history. Just being outside and by a river keeps me on the water every chance I get.

Trouts: Describe your perfect day on the water?

ZH: A perfect day on the water for me is to meet friends in the morning with my boat. Head to the river, with laughs and anticipation of the great day to come. Then trading off on the oars, boating fish, eating a great lunch, laughs all around and just having a great day.

Trouts: If you could only fish one fly in Colorado for the next 365 days, what would it be and why?

ZH: One fly for 365 days, that's a tough one. Not to sound cliche as a "guide" or "experienced" fly fisherman, because I feel streamers are leaned to too heavily. But the fly would be a small simple UV streamer I tie, called the Party Bugger. The way I look at this is if you are going to have to fish one fly all year, even on tough days, at least make it interesting and fun. Work at figuring out how you can make the fish eat your fly.

Trouts: Favorite place you've ever fished?

ZH: I just love fishing. There is just some kind of fishing everywhere it seems. Colorado, of course, holds a special place for me. The Lake Fork of the Gunnison is a favorite. But these days what has been really exciting me is saltwater fly fishing. The Everglades are so amazing and I need to go back, again and again.

Trouts: Favorite river in Colorado?

ZH: Well, I answered the Lake Fork of the Gunnison previously, but really my favorite river on a day to day basis is the Colorado River itself. It has so much to offer and so many of floatable river miles it's hard to ever get tired of it.

Trouts: Destination to dream about?

ZH: There are so many places I need to go, but lately, I have really been thinking about Exmouth, Australia.

Trouts: What is the best piece of fishing advice you've ever been given?

ZH: This is a tough one because I am learning daily in fishing and maybe some of these things get blurred together. But really, I would say it is to just take your time. Sure there are times you need to make the shot. But take your time, studying the water, studying the hatch or bug life, setting up your rigs, working the run, controlling your line, playing the fish, enjoying yourself. All of it!

Trouts: When not fishing, what are we most likely to find you doing?

ZH: If I am not fishing, I am enjoying the outside environment wherever I may be. If it's here in Colorado, I am riding my mountain bike, splitboarding, snowboarding or something fun. If at a saltwater location, I always love to challenge myself to catch a few waves, surfing.