Josh Lively
After college, I moved out west to the Roaring Fork Valley in pursuit of Colorado’s western rivers and a career in construction management. After 5 years of grinding out the “normal life” and not getting time on the water, I decided that work and the stresses of construction were not all they were cracked up to be…
I’ve always had a severe addiction to fishing – it is the one thing that’s remained constant throughout my life. Maybe it’s the pursuit of freedom or an unnerving sensation to understand what happens under the water – I’m not sure, but I’ve always been drawn to water. Before I got too deep into the restrictions of life, I decided to take a risk and follow my calling.
8 years later as the head fishing guide for Alpine Angling and Roaring Fork Anglers, I am now a much happier person. It has become a real passion to not only guide, but to teach and educate those about fly fishing. Every day I launch my boat I try to provide the desired experience, all while limiting our impact to the resource.
After rowing many a river boats, I felt something wasn’t quite right… I decided to put my design and metal fabrication background to work and created a river boat for the modern angler and guide alike – one that actually works. Fly Raft Works was created in the pursuit of building the finest rowing and fly fishing rafts available today. In 2009, Fly Raft Works was awarded the best new product of the year by the International Fly Fishing Retailer Show. Fly Raft Works is still in operation and building custom boats to order.
In the meantime I have become a signature fly designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants as well as a member of the Scott Fly Rods Pro Staff.
In my spare time you can find me on the vise, hunting for carp, desperately awaiting my next trip to Baja, listening to west coast g-funk, building and testing new boat designs, or patiently waiting for summer.
My take on Hatch fly reels:
“I am a huge advocate and fan of Hatch fly reels. I have been fishing and guiding with them hard for the last 8 years. I am 110% sold on Hatch products and what they stand for. From a functionality and durability standpoint, I truly believe that Hatch crafts the finest fly fishing reels ever made. I credit Hatch for giving my clients and myself the ability to land fish that we might not have had the chance to. From 0 to 60 m.p.h., there is no other reel that compares. The drag system engages so smooth and has the ability to hold on to the lightest of tippets. The daily abuse of Hatch reels during guide season puts these reels to the test, and with Hatch, I never have to worry. From trout to tarpon, I know that my Hatch is up for the test.”
My favorite Hatch products:
5 plus mid arbor – the all around do-it-all freshwater workhorse 11 plus large arbor – from overall weight, backing capacity, and the large crank make this my favorite saltwater reel of all time Hatch premium braided backing – this backing has the smallest diameter at 68 pound breaking strength and knots up soooo smooth even with the bulkiest of knots Nomad pliers – all anglers and guides alike deserve a little bit of fly tool “bling”, not only are these pretty but these actually work
Hatch trucker cap, Hatch BUFF