Our Guides

Kootenay Fly Shop & Guiding Co. prides itself on providing the visiting angler with the best guides to ensure that you enjoy the waters of the Elk River and East Kootenays, have fun and land the fish that stories are made from. Fly-fishing is an amazing sport and we feel that you should always be learning something new from our guides while out on the water. They are knowledgeable and excel at instruction as they have years of experience under their belts.

Tyler Carson
Tyler has been fly-fishing for almost 20 years starting out on the Grayling streams and stocked lakes of Northern Alberta and British Columbia but it was his move to Fernie in 2000 that really hooked him on fly-fishing. He has spent the last six years as a whitewater raft guide in the Fernie area and has now made the transition to fish guiding. During his time as a whitewater raft guide Tyler was certified in swift water rescue and was fortunate enough to get to row on some spectacular multi-day raft trips on the salmon, trout and char filled Chilko River in northern British Columbia and on the Colordao River through the Grand Canyon.

In the off season Tyler is a First Aid instructor at the College of the Rockies in Fernie and works on the Pro Patrol at Fernie Alpine Resort doing First Aid and Avalanche Control work. One of Tyler's things about Fernie is March days where he can ski powder in the morning and fish dry flies for Cutthroat Trout in the afternoon.

John Avery
John has been guiding in the East Kootenays for more than a decade and during this time, has enjoyed fishing with the beginner 6 year olds to the highly skilled angler that is nearing 96! John spends the winters as a Ski Instructor at Fernie Alpine Resort, spring is for fishing local lakes for monster Rainbows and the fall is spent skating flies for Wild Steelhead on the Morice and Bulkey Rivers near Smithers, BC.

His mother once said to him "that if I had not let you go outside as much as I did when you were a kid, you might have a real job by now". We really don't think John wants a real job.

Alan Brice
Since 1987 Alan Brice has been guiding South Western Alberta's rivers and is experienced in all facets of fly-fishing. Alan's avid enjoyment of the sport is easily communicated and his dedication resulted in the creation of Alberta Flyflshing Adventures in the Crowsnest Pass where he has lived since 1997.

Alan's business is located in the Fisherman's Cafe and Fly Shop which he and his wife Susan have operated since 2000. Al's love of fly-fishing and gourmet food is evident every day on the water...so pass Al's salsa and tie o a caddis!

Carole Beaupre
Our bilingual guide, Carole, has been employed with Kootenay Fly Shop & Guiding Co. for more than 8 years and has learned all aspects of the fly fishing business during this time. With over 20 years experience as a ski instructor, combined with a Bachelor of Education degree, Carole continues to develop team building programs and has created our Ladies Fly-Fishing Club and Fly-Fishing Camps for women and children.

Another aspect of Carole’s work is the development of a kayaking business in the East Kootenays, Panama and Costa Rica.