Eric Phannenstiel
Vail Valley Anglers Wade Guide
Hometown:
I was born in Allentown, PA, learned to fish there until I moved at the age of 15. Colorado has been my home since 1981, and I've called Vail home since 1988.
Guide Experience:
I've been guiding people in Vail as a ski instructor for nearly 30 years, and on the rivers in the area since 2012. I am also an adjunct professor for the local Colorado Mountain College, and fly-fishing is one of the classes that I help teach. I am also the lead instructor and guide for our Fish-n-Chicks program. In addition, I am a Boy Scout Leader and have led many trips for our local Troop 231.
Fishing Experience:
I have fly-fished since I was 10 years old, and started tying my own flies at 11. I have fly-fished all over the USA in places like Washington, Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, Montana, Wyoming, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and of course Colorado! My international/saltwater fly-fishing experience has been in Costa Rica, Belize, and Mexico.
Exotic Experience
In Costa Rica, I caught Sailfish on a fly, in fact three in one day! It was unreal.
Wish List:
I want to fly-fish in Patagonia, and will be returning to Alaska for some more of that action!
Hobbies:
Nordic skiing, (tele, skate and cross country), cycling (mountain and road), fly tying and waterfowl hunting. I help teach College Physics at one of the local high schools, and I am a Field Paleontologist for the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. We dig for dinosaurs!
Favorite Thing About Guiding:
I love to teach and I love sharing outdoor experiences with others. Guiding allows me to do both of these things at once. My goal for my clients who visit from out of town is that I want their time with me to be the highlight of their trip that they tell their friends and family about when they return home. It's my measure of success.