08/21/2026
MEET OUR GUIDES | Brian Hilbert
Next up in our Meet Our Guides series is CRO co-owner Brian Hilbert.
Originally from Portland, Oregon, Brian moved to Colorado in 2016, but his connection to fly fishing goes back much further. He picked up a fly rod in 1994 and has now spent more than three decades immersed in the sport, including over 20 years as a professional fly fishing guide.
For Brian, fly fishing has always been about more than catching trout. He loves the details, studying entomology, understanding trout behavior, teaching anglers, and constantly looking for ways to become better on the water. That same curiosity carries over to the tying bench, where Brian spends much of his free time creating and testing new fly patterns. As a signature fly designer for Montana Fly Company, many of those ideas have gone from his vise to fly shops and anglers around the country.
As a guide, Brian loves working with anglers of every experience level. Whether it’s someone holding a fly rod for the first time or an experienced angler looking to refine their game, his goal is to make every day educational, memorable, and of course, put some great trout in the net.
When he’s not guiding or sitting behind the vise, Brian spends as much time outdoors as possible. Bird hunting and big-game hunting are two of his biggest passions, and when he can get away from the river and mountains, he loves traveling and spending time with his wife, Andrea.
And one talent that has absolutely nothing to do with fly fishing? Brian is a pretty decent card magician. 🃏 So if you happen to book a trip with him, you might get a fishing lesson, an entomology lesson, and a magic show all in the same day.
After more than 30 years with a fly rod in his hand, Brian’s passion for fly fishing, teaching, and protecting the incredible fisheries we get to call home is still at the heart of what he does and a big part of what Colorado River Outfitters is all about.
