Catskill Outfitters Guide Team
Fly Fishing Guides on the Esopus Creek and Rivers of the Catskills
Paul Schiavo
NYS Licensed Guide / Instructor
Born in Catskill NY, Paul has been fishing the waters of the Catskill Mountains for over 30 years. He is experienced in both fresh and salt water and brings his years of local knowledge finding productive waters to catch native rainbows, trophy browns and brook trout in an array of natural settings from big stream riffles to intimate and secluded brooks high atop the Catskill range. His experience is matched by few others as is his devotion to dry fly fishing. The Esopus Creek and its tributaries are his home waters.
Mark Loete
NYS Licensed Guide / Instructor
Growing up in Illinois, Mark cut his angling teeth fishing the bass ponds of the Midwest, and hooking an occasional catfish in the Mississippi River. He moved to the East Coast after college, and once he discovered the fly rod his angling passion took on a new dimension. Mark makes his home and business, Catskill Mountain Angler, on the bank of the Stony Clove Creek, an aggressive double-haul from the Esopus Creek. He has been fishing Catskill waters for 25 years, guiding clients to his favorite waters for seven. After teaching literally hundreds of anglers how to catch a fish on a fly, Mark can say that the best part of being a professional guide is not only the fish you meet, but also the people you meet. In Mark’s other life, he is a professional photographer. He brings the same care, passion, and attention to detail to his guiding business as he brings to his photography. Mark is an accomplished fly tyer, and builds his own fly rods, completing the circle. He has fished all over the USA, but Mark’s biggest challenge remains the creek just outside his front door.
Aaron Engel
Fishing, Hiking, And Paddle
Born and raised in the Catskills and fishing since the age of 5 puts 45yrs on the banks of all local rivers and mtn streams including lakes and ponds for Brown, Rainbow, and Brook trout. Very passionate about Fly Fishing and reading waters where these elusive trout species hang He will go the extra distance to put his clients on fish in all conditions 12 months a year. He is the owner of Autumn Peaks Guide Service and Guides year round on all local Catskill Mtn waters and Ontario Lake tributaries for King and Coho Salmon, Steelhead and Brown Trout.
Matt Hart
NYS Licensed Guide / Instructor
Born and raised with hunting and fishing in his blood, Matt has been exploring upstate New York and Vermont his whole life. A tournament bass fisherman in his twenties he has now been fly fishing consistently for the last decade, specializing in large trout at night. He possesses a deep passion for bow hunting and bird hunting. The turkey, upland birds, waterfowl and chasing antlers consume his fall months. When he's not in the woods or on the water Matt can be found manipulating metals into unique creations at Hartist Metals, his sculpture and design company since 2007. For the past 3 years has become well known for his giant fly sculptures he calls “The Forged Fly” a unique art form commemorating the craftsmanship of fly tyers around the world. His work can be found at theforgedfly.com
Brian Farquar
NYS Licensed Guide / Instructor
A Hudson Valley native, Brian began fishing at a young age with his brother and father. Some of their first memories are of his grandfathers camp on the Willowemoc Creek where they fished for trout from the bank with garden hackle. In 2008, Fly Fishing became Brian’s passion. He enjoys fishing many systems in the Catskill region. From floating down the Upper Delaware system in his Hyde drift boat to wade fishing the Beaverkill, Willow and Esopus to chasing steelhead in the Salmon River in upstate New York. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and joy for fly fishing with others including his 9 year old twin sons. Brian also recently began to volunteer his time teaching veterans fly fishing through Project Healing Waters.
Greg Calabrese
NYS Licensed Guide 7629
Hiking, Paddle and Camping Adventures
Greg has called the Catskill Mountains home for over forty year and guides with Catskill Outfitters from his company, Rip Van Winkle Guides. He is an outdoor recreational guide who has a keen knowledge and exceptional experience within Regions 3 & 4 of the Catskill park with an array of series that includes; hiking, camping, hunting, and paddle adventures.
