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
Rich Hudgens
NYS Licensed Guide / Instructor
Rich has been guiding on our Catskill Rivers for 15 years. Aside from the Esopus, he also guides on all five of the maddeningly complex rivers that comprise New York’s Upper Delaware River system. He excels as a guide, an instructor, and conservationist.
Over the years, Rich has been Head Guide at two of the area’s premier outfitters. Keen knowledge of the subtle nuances of the sport set him apart from other guides. His rock-solid work ethic and calm, reassuring, style with clients, make him one of the most sought after guides in our area. He knows how and when to modify his tactics (sometimes ever so subtly) to ensure success. Rich strives to guide on these rivers 12 months of the year and is usually able to make the conditions work for him--and his clients.
When not guiding, he travels the Northeast speaking at various fly-fishing clubs and events.
Many people follow Rich on Instagram to share in his outdoor exploits. Using the handle @therealflyfishrich, he posts daily about fishing, nature, his children, hunting and his other passion: snakes. Rich spends considerable time scouring the mountains of upstate New York searching for and photographing snakes, especially Timber Rattlesnakes. Rich takes pride in educating people and dispelling some of the many myths that surround snakes.
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.
