CRO Oar Certification & Guide Training

brianchilbert
2 days ago
4 min read

Build the Foundation for a Successful Fly Fishing Guide Career

If you’ve ever dreamed about becoming a professional fly fishing guide, there’s one skillset that separates good anglers from great guides… the ability to safely and confidently operate a drift boat in real river conditions. At Colorado River Outfitters, we’ve built our CRO Oar Certification & Guide Training to give aspiring guides the exact foundation they need to succeed on the water from day one.

This is not a classroom course. This is five full days of hands-on, on-the-water training alongside some of the most experienced guides in Colorado. You’ll be learning directly from Brian Hilbert, Matt Fletcher, and Tim Macadow — guides who have spent decades navigating these rivers, dialing in techniques, and building careers doing what they love.

Dates: May 18th – May 22nd

Duration: 5 full days on the water

Cost: $1500 per person

Availability: Only 2 spots remaining

Why Oar Certification Matters

Anyone can row a boat on flat water. Very few can do it under pressure — with clients in the boat, changing river conditions, obstacles ahead, and fish on the line.

That’s where this training separates itself.

This program is designed to accelerate your learning curve by putting you in real-world scenarios. You’ll leave with the confidence, awareness, and technical ability to safely guide clients down river — which is the cornerstone of becoming a professional guide.

Learning from seasoned professionals like Brian Hilbert, Matt Fletcher, and Tim Macadow gives you something you simply cannot get on your own… years of experience condensed into five days.

What You’ll Learn

Rowing Fundamentals & Boat Control

Everything starts with control. You’ll spend time dialing in the fundamentals that every great guide relies on:

Proper oar stroke mechanics and efficiency
Ferry angles and how to move laterally across current
Holding lines in different speeds of water
Back rowing, pivoting, and micro-adjustments
Positioning the boat for optimal fishing opportunities

This is where most self-taught rowers fall short. We focus heavily on precision and consistency, because small mistakes on the sticks turn into big problems fast.

Reading Water & River Navigation

Understanding how to read water is one of the most valuable skills a guide can have.

You’ll learn how to identify:

Main current vs soft seams
Eddies, backflows, and transition zones
Structure like rocks, ledges, and shelves
Productive fishing water vs danger zones
Entry and exit points for clean boat lines

Our instructors break down the river in real time, teaching you how to see the water like a guide, not just an angler.

Whitewater Navigation & Hazard Avoidance

This is where things get real.

You’ll gain hands-on experience navigating through:

Technical rapids
Tight channels and obstacle-filled sections
High consequence water
Changing flows and conditions

We teach you how to:

Set up your line well in advance
Stay calm under pressure
React quickly when things don’t go as planned
Avoid common mistakes that lead to accidents

This is the difference between someone who can row… and someone who can guide.

River Safety & Rescue Skills

Safety is everything when you’re responsible for clients.

You’ll learn critical rescue techniques including:

What to do in a man-overboard situation
How to safely assist another boat in trouble
Proper use of throw bags and rescue equipment
Boat recovery and hazard management
Risk assessment and decision making on the river

These are skills that can save lives, and they are a non-negotiable part of becoming a professional guide.

Guide Etiquette & Professionalism

Being a great guide is about more than rowing a boat.

We spend time on:

How to communicate effectively with clients
Creating a fun, relaxed, and professional atmosphere
Reading your anglers and adjusting your approach
Boat positioning for success and client experience
Working around other guides and river traffic respectfully

This is where careers are made. The best guides aren’t just skilled… they’re people that clients want to fish with again and again.

Fishing Integration & Real Guide Scenarios

Throughout the week, everything ties together.

You’ll be applying your rowing, navigation, and communication skills in real guiding situations, including:

Setting up proper drifts through productive water
Adjusting boat positioning during hatches
Managing multiple anglers
Handling fish while maintaining control of the boat

This is as close as it gets to actual guiding — because that’s exactly what we’re preparing you for.

Learn from the Best

When you train with CRO, you’re learning from guides who do this every single day.

Brian Hilbert — 20+ years of full-time guiding experience, Montana Fly Company signature fly designer, and co-owner of Colorado River Outfitters. Known for his deep understanding of entomology, fish behavior, and building highly effective systems on the water.

Matt Fletcher — 20+ years of full time guiding experience. A technical expert with a reputation for precision and consistency. Matt brings a methodical approach to rowing, reading water, and helping guides refine their skills to a professional level.

Tim Macadow — A seasoned guide with a wealth of river knowledge and a calm, confident approach that translates directly into safer, more effective guiding.

This is your chance to learn directly from guides who have built their careers on these rivers.

Why This Course Is Worth It

There are a lot of ways to try and “figure it out” on your own. This isn’t one of them.

In five days, you will:

Avoid years of trial and error
Build a strong, professional foundation
Gain real confidence behind the oars
Learn safety skills that protect you and your clients
Understand what it actually takes to guide at a high level

If you’re serious about becoming a fly fishing guide, this course gives you a massive head start.

Limited Spots Available

We keep this course small on purpose to ensure every participant gets hands-on instruction and direct feedback.

Only 2 spots remain.

If you’ve been thinking about taking the next step toward guiding, this is your opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business and set yourself up for success.

Start Your Guide Career the Right Way

The difference between struggling as a new guide and thriving comes down to preparation.

This course gives you the tools, confidence, and knowledge to step into the industry with a solid foundation — and that foundation matters.

Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Call or text to secure your spot today: 970-236-1937

Visit: www.coloradoriveroutfitters.net

We’ll see you on the sticks.