In our long and varied careers, we have learned a bunch about fly fishing, travel, and customer service. Now, we have decided to take it to the next level and share our extensive knowledge and our contacts within the fly-fishing industry with our friends and customers through hosted fly-fishing travel. We would love to discuss having you join us on a dream fly fishing vacation.
A Brief History:
In 1983, Terry moved to Lees Ferry to become a fishing guide for a year or two. His interest in fishing was sparked by his grandfather, who began fly fishing in the 1930’s. Life has its funny twists-and-turns and, “a year or two” turned into a 40-year career of guiding fishermen, fisherwomen, and families at Lees Ferry.
In 1986, Terry ventured to Alaska and co-founded Crystal Creek Lodge, widely regarded as the most luxurious fly-out fishing lodge in the world. Terry returned from that summer in Alaska to meet Wendy Hanvold, the new waitress at Marble Canyon. She asked Terry to teachher how to fly fish, and rest, as they say, is history.
In 1989, they opened Lees Ferry Anglers Fly Shop and Guide Service. It soon had 14 full-time fishing guides; while the retail fly fishing operation became one of the largest in the southwestern U.S.
In 1997, they co-founded Baja Anglers in Cabo San Lucas, MX. This was Mexico’s first full-service fly shop and boat fleet that specialized in saltwater fly fishing. Baja Anglers continues under the ownership of our friend Grant Hartman.
In 2001, their son Troy was born. Concurrently, Cliff Dwellers Lodge came up for sale. They bought it and moved all operations there. Cliff Dwellers consisted of a hotel, restaurant, bar, gas station, fly shop, retail store, rental boats, and guide service. In 2019, they started Kayak Horseshoe Bend, which went from 0 to 10,000 customers in 4 years.
In 2023, Wendy and Terry took on a strategic partner in the hospitality industry, maintaining an ownership interest but retiring from the day-to-day operations of the businesses.
It has been an incredible journey: along the way they hosted fly fishing TV shows, won casting competitions, became successful business operators, traveled the world and explored new fishing destinations, wrote fly fishing articles and books … on and on.
Today, the journey continues: Gunn Angling.
928-660-2209