The Guide Network

04/15/2026

This is a flower stingray, found throughout the Amazon River basin in Colombia, Brazil, and Venezuela. Known for their incredible tiger-like patterns and cartoonlike faces, these freshwater rays are as beautiful as they are dangerous.

Despite their calm nature, they are extremely venomous. A sting to the hand or foot is usually not fatal, but strikes to more vulnerable areas like the chest, stomach, or above the shoulders can be life-threatening.

The pain from a sting is often described as 10/10. Symptoms can include intense, throbbing pain, nausea, vomiting, and muscle spasms.

Our guide Fransico told us that his father was stung a few years ago and fell into a coma for two months, and thankfullymade a full recovery.

They’re considered one of the most feared species in the Amazon since something as simple as stepping into the water, wading, or docking a boat can lead to a dangerous situation.

If stung, immerse the wound in hot water to help break down the venom, and seek medical attention as quickly as possible.

Esta es una raya flor, que se encuentra en toda la cuenca del Amazonas, en Colombia, Brasil y Venezuela. Conocidas por sus increíbles patrones tipo tigre y sus caras monas, estas rayas de agua dulce son tan hermosas como peligrosas.

A pesar de su naturaleza tranquila, son extremadamente venenosas. Una picadura en la mano o el pie normalmente no es mortal, pero impactos en zonas más vulnerables como el pecho, el estómago o por encima de los hombros pueden poner en riesgo la vida.

El dolor de una picadura suele describirse como un 10/10. Los síntomas pueden incluir dolor intenso y pulsante, náuseas, vómitos y espasmos musculares.

Nuestro guía, Francisco, nos contó que su padre fue picado hace unos años y cayó en coma durante dos meses, aunque por suerte se recuperó completamente.

Se consideran una de las especies más temidas del Amazonas, ya que algo tan simple como meterse al agua, vadear o atracar un bote puede convertirse en una situación peligrosa.

Si te pican, sumerge la zona en agua caliente para ayudar a neutralizar el veneno y busca atención médica lo antes posible.

02/08/2026

12/02/2025

How to hook your cheek 101. This is why you should always wear glasses!

07/16/2025

As we reach the cusp of peak the summer fly fishing season in Colorado, 2025 is proving to be a mixed bag. Although flows have not been ideal, fishing has still been solid.

A cooler spring helped extend runoff into late June, but overall snowpack was below average across much of the state, especially in the southern and western basins. Dry soils soaked up more melt than expected, leading to early, short-lived peaks—and many rivers are now running lower than usual for mid-July.

The Roaring Fork and Crystal are notably below average, with the lower Colorado also showing thinner flows. Meanwhile, the Yampa below Stagecoach dropped under 40 cfs in mid-June, triggering voluntary closures due to warm water. Some Front Range streams like Clear Creek are also running hot, making early mornings critical to protect trout.

On the brighter side, hatches are in full swing statewide—PMDs, caddis, and golden stones are lighting up riffles, with sulphurs and terrestrials joining the show as July advances. Looking ahead, more stable flows on rivers like the Arkansas and Gunnison should help keep waters cooler into August.

If the monsoons arrive on time, we could see revived hatches and early hopper bites—a welcome boost to cap the summer. With fewer low-water stressors than some recent seasons, fish could stay active well into September, and anglers can also look forward to the vibrant kokanee salmon runs beginning in the fall — mainly in the Gunnison River, the South Platte, and the Blue River below Green Mountain Reservoir.

Tie on a PMD, keep an eye on afternoon storms, and enjoy what’s shaping up to be a dynamic second half of the season. Good luck!

07/04/2025

Happy Fourth of July from all of us at The Guide Network! Today we’re celebrating the freedom to explore the incredible public lands we’re lucky to have, the guides and outfitters who help us experience them, and the communities that make it all possible. Wishing you a safe holiday filled with big skies, wild places, and good company.

07/01/2025

Founded in 2020, we’re a booking software company built from scratch. Our purpose is to take the headache out of admin work, so you can focus on what matters most.

Created alongside guides and outfitters, what started with fly fishing has grown to serve skiing, lodging, ranching, and just about every corner of outdoor hospitality management.

From CRM to client scheduling, waivers to payments, everything you need is in one place. No more juggling texts, spreadsheets, or chasing paperwork. Our goal is simple: to help you spend more time outside and less time running a business.

Book a quick demo today to see how we can help streamline your operation. No contracts, no pressure.

https://calendly.com/ethanwhitson

10/16/2024

We are excited to partner with .
Gray Peak creates world class digital marketing and website development for lodges, outfitters and guides. They understand the confluence of the outdoors and digital space better than anyone in the industry right now. 

Combining our software with Gray Peak can give you a serious competitive edge to find new customers online and improve your digital presence. If you are a current TGN customer, reach out and we can get you a discount on their services. Additionally, if you sign up for both Gray Peak’s Services and TGN we are offering a current package deal. Reach out for more info!

10/03/2024

Steelhead in Southeast Alaska are exceptional, wild, and largely untouched by human activity. These elusive fish are difficult to find and catch, thriving in pristine, remote waters. With minimal angling pressure, they remain a rare and sought-after treasure for the few who pursue them.

Tongass on the Fly offers a one-of-a-kind fishing experience in Southeast Alaska, using a liveaboard and skiffs to access pristine steelhead habitats. Anglers can explore untouched rivers and streams, enjoying the comfort of the liveaboard while venturing into remote waters with the skiffs. This unique approach gives adventurers the chance to fish for wild steelhead in an unspoiled, natural setting.

Check out the new blog post on their website about fishing for steelhead in Alaska!

https://tongassonthefly.com

09/27/2024

with some absolutely wind looking browns!

09/14/2024

Overcoming the challenge that fly fishing presents as the nexus of so many interdisciplinary fields: ichthyology, entomology, ecology, meteorology, physics, etc. is what makes it so rewarding. Being able to create tiny works of art to fool fish all around the world has taken the sense of accomplishment and pure joy in the sport to the next level.

Jason’s fly tying philosophy has always been to focus more on techniques rather than patterns. This allows him to use the same materials in different ways or incorporate new materials when there is no “standard” protocol. Jason is always looking for the next interesting fishy looking material to throw on a hook. He loves to push the creative boundaries of what can be used to craft a fly. Beyond tying at the shows and the symposium, sharing photos and videos on social media has been a fantastic way to find and share inspiration from amazing tiers from all over the world. Jason is always happy to chat, share ideas, and collaborate!! Drop him a DM at

09/04/2024

Glaciar national park.

📷: .johnssss