Fly fishing buddies land dream jobs with 5280 Angler
5280 Angler outfitters (left to right) Dave Kemp, Jay Baichi, Tim Schoenborn.
By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Tim Schoenborn
What happens to young boys that learn to love fly fishing at an early age? In the case of Jay Baichi, David Kemp, and Tim Schoenborn, they grow up to become fly fishing outfitters. The trio of fly fishermen, raised in three completely different fishing regions, have pooled their skills to create a unique full service fly fishing outfitter business called “5280 Angler.”
Baichi grew up in central New York and learned fly fishing with his father and grandfather at the Finger Lakes, Great Lake tributaries, and New England coast. Baichi moved to Colorado in 2000 to teach elementary school and discover new fishing experiences.
Schoenborn was raised in Michigan and became an avid sportsman early in life; he learned to fly fish on the AuSable River and bow hunted grouse, woodcock, and white tail deer in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Schoenborn and his wife live by the South Platte River near Sedalia, and host fresh grilled lunches on their property for 5280Angler clients.
Kemp, a Castle Pines resident, learned about trout fishing in his early teens at Horsetooth Reservoir, where he and his family lived. Kemp eventually moved on to fly fish near Deckers on the South Platte River, which he now refers to as his home water.
The concept of 5280 Angler was something the three fishermen mulled over for about two years, while employed as guides for other outfitters. Baichi explained, “We felt we could offer a unique experience to anglers that was missing in the profession. After countless hours on the water, we’ve often witnessed a tunnel-vision approach to guiding that often yields nothing but anxiety and frustration. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all trip, we listen to our clients and create a truly unique day on the river. We plan and adjust our trips according to angling ability, group size, and unique goals, thus creating opportunities to learn and practice new techniques, hook trout, and make memories,” he said.
As 5280 Angler starts its second season, private water locations including Boxwood Gulch Ranch and Longmeadow Ranch near Shawnee, Colorado, will be added to the other public water locations along the South Platte River. Baichi said, “We are a full service fly fishing outfitter, and provide walk and wade fly fishing full-day adventures for anglers of all abilities. We provide instruction, gear, flies, and lunch for all of our clients at fantastic locations within an hour’s drive from Denver.” For more information, visit www.5280angler.com or contact Jay Baichi at 303-913-8809 or e-mail jay@5280angler.com.
