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Cutthroat Anglers Owner Trapper Rudd with fish

Meet Our Guides

Trapper Rudd
Owner/Guide

Trapper will fish anywhere, anytime, with anyone. He is the founder of the Akebono Club (sunrise fishing on the Blue River) to help other fishaholics find extra time on the river. Trapper freely admits he has an obsession, and he is willing to help spread his fishing addiction to any other angler. We think the official diagnosis is piscatorial dementia. Frequently, the guide staff must perform an intervention to keep Trapper focused on the business. Trapper is the only angler to have ever fished the Imperial Koi ponds of the Emperor of Japan. While misinterpretation may have been a factor, Trapper seized the opportunity with relish. The Imperial Guards were summoned and Trapper was released with a smile but asked never to return.

Finding pity for land-lubbers, Trap spreads the lore of fly fishing to the masses both through his shop and during his extensive International travels. Self admitted, he would be happy lost at sea on a dingy as long as he had a fly rod and handful of flies. Using this zealous enthusiasm, Cutthroat Angler’s reputation is nearing mythical proportions thanks to Trap’s unquenchable love for his shop, his staff, and his passion.

Trapper fish on

Trapper’s love for fly fishing flourished in childhood; however after college, he still dabbled in the corporate world before succumbing to his fly fishing passion. Trap started guiding and building a clientele base until his piggy bank grew large enough to buy his own fly shop. Now, he has quietly guided his dream of Cutthroat Anglers into one of the premier fly shops anywhere. Trapper is renowned throughout the angling community as one of the finest, most adventurous Global fly anglers found anywhere.

Trap’s primary goal is to spread camaraderie and the joy of fishing to all his friends and any stranger willing to listen. Unfortunately, Trap’s proudest moment at the shop was when he installed the retractable bottle opener over the “Center of the Universe” guides table. While you probably won’t find any Grog (Trap wouldn’t allow any watered down libations in his establishment), the Center of the Universe is the base for exaggerated fish stories and angling camaraderie. The shop’s logo, a fly rodding variation of the traditional Jolly Roger, can be used to signal fellow anglers of epic, local hatches or the telling of fireside fishing myths.

Trap’s latest fascination is destination travel. If you are planning a destination adventure, most likely he’s already been there. Tailing permit haunt his dreams. Gratefully, he has bested this near-mythical quarry more times than his age in years – you do the math. Not too bad considering he has an inherent flaw of casting with his left hand. The staff is considering the merits of lefty mechanics and believes it might result in an unfair advantage when targeting permit.

Trapper is often seen on many Television and Cable flyfishing programs guiding friends and celebrities. Trap is also a regular feature on the Master Outdoorsman on ClearChannel radio. Trap has contributed to numerous books, articles and features and is also an "Editor at Large" for Flyfish America Magazine. We like to call it "Editor Livin' Large". Trapper was just featured on "Legends of Rod and Reel" airing on "The Outdoor Channel" in 2008. Trapper is on the G.Loomis VIP fishing team and sponsored by numerous angling companies.

Trapper is married to his wonderful, understanding and patient wife, Melissa. They have two beautiful children, Olivia and Dashiell. Trap also has to play father figure to the 16 full-time guides on his staff.

Trapper's Quick Facts

Originally From:
Littleton, CO
Favorite Local Fishing Spot:
The Blue at Sunrise
Favorite Place on Earth:
The Caribbean
Most Used Rod, Reel & Line:
G. Loomis Crosscurrent 8wt. Tibor Everglades with Rio Redfish taper
Movie Quote:
“Are they ill tempered sea bass?” Dr. Evil in Austin Powers
Destinations Fished:
Babine River British Columbia, Jardines de la Reina Cuba, Belize, Caymans, Baja Mexico, Yucatan Mexico, Bahamas, Panama, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica, New Zealand, The South Pacific, Quebec, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Florida Keys, Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Eastern Caribbean Islands, Honduras, Indonesia, Amazon River Basin Brazil, California (mako shark on fly), Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana and every pot-hole on virtually any road in between.
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