about yvff
Founded in 1983 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Yampa Valley Fly Fishers is a proud member of Trout Unlimited (Chapter 929). Yampa Valley Fly Fishers conserves and protects the Yampa River and White River basins located in Northwest Colorado, near Steamboat Springs.
We encourage everyone in the Yampa Valley who is interested in fly-fishing to stop by our next meeting. At the Yampa Valley Fly Fishers we hope to foster friendships based on a common love for our river system as well as promote continued preservation of rivers, streams and lakes around Steamboat Springs.
Trout Unlimited is a national organization with more than 140,000 volunteers organized into about 400 chapters from Maine to Montana to Alaska. This dedicated grassroots army is matched by a respected staff of lawyers, policy experts and scientists, who work out of more than 30 offices nationwide. These conservation professionals
ensure that TU is at the forefront of fisheries restoration work at the local, state and national levels.
upcoming events
Meet the Board
Arianna Birdseye
Chapter President
Arianna has been in the Yampa Valley since 2013, originally in pursuit of education, but along the way gained a healthy obsession for fly fishing. She graduated locally with two associates in outdoor education, environmental studies, and a bachelors in sustainability studies. Arianna currently works as the Outdoor Programs Logistic Technician for Colorado Mountain College and Friends of the Yampa, and teaches fly fishing. Ari has also been working in the fly fishing industry locally since 2019 and continues to guide within the valley for Steamboat Flyfisher. She now serves as President of Trout Unlimited Chapter 929. In her spare time, Arianna prefers to be on a river with a fly rod in hand, standing on the drift boat or bank, but always accompanied by at least one of her three dogs and her husband, Nate.
STEVE RANDALL
vice president
I am a resident of the Yampa Valley since 2012. I have 45 years of missing fish, tangling lines, breaking tips and hooking guides, from New Zealand to Alaska. I don’t tie flies… but am lucky to have women in my family who are passionate and expert tiers.
I currently sit on the board of YVFF, and Ski Town Lions. I also volunteer with the Main Street Ambassadors. Professionally I’m a retired Oil and Gas Executive, College Professor, and Marketing Consultant holding a B.A. in Geology from Franklin and Marshall College and a MBA from The University of St. Thomas.
DAN THE MAN
former president
Dan, would you like a bio here?
GREG BRESLAU
TREASURER
Greg picked up a fly rod in elementary school and never looked back. Fly fishing became his lifelong passion and obsession, taking him around the world in pursuit of big fish. After graduating from Colorado College in 2008, he moved to Alaska, spending several summers guiding in the pristine Bristol Bay region and helping clients land trophy rainbow trout. His passion for guiding and working with people eventually led Greg to a thriving career in real estate. Now a Broker/Partner at The Group, he is recognized as one of Steamboat’s top-producing realtors. Greg lives in Steamboat with his wife and two children and has served on the YVFF Board since 2016. He is dedicated to preserving the Yampa Valley watershed as a healthy, pristine environment for future generations.
ANDY
fundraising coordinator
Andy, would you like a bio here?
Also whats your last name?
moo.
PATRICK GAMBLE
SECRETARY
“Patch” is our secretary at YVFF, guide for Straightline in the summer, and Ski Patroller in the winter. You will find him fishing in the company of his dog Rafferty, and while far from a purist, he is usually fishing a dry fly. Patrick is an avid fly tier, he loves hunting birds with his dog in the fall, skiing most everyday in the winter, and sharing all these pursuits with those who enjoy and appreciate them. If you see him around, don’t hesitate to say hi!
Erin Swanson
Youth coordinator
Erin Swanson loves living in the mountains of Colorado for the abundant outdoor activities and wonderful community. She attended CSU and is a middle school Spanish teacher. Erin interned for the Federation of fly fishers in Livingston, MT and worked in southern Chile at a fly fishing lodge. Erin has a great group of kids join her for fly tying club at Sleeping Giant School every week. Let her know if you’d like to be a guest fly tyer!
Elanor Pontikes
marketing & communications Coordinator
Eleanor Pontikes discovered her love for fly fishing at 11 years old while attending a ranch camp in Wyoming—a stark contrast to her downtown Chicago upbringing. While studying Environmental Science and Writing at Middlebury College, she led the Fly Fishing Club and worked with TU chapters and the TU Costa 5 Rivers program in Vermont, Montana, and Colorado on habitat restoration and youth programs.
She has guided fly fishing trips, led backcountry expeditions, and written about women in fly fishing to celebrate their contributions to the sport. After four years in Steamboat Springs, Eleanor is excited to be part of her local TU chapter and support conservation efforts close to home. When she’s not working in growth marketing, you’ll find her fishing, mountain biking, or hiking with her dog, Jameson.
