Meet Nick LaToof | Fly Fishing Guide & Splitboard Guide

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nick LaToof and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nick, what role has risk played in your life or career?

My entire life centers around risk but, more specifically, risk management. From the rivers to the mountains, there is inherent risk involved. A constant evaluation of weather, environmental conditions, and management of people in these ever-changing environments leaves you little room for error.

Being prepared for the harsh environments that I work in is critical, not only for the safety of the crew but to ensure that my clients have an enjoyable experience. One skill that I find myself particularly good at is being able to understand my clients and their expectations from the trip without asking them directly. It’s a great skill to have to develop a rapport with someone you’ve just met. This builds trust among the group which is a critical component when dealing with risk in the backcountry.

As guides, we have the best office in the world and get to share that with others. Those we lead into these wild places need to be able to trust us and be confident that we’re going to make the right decisions to ensure we all get back safely and have a memorable and enjoyable experience.

Even before becoming a guide, I was no stranger to risks. I turned down some great opportunities in order to follow my heart out west. I wasn’t sure exactly what I’d find out here, but I trusted the process and now find myself on the path I always wanted to be. The obvious risks of being in unpredictable terrain was there but deeper than that was the risk of finances, which everybody felt obligated to tell me about.

I’ve never been super motivated by money; I think my track record backs up that claim, pretty well. For me, how I make my money is just as important, if not more important than, how much money I make. The lifestyle and cyclical nature of my career is something I love. There’s a unique rhythm to changing with the seasons that I’ve grown to really enjoy and there’s not a dollar amount you can put on that.

When I’m watching a sunrise from the face of a mountain or gazing up at the stars while lying next to a river, I smile knowing that all my decisions have led me right here. It’s not the easiest life but it’s one that allows you to see natural beauty in ways that most only ever see on television.

In life, there’s really no way to escape risks. There is an illusion of safety in some of our decisions but there are always risks. Some risks are just more obvious than others. For me, the following quote has really put risk taking in the proper perspective: “Two great risks in life: Risking too much, and risking too little.”

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

During the summer, I work as a fly-fishing guide based out of Grand Junction, CO. We have a lot of great water around the Grand Valley. I find myself on the Gunnison River for much of June and July, running mostly through the Gunnison Gorge. The Gorge consists of 14 miles of world class trout fishing in one of the most unique places on the planet.

During shoulder seasons, the Colorado River has my attention. The Colorado is such a historic river and quite an important water source for much of the west. It’s a privilege to be able to spend time on this river and share it with others.

During the winter, I turn my focus to the mountains. I spend most of the winter in the Teton mountain range of Wyoming and Idaho learning the terrain and familiarizing myself with the snowpack. I’m in the process of becoming an AMGA Splitboard Guide and only lack a few courses to get my full certification.

It’s been a long journey to get where I am today; it’s taken half a decade to get where I am, and I still have a few years to go to really get into the heart of my career paths. I am finally starting to see the pains of my labor bear fruit and it’s a great feeling. I’m proud of my dedication and relentless efforts to pursue this path, it’s not a common one and it wasn’t one that I knew existed until about five years ago.

Dreams are worth pursuing but only if you’re willing to give your all. They don’t come easy, and they’ll never come if you’re not willing to put in the countless hours to make them come true. I’ve had some great help throughout the years. There’s no way I’d be where I am today without the support and mentorship of some great people. I’m incredibly thankful for the people who have taken time out to help me along my path.

“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting…”

– Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

If it was during the summer, I’d take them into the Gunnison Gorge for some world class fly-fishing, star gazing, and a real wilderness experience. We’d spend three days throwing dry flies to hungry trout, camping along the river, and enjoying food and laughs underneath a starry sky. The Gorge is known for its great fishing but lesser known is its prime location for stargazing. It’s one of the top places in the world to look up at the stars on a clear night.

During the winter, the Grand Mesa offers some awesome gladded skiing and snowboarding. The Grand Mesa is the world’s largest flat top mountain and there’s a seemingly endless number of miles to be explored on skis or snowmobiles. The winter camping up there is incredible and I’ve enjoyed doing that over the years.

Grand Junction sees over 300 days of sunshine per year so it’s tough to stay inside. In and around town there are countless activities. Several golf courses are nearby that I enjoy playing; a round of golf makes for a nice active recovery day.

There are several lakes around that host warm water species of fish such as bass, crappie, and carp. All of which are super fun to target with a fly rod. There’s lots of breweries around the valley, if you’re into that kind of thing. Summertime will bring musical entertainment from all over and there are several great outdoor venues for them to play at.

The Grand Valley is truly an epicenter for outdoor activities no matter the time of year.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Jeff Mckenna at Colorado West Slope Fly Fishing has given me a great opportunity to work as a fly-fishing guide in Western Colorado. He’s been a great mentor and friend and I’ve learned a lot from him over the past few years. I think we’ll have a lot of good times together for years to come.

Scott Wilday at Lid Rig has been a huge part of my fly fishing career. He owns Lid Rig, which is a company that sells fishing gear. He’s helped me tremendously with gear and making great contacts all over the country.

Woody Lowder (ski guide and mountain guide) Woody has been a great friend and mentor for me, on the mountain guide side of my career. He’s a huge reason why I decided to become a splitboard guide and has helped me a lot along the way. We’ve had some great days in the mountains together and I think we will continue to have some great days as my career continues.

Website: www.nicklatoof@yahoo.com

Instagram: @nlatoof

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nicklatoof/videos

Image Credits
Yellow Tent Nomads The Mountain Guides Colorado West Slope Fly Fishing