You can say you are the best, but when others say you are # 1 it’s huge. Recently, Elevation Outdoor Magazine, selected me as the 2019 “Best Guide of the Rockies”. 6 states, 10,000 guides (all sports: rafting, climbing, skiing, etc.) and yet my prices are the best of the valley. Why would you go elsewhere?
In 1997 & 1998 at the end of the season, there was a team fishing competition with about 25 other guides. My father and myself smoked the competition catching more fish than any team, and have 1st place Ross Reels with our names inscribed on them.
In 2012 and 2013 one of my clients entered the Redbone tournament in Basalt. This is a fund raising event for Cystic Fibrosis, and once again has about 25 teams competing. Both years, we walked away with 1st place, along with largest Rainbow, largest Brown, and largest other specie. As we walked away with all the prizes, they have since changed the rules, and a person can only win 1 prize.
Our valley’s local newspaper, The Post Independent, has a annual “Local Favorite” voting competition. I have won this honor numerous years in a row, and I am the current “Local’s Favorite Guide”
As one of my long time fishing client, Monte Moses, said “I’ve fished all over the world with a lot of great guides on unforgettable trips. But in my book, nothing beats a day on the river with Dustin Harcourt. Dustin knows the fish and rivers of western Colorado like nobody else, and a day with him is always fun and invigorating. I enjoy getting my family and friends out for trips with Dustin, because they invariable walk away with a deep appreciation for the magnificent fishery we have in this region, and how many big and willing trout there are to catch. You put that together with Dustin Harcourt’s great personality, and one of his great stream side meals, you’ve got a perfect day. Get out there with him—You’ll be glad you did.
Sports writer for the Outdoor section of the Denver Post, Jason Blevens, who also won this years Best Outdoor Journalist award, came to our valley to do a full page story about fly fishing and my family. In the article, he referred to the Harcourts as “The First Family of Fly Fishing in Colorado” Our 3 generations, between my dad, myself and my 2 boys, have over 130 years of combined fly fishing knowledge.