Meet Our Staff

Alex Zipp

Alex grew up in the Midwest, learning to fish from this grandfather shortly after mastering the skill of walking. He cut his angling teeth in the north woods of Wisconsin where he fished for bluegill, bass and northern pike, first with a cane pole and later with spinning gear. After moving to Colorado in 1989 to attend college, he took up fly fishing for trout and has been exploring the lakes and rivers of Colorado ever since. He joined Ark Anglers in 2008 as manager of the Pueblo store and became the owner of the Drift Fly Shop in 2011. In July of 2014, Alex was appointed by Gov. John Hickenlooper to serve a four year term on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission as a Sportsperson’s Representative.

Cat O'Grady

Cat O’Grady has been in love with fish and insects for as long as she can remember. Having completed her degree in Environmental Biology and Chemistry, she now finds a happy home in the employment of The Drift Fly Shop. Cat has been a guide, shop attendant and instructor in the fly fishing world for seventeen years. She is also an Elite Pro for Sage. When she is not streamside on her beloved Arkansas River Tailwater, Cat can be found with her nose in a book or a vial of insects in her hands.

Connell O'Grady

As a self-taught Fly Fishermen, Connell has been avid about the sport for the last twenty years. His journey on the road of fishing has taken him to small creeks, high alpine lakes, rivers, and to several saltwater flats, including chasing Tarpon and Permit in Belize and Florida. Currently, Connell is The Drift Fly Shop Head Guide and loves getting clients into big, happy trout. He is also an Elite Pro for Sage. Fly fishing is not just always on this man’s mind…it’s in his blood.