John Land Le Coq

Johnny Le Coq has 35 years of experience shooting photography around the world. Specializing in on location production, he has shot on assignment in over 72 countries on six continents. From some of the largest cities to the most remote jungles, he has successfully produced images and branding consultation for some of the largest corporations, ad agencies and creative professionals, including; Federal express, United Parcel Service, DHL, Bank of America, Apple Computer, Sun Microsystems, Microsoft, Nissan, Alamo, Levis, United Artists, Hertz, IBM, Wells Fargo, Disney, to name a few. Examples of his work can be seen at www.lecoqphoto.com

Along with his work as a photographer and branding consultant, he is the founder and CEO of Fishpond. As the director of design and development, product design is an integral component to his focus and vital to the complete understanding of how photography and product design work together to create a successful brand.

"As we have grown as a brand with our innovative outdoor recreation products, it has become very clear that our mission and goals as a business would be empty of spirit and soul without a clear direction of also creating a company that defined not just our responsibility, but our obligation, to help create a sustainable planet through clean water, healthy habitat and open and wild spaces for species"

Le Coq is also the founding partner of Case Logic, inc, which is now owned by the Thule company from Sweden. This company was the foundation of his product design background, and this company remains today as the worlds leading brand of music, photo and storage accessory products.

With his current responsibilities as the CEO of Fishpond, Le Coq is using the brand strength to help open doors into the sphere of habitat protection. He serves on the board of directors of the Woods Hole Research Center in Woods Hole, MA, (voted #1 climate change think tank in the world) and is also a founding member of a Beyond The Pond, a 501c3 funding board for the National Fish Habitat Partnerships. John attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, where he was born and raised. He currently lives on the western slope of Colorado on a working ranch nestled under the majestic Gore Range, which he shares with his two beautiful daughters.

Favorite Fishpond Conservation Partner

Success with conservation goals is a shared process of collabortion with those that simply give a damn about our outside world and the habitat and species with whom we share this fragil planet

Staff Product Pick

Blue River Chest Pack. I designed this 20 years ago and it remains one of our best selling products! The Blue River Chest pack incorporated the first drop down fly bench in the industry, which has been emulated for two decades in various forms.

Favorite Beer

Anything Mexican

Dream Adventure

North to south land traverse of South America with my two daughters, fly rods, oil paints, and cameras in tow.

Ben Kurtz

Being a Colorado Native I was fortunate to grow up fishing the high mountain streams, and spending as much time in the mountains as possible. After spending  four years in school on the East Coast, and sneaking a year of that time in New Zealand, I returned home to Colorado to work with the Vail Ski Patrol. During the Summer of 2009 I started my time with Fishpond, and that relationship grew to currently being the Co-Owner/President. If not on the water you can find me on the trail, chasing powder, or birds.

Favorite Fishpond Conservation Partner

Tough call here, and obviously we only engage in partnerships that are near and dear to our heart. If I really have to choose I would say POW. Watching the organization grow over the years has been incredible, and they are making a meaningful impact. Besides fishing my other true passion is skiing, and helping POW reach a new audience has been really rewarding.

Staff Product Pick 

The two most utilized pieces of gear that I own are the Thunderhead Large Submersible Duffel, and the Thunderhead Sling. The Duffel is with me every weekend whether I am floating the river, or putting on ski boots in the parking lot. The sling is my companion for any river outing, and I think it's one of the most versatile pieces we have. It transitions seamlessly between trout fishing, in the raft, or wading the flats. It even sometime even joins me on a snowy bike ride around town.

Favorite Beer

Too many great beers to choose from, but most likely to be caught with a Coors Original in my hand.

Dream Adventure 

Floating the South Fork of the Salmon in the Fall. Fishing in the morning and chasing Chuckar with the pup in the afternoon.

Will Kurtz

As a 6th generation Coloradan, spending time in the outdoors has always been an integral part of my life. I was fortunate enough to grow up spending weekends fishing, skiing, and playing in the mountains, all activities that left an indelible mark on me from a young age. In fact, after graduating from Brown University, I worked as a fishing guide at A Bar A Ranch in Encampment, WY, followed by a brief career as a ski bum in Jackson Hole. Now, as a partner and the COO of Fishpond, I'm proud to run a business that has called the mountains of Colorado home for over 20 years.

Favorite Fishpond Conservation Partner

As a B Corp, partnerships with conservation organizations, both here in Colorado and around the world, are some of the most important relationships our company is engaged in. One of the groups I have a tremendous amount of respect for is the Western Rivers Conservancy. Their ability to conserve land and protect fish and wildlife in such a tangible way across the American West is unparalleled.

Staff product pick

I simply don't leave home without my Thunderhead Submersible Backpack. During the week, it operates as my commuter bag, safely housing my laptop, notebooks, and everything I need to get work done. On the weekends, you'll find it pulling double duty as my boat bag. That bag is absolutely bombproof, no matter what I throw at it.

Favorite beer

Montucky Cold Snacks. It's a great river beer and I love the fact that they give 8% of profits back to causes in the communities they serve. 

Dream Adventure

Tordrillo Mountain Lodge. Alaska has been on my bucket list for a long time. The opportunity to catch king salmon and heli-ski on the same day is incredibly exciting.

Kevin Best

I was born and raised in Littleton, CO - after graduating from CSU, I moved back to Littleton where I live with my Wife and two Sons. I was introduced to fly fishing by my friend, and his Dad, when I was about 11 years old. Fly fishing has been a major focus in my life ever since. I founded Nomad Fly Fishing in 2010, and joined forces with Fishpond in 2013.

Favorite Fishpond Conservation Partner

Casting 4A Cure

Staff Product Pick

Nomad Mid-length net & Switchback

Favorite Beer

Lagunitas IPA

Dream Adventure

Exploring an island with my family, finding fish and throwing flies at them.

Blake Matzek

I was born in a small town in Oklahoma but moved to Colorado shortly after, kicking off an amazing journey of experiencing and enjoying the outdoors. After working in the backcountry skiing and beer brewing worlds, I joined Fishpond in August of 2017.

Currently living in Erie, Colorado with my little family. As my son grows up, I look forward to getting him out in the wild and passing on my passion for wild places.

Favorite Fishpond Conservation Partner

Trout Unlimited and POW

Staff Product Pick

My Cutbank Gear Bag is my go-to and holds everything I need for a successful day of fishing. The organization is fantastic and, as we know, easy access is key to efficiency on the water.

Favorite Beer

Upslope Brewing Company - India Pale Ale

Dream Adventure

Chasing Golden Dorado in Bolivia with the boys sounds like a good ole time!

Marcus Jump

I was born and raised in Denver, CO and have been lucky enough to explore so much that this great State has to offer. I love to fish, snowboard, backpack, spend time with family, and occasionally have a beer or two. 

Favorite Fishpond Conservation Partner

westernrivers.org

Staff Product Pick

Thunderhead Lumbar Pack

Favorite Beer

Odell's St. Lupulin 

Dream Adventure

New Zealand: Fish in the morning, snowboard in the afternoon, surf at sunset.

Jack Reis

I was born in Louisiana and raised in the Pacific Northwest, so spending time on the water has always been part of my life. After graduating from the University of Denver, working in the corporate world, and spending time on the rivers of Colorado as a fishing guide, I came to Fishpond in 2019 to combine my professional background with a passion for fly fishing and environmental conservation.

Favorite Fishpond Conservation Partner

You won't be able to nail me down on a favorite, but I am passionate about any organization that shares our dedication to effecting positive change for critical environments and species. I also have a deep appreciation for any group that recognizes that success is measured by the degree to which they continue to take action in the face of great opposition. There is no silver bullet for the environmental issues we are presented with, but my favorite conservation organizations continue to take action on the ground floor and advocate for smart water and land policies.

Staff product pick

The Cutbank Gear Bag goes just about everywhere I do. On most day trips it's filled with my spare reels, tippet, fly boxes, sunscreen, and other valuables. When I travel, it doubles as a gear box for all of my photography equipment. On one particularly cold and rainy float in Wyoming, it even acted as a shelter for a new puppy on her first river float!

Favorite beer

Rainier on the river, Pacifico on the beach

Dream Adventure

For years I've been curious to explore parts of the western Amazon in Peru, Columbia, and Brazil. When it comes to saltwater, it has to be Oman. For a fraction of the cost and planning, the lake down the street from my house has never let me down.

Rodrigo Gould

I was born in Cartagena, Colombia and have been lucky enough to explore North America and learn about the culture. I love to surf, fish, play ultimate frisbee, and do a little bit of snowboarding! When I'm not in the office, I enjoy spending time in the mountains with my wife.

Favorite Fishpond Conservation Partner

Western Rivers Conservancy

Staff Product Pick

It's hard to beat the Thunderhead Submersible Backpack on form and function

Favorite Beer

Mountain Livin' Pale Ale

Dream Adventure

Fly fishing on the Caribbean coast of Colombia in the surf at sunset!

Carlos Azuero

I was born in Fort Collins, Colorado, but spent most of my life on the Caribbean waters of the northern coast of Colombia. A couple of years ago I decided to move back to Colorado to take on new adventures and explore these majestic landscapes.

Favorite Fishpond Conservation Partner

Hard to pick one! Anyone out there trying to make a difference deserves a mention and I just hope the list keeps on growing!

Staff Product Pick

The Thunderhead Submersible Sling is the best grab-and-go option for outdoor adventures.

Favorite Beer

An ice-cold Modelo always does the trick!

Dream Adventure

It has always been my dream to explore the Amazon in southern Colombia and experience its wildlife.

Wes Bauer

I grew up in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, which is the location of the seldom known Cuyahoga Valley National Park. From an early start in Boy Scouts, I have committed a huge portion of my life as an outdoor enthusiast, outdoor gear designer, and environmental advocate. I have always loved being around water from activities like whitewater rafting, surfing, and canoeing. Fly fishing is just a budding passion that I am growing to love more and more.

Favorite Fishpond Conservation Partner

Growing up next to what was once known as, “The Burning River”, I have to say the Friends of the Crooked River. They have been working on cleaning up the Cuyahoga River and sanctioning the removal of dam systems since before I was born. They have worked hard to take something that was known as an environmental disaster to become a new outdoor river hub in the heart of Ohio.

Staff Product Pick

I really like the Switchback Pro Wading System. I think it is a really nice balance of providing the important access to your gear when you need it, but can be rotated out of the way when you are ready to cast and just focus on the water. I am excited to build in more accessories to this system, stay tuned!

Favorite Beer

Montucky Cold Snacks

Dream Adventure

I would love to do a multi activity trip where I would go canoe, climb, and fishing in Monterrey Mexico. It would some climbing at El Potrero Chico for a couple of days and then take some time to do some fly fishing for at lake El Salto. Until then, still have all the time in the world to do that in Clear Creek Canyon just a couple of miles from home.

Kent Blackburn

I grew up on the Front Range and between sports, would spend all of my free time outside camping, snowboarding and being generally mischievous. After college I made the move to the Big Apple and after 6 years, and many a bacon, egg and cheese later, knew that I couldn't miss another ski season. My wife and I found our way back to Colorado to pursue our wildest dreams and haven't stopped climbing, biking and, of course, fishing, since.

Favorite Fishpond Conservation Partner

Protect Our Winters

Staff Product Pick

I always keep my Nomad Mid-Length Net within reach

Favorite Beer

A North Star at New Terrain Brewing after some hot laps in Golden

Dream Adventure

Bikepacking the Colorado Trail on my hardtail.