Meet Our Guides
Collin Cody
Specialty: Smallmouth bass on the fly and Musky
Collin spent eight years of his life chasing after various salmonoids in the Rocky Mountain West after growing up fishing in Minnesota. During his time there he spent five years guiding clients for Rocky Mountain Anglers of Boulder, Colorado. During that time, he had the chance to hone his guiding skills chasing after front range trout. Like every mid-westerner gone west though, he quickly learned what he left behind and returned home to chase the bronze. Now, he obsesses over them. In his fourth summer with NDO, it's time for you to reap the benefits of this obsession. Giant smallmouth bass on the fly? Yes please.
Join Collin for a day casting flies on one of Northern Minnesota's scenic rivers. Collin floats the rivers using a western style drift boat (skiff) while 1-2 people cast for fish. Days on the river are what Collin lives for and it's his goal to share that passion with you during your trip up to the North Country. While here, plan on targeting large populations of smallmouth bass with some true trophy sized fish willing to play throughout periods of the day. When the smallmouth aren't willing, Northern Pike are a great consolation prize. In fact, the spring and fall offer some of his favorite fishing on the area lakes for these predators. Make sure to inquire about those experiences as well. Watching these species eat oversized streamers or top water flies is truly an exhilarating experience.
Jeff Johnson
Specialty: Walleye, Family outings and Ice fishing
Jeff specializes in fully guided fishing trips for walleye on many lakes located in the northern half of Minnesota. These lakes include Leech Lake, Lake Winnie, Red Lake, Cass Lake, Lake Bemidji, Bowstring Lake, Sand Lake, Pokegama Lake, Trout Lake, and many more. He is prepared to also put clients on northern pike, crappies, bluegills, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. Northern Drift Outfitters is fully insured and offers some of the best equipment on the market today. Over the past few years Jeff has enjoyed getting kids involved in fishing. His background in teaching has gave him the patience needed for the young ones in the boat. Families have came to love a day in the boat where all you have to do is sit back, relax, and catch fish. No matter the experience or skill level, Jeff will put the effort in to make sure your day is one you will not forget!
Tanner Stofferahn
Specialty: Smallmouth bass on the fly and Musky
Tanner has been fly fishing the midwest for over 20 years, chasing everything from salmon, steelhead, to smallmouth bass. Tanner’s background in conventional tackle has given him an understanding of fish movements and patterns, that are new to most in the fly fishing community. In the off season he spends his time designing flies, and hand building musky lures. Most flies that Northern Drift Outfitters fish, started on Tanner’s fly tying bench. Tanner’s attention to detail brings his clients success, even when the conditions are always changing on a river system.
Tanner was one of three guides featured in “Fly Fish Minnesota” a documentary film by Bluff Line Media.
Tanner takes pride in teaching and seeing others have a rewarding and positive experience in the outdoors, the shot at a smallmouth bass of a lifetime on the fly is a bonus. Join Tanner for a day on the river chasing smallmouth bass, or when the conditions are right, the elusive musky.