Chris Butz – Fly Fishing, Wingshooting Guide as well as Gundog Trainer

Chris joined Hawkins in 2019 as a wingshooting and fly fishing guide.  By joining HO, he not only brought his fly fishing experience, but also a solution to meet the wingshooting needs that many of our clients search for.  He has over 40 years of experience chasing all kinds of upland birds and waterfowl, as well as training gundogs for clients that enjoy the same.  Additionally, as Chuck started to look towards retirement, Chris purchased HO the same year, keeping Chuck as a partner.

Chris and his wife Angie have 5 beautiful children and moved to northern Michigan over 15 years ago.  This move was a dream come true.  It brought a slower pace of life and a step towards Chris starting to guide for grouse, woodcock, waterfowl and anything with fins.  They count each day a blessing to live in this amazing area doing what they love.  But the story doesn’t start there….

Chris grew up in central Indiana chasing anything with wings and that involved bird dogs.  When he wasn’t investigating the woods and fields of central and southern Indiana, he was fishing for anything with fins.  This foundation in warmwater species helped Chris as he started fly fishing over 20 years ago.

After graduating high school, Chris went to Michigan State University to pursue studies in Zoology and Ecology with a focus in Environmental Sciences.  He brings this knowledge of animal biology and the environment to better understand the birds and fish he chases with this clients. He enjoys educating the clients so that they better understand their quarry and the effects the environment has on its biology.

No matter whether it’s chasing feather or fin, Chris enjoys spending time with clients creating “unforgettable memories” that they’ll share with their family and friends.

Specialties:  USCG Master Captain; Grouse, woodcock, waterfowl, trout, smallmouth and other warmwater species.  Of course, there’s always gundogs!