Across Colorado, the crisp night air of autumn causes anglers to break out high collared fleeces and streamer boxes full of heavy, articulated offerings that move big trout and even bigger pike. The cooling atmosphere brings aggressive Northern Pike into the shallow water bays of numerous Colorado reservoirs to feed […]
Colorado, much like it’s neighboring states Wyoming and Utah is known for quality trout fly fishing. Most people that come to Colorado to experience fly fishing, go trout fishing. The rivers and lakes, for the most part, are chock-full of trout. In the local angling community, most of us start […]
Adventuring and fly fishing. If you ask me, they are two peas in a pod. And although they share numerous characteristics, there is one common thread that shines through. What motivates someone to hike the extra mile into unknown territory? What is the driving force behind an angler’s desire to […]
Who doesn’t love late summer fly fishing when we can tie on a giant size 6 hopper pattern only to watch a big fish race out of a cut bank and suck down your fly? On the local rivers here in Colorado we see grasshoppers throughout the riparian zones starting […]
As the PMD hatch peters off, my buddy informs me that he’s having success with his Top Secret Midge rig. I fumble through three fly boxes and finally locate a lonely size 22 in that pattern. A little annoyed, I scour the boxes a second time. I know I have […]
This summer has been hot, we have seen abnormal high water temperatures for June and July. There have been voluntary fishing closures across the state, wildfires, and at times a stressed trout population. It has many anglers including myself thinking about the health of the fisheries and all the different […]
Have you looked around the Vail Valley lately? Evidence is popping up all around. Being keen observers of our natural environment, we are all seeing the signs of fall coming early to trout country. From bugs and bears to brown trout and berries, the signs of an early autumn in […]
6:18 am: As the sun begins to crest the pine-studded ridge to the east, I slip on my Patagonia Ultralight wading boots. With the laces tight and gravel guards secure, my attention shifts to the river and the hike ahead of me. 7:44 am: After 2 miles of walking downstream […]
It had been 7 years since my last college course. That’s a long time to be absent from lectures, homework, powerpoints and the like. So admittedly, I was a little nervous about re-entering the collegiate realm. As I walked over to Vail Valley Anglers for the first day of class, […]
A good pair of polarized sunglasses is a fundamental piece of equipment that provides not only an edge to catch more fish but is a vital piece of safety equipment. Choosing a pair of sunglasses can be an intimidating task, the sunglasses market is saturated with various brands, all sorts […]
Don’t miss…Part 1: Try something New!, Part 2: Gear, Part 3: Logistics Do you crave cooler temps, unending top-water action, alpine vistas and some mother nature immersion? Feeling like a new adventure might be just what the doctor ordered? Are you willing to put in some effort in order to reap worthy […]
Golden Stoneflies are the most abundant larger stonefly hatch that we have here in the west. Golden’s thrive in both freestone and tailwater fisheries. While the presence of golden’s are an indicator of good river health, the bugs don’t need as pristine conditions like their distant cousins the Salmon Flies. […]