We’ve lived in Colorado for 12 years now and have never explored the Gunnison/Crested Butte area. We decided we need to explore that area this summer and fish the famous Blue Mesa Reservoir for Lake Trout. We found that this area is a great place for various outdoor activities including hiking, biking, kayaking, paddle boarding and fishing. It is also full of breathtaking views.  We found several awesome fishing holes that were family friendly and a few that required a little bit more skill. There were places where you could work on your fly fishing techniques or cast a line with a spinni ..read more

The lake is “coming back,” according to the CPW officer we spoke to on the shore of Echo Canyon Reservoir in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. We have to admit the fishing was excellent this June (2021) and surprisingly very fishable from shore. The water was low, clear,  and the fish were hungry. We arrived in early June for 4 days to fish the Pagosa Springs area. We fished a couple new spots including Million Lake and Albert Park Reservoir. Our favorite go to place is Echo Canyon Reservoir located about 4 miles south of town. We love this place because of the wide variety of fish you can catch ..read more

The large rivers in Texas often run muddy making a person wonder if there are any fish to be caught in them.  There is the feeling that there are large fish present, but there is always the question, “How do you catch them?”  Being such a nerd to watch such TV shows as “River Monsters” has paid off many times.  In one episode, the star of the show fished the Trinity River to specifically catch a huge alligator gar.  The guide he used is a guide available to anyone who has a few dollars to spend and who want an outstanding chance at catching one of these large prehistoric fi ..read more

The Original Ty-Rite is one of my favorite fishing tools and I take it everywhere my fly rod and fly box go. So, of course it came to Alaska with me. I was excited to be able to introduce Alaska to Ty-Rite and share it through social media and in fly shops. A big shout out to a great fishing tool!!! Also, made in the USA. The Ty-Rite Jr. is a small orange tool that holds a fly at the bend in the hook to prevent dropped flies, hooked fingers, and unwanted scents on your fly. Most of all, it makes tying your tippet on the fly so much easier. Just grasp the fly, insert the line, twist and tie t ..read more

When you return to your apartment with an aching back, sore arms, hungry, and tired, you know it was not only a fun day on the river, but a great day of fishing for big fish. The fishing in Kodiak never disappoints. The island is surrounded by some of the most incredible fisheries in the country. We arrived in Kodiak at the end of August with hopes of catching some big silver salmon out of the rivers. We are a little early for the big silver run, but there always seems to be a few for us to warm-up on to prepare for the silvers coming in from the ocean in mid-September. The rivers are a lit ..read more

Wyoming is a wildlife and fishing wonder. There are antelope and deer in every field you pass. There are many reservoirs and rivers to try your luck. We gave it a shot and fished the La Bonte Creek and Sweetwater River.  We started by driving to La Bonte Creek. This creek is a beautiful gem with various recreational activities available, including camping, hiking and trails for ATVs. It is located in the Laramie Mountains of Southeast Wyoming, near Douglas. The Laramie Mountains are not as high as some of the surrounding mountain ranges, but they still rise to over 10,000 ft, in el ..read more

The Colorado Fishing Atlas once again led us to a couple of fun little fishing holes near the Salida/Buena Vista area. They were both in beautiful locations within a few miles from each other, surrounded by the Collegiate Peaks, with Mt. Princeton being the most prominate in that area at 14,000 ft.  Both fishing holes were family friendly, in fact there were several families at each lake with kids of all ages having a great time catching 10″-12″ stocked rainbow trout. There were also anglers like us just having fun catching and releasing. Chalk Lake is just inside of the San Isabel Nati ..read more

The east-flowing Sweetwater River in Wyoming begins in the Wind River Mountains and flows to its eventual terminus at Pathfinder Reservoir, where its waters join the waters from the larger North Platte River. The valley along this river is full of history and historical sites, some of which are managed and maintained by the LDS Church, and are open to the general public. The Oregon Trail, the California Trail, and the Mormon Trail all converged and followed the same route along this valley for nearly 100 miles. There are several geographic landmarks along this river that are beautiful and pr ..read more

Buckle up! The fishing hole is just ten miles up the rough and rocky road, but once you reach the North Fork Reservior, see the spectacular views, and experience the great fishing, you will forget all about the time it took you to get there. You will enjoy the peaceful scenery and relax on the shore while fishing in this remote location. Pack a lunch and plenty of water to enjoy the day. North Fork Reservoir is located about 18 miles from Salida, Colorado off CR-240, and sits at ~11,400 ft. above sea level. The road to the lake is rough and we recommend a high clearance or four-wheel-drive ..read more

Salida, Colorado, is known as the heart of the Rockies. It is also known for its world class white-water rafting and fly-fishing on the Arkansas River. Several hot springs grace the area, as well as up to fifteen mountains over 14,000 feet to climb, world-class four-wheeling, zip-lining, rock climbing, etc. These features draw lots of tourists to the area in the warmer months, while hunting and a decent ski area (Monarch Mountain) draws people in the colder months. Less known are several small lakes nearby that provides outstanding fishing for several species. Without local knowledge, or use ..read more