Guides
Straight how-tos for the water near Denver, from your first spinning setup to winter tailwaters.
Get set up
Gear, spooling, knots and casting, in the order you'll need them.
Buying Your First Spinning Setup
How to buy your first spinning setup: spinning vs spincast vs baitcaster, rod length and power, reel size, line, realistic costs and what to avoid.
2 min read
How to Set Up a Spinning Rod and Reel
Set up a new spinning combo in 10 minutes: mount the reel, spool line without twist, thread the guides, set the drag and tie on.
2 min read
Spinning Reel Problems: Fast Fixes
Reel cranks but no line goes on? Line wraps the bail arm or snaps in a tangle? Fast fixes for the most common spinning reel spooling problems.
3 min read
How to Cast a Spinning Rod
Six steps to cast a spinning rod, plus fixes for rigs too light to cast, line that won't release, and casts that slam the water at your feet.
2 min readFishing Knots: Which One, When, and How
The six fishing knots that cover almost everything: arbor, improved clinch, Palomar, double surgeon's, double uni and non-slip loop, with uses and steps.
3 min read
Fishing Trip Checklist
A printable fishing checklist for pond and river trips: tackle, bait, license, dog gear and the small items everyone forgets, like hooks.
2 min read
The Winter Tailwater Fly Box
A compact winter fly box for Colorado tailwaters: midges, Baetis, attractors and mysis, plus tippet and accessories.
1 min read
Rigs and tactics
What to tie on and how to fish it once you're at the water.
The Bobber and Bait Rig
The simplest, most effective panfish rig: hook, split shot, bobber and bait, plus depth, bait choice and cold-water tweaks.
2 min readFishing Bait on a Fly Rod
Forgot hooks or tangled your spinning reel? Use a fly rod, a woolly bugger and a piece of worm under an indicator. Check local rules first.
2 min read
Live Bait vs Gulp
Live bait vs scented artificial bait: when each works, where stores keep live bait and how to keep crawlers alive in the cold.
2 min readBluegill and Crappie Tips
Simple bluegill and crappie tips: bait size, depth, schooling behavior and keeping fish to eat.
2 min readCatching Bass in Cold Water
Cold-water bass fishing made simple: where bass hold, slow bottom presentations, how to detect the bite and set the hook.
2 min read
Reading the water and seasons
Flows, hatches and what changes month to month.
Winter Fly Fishing Near Denver
A practical guide to winter fly fishing near Denver: which tailwaters stay open, the best time of day, midge rigs, safety and staying warm.
3 min readThe Best Tailwaters Near Denver
The best tailwater fly fishing near Denver, from Waterton Canyon to the Fryingpan, with drive times, what each is best for and whether dogs are allowed.
2 min readHow to Read Streamflow for Fly Fishing
How to read river flows for fishing: cfs vs gauge height, picking the right gauge, USGS vs Colorado DWR stations, normal flows and what a sudden change means.
2 min readFront Range Hatch Chart
A month-by-month hatch chart for Front Range tailwaters and nearby freestones: midges, Baetis, PMDs, caddis, tricos, drakes and more.
2 min readColorado Fish Salvages, Explained
What a CPW emergency fish salvage is, the rules that still apply, how to find one and how to catch fish in a shrinking reservoir.
1 min read
Fishing with dogs
Where they're allowed and how to keep them happy out there.