Help, I’ve Never Fly Fished Before!
Or ice fished before, or even fished before!
That’s just fine by me.
Fishing is a lifetime activity, and it’s never too late to start. It’s a privilege to be part of your angling adventure, and a day on the water with me is your day to learn in a no-pressure setting.
Fishing is supposed to be fun. Let’s make sure there’s no anxiety before you even book.
What can I expect from my first guided trip?
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No matter the type of trip we book, your day on the water with me is designed to be just that: yours. I’ll make it a stress-free experience by tailoring the day to your ability level and needs. There’s no need to worry about purchasing or renting expensive fishing or safety equipment, knowing all the terminology or flies, or anything else. It’s just fishing!
Come curious about fishing and excited to be in the outdoors, and I’ll handle the rest!
What kind of fishing adventure sounds like me?
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A half-day walk & wade trip is a very different experience from a full-day float, and ice fishing has its own rhythm. Whatever we’re doing, I’ll explain the plan beforehand so you know what to expect. But here’s a general idea:
Walk & Wade and Learn to Fly Fish on the Water — let’s explore on foot!
I promise we’re not hiking ten miles on your first day of fishing! My job is to show you more easily accessible places to find success so we can concentrate our time together on learning and applying fishing techniques. I’ll carry the gear, drinks, and grub so you can focus on the fishing. Waders and boots are usually not necessary, and can be acquired if needed. Learn more about Walk & Wade and Learn to Fly Fish on the Water Trips.
Float Fishing — sit back, enjoy the view, and let’s fish!
The absolute best way to learn on the water. From the comfort of the drift boat, we get to see lots of different kinds of water and lots more fish, and you get a comfy seat to view the beautiful Western Colorado scenery! For river floats, we’ll coordinate shuttle and transportation as needed, and for stillwater trips, we’ll decide on a meeting place and time. I’ll have PFDs and all the fishing gear, drinks, snacks, and lunch (full-days only). Waders and boots are usually not necessary, and can be acquired if needed. Learn more about Float Fishing Trips.
Ice Fishing — a completely different way to spend a winter day!
From a full rundown of what to wear, to a heated shelter and a hot lunch, let me take care of the gear so you can focus on the fun! Ice fishing is a great way to get outdoors in the winter, especially with a group, so grab your friends and let’s get out on the hard water! With a full array of electronics and a lot of experience, I’ll help demystify what’s going on beneath the ice and hopefully get a bend in that short rod! Learn more about ice fishing trips.
What’s included in your trip:
Fishing rods/reels
Flies, leaders, tippet, etc. and bait for ice fishing
Safety equipment
PFDs for floats
Drinks/snacks
Lunch on full-day trips
Waders/boots if needed
What you bring:
Colorado fishing license (required for 16+)
Sunglasses — polarized is preferable
Hat
Sunscreen
Water bottle
Personal medications
Camera/phone, if desired
What's not included in my booking?
Your fishing license
Personal clothing/footwear
Transportation to/from the meeting point
Gratuity
What do I wear?
Dress for the weather, not the calendar! Western Colorado weather can change quickly, so layers are your friend. As we get closer to your trip, I’ll have an eye on the weather and can point you in the right direction. I'll give you specific recommendations based on the type of trip, time of year, and conditions.
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What do I need to bring?
Still have questions? All good! Here are some of the things I hear most often from first-time anglers:
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Okay, but what about . . .
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As soon as you’re thinking you might like to go fishing, drop me a line! The sooner you know your dates, the better, as my calendar can fill up quickly during the busiest parts of the season. That said, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re looking for a trip on short notice. I may have an opening, and if I’m already booked, I have a great network of reputable partner outfitters I can send you to. My goal is simple: get you out fishing!
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Anyone over 16 is required to purchase an applicable Colorado Fishing License. Purchase yours at https://cpw.state.co.us/activities/fishing/fishing-licenses-and-dates and support the great work our Colorado Parks and Wildlife does to steward and protect our vital natural resources!
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Gratuity is never expected, but it’s always appreciated, and hopefully well-earned! If you’re wondering what’s customary, 20% is a normal tip, while 25–30% is a great tip for a great day. More than anything, a tip is simply a way of saying thank you for the time, effort, and experience put into your day, and I thank you in return!
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I’m willing to fish through just about anything, but that doesn’t mean I think we should! For a first-time angler especially, I want your day on the water to be enjoyable, comfortable, and safe. I’ll keep an eye on the weather and conditions throughout the day and make the call if we need to change plans because of lightning, high water, or other dangerous conditions. You can focus on fishing—I’ll worry about the weather.
If conditions look like it’s going to make it difficult to have fun, I’ll be in touch and we’ll figure out the best plan together.
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Success in fly fishing—and really, all fishing—needs to be measured a little differently. There are days I come home and my wife asks how the fishing was, and I tell her, “I made three perfect drifts.”And that’s good enough for me.
I’m not going to judge your day by how many fish you catch, and neither should you! You’ve never done it before!
Fly fishing is especially holistic and connected to nature. If we focus so hard on catching a fish that we miss everything else happening around us, we’ve missed a big part of the experience. Maybe you made a few excellent casts, shared some laughs, or made a new fishing buddy. Those things count, too.
I’ll always do my best to put you in a position to catch fish. But my goal is for you to leave feeling like you had a great day fishing. Maybe you learned something new, made a new memory, strengthened a friendship, or simply spent a good day outside with good company.
And if a fish ends up in the net? Even better.
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That depends on the type of trip we’re doing.
Walk & wade trips are generally pretty easy physically, but they do involve walking between fishing spots and spending more time moving around than you would in a boat. We’ll tailor the day to your ability level, and I’ll make sure we’re fishing water that makes sense for you.
Float trips are probably the easiest way to spend a full day fishing. You’ll have a comfortable seat, we’ll cover a lot of water, and I’ll handle the rowing and navigation. Your job is pretty much to enjoy the scenery and fish.
Ice fishing is usually pretty manageable, too. The two things I hear people worry about most are the ice and slipping, so I take both seriously. I’ll make sure we’re fishing on safe ice, and I’ll have the equipment and experience to help you move around safely.
If you have any concerns about the physical demands of a particular trip, just ask. We’ll figure out the right fit before we ever hit the water.
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Absolutely. The more the merrier!
My boat accommodates two people besides me, and anyone who can walk is welcome on a walk & wade or ice fishing trip. You don’t have to be an angler to enjoy a day on the water with us.
There isn’t really a minimum age for my trips, but age and experience can help determine what kind of day makes the most sense. I’ve taken a four-year-old fly fishing for a half day and had an awesome time. Every kid is different, and sometimes a shorter day is the perfect way to introduce them to fishing. We’ll figure out the right trip and length of day for your group.
Trip fees are generally based on the number of people coming along, whether they’re fishing or not. If you have someone who wants to tag along and they won’t add any significant cost to the trip, just ask. I’m happy to work with you.
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Nope.
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For sure. I’ll have everything you need, but if you have your own gear and want to use it, feel free!
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Life happens. If you need to cancel or reschedule, just let me know as soon as you can and we’ll figure it out. I don’t believe in making things unnecessarily complicated, and I’ll always do my best to work with you.
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First, we’ll select the trip style and date—or dates—that work best for you. If you’re joining me for a full-day trip, I’ll reach out about any food allergies or preferences so I can plan accordingly.
As your trip gets closer, I’ll keep an eye on the weather and conditions and make the best call on where we’ll fish. I’ll also send reminder emails with everything you need to know, including what to bring, where to meet, etc.
Basically, once you book, you can buy your fishing license and stop worrying about the details. I’ll take it from there.
Ready to give it a shot?
You don’t need the right gear, the right knots, or years of experience. You’ve got me.
You just need to be curious, come ready to have a good time, and I’ll take care of the rest.
Let’s get you on the water.