Black as Night - Brown Delight!

So, one of the best things of going to Salt Lake City for the Outdoor Retailer show this time around was getting to meet Thad Robison of the Angling Exploration Group (AEG) and the Fly Fishing Film Tour. If there was ever a better ambassador for a sport, I have not met them. Thad took myself and good friend Tim Ridings out for an evening session on the Provo River below Park City. The browns were on the hunt and we fished well after dark, literally guessing and setting the hook. Nine times out of ten it came back and hit me in the head, but not this one at left. A great way to end the evening. Thanks Thad - see you in Denver!

Ridings Gets It Done!

Tim Ridings with the first fish of the evening on the Provo with Thad Robison of AEG fame. The caddis were hatching, and TR picked this one up on a perfect drift in some pretty swift water. Nicely done!

Taylor Creek - Basalt

Ever since my brother Mike moved to Basalt a few years ago, Taylor Creek Fly Shop has been the go-to location for anything we might need. Perfectly located in downtown Basalt alongside two of the best rivers in Colorado - the Frying Pan and the Roaring Fork - this group has always provided fantastic friendly service and necessary local knowledge. Their bug selection is top notch and you can always grab a couple Patagonia items to make yourself more comfortable out on the water as well. If the Roaring Fork Valley is on your travel agenda, then this shop should be as well.

Mountain Anglers - Breckenridge

In Breckenridge? Then you need to stop by a legendary shop owned by an American fly fishing legend: Jackson Streit. Published author, prolific guide, and all-around fantastic character, Jackson has been at the forefront of the industry and Mountain Angler has been a great Patagonia dealer for many years. I bought my first rod case from Jackson when I started fishing years ago, and it's always fun to stop by and catch up. Located right on Main Street, it is a must-do when in town.

Blue River Anglers - Frisco

Zeke Hersh has done a great job with this shop. Since moving to Main Street Frisco from Breckenridge, Zeke and Blue River Anglers has become a solid Patagonia Core Dealer providing a wonderful shop experience and guide service. It was inspiring to see so many folks coming in for a day out on the rivers at 6:30am as I walked around town looking for a fresh cup of joe. Make sure to swing in and say "hey" to the gang when you're in town. Can't quite get there? Check out the online store.

Cutthroat Anglers

The second leg of this most recent road trip found me in Summit County chatting with Trapper (guiding at left) in Cutthroat Anglers in Silverthorne. A beautiful shop to be sure with the Blue River running right behind it, Cutthroat has everything you need for a day, week or life on the water. I got some great beta for an evening on the Blue about 10 miles north of town and it paid off. In only a couple hours I landed close somewhere around 20 fish in stellar pocket water. Thanks for the tip boys!

Straightline!

Heading to Steamboat Springs? Make a visit to Straightline Sports a priority. Located right on Main Street, these guys are the pros if you want to get into beautiful fish on exceptional water. A great shop with helpful staff always helps - make sure to browse their awesome fly collection with the top picks called out. Owner Brett Lee has been doing this for a while and it shows - Get in there!

Devil's Thumb Ranch

If you are looking for a spectacular get-away in the heart of the Rockies, the Devil's Thumb Ranch is a great way to do it. With private water on the Fraser, a fully outfitted shop and a Patagonia fleet of waders and boots for use, you can't go wrong. I think someone just said "long weekend..."

Winter Park Fly Fisher

I had the opportunity to meet with Jeff Ehlert of the Winter Park Fly Fisher last week on the road. Jeff has been a long time Patagonia partner and is running a great operation in the Fraser Valley in Colorado. I had a great time catching up with him and his staff and getting the lay of the land. Needless to say, they gave me some great beta for hitting the Fraser River that evening, which I did. It was a special treat to catch brookies on a dry fly in a beautiful setting. If you are in the area, make sure to stop by WPFF - a great resource!