Late winter and early spring is when local fly fishing communities really come alive, and Colorado Trout Unlimited chapters are right in the middle of it. If you have been meaning to meet local volunteers, pick up a few new patterns, or just spend a day around people who care about rivers and the fish that live in them, these chapter expos are made for you. Two great events are coming up in March, each with its own flavor, but both are built around the same thing: community, education, and support for local conservation and outreach.
West Denver Fly Tying Clinic, March 7 in Golden
The West Denver Chapter’s Fly Tying Clinic is back on Saturday, March 7, and it is set up as an all-day, hands-on fly tying and gear event for every kind of angler. Expect a big bucket raffle, fantasy raffle, silent auction, and plenty of ways to support the chapter while you are there. New to fly tying or stuck on a pattern? Stop by the Learn to Tie area and get face-to-face help.
A highlight returning for its second year is the Build a Box promotion, where you can put together a fly box from your favorite tiers. You will also have the rare chance to watch top fly tyers demonstrate their signature flies up close. Entry is required, and hand-tied flies are available for purchase by coupon only. Coupon tickets are sold to support the West Denver Chapter and are used to “buy” flies from the tiers, twenty-five coupon tickets for $20.
Details
Date and time: Saturday, March 7, 2026, nine am to three pm
Location: Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 15200 West sixth Avenue, Golden, CO 80401
Admission: $20 adult or teen at the door; $30 family (three or more). Active military and kids twelve and younger are free.
Rocky Mountain Flycasters Northern Colorado Expo, March 28 in Loveland
On Saturday, March 28, the Rocky Mountain Flycasters are hosting the Northern Colorado Expo in Loveland, and it is a bigger “all-things-fly-fishing” format with something for everyone, especially families. The expo features over thirty exhibitors including local fly shops, fishing equipment suppliers, outfitters, watershed coalitions, and Rocky Mountain Flycasters conservation and education programs.
Fly tying is a major draw here too. You will find demonstrations from twenty-five well-known expert tyers, plus a kids tie-a-fly table. There are also signature fly tyer sessions in a small group setting with Pat Dorsey, Rick Takahashi, and Marty Staab. Throughout the day, you can catch expert speakers, including guides, tyers, authors, and filmmakers, with featured names including Pat Dorsey, Jeramie Prine, and the Braker Bros.
If you are bringing kids, there is a lot to keep them engaged: tie a fly, the Lawn Trout casting game, and even live stream bugs. Add casting demonstrations and games, prize drawings, and silent and live auctions for fly gear and trips, including new and lightly used items at a wide range of price points. You will also find RMFTU-branded merchandise for sale, and attendees receive a free “Trout Hero” mesh bag to help keep streams clean while supplies last. Bonus: vintage and classic rods, reels, and memorabilia will be on display, presented by nationally known antique dealer and author John Sollo. Free parking is available, and there may even be live llamas in the afternoon, weather permitting.
Details
Date and time: Saturday, March 28, 2026, ten am to three pm
Location: The Ranch Events Complex, Pedersen Toyota Center Building, South Hall, 5280 Arena Circle, Loveland, CO
Admission: Adults $10 online in advance or $20 day-of; families $20 online or $30 day-of (one or two adults plus children). Teens, military, veterans, and first responders $5 online or $10 day-of. Kids twelve and under and disabled attendees are free. Free parking.
Support your local Trout unlimited community
These events are fun, but they also do real work. Raffles, auctions, admissions, and chapter fundraising help power the volunteer energy behind river restoration days, youth education, community events, and the local relationships that keep conservation moving. If you have been looking for an easy on-ramp to get involved, this is it: show up, meet people, and leave with new skills, new flies, and a stronger connection to your local fly fishing community.
If you are attending either event, bring a friend who is curious about fly fishing or conservation. Chapter expos are one of the best ways to turn curiosity into community.
Looking for more ways to plug in this season? Colorado TU chapters host fly tying nights, conservation projects, socials, and on-the-water events across the state, and there’s something on the calendar for every schedule and experience level. Check out the full chapter events calendar to find what’s coming up near you.
