Consider a gift that gives back

Rep Your Water Hats & Sun Hoodies

Show your support for our state’s beautiful rivers and fish by sporting the Colorado TU Rep Your Water trucker hat the next time you’re out for a day on the water! Or with your generous support, the lightweight cutthroat Rep Your Water Aqua Sun Hoodie ($68.95 value) can be yours. We offer sizes S-XXL so there is something for everyone!

Shop local with gift cards to your fly shop

Support conservation and buy local this holiday giving season! Gift cards are available to the following CTU Business Partners: Alpine Angling (Carbondale), Anglers All (Littleton), Angler’s Covey (Colorado Springs), ArkAnglers (Salida/Buena Vista), Cutthroat Anglers (Silverthorne), Duranglers (Durango), Front Range Anglers (Boulder), Roaring Fork Anglers (Glenwood Springs), Steamboat FlyFisher (Steamboat Springs), St. Peter’s Fly Shop (Ft. Collins), Trouts Fly Fishing (Denver and Frisco), Western Anglers (Grand Junction).

Hit the slopes for native trout

We've teamed up with one of our favorite grassroots conservation organizations, Colorado Trout Unlimited, and one of the most talented outdoor artists in the world, Nick Laferriere to bring this Special Edition Snowboard and Skis to you! For every board or pair of skis built, Gilson Snow will donate $75 to CTU to be used in their conservation efforts to protect and expand populations of native trout in the state of Colorado.

Using Gilson's most versatile All-Mountain models, Nick has designed artwork that embodies our passions of getting on the mountain and getting into the river. Whether exploring the backcountry or cruising a groomer, the Fly By is well equipped to handle a multitude of terrain and condition combinations. If matching the hatch and finding powder stashes are both up your alley, the Fly By is the board or skis you need in your quiver.

Native Trout Dog Collars by Dublin Dog Co.

Dublin Dog has generated a limited-edition cutthroat trout collar to support awareness of, and raise funds for, native trout recovery in Colorado. Proceeds from this collar benefit Colorado Trout Unlimited and their efforts to protect, conserve, and restore Colorado’s native cutthroat trout.

Also available at select locations:

• The Next Eddy Salida, CO

• Yampa Valley Fly Fishers Steamboat Springs, CO

• Basin+Bend Evergreen, CO

• West Denver Trout Unlimited Chapter

• Five Rivers Trout Unlimited Chapter

• Grand Valley Anglers Trout Unlimited Chapter

Protect Our Rivers License Plate

Show your support for Colorado’s rivers by displaying this ultra-cool license plate on your vehicle! 100% of the money raised goes toward the conservation, protection, and restoration of rivers and streams in Colorado. So whether you’re a farmer, kayaker, hunter, rafter, or angler – or just someone who appreciates the natural beauty that rivers bring to our landscape – the Protect Our Rivers license plate shows that you’re willing to put your money where your interest lies!

Give the Gift of a TU Membership

Need a gift idea for that special person in your life? Consider the gift of a Trout Unlimited membership. Memberships include some awesome benefits, such as a subscription to the TROUT magazine, but best of all, your membership helps protect cold, clean fishable waters for generations to come. 

Thank you for another great year and happy holidays!

Spring Pre-Season Prep

Photo by Chad Chorney

Apr 25, 2019 - This is a repost from our business partner’s blog, Rep Your Water.

Post written by Chad Chorney - photographer, guide for Picabo Anglers in Idaho and RepYourWater Ambassador

Spring Pre-Season Prep

 Spring is a great time to take a look at your fly-fishing gear and get ready for the upcoming season. Here are a few things you can do to take care of your rods, reels, waders, boots, and lines.

Fly Lines

Cleaning your fly lines is not only quick and easy, but also extends their life. Before cleaning, inspect the line for any cracks, splits, nicks, etc. A small crack or nick in the line can be fixed with a thin coating of UV epoxy or with a splice; larger problems are best solved by getting a new line. Don’t throw your old lines in the garbage! Flyvines (www.flyvines.com), will recycle your old lines into bracelets, lanyards, and sun glass retainers.

 To clean your line, all you need are a couple of buckets, warm water, mild dish detergent, and a soft, clean cloth (chamois is a great material to use). One bucket should contain warm water and a bit of the detergent, while the other bucket is used for a clean water rinse. Strip your line into the soapy bucket and let it sit for about a half hour. Next, run the line through the soft cloth as you strip it into the rinse bucket. The final step is to strip the line into a clean, dry bucket, and then wind back on the reel. For optimal results, you can then lightly coat your line with a fly line dressing. Rio Products (www.rioproducts.com) has two great videos on line cleaning and care under the “Learn” heading on their website.

 Fly Rods

 It’s a good idea to inspect and clean your fly rods as well. Check the guides for any nicks or grooves. Look closely at the ferrules and reel seat to determine if any problems exist. Fixing these problems now can save you time on the water later!

Cork rod grips can be cleaned with soapy water and a very soft-bristled brush. To clean the rod itself, use either a damp cloth or a common furniture polish such as Pledge. If using polish, be sure to apply only a light coating, and remove any excess.

Photo by Chad Chorney

Cork rod grips can be cleaned with soapy water and a very soft-bristled brush. To clean the rod itself, use either a damp cloth or a common furniture polish such as Pledge. If using polish, be sure to apply only a light coating, and remove any excess.

 Fly Reels

While fishing, it’s easy for dirt, sand, and grit to find its way into the inner workings of your fly reels. Debris that becomes lodged in the fly reel’s drag, spool, or handle can seriously damage the reel. Rinse your reels in clean water and let them air dry thoroughly. Tough dirt can be removed with a cotton swab, and a can of compressed air is useful at cleaning out tight spaces.

 Waders & Boots

Waders that are very dirty can lose some of their breathability and waterproofing. Most waders can be cleaned via the gentle cycle (cold water only) on household washing machines. It’s critical to use a quality detergent such as Tech Wash; this detergent, and others like it, will not impede the breathability of materials such as Gore-Tex. After washing, waders should be air dried only. Never put your waders in the dryer! Spraying cleaned waders with Revivex will enhance the breathability and performance of waders. Note – it’s a good idea to consult specific wader manufacturers web sites for washing instructions.

Shoelaces on wading boots can degrade over time. Now is a great time top replace wading boot laces and inspect the wading boots for tears, loose soles, etc.

Cleaning your gear as described above won’t take much time, and if you take care of your gear, it will take care of you!