To kick off the New Year and to get excited for a fresh set of angling adventures, we asked the Anglers All crew to share their fly fishing goals for 2023. Our team has some exciting things to look forward to this year.
What are your fly fishing goals for 2023? Visiting a new destination? Learning a new technique? Fishing for a new species? Here’s what the Anglers All team had to say:
Daryl
“Well, I would love to finally catch a carp on a fly that I tie!” Daryl said with a hint of sarcasm. “I've been Photoshoping all of the fish you see thus far, so I feel it's time to finally do it!”
In case you don’t already know Daryl, he’s a carp wizard, and Umpqua Signature Tyer, with several original carp patterns to his name in our bins. He’s also endlessly entertaining. So what’s really on Daryl’s list of 2023 goals?
“I am going to continue my high country trout adventures, as I really enjoyed doing that this past year,” Daryl said. “I have a salt trip in the near future, so I'm hoping for bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook, or whatever else wants to eat my fly,” he laughed.
“Ben and I are talking about going to Michigan again, but perhaps changing our focus to Beaver Island smallmouth and carp,” Daryl said. “Inside of all of this I have been tying some larger flies for pike and tiger musky, so I am eager to start hunting big toothy critters and hucking flies at them as well!
“I usually fill in the gaps with local stuff on the DSP, lakes, ponds and reservoirs, so my usual daily goals of local exploring is always in motion,” he continued. “I am eager to get more involved with Denver Trout Unlimited in 2023, and plan on becoming a board member. This will allow me to become more involved with local conservation topics both allowing me to have a voice and learn the process.”
Keep an eye out for Daryl behind the fly tying vise this year as well, as he will be doing more tying demos, videos, and classes which he tells us he enjoys immensely.
“I am very excited about a fruitful and rewarding 2023,” he said in closing. “Here's to lot's of nervous water and tight lines!”
Rachel
“2023 is my year to step out of my fishing comfort zone,” Rachel told us. “My arms will be sore from learning to row this summer. The big toothy fish that I have haphazardly fished for in the past, will have full dedicated trips this year. The alarms will be set even earlier for faraway alpine cutthroat. The lakes two blocks away will be my morning routine before heading to the shop. The blue dots on my "To Fish" map bookmarks will be finally explored.
“I just have to remember: Pack the night before, wake up on the first alarm, bring endless snacks and beer (you'll need more than you think), and fish until you can no longer see the fly,” Rachel added.
Jeff
“I have very modest fishing goals for 2023,” Jeff began. “First, beginning to introduce my daughter to fly fishing. This will definitely be more of a core memory builder for Dad than it will be for her. Yet being able to spend time with her while fishing is an absolute dream.
“Second, I plan on exploring smaller waters more than in previous years and really focus on fishing single dry flies with a light weight rod,” he said. “I am also planning a summer trip back home to Michigan's great Upper Peninsula where I would like to fish some very remote areas and find some vibrant brook trout.
“Oh, one last thing,” he added with a smirk. “Catch more pike on the fly than Delaney this year, just like I did last year.”
Doug
“My son, Riley and his family, are planning on moving back to Colorado after having spent several years in Arizona,” Doug told us. “So I look forward to spending more time fishing with him in 2023!”
Johnnie
When questions pop up at the shop around float fishing, we all turn to Johnnie, with hundreds of floats under his belt around the west, he is our in house expert, and it's no surprise that at the top of his list is to “Spend as much time as possible floating my favorite stretches of river in Colorado and Utah”, he then added that “it would be great to combine those floats with more time fishing with the guys and gals at the shop”.
On the flip side of rowing trout water, Johnnie was also quick to add that one of his 2023 angling goals “is to practice, fish and become a better Spey caster”, “oh, and another long time goal of mine is to catch a monster Pike on the fly. I will be spending some time this year casting big flies to those big fish”
Ben
“My fishing goals for 2023 are to get back to the saltwater,” Ben said. “Most likely the Florida Keys or some other destination trip like that. I also want to spend more time targeting warm water species other than carp, like bass, pike, and crappie. I've fished for carp quite a bit in recent years, but I’d like to spend more effort going after some of the less frequently targeted species on the fly.”
Delaney
“My fishing goal for this year is to continue to learn and get better at fishing streamers,” Delaney said. “That includes casting out of boats, wading, and from the banks of stillwaters. I also would like to continue to fish more of Colorado’s high alpine lakes during the summer season and spend my weekends backpacking.
“My last goal is to prove to Jeff I will catch a pike on a fly.”
Blake
“I always hit the New Year, and the coldest part of the winter, dreaming of summer fishing,” Blake began. “This year I hope to explore more small streams across Colorado and put a few native Cutthroats in my net. Another goal of mine is to continue to progress as a Spey caster and angler. And maybe, just maybe swing up a hard fighting brown in the two-foot range. That size of fish on the swing that has eluded me thus far.
“On a non-angling, but equally important note,” Blake added. “Spending a bit more time working on conservation projects, raising money, and spreading the word on preserving cold clean water is high on my list and makes all the above possible!”
Drew
“My fishing goals for 2023 are to just spend as much time on the water as possible and to try and fish as much new water as I can,” Drew told us. “I’d like to take my raft down as many new stretches and new rivers as I can to continue improving as an oarsman. Landing a 50-inch Muskie on the fly has been a goal for a few years now too, so hopefully this is my year.”
Larkin
The man behind the lens in a lot of our videos and fishy photos, reminded us that angling goals don’t always have to involve netting fish. “My fly fishing goal for 2023 isn't related to catching more fish or bigger fish. This year, I want to spend more time at the river not fishing, but instead slowing down and trying to focus on appreciating the great outdoors" Larkin said. "Trout don't live in ugly places”.
Set Your Fly Fishing Goals for 2023
What fly fishing goals would you like to accomplish this year? As you think about what’s ahead, please let us know how we can help. Whether it’s a technique, a destination or a specific species, we’d be glad to help you get there. Visit us at the fly shop in Littleton or give us a call at 303-794-1104.
From all of us here at Anglers All, happy New Year and cheers to great new memories in 2023!