The Anglers All team recently had the opportunity to spend time chatting with Orvis director of product design and development, Shawn Combs. As the lead fly rod designer for Orvis, we were curious to pick Shawn’s brain about the new Helios fly rods.

Having spent some time casting and fishing with the new flagship rods from Orvis, there’s no doubt they’re impressive. Boasting four-times more accuracy, 25% stronger, and 10% lighter swing weight than its predecessor, the Helios 3, speaking with Shawn gave us a chance to dig into the technology and the testing that brought the Orvis design team to this point.

Here in Colorado and in many places throughout the country, we enjoy great year-round fly fishing. There’s no need to wait until spring. Enjoy time in the outdoors and keep your fishing skills sharp throughout the winter season. 

Over the past few years, we’ve published a handful of articles and videos about winter fly fishing skills, gear, and tactics. While a few of the specific products mentioned might be outdated, the advice is still solid. Here’s a roundup of some of our best winter fishing content to help you enjoy your time on the water in the New Year…

Along with a new fly rod and reel, there are a few essentials that you’ll need to be successful on the water. Here’s a quick look at what we’d recommend next.

Fall is officially here. Say goodbye to your wet-wading gear for the season and climb into some waders. October is one of the best months of the year to be on the water here in Colorado. But the frosty mornings and cool evenings require a solid pair of waders.

The thought of purchasing new waders can seem intimidating. There are so many different sizes and configurations, it’s difficult to know where to begin. Fortunately, our crew has lots of experience fitting waders. We asked them for their wader fitting tips, and here’s what you need to know:

In this video, Delaney Chapman shows us how to set up an indicator rig and offers some helpful tips for Stillwater fly fishing on a mountain lake here in Colorado.

It’s hopper-dropper season here in Colorado. While grasshoppers are buzzing around mountain meadows this summer, throwing a hopper-dropper or dry-dropper rig is one of our favorite ways to fish. It’s equal parts fun and effective.  

Whether you’re fishing a mountain lake or river, splashing a hopper pattern along a brushy or grassy bank can elicit voracious strikes. Combine that with an enticing bug below the surface, and you’ve got a deadly combo. Fishing two water columns at once. Hopper fishing can be particularly effective on windy days or whenever there’s a little chop on the water. But really, it’s hard to find a bad time to fish a hopper-dropper rig, as long as hoppers are present.

One of the best things about summer dry fly fishing is the opportunity to fish terrestrials – hoppers, ants, beetles and other big, land-based bugs. This time of year brings the exciting chance to splash a big grasshopper pattern tight to the bank and see what emerges from below the cutbank. 

When it comes to summer dry fly fishing, here are some of our favorite terrestrial patterns that we’d recommend keeping in your fly box this time of year…

From pontoon boats to float tubes, solo rafts to kayaks and even stand-up paddleboards, anglers have a variety of ways to get out on the water that don’t require a trailer or extra hands to help launch it. But how do you choose from among the many types of single-person watercraft to fit your specific style of fishing? 

Here are some thoughts on the different options, and what they each offer from an angler’s perspective.

As spring slowly takes hold in the Colorado high country, we’ve been tying some of our favorite caddis patterns. Whether you’re fishing the famed Mother’s Day Caddis hatch on the Arkansas River, or anywhere else around the state, caddis become an important food source for trout this time of year.

As the weather begins to warm and the drab colors of winter begin to turn green, we find some of our favorite fly fishing of the year. Caddis hatches, big nymphs and aggressively feeding trout are a few of the things we look forward to. 

As you get ready for your next day on the water, here’s a short list of some of our must-have spring flies and why we think they’re essentials: 

When you’re packing for a saltwater fly fishing trip, there are a handful of essentials you shouldn’t leave home without. In this article, we’ll cover some of those “must have” items. 

In case you missed it, also go back and check out our previous post on saltwater terminal tackle. In that article, we covered the basics of fly lines, leaders and tippet for saltwater fly fishing.

Getting ready for a saltwater fly fishing trip? Will this be your first leap from trout to permit or Tarpon? We asked our team for their recommendations for terminal tackle. When it comes to saltwater fly lines, leaders and tippet, here are some of our top suggestions…

No matter the temps outside, there’s always more to learn and practice in fly fishing! While you have some downtime, try testing yourself on the following fly fishing knots. How many do you already know? And which ones can you add to your toolkit?

Two of the prime times each year to catch big fish on mountain lakes is just before ice-up in the fall and after ice-off in the spring. These two windows offer anglers the chance to cast big flies for trophy trout. But it’s not for the faint of heart. Cold and windy conditions are the norm on mountain lakes and reservoirs during the shoulder seasons. But for that chance to catch a truly big trout, it can be worth the effort – and the frozen extremities. 

With the arrival of fall, many of us here at the fly shop have streamer fishing on the brain. As trout pack on calories for the winter and big brown trout prepare to spawn, these fish will be opportunistically looking for big meals. Not only is streamer fishing very effective in the fall, it’s also a ton of fun.

To learn more about the basics of streamer fishing and what anglers need to get started, we spent some time chatting with one of our in-house streamer fanatics, Johnnie Trujillo.

As we approach the end of summer and wet wading season comes to a close, getting into a pair of waders on those cool mornings is a welcome change. Waders extend the fishing season, allowing us to fish comfortably well into the fall and even winter months. When it comes to waders, easily one of the most common questions we receive is, “What do I wear with my waders?”

As we fish our way through the dog days of summer, anglers now more then ever should pay attention to warming water temperatures and lower flows on some of our favorite rivers. This doesn’t have to mean staying home. In fact, there are plenty of ways to find great fishing through the hottest part of the year. It’s just a matter of being aware – and knowing why water temps and conditions are important to trout.

One of the great things about summer fly fishing is the opportunity to ditch the waders and wade right into the cool mountain water. When you hear anglers refer to “wet wading” that’s what they’re talking about – wading wet, without the use of waders.

Summertime here at the fly shop brings up a lot of questions about wet wading. So we thought we’d publish some of the most frequently asked questions, along with our recommendations on the subject…

The thrill of a fish breaking the surface to eat a fly is one of the most exciting things in fly fishing. Whether it’s blue winged olives in the spring, or caddis, stoneflies or hoppers in the summer, it’s hard to pass up any of these opportunities to catch fish on dries.

While dry fly fishing can be relatively straightforward, there are some tools and strategies that will make life a lot easier – and your dry fly fishing more productive. For some advice on the subject, we sat down with Anglers All General Manager, Jimmy Juliana. He had some great suggestions for more productive dry fly days…

What IS trout spey? Sometimes called micro spey, it’s basically a sized-down version of the two-handed spey casting used for salmon and steelhead fishing. Trout spey fishing has gained a following in recent years, and for good reasons. It offers some cool advantages compared to single hand rod fly-casting. But most importantly, it’s just plain fun.

For some insight on the world of trout spey, we sat down with Anglers All eCommerce Manager, Blake Katchur. Blake has enjoyed learning the art of trout spey fishing over the past few years and has some great advice on why and how to get started.

In this video, Collin demonstrates the proper way to tie a clinch knot. Plus we have a few tips for when to choose fluorocarbon vs. nylon tippet.

Whatever you call it and whatever the origins, the concept is simple enough in Euro Nymphing. Whereas a traditional nymph rig is suspended under a floating strike indicator and uses split-shot for weight, a Euro-style nymph rig eliminates the bobber, creating a direct, “tight-line” connection between the rod and flies. A colored section of monofilament called a “sighter” is held above the water’s surface to help detect strikes. And the heavily weighted flies sink quickly, typically removing the need for additional split shot.

If you regularly use a clinch knot to attach a fly to your leader / tippet set up, then the Davy knot is a quick and easy alternative that you should know. In this video, Anglers All crewmember Collin Heyerdahl demonstrates the Davy knot.

The surgeon’s knot is an essential fly fishing knot. This is one that should be in every angler’s arsenal. In the video below, Anglers All retail specialist Collin Heyerdahl shows us how to tie the double surgeon’s knot, along with a few helpful tips.

Winter dry fly fishing? Yes, it’s a thing. And yes, from now until spring, nymph rigs will be the norm, but who doesn’t love a dry fly eat. Without a doubt, the most effective way to catch fish in the winter is nymphing. But keep your eyes on the surface. While not frequent, there will be opportunities this winter to catch trout on dry flies. And in those brief windows, a break from indicators and split-shot to see a trout sip a dry fly is just like summer in your soul.

The perfection loop is one of those knots that should be in every angler’s toolkit. It’s very useful and it’s easy to tie. In the following videos, we’ll show you two ways to use the perfection loop.

Anglers often refer to “reading the water.” This basically means going through a mental checklist, noting the different currents, depths and features within and around a streambed, and how those factors provide for the needs of trout on any given day. In other words, “Where are the trout today?”

Fly fishing for carp is arguably the most accessible opportunity for anglers here in the Denver area, along the Front Range and in many other places around the country. You don’t even need a car. From neighborhood ponds, to local reservoirs, to the Denver South Platte, you can find carp almost anywhere. In fact, you might have a harder time finding a pond or lake around here without carp.

In speaking with Daryl, he had some excellent advice for anglers who are interested in pursuing carp on the fly…

Where’s your next multi-day fly fishing trip? It could be a road trip, a hike-in wilderness adventure, or a plane ride. Give yourself something to look forward to. Pick a destination and start planning.

As you get started, here are a few packing tips to keep in mind:

One of the best things about summer fly fishing is the opportunity to fish terrestrials – that is, any fish food that comes from dry land. This includes bugs like grasshoppers, ants, beetles and crickets.

During the summer months, terrestrials can become a primary food source for trout. Many aquatic insects have already emerged and laid their eggs. During this window, terrestrials are at their peak abundance. And trout will often take advantage of these calorie-rich meals.

How do you organize your fly boxes? What style of box do you prefer? From tiny midges to big articulated streamers, there are plenty of options. We have slit foam, silicone, compartment boxes and magnetic boxes. Some boxes are waterproof while others are not. There’s no right or wrong way to organize all those flies. But we thought it might be helpful to outline some of the most common fly box styles, their advantage, and options for organization.

Warmer spring temperatures bring a welcome change around here. But if you’ve been in Colorado long, you know it won’t be a smooth ride from here to summer. There will be more snow, cold rain and sleet. But keep one thing in mind: those nasty spring days create the perfect conditions for hatches of Blue Winged Olives.

These small mayflies thrive on those cool, overcast days. From about the end of March through late May, don’t let a drizzly day keep you off the water. It could be the perfect day to experience a Blue Winged Olive hatch.

In many places throughout Colorado, fishing popular tailwaters and freestones is the norm. And so is catch and release fishing. There are certainly times and places for harvesting fish. Everyone should experience a fresh brook trout over a campfire. But on our state’s heavily pressured waters – which even includes many backcountry waters these days – catch and release practices are encouraged.

We’re back with the second in a two-part series with Russell Miller from Umpqua Feather Merchants. Last week, we covered reading water and fly selection when fishing a new spot. If you missed it, go take a look here. This week, Russell walks us through a few of his confidence flies – those patterns he just knows will catch fish.

We just released the first in a two-part video series with Russell Miller from Umpqua Feather Merchants. With Anglers All media manager Davis behind the camera, Russell shares his thoughts on fly selection when visiting a new piece of water.

The fall months are prime time for anglers here in Colorado. Cooler weather, hungry fish and generally good water conditions lead to some of the best fishing of the year. And with that cooler weather, comes the need for a comfortable and versatile layering system.

The dry fly fishing has been great on some of our favorite high country creeks and rivers. In many places, it’s peak terrestrial season, when we get to splash beetles and hoppers tight to the banks. When fishing in these situations, we find ourselves often using a reach cast, or aerial mend.

This time of year, anglers can expect to find low and clear water on many high country streams and freestone rivers. On the other hand, tailwaters like our home stretch of the South Platte below Cheesman Reservoir will be experiencing sustained higher flows. This disparity in water conditions can require completely different tactics from one location to the next. We thought we’d share a few tips on how to tackle low water versus high water tactics for trout.

Times used to be simpler. I used to squeeze a fly in my t-shirt to wring it out, blow on it a few times and toss it back in the water. Times were simpler, but my fly was never afloat very long. Stop by the fly shop today, and you’ll be faced with nearly two-dozen products to help to keep your dry fly on the surface.

Here along the Front Range and throughout Colorado, summer is the time to enjoy great dry fly fishing. Whether is a subtle sip from a rainbow working a riffle or a hopper-crushing splash from a brown trout against a cut bank, there’s something about the visual nature of a dry fly take that’s just out of this world.

As you think about those surface strikes and hitting the water this summer, here are 4 dry fly tactics you might want to try:

There’s no time like the present. If you’re a new angler or looking to get started, we’re here to help. Like many things, fly fishing has its own language and getting started can seem intimidating. Don’t let that stop you. Ask us as many questions as you need. And take advantage of some helpful fly fishing resources.

We use the Albright knot to make the connection between the backing and fly line on setups 5-weight and under. You can use this knot anytime you need to make a connection between two lines that have very different diameters. This includes building wire leaders for pike, adding a shock tippet for big game species, and many more applications.

Over the past several years we’ve had fun creating all kinds of new video content for the Anglers All YouTube Channel. And since we’ve been spending more time at home, eagerly anticipating our next fly fishing adventures, we thought it would be a good time to revisit some of the most-watched videos.

How do you know when a fly line needs to be replaced or just cleaned? In our experience, many anglers put up with poor fly line performance much longer than they should. A new line or a clean line will float higher on the water, allowing for better presentations and longer drag-free drifts.

We’re fortunate to have several nearby Colorado tailwaters that offer great fishing throughout the winter. This holiday season, we hope you’re able to escape town and spend some quality time on the river. Cold days can be a peaceful time to fish. But one of the most annoying things about fishing in sub-freezing temperatures is the buildup of ice on your rod guides.

Streamer fishing is a ton of fun. It can be a productive way to fish during the fall months. But honestly, we love fishing streamers throughout the year, any chance we get. You can fish streamers in big rivers, small creeks and everything in between. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a hard-hitting strike with a streamer on the swing.

This week, we’re revisiting our “What’s in the Bag?” series and we’ll take a dive into the fly fishing setup of our media manager, Davis James. This time, Davis walks us through his bags for three different types of fly fishing missions. Whether he’s heading to an alpine lake, on a drift boat, or shooting photo and video content for Anglers All, Davis is prepared.

First, proper line management will help prevent your fly line from becoming wrapped around your reel seat. Second, it will help your flies turn over with accuracy, rather than falling into a pile of crumpled leader at the end of your cast.

We’re back with a new video in our rigging series. This time, Davis James offers some insider tips on how to tie a figure 8 loop knot. This knot is ideal for your fly-to-leader connection when using big game leader material that can be stiff and difficult to work with.

We’re back with the third installment on streamer fishing with certified master casting instructor, Jonathan Walter. In the third video in this series, Jonathan provides some very practical tips on how to cast streamers and helpful presentation techniques.

If you didn’t catch our previous videos with Jonathan Walter, be sure and take a look. In Part 1, Jonathan covered some line...