Read the river before you untie
Stop above a horizon line and a tree in the current. Island Acres is not a river launch because of the roller dam downstream.
Read postColorado Trip Notes - Education & Safety
Every water
Notes Notes for every water
Clean, drain, and dry the boat and the waders
Scrub the mud off, pull the plug, and then pick one real dry: a 10-minute bath, 140 F water, or 10 days. A drive between rivers...
Read postGive fall wildlife the room, and hold a fish you plan to release
CPW's October 15, 2026 note: give rutting elk, deer, and moose room, leash the dog, and pack out what you brought. The fish-handling steps are a...
Read postFrom the Bench: Week of October 16
From the VCO bench in Grand Junction: Highline Lake ramp closure and Oct 16 trout stocking, Vega winter notice, Colorado River flow check, and shop updates.
Read postClean, Drain, Dry and ANS for Colorado Boaters and Kayakers
Every time you move between Colorado waters, finish with Clean, Drain, Dry. Motorized boats and sailboats often need ANS stamps and mandatory inspections. Kayaks, paddleboards and...
Read postDo you need a Colorado fishing license and a Habitat Stamp?
Read the license page before you buy. October 8, 2026, 8:54 a.m. MT. Page title: Fishing Licenses and Dates. Fishing Licenses and Dates. That page says...
Read postFishing During Hunting Season on the Western Slope: Stay Visible, Beat the Dark
Fall fishing on the Western Slope overlaps big game season and short days. How to stay visible, plan around daylight, and verify dates with CPW.
Read postLate-Season Low Water on the Colorado River: Sandbars, Shallows, and Gages
Lower fall flows mean bars, shallow riffles, and slow drifts. How to read the gage and decide between a float and a shore day.
Read postThe Improved Clinch Knot: Tie It, Check It, Trust It
Step-by-step improved clinch, plus the final check that catches a bad knot before a fish does.
Read postThrow Bags and Self-Rescue for Class I and II Floats Near Grand Junction
Flat water and small riffles still put people in the river. How to carry a throw bag, practice, and be honest about cold water swimming.
Read postColorado Cold-Water and Shoulder-Season Safety Checklist
Warm air, cold water. What cold shock does in the first minutes, what to wear, and what to do if you fall in.
Read postHot Bank, Cold River: Dressing for a Grand Valley Fishing Day
Heat on the bank and cold water a step away. How to dress, drink, and plan so a Grand Valley day ends well.
Read postWind and Fog Go/No-Go for Kayaks and Small Boats on the Western Slope
Wind ends more small craft days here than anything else, and morning fog adds a visibility check. A simple go/no-go before you launch.
Read postLife Jackets in Colorado: PFD Rules and Habits for Boats, Kayaks, and Paddleboards
What Colorado requires for life jackets, the rule for kids 12 and under, inflatable limits, and how to check fit.
Read postWestern Slope
Lake Rifle Gap Reservoir
Rifle Gap Reservoir Trip Guide: Low Water, Wind, and Hand Launches
The Rifle Gap boat ramp is closed for the rest of 2026. How to plan a hand-launch or shore day safely, and what CPW says to...
Read postLake Highline Lake
Highline Lake and Mack Mesa Lake: A Loma Trip Guide
Highline Lake closes each fall for migrating birds. What that means for your trip, plus Mack Mesa Lake and boat rules.
Read postLake Grand Mesa lakes
Grand Mesa ice
Grand Mesa ice is not a thickness report. Read October 8, 2026, at 8:54 a.m. MT. Page title: Ice Fishing. Ice Fishing.Turn around if you cannot...
Read postGrand Mesa to the Valley in One Day: How to Layer for the Elevation Swing
Grand Mesa can be cold and windy while the valley is warm. How to layer and pack a dry kit when one day covers both.
Read postPark James M. Robb corridor
Family Shore Days at James M. Robb State Park: A Kids Safety Plan
Arm's reach supervision, life jackets that fit, and a plan for heat and cold water. A family shore day plan for Robb.
Read postColorado River at Grand Junction: James M. Robb Trip Prep Checklist
How to plan a Colorado River day at James M. Robb State Park: pick a section, check flows and wind, and confirm CPW rules first.
Read postRiver Colorado River (Grand Junction)
Public Access vs. Private Bank on the Colorado River Near Grand Junction
Much of the Colorado River bank in the Grand Valley is private. How to confirm public access before you walk down or float.
Read postMcInnis Canyons Day Trips: Loma Launch, Ruby-Horsethief, and Trail Etiquette
Ruby-Horsethief day trips need no BLM permit, but there is no take-out until Westwater. How to plan a McInnis Canyons day.
Read postKayak and Small Craft Safety on the Colorado River Near Grand Junction
What CPW requires on board, how to read flows, and why the take-out comes first. Small craft basics for the Grand Valley river.
Read postRiver Gunnison River
Gunnison River Trip Prep: From Grand Junction to the Gunnison Gorge
The Gunnison runs from the Black Canyon to Grand Junction. Gages, Gold Medal water, Gorge access, and how to plan a canyon day safely.
Read postLake Blue Mesa Reservoir
Blue Mesa Reservoir Trip Guide: Wind, Cold Water, and What CPW Lists
Blue Mesa is big, cold, and windy in the afternoon. What NPS and CPW say to plan for before a shore or boat day.
Read postNotes Grand Junction
Grand Junction Fishing Trip Prep: Plan a Western Slope Day
Pick your water, run a four-question go/no-go, and pack for both heat and cold water. A simple plan for a day out of Grand Junction.
Read postFront Range
Lake Horsetooth Reservoir
Horsetooth Reservoir Trip Guide: Permits, Fish, and Why There Is No Ice Fishing
Horsetooth is run by Larimer County, needs its own permits, and does not allow ice fishing. What to know before a trip.
Read postLake Chatfield Reservoir
Chatfield Reservoir Trip Guide: Busy Metro Water Done Right
Chatfield is busy metro water with good trout in spring and warmwater fish in summer, per CPW. How to plan around crowds and boats.
Read postRiver South Platte at Deckers
South Platte at Deckers: Trip Prep for a Busy Gold Medal River
Deckers is Gold Medal water with Forest Service rules on hours, parking, and private land. What to know before you go.
Read postCentral Mountains
River Fryingpan River
Fryingpan River Trip Prep: Gold Medal Tailwater Below Ruedi
The Fryingpan below Ruedi is Gold Medal water with cold, technical wading and lots of private land. What to know before you drive over.
Read postSouthern Colorado
Lake Vallecito Reservoir
Vallecito Reservoir Trip Guide: Pike, Trout, and Mountain Weather
CPW says Vallecito once produced a state record pike and still turns out trophy fish. How to plan a safe mountain reservoir day.
Read postRiver Animas River (Durango)
Animas River in Durango: Town Water Trip Prep
The Animas through Durango is Gold Medal town water shared with boaters and tubers. Access points, etiquette, and safety.
Read postLake Lake Pueblo
Lake Pueblo Trip Guide: Big Water on the Edge of the Plains
CPW calls Lake Pueblo one of the top walleye, wiper, and bass fisheries in Colorado. How to plan around wind, sun, and busy ramps.
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