Grand Junction Fishing Gear Checklist: River and Reservoir

Packing for a day of fishing out of Grand Junction comes down to where you're pointing the truck: the warm river ponds along I-70, the mid-elevation state park reservoirs, or the high spruce lakes on the Grand Mesa.

1. Grand Valley Ponds & River Shores (4,500 to 4,800 ft)

For Corn Lake, Connected Lakes, Island Acres, Highline Lake, and Mack Mesa:

• Light spinning setup spooled with 0.20 mm to 0.25 mm monofilament or VCO 8-Strand Braided Line, 15 lb, 300 m ($16.99 pre-order) tipped with a fluorocarbon leader. No ship date yet. Full refund any time before it ships.
• Inline spinners, small spoons, marabou jigs, and slip-float rigs for stocked rainbows, bluegill, and bass.
• Everyday sun and camp essentials: the VCO Trucker Hat ($38), VCO Ringer Shirt ($44, sizes S through XL), and VCO Tumbler ($36), or all three in the Valley Merch Pack ($99). Made to order, ships from Grand Junction.

2. High-Country & Winter Hardwater Kit (6,000 to 10,000+ ft)

For Vega Reservoir, Rifle Gap, Blue Mesa, and the Grand Mesa lakes, our Viral Cast Ice Rod ($164.99 pre-order) in 28" Light (shelter perch and trout) or 32" Medium-Light (open ice and deeper water), VCO Light Spinning Reel 1000 ($50.99 pre-order), and VCO 7" Fillet Knife ($42.99 pre-order) are open for pre-order now. No ship date yet. Full refund any time before it ships. Always pack a spud bar, ice auger, ice picks, cleats, and warm windproof layers for winter sessions.

You can also join the free waitlist for our 7'0" Medium / Fast VCO Spin Rod ($129.99) with nothing to pay today.

Our VCO Safety Kit is waitlist only, not for sale, with nothing to pay today on our waitlist page.