Responsible Fishing on the Western Slope

Western Slope waters see everything from high-country snowmelt to low, warm late-summer flows. Taking care of the fish and the bank ensures the next angler finds the water in better shape than we left it.

1. Clean Fish Handling for Catch-and-Release

• Wet Your Hands First: Dry hands and rough cotton towels strip the protective mucus layer off trout. Dip your hands in the river or use a rubberized landing net before touching a fish.
• Keep Fish in the Water: Land fish briskly, unhook them in the net submerged in the current, and skip hero photos when air temperatures are freezing or summer water is warm.
• Pinch Barbs & Pack Out Line: Pinching hook barbs with pliers makes releases quick and clean. Always pack out every scrap of tag-end monofilament and fluorocarbon so shorebirds and wildlife don't get tangled.

2. Selective Harvest Where Encouraged by CPW

Responsible angling also means keeping legal table fare where Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) manages for harvest, such as stocked pan-sized rainbows, yellow perch, or northern pike in waters where CPW encourages removal to protect native fish. When keeping legal fish, dispatch and bleed your catch immediately, pack it in crushed ice, and clean it properly with a sharp blade like our VCO 7" Fillet Knife ($42.99 pre-order). No ship date yet. Full refund any time before it ships. Always check the CPW fishing regulations brochure first.

3. Public Access, Private Banks & ANS Inspections

• Know Where You Stand: In Colorado, floating through private land or wading onto a private streambed without landowner permission can constitute trespass. Stay on marked CPW State Parks, State Wildlife Areas, BLM, and USFS public parcels.
• Clean, Drain, Dry: Stop at every CPW ANS inspection station and drain livewells and bilges completely before leaving the ramp.