1. Don’t Forget the Leader and Tippet!

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    When you book a guided fly fishing trip in Estes Park with Kirk’s Fly Shop, we’ll provide all the necessary gear and tools to get you fishing. However, if you’ve decided to take the plunge and buy your own gear, you may be wondering about some of the terminology used in setting up your rod. Today, we’ll take a look at two of the most important, yet least discussed, parts of your fly fishin…Read More

  2. Dry Fly Techniques: Dead Drifting for Trout

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    Fall often brings lower water levels in the Big Thompson and changing your fishing technique to fit the season can really help transform your fishing success. Today, we’ll take a look at the dead drift technique, so you can be better prepared to hit the water in times of slow current and low water levels. What is Dead Drift? This technique is used to make nymphs and dry flies look as natural as …Read More

  3. Enjoy Your Day on the River

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    For many anglers, both new and experienced, it can be a challenge to shift focus from the number of fish they catch each time out on the river to simply enjoying their experience. With the fall weather on its way, we wanted to take a moment to remind those anglers that there’s more to fishing than simply catching fish - it’s about the experience.   Enjoy the Scenery If you’re a weekly fishe…Read More

  4. Tips for Your Overnight Fly Fishing Trip

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    With fall on the way, it’s the perfect time to make use of the cooler weather by heading out to Rocky Mountain National Park on an overnight fly fishing trip. While the nights are crisp and cool, the days are pleasant and the water temperatures are still warm enough to let you spend hours in the rivers and lakes of the Park comfortably. When preparing for your camping trip, there are a few thing…Read More

  5. Does Line and Rod Weight Matter?

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    Fly fishing gear is distinctly different than the spinning rod and reel used on still water like lakes and ponds. Picking the right line and rod for the type of fishing you plan to do can be a bit confusing, especially if you’re transitioning from traditional spin fishing to fly fishing. Today, we’ll discuss the differences between the weights of line and rod. One through Three Weights Fly ro…Read More

  6. Catch More Trout with Streamers

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    If you’ve been fly fishing for any amount of time, you’re likely to be familiar with the nymphs and dry flies that work so well on our Colorado rivers. While these flies are the quintessential tools in fly fishing, it’s perfectly acceptable to branch out and try new patterns and methods of fishing. Experimenting with flies not only improves your fly fishing technique, but also deepens your k…Read More

  7. Take the Kids to Dream Lake

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    Before school starts back up in a few weeks, take your kids out on the water a few more times. Since they’ll be spending so much time sitting at a desk, it’s important to get them outside and enjoying nature as much as possible in the remaining portion of summer vacation. While you could take them to the easy-to-access Lake Estes, let them fully enjoy the experience fishing in the backcountry.…Read More

  8. 5 Tips for Float Tube Fishing

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    In Estes Park, we fish for a lot of trout. Our rivers and lakes are stocked full of different species, and many fishermen appreciate the simple beauty of these fish. If you’re heading into the backcountry and want to try a new fly fishing method, rent one of our float tubes. Fishing from a float tube presents a different set of challenges than other methods. Here are a few tips to help you be m…Read More

  9. Going Fishing? Take Your Kids!

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    At Kirk’s Fly Shop, we see a number of older fishermen coming in to stock up on new lures or to replace their lines or waders. When asked when they started fishing, many of them tell us they started as a child, and have pursued this hobby most of their lives. While fishing may not have the same attraction as the newest cell phone or game system, kids can often benefit from learning to fish at a …Read More

  10. Exercises for Anglers – Part 2

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    In our last post, we discussed some simple core exercises you can do to strengthen your abdominal muscles. Today, we’ll talk about exercises you can do for your limbs to make standing and reeling in your catch that much easier. Upper Arm Exercises When reeling in your catch, you’ll use a number of upper arm muscles. Strengthening your biceps can go a long way towards helping make the catch ea…Read More