Colorado Rafting Trips – How to Pick the Best Trip for Your Adventure by Mike Kissack
When thinking about fun activities to do in Colorado, skiing probably is the first thing that comes to mind, and rightfully so; Colorado has some of the best ski mountains in the world. But, what happens when all of that wonderful snow melts in the springtime? With a wide variety of options for adventurers of all ages and ability levels, whitewater rafting in Colorado is THE summer activity not to be missed. Colorado
Fly Fishing Colorado River Rocky Mountain National Park
Guide to Fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park by Jay Bryce
Sport fishing is permitted in Rocky Mountain National Park, a protected area. Fishing activities are balanced with efforts to restore and perpetuate natural aquatic environments and life.
Fishing was popular with early settlers and visitors in the Rocky Mountains. In an attempt to improve the sport, many streams and lakes were stocked with non-native species of trout. Waters with no sport fish were also stocked. The National Park Service stocked non-native Yellowstone cutthroat trout as late as 1969. The only trout native to the park are the greenback cutthroat and the Colorado River cutthroat.
These efforts to enhance recreational opportunities in National Park areas were reconsidered in the 1970′s. Since 1975, native greenback cutthroat and Colorado River cutthroat trout are being restored to park waters and exotic or non-native fish are being removed.
Protect Fish and their Habitats
Park fish are vulnerable to several invasive organisms that can be carried on waders and other gear. Please read and follow these guidelines to disinfect your gear before entering park waters and when moving between different lakes and streams.
Today’s Fisheries
Populations of at least four species of trout exist in the park: brown, brook, rainbow, and cutthroat. Some suckers also inhabit the streams and lakes. Only 48 of the 156 lakes in the park have reproducing populations of fish. Cold water temperatures and lack of spawning habitat prevent reproduction in high altitude lakes. Supplemental stocking is done only to restore native species. Fishing success at high altitudes varies, even in waters known to contain fish. Restoration of native species requires that the possession limits be managed carefully. See posession limit below for specific regulations. You must be able to identify each species of fish taken.
Licenses & Fees
A valid Colorado fishing license is required for all persons 16 years of age or older to fish in Rocky Mountain National Park. No other permit is necessary; however, special regulations exist. It is your responsibility to know and obey them.
To obtain current Colorado fishing license fees visit the Colorado Division of Wildlife web site.
Method of Capture
Each person shall use only one hand-held rod or line. A ‘second rod stamp’ is not honored in park waters. Only artificial lures or flies with one (single, double, or treble) hook with a common shank may be used. “Artificial flies or lures” means devices made entirely of, or a combination of, materials such as wood, plastic, glass, hair, metal, feathers, or fiber, designed to attract fish. This does not include: (a) any hand moldable material designed to attract fish by the sense of taste or smell; (b) any device to which scents or smell attractants have been externally applied; (c) molded plastic devices less than one and one-half inch in length; (d) foods; (e) traditional organic baits such as worms, grubs, crickets, leeches, minnows, and fish eggs; and (f) manufactured baits such as imitation fish eggs, dough baits, or stink baits. Fly fishers may utilize a two hook system, where one hook is used as an attractant.
While in possession of any fishing equipment, bait for fishing (insects, fish eggs, minnows, or other organic matter) or worms is prohibited. Children 12 years of age or under, however, may use worms or preserved fish eggs in all park waters open to fishing except those designated as catch-andrelease areas.
No bait or worms are allowed in catch-and-release waters.
Use of lead sinkers (or other lead fishing materials) is strongly discouraged.
Possession Limit
This is general information only. A complete listing of regulations is available at park visitor centers and ranger stations. Possession Limit means the numbers, sizes, or species of fish, fresh or preserved, a person may have. These provisions have parkwide application and are detailed below.
Possession Limit: 8 fish, 6 must be brook Trout
Species
Possession Limit
Length
Rainbow, Brown, Colorado River Cutthroat, Non-native Cutthroat
2
10″ or more
Greenback Cutthroat Trout
0
(Catch-and-Release-ONLY)
Brook Trout
6 (8 if no other species are possessed)
any size
Additional Brook Trout Bonus
10
8″ or less
Closed Waters: (no fishing allowed)
Bear Lake, inlet and outlet streams, extending 200 yards downstream Bench Lake and Ptarmigan Creek above War Dance Falls Hunters Creek above Wild Basin Ranger Station, as posted
Lake Nanita Outlet downstream 100 yards South Fork Poudre River above Pingree Park Upper Columbine Creek above 9,000 feet Lily Lake east shore May-June
Open Lakes: (known to contain fish populations) This is not a complete listing of all the fishable waters in the park.
Black Lake Box Lake Fourth Lake Haynach Lake Jewel Lake Lake Haiyaha Lake Nanita (outlet closed) Lake of Glass
Lake Solitude Lake Verna Little Rock Lake Loch Vale Lone Pine Lake Mills Lake Mirror Lake Peacock Pool Pettingell Lake
Poudre Lake Rock Lake Sky Pond Spirit Lake Sprague Lake Ten Lake Park Lakes Thunder Lake Ypsilon Lake
Catch-and-Release
Certain waters in the park with restored native fish populations are open year round during daylight hours, except as indicated. Use barbless hooks only. Any and all fish species taken must be immediately returned to the water unharmed. No bait is permitted by any age angler in catch-and-release areas.
The following waters are open for catch-and-release fishing:
Adams Lake** Arrowhead Lake* Big Crystal Lake* Caddis Lake (Lower Fay Lake)* Cony Creek (above Calypso Cascades)* Dream Lake* Fern Lake and Creek* Fifth Lake** Forest Canyon (above the Pool)* Hidden Valley Beaver Ponds and Hidden Valley Creek (open only as posted)*# Hutcheson Lakes* Lake Husted* Lake Louise* Lawn Lake* Lily Lake (south, west and north shores; east shore open July 1 to April 30)*
Loomis Lake* Lost Lake*# North Fork of the Big Thompson above Lost Falls*# Odessa Lake* Ouzel Creek (above falls; brook trout may be kept)*# Ouzel Lake*# Paradise Creek drainage** Pear Lake and Creek* Roaring River* Sandbeach Lake and Creek* Spruce Lake* Timber Lake and Creek** West Creek*
*Greenback Cutthroat Trout **Colorado River Cutthroat #A legal limit of brook trout may be kept
Due to the dynamic nature of fisheries management, fishing regulations could change at anytime. Special closures may be put in place above and beyond what is listed here. Please contact the park before your fishing trip for current information.
About the Author
Jay Bryce is a community manger at iFished.com (http://www.ifished.com/). iFished.com has fishing and local information for over 40,000 lakes and fishing areas in the United States. Information includes current weather and forecasts, best times fishing charts, maps, local businesses and more. iFished.com also has a large library of how to fishing videos, fishing articles and current fishing reports to help you catch more fish.
Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours that Go to the Bottom by Luke Plunket
In Las Vegas and looking for big-time thrills? How about this: Hop aboard a chopper and descend 4,000 feet to the bottom of the Grand Canyon where you’ll deplane next to the Colorado River to enjoy a glass of Champagne.
Sound awesome? It is.
Luckily, you’ll be in Las Vegas because it’s the only place where you can take this miraculous tour. Trips start at $280 per person and leave year round including all major holidays. The three major Las Vegas-based helicopter tour operators – Papillon, Maverick, and Sundance – offer it. Check out Papillon’s website for the lowest price. I’ve used it multiple times to book trips and can vouch that it’s safe and secure.
Helicopters make the 120-mile flight from Vegas to Grand Canyon West in 45 minutes. On your way, you’ll see Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, the Grand Cliffs Wash, and the Skywalk before start your descent.
A World Heritage Site, the Grand Canyon encompasses 1.2 million acres of land, averages nearly a mile in depth, and runs 270-plus miles in length. It’s considered by experts to be one of the finest examples of arid-land erosion around the world. It’s also famous for its geologic importance: You’ll see sections of the Earth’s crust that range from 200 million to 2 billion years old.
Keep alert for unique plane and animal life. The canyon hosts several major ecosystems and up to seven life zones – basically a landscape that would require you to drive from Mexico to Canada! Inside its protected borders, the Canyon claims more than 355 bird, 89 mammalian, 47 reptile, 8 amphibian, 17 fish, and 1,500 plant species.
Helicopters alight on private dirt helipads on the canyon floor. Once the rotors stop turning, you’ll deplane and cheers your adventure with a glass of Champagne. Light snacks are provided. You’ll have 30 minutes to explore. I suggest you hunt for fossils (the Canyon was once under a great ancient sea) or hike a stretch to find petroglyphs. You can also upgrade your package to include a pontoon boat ride down the Colorado River.
Flights are done aboard EcoStar 130 helicopters. These “birds” are specifically made for sightseeing, featuring comfortable stadium-style seating, climate-controlled cabins, and 180-degree wraparound windshields that deliver unobstructed views. Each chopper is equipped with two-way digital communication systems that let you talk with your pilot-guide and fellow passengers. Pre-recorded taped narrations are available in multiple languages for foreign guests.
The only place in the Grand Canyon where you can fly a helicopter to the bottom is at the West Rim. These chopper tours all originate exclusively out of Vegas. There are no helicopter flights from the West Rim to the South Rim and vice versa. The descent is the main highlight of a trip that includes Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and Grand Canyon West. Prices start under $300 per person and include hotel pick up and drop, Champagne, and light snack. This adventure lasts just four hours, making it an ideal day trip for thrill seeking Las Vegas visitors.
About the Author
Mr. Plunket is a travel writer who reports on the Grand Canyon. He recommends clicking on Grand Canyon Helicopters to get this bottom-landing flight at a terrific price.
3 Essential Trout Fishing Books for Every Angler by Rex Daniels
Bottom line: Reading trout fishing books and other materials will help you hone your craft. This, coupled with actual time on the water will quickly improve your skill set. There are several helpful trout books out there, no matter what your level of expertise. However these books are some of the essentials and are a “must-have” for every trout fisherman’s bookshelf.
Trout Fishing Books for Beginners
If you’re a beginner, fishing can seem to be a bit overwhelming. There’s a million things to remember both physically and mentally to be able to attract, hook and successfully land a trout. Over time, these tasks will start to become nearly automatic with a bit of practice on the water. However, until that time these books for beginners will help keep track and make sense of all the millions of things in the heat of battle.
Freshwater Fishing Tips and Techniques by Gene Kugach (1997 Stackhole Books: ISBN 0-8117-2765-3)
Mr. Kugach’s book is a great example of someone who is passionate about the craft of trout fishing, whether it’s spin casting or on the fly. This book is an excellent illustrated resource, complete with lists, graphs and other examples to help new fisherman keep the essentials and the basics clear in their heads.
What Fish Don’t Want You to Know: An Insider’s Guide to Freshwater Fishing by Frank P. Baron (2004 Ragged Mountain Press: ISBN 0-027-141714-1)
Mr. Baron does an excellent job in this book to combine stories and real-world examples along with educational resource-type materials to teach new and experienced fisherman some helpful nuggets to land trophy-sized trout.
A Trout Fishing “Essential” Resource
For the more experienced anglers, the subject matter needs to be a bit more detailed. If you’re a fly fisherman, there are several great books to help discern fly patterns, water and other variables to help you improve your trout fishing. It may even make sense to purchase trout fishing books or other reference materials that are specific to the area, state or region you’re fishing. However, there is one book that I recommend to more experienced trout fishermen above many other books, only because it is not area or region specific and it’s written by an author who has “been there” and “done that”, Landon Mayer.
How to Catch the Biggest Trout of Your Life by Landon Mayer (2007Wind River Press: ISBN 9780974642765)
When reading this book, one can’t help but pick up on Landon Mayer’s years of experience as a trout guide in Colorado. It may be the fact that many of the examples in Mayer’s book are focused out west, where I love to fish, but I think this book is a fantastic example of trout guide knowledge translated seamlessly to the written word. For me, it almost seems that Mayer is with me, in the drift boat as I’m floating down the Madison, outside Yellowstone.
Key Tips when Choosing the Right Trout Book
The key to finding great trout fishing resources really centers on one key point. You have to find books and other materials that are created by fisherman who have actual on-the-water experience. The more the better. Books written by trout guides, shop owners and guys that have literally spent thousands of hours on the water are going to be your best bet.
As a beginner or even as a more experienced trout fisherman, you’re not going to learn anything from someone who hasn’t put their time on the water. However, the great news is, there’s a million trout fishing books from well qualified sources. Find a trout fisherman turned author with a voice that you enjoy. You will be catching trophy-sized trout in no time.
About the Author
Rex Daniels is an accomplished fisherman and author, living, fishing and laughing in the great Northwestern U.S. – the heart of trophy trout country. Visit his site to learn about trout fishing books and a 12 part eCourse revealing fishing secrets that can help you become the envy of your trout fishing buddies. Go to: http://www.trophytroutsecrets.com
People need to travel for relaxation once in a while. We need to unwind and relax, relieve our bodies from stress and free ourselves from the working environment. A good vacation will be complete and unforgettable when you experience top of the line cabin rentals available in your chosen destination.
Cabins offer the amenities that houses usually have. Here are some best cabin rental offers you can find across the United States and a preview of what’s in store for you when you choose to stay in them.
First on the list is the Beaver Creek Vacations Rentals. Here, you will find one hundred sixty four trails great for skiing. It also has three parks full of terrain. A half pipe is also available for those do not like bowls and terrains. There is also the Copper Mountain and the so called Steamboat Springs.
Next on the list is the Telluride Vacation Rentals and Cabins. It is located in the South West region of Colorado. This area is a great skiing base. Guests will enjoy skiing in the San Juan Mountains. They will also enjoy the festivals in the area such as the Telluride Blue Grass Festival celebrated every month of June.
Another is the Durango Vacation Rentals and Cabins. Their guests can enjoy and experience riding in a historic Durango. This runs through the Silverton Narrow gauge railroad. You can also attend and participate in the “Music in the Mountains” festival held during the month of July.
Guests can do water rafting on the river of Colorado, hike on the mountains, ride a mountain bike, golf on Colorado’s scenic courses, ascend on top of the Pike’s Peak and enjoy playing in a casino situated on one of the historic mining towns like Black Hawk.
There are still other activities that await the guests like Fly Fishing in the mountain streams and the famous rock climbing in El Dorado Canyon, Gunnison or the Black Canyon.
You may also consider Denver vacation rentals. They allow their guests to enjoy and participate in the city’s exciting professional sports. They also have shows for performing arts. This place also has a lively night life. You can also find here fabulous restaurants. If you are in for shopping, you cannot afford to miss many shopping locations in the area and we are sure that you will not miss you shopping cravings.
Also in the list is the Estes Park Vacation Rentals. Guests can explore the National Park’s magnificent Rocky Mountains. Guests are also entitled and encouraged to attend the world famous Long Peak Irish or Scottish highland, a festival celebrated during the weekend after the Labor Day.
Last, but not the least, is the Colorado Springs Vacation Rentals. It is located near the Space Museum of Peterson Air. It is also a short walking distance from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo where you can find the native animals in the area on display.
There is also a Museum of the American Cowboy, where guests can discover and be amazed with the culture and heritage of the people living in the area. Another attraction is the Hall of Fame and the World Figure Skating Museum where you can find memorabilia and exhibits related to the sport of figure skating.
