The smell of burning plastic plates in a campfire was one of those nostril burning aromas that I associated with a campfire when growing up. Back when I was younger and better looking, plastic was this incredible product that found its way into everything in our lives. Plastic cups, plates, and utensils became a stapleContinue reading "Enamelware"
A Cleaner Clear 2021 – 2nd Annual!!!!
Ever picked up a random piece of trash and won a $150 Patagonia bag? How about a 4 banger roof rack River Quiver from Riversmith? Or maybe you like ice cream. Our great friends at Scoops Homemade Ice Cream have some prizes you might get all over your face. If you said no, then youContinue reading "A Cleaner Clear 2021 – 2nd Annual!!!!"
Campground (SD) – Grizzly Creek
Remember that time you booked the trip of a lifetime to Thailand and a pandemic shut down the entire planet, except for the Trump Kool-Aid drinking South Dakota part and you decided to check out camping in another state instead? I mean, the Black Hills are sort of like Thailand. Except for literally everything. ButContinue reading "Campground (SD) – Grizzly Creek"
Key West Salt
"Mama, I'm freezin' (mama, I'm freezin'), I wanna go to the su-un (to the sun)These icy winter breezes (winter breezes) are chillin' all my fun (all my fun)". Yes, Village People. F'ing yes! Hwy. 1 through the Keys. When I was doing what I could in high school to fit in and attract "babes", IContinue reading "Key West Salt"
The Camp Rollercoaster
It must be the last day of our camping trip because my sore fingers are punctuated with pitch black parenthesis of dirt under every nail. The sloshing coolers are a little less heavy than they were four days ago, and my hair has the consistency of a stiffened grimy dish rag. When asked to beginContinue reading "The Camp Rollercoaster"
Campground – The Ledge near Moab, UT
What a trip this was going to be! Two new dogs, 5 kids, two rafts, and camping in March. We were going to get this camping season started early in 2019 come hell or high water. The road from Denver to the Utah desert was long and Ned's (our energetic canine) car legs were shakyContinue reading "Campground – The Ledge near Moab, UT"
Frozen Ferrules
After taking three wrong turns on unfamiliar snow-packed roads we found what looked like the road we were hoping would lead us to catching enormous wild trout. You know what that road looks like. There was only one set of tracks in the snow and if we met that other car the drive in reverseContinue reading "Frozen Ferrules"
How To: Host a River Cleanup
Since we hosted the Clear Creek river cleanup in September (A Cleaner Clear), there have been a large amount of folks asking when the next cleanup will be and how they can get involved in the future with others. This makes my heart soar like a hawk. Just to hear that folks are passionate aboutContinue reading "How To: Host a River Cleanup"
Gear Review: Fishpond Boat Net
I've said it before and I'm saying it again. Looking the part is half the battle in any activity. But don't think for a second I'm buying tight grey baseball pants for my old man softball league. My jean shorts are accomplishing both forty-plus style and total abandonment of being cool any more, thank youContinue reading "Gear Review: Fishpond Boat Net"
Campground – Cottonwood Lake
Just a short 2 hour drive from Denver (depending on traffic) is a most magical area nestled snugly between Colorado's highest peaks in a lush mountain valley. A clear stream feeds a picturesque lake held in place by sheer granite cliffs of the Elk Mountains. Cottonwood Lake Campground is a first come first serve campgroundContinue reading "Campground – Cottonwood Lake"
Elusive Hill Country Hogs
By the time the lonely wild boar wandered into the clearing under the high tech deer feeder, I had neglected my lookout post and was talking in sort of hushed tones to my lifelong hunting buddies about range management or high school girlfriends. I can't recall now, but it was important, I promise you. "IContinue reading "Elusive Hill Country Hogs"
How To – Find Dispersed Camping
Another lengthy installment of How To? You got it! Today's advice focuses on the most effective way to put some distance between you and and the next set of campers. This is beyond 6' social distancing. This is "I don't want to smell your fire or hear you fighting with your wife" type of distancing.Continue reading "How To – Find Dispersed Camping"
Gear Review: Davis Wall Tent
If your garage ever sets on fire, there is one item we all have in our minds right now that we would grab. Photo albums, antique fly rod, your motorcycle, or maybe even that vintage November 1980 issue of Playboy magazine you just can't seem to part with because you are a little sentimental. NotContinue reading "Gear Review: Davis Wall Tent"
Dispersed Camping – Taylor Reservoir Area
We got out once more last weekend and drove 3.5 hours from Denver to an area I've been curious about for years. From Google Earth, it looks as campy as a chipmunk in a flannel. Plus there is the all important river, and I assumed it held trout (it does). This place is remote. 90Continue reading "Dispersed Camping – Taylor Reservoir Area"
A Cleaner Clear – 2020
Ever find an object on the side of the road that is just so disgusting and revolting, you know in that moment you'll surely have PTSD from even seeing it? There were a few of those objects found on September 12 at the first ever A Cleaner Clear river cleanup. Prizes were given for theseContinue reading "A Cleaner Clear – 2020"
How To: Up Your Lame-Ass S’mores Game
It's 2020. The year everyone decided they would try camping. Lord save us. With camping comes camp food. And there is only one dessert we associate with camping. S'mores. Graham crackers, marshmallows, Hersheys. Boring A.F. Now listen up! This is your easiest chance to look like a professional camper. Try something new and impress yourContinue reading "How To: Up Your Lame-Ass S’mores Game"
Dispersed Camping – Elk Creek
There have been times in life when I have made decisions I regret. A recent bicycle accident is the most fresh on my memory. Giving up one of the best dispersed campsites right here in this barely-read blog will surely be another one of them. Yet, this spot is far enough off the beaten pathContinue reading "Dispersed Camping – Elk Creek"
Counting Days
There is a problem with our fly fishing community. In our beloved Colorado especially. When you talk to a skier about the ski season, they are quick to point out exactly how many days they have skied that year, and then what their average tends to be. It's odd actually. Like guys bumping chests beforeContinue reading "Counting Days"
How To: Poop in the Woods
Toilet Paper was a hot commodity a few months ago during the first panic-stricken weeks of COVID-19, but look at us all now. Clean as a whistle. Records show that before we pampered our asses with luxury lotion-infused Charmin, people used all sorts of items. Rocks, leaves, sticks, live muskrats. Ever try to freshen upContinue reading "How To: Poop in the Woods"
Campgrounds – Yellowstone NP
We didn't know what to expect in Yellowstone. Being America's most visited national park we assumed there would be lines of cars, pollution, a lack of services, and full of tourists. We stopped to get gas and ice in West Yellowstone before entering the park in anticipation. Little did we know that you can getContinue reading "Campgrounds – Yellowstone NP"
The Confluences 