For the fifth consecutive year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and our partner Colorado fishing companies encourage anglers to take a friend fishing. As a reward for sharing your expertise and love of fishing, we’ve created a contest for mentors who take the time to pass on their knowledge. Both mentors and mentees are eligible to win prizes.
Congratulations to our 2022 winners; Darren Orr and Debra Mastic (Longmont), Jim Welch and Ryan Zuidema (Montrose), and Sadie Swieca and Joe Kubis (Leadville).
“Fishing is something a person can enjoy their entire life. When you teach someone how to fish, you can literally change their life forever,” said CPW Angler Outreach Coordinator Andre Egli. “We’ve received some truly inspiring stories about fishing in Colorado over the past few years. Co-workers who became great friends, family members who reconnected, veterans who bonded over shared experiences, amazing moments that were made possible by Colorado’s bountiful fishing opportunities. I’m excited to see what kind of photos and stories our anglers will send in this year.”
Mentors take a beginner angler out, or mentees encourage an experienced angler to teach you how to fish and enter to win great prizes by submitting a photograph and brief story of your time on the water. Submissions will be judged by their ability to inspire.
Winners will be selected at three times throughout the year (July, October, and February). Both the mentor as well as the mentee will receive a prize. All prizes retail between $300 – $900!
Prizes include:
- Cooler package: Soft-sided YETI cooler and 60-quart polar cap cooler from Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s – $600
- Full beginner fly fishing setup (rod/reel combo, tippet, leaders, tools, and fly box with 60 files) from Ascent Fly Fishing – $400
- Full beginner spin-casting set up (rod/reel combo, net, and tackle box with over $300 worth of gear and lures) – $400
- Full ice fishing setups including; sled, auger, rods/reels, and pop up shelter – $600
- Premium fly fishing set up: Orvis rods with Ross Reels – $900
- Tenkara rods from Zen Tenkara – $300
- Belly boat with accessories (fins & pump) – $300
- Each winner will also receive a year subscription to Colorado Outdoors Magazine.
How to qualify
- Mentor and mentee must be at least 21 years of age.
- Mentees must meet one of these criteria:
- Never had a fishing license until 2023
- Only had a fishing license in 2022 (e.g., a second-year angler)
- Not had a fishing license in the past five consecutive years (i.e., since 2018)
- Contest participants must follow all applicable Colorado fishing regulations.
- Mentor must have had a Colorado fishing license before the start of the contest.
To learn more, see the official rules and find out more about how to Take a Friend Fishing in 2023.
Written by Joey Livingston. Joey is a statewide public information officer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
