2021 Year End Recap from Golden Fly Shop

We're basically the fly fishing version of "Cheers" the bar but with only one drink option (Coors Banquet) and WAAAYYY too many fly options.

SHOP UPDATES AND IMPROVEMENTS:

  If you're just tuning in to Golden Fly Shop, Welcome! First off you should know that we have a real passion for all things fly fishing. From distant saltwater flats all the way to the nearest fishing holes, we are prepared to equip, outfit and guide anglers for any challenge that lies ahead. At the end of 2020 the shop moved just a few doors down to a much larger space with room to grow. As the space grew, so did our shop and guide staff rosters. Lead by longtime angler and fishy character, Justin Nine, Golden Fly Shop's primary objective is to share fishy knowledge and remain approachable from any angle, by anyone. We're basically the fly fishing version of "Cheers" the bar but with only one drink option (Coors Banquet) and WAAAYYY too many fly options. 

How 2021 started...

How it's going.

The "Streamer Wall" or "Steak House" houses about every cut of meat you could imagine. The fixtures were customized in-house and originated from, you guessed it, the deli aisle from your local grocery store. This area of the shop is our pride and joy and will continue to stock only the very best from Montana Fly Company, Umpqua Feather Merchants, Fulling Mill and Rio Products. If you can't find it on the Streamer Wall, either it doesn't exist or you don't need it!

After the streamer wall was installed, things escalated quickly.

The fly tying section is slowly taking over. For those who prefer to buy instead of tie, we've got ya covered....

OUT OF THE SHOP AND ON THE WATER:

     Our favorite way to connect with customers, clients and friends of the shop is through guided trip experiences. This year we added several watersheds to our repertoire and vetted guides to the roster. A majority of our walk-and-wade trips took place less than an hour from the shop on the famed S. Platte River with plenty of other clients taking to the water on the Eagle, Colorado, Roaring Fork, and Blue Rivers. We also spent time guiding our local beats of water on Clear Creek here in Golden, Colorado.

Colorado Rockies Infielder, Brendan Rodgers grips a Blue River Bow on an outing with the guide staff. 

   One of the most exciting things that happened to the guide business in 2021 was the addition of float fishing trips to our list of services. In 2021 we had a great float season and the momentum is gaining. We are currently booking full day float trips for 2022 on both the Roaring Fork and Colorado River's. Be sure to secure your boat seats now before prime season kicks in and the calendar gets limited. If your schedule changes and you need to postpone or cancel a trip we offer free change orders if you notify us at least 7 days before your trip!

Eric scored this beautiful brown on a fall float trip during 'Streamer Camp,' an educational experience dedicated to the art of fishing streamers.

Speaking of streamers, shop associate Conor Henricks fooled this an absolute tank in early Spring on an Galloup's Dungeon.

It's been big year for the salty anglers in our little shop community as well. We kicked off our 2021/2022 saltwater season with a BBQ bash designed to celebrate our Louisiana redfish on the fly operation lead by Captain Colton Holschuh. During the heat of summer Colton is here with us in Colorado running float trips on the Roaring Fork and Colorado Rivers. Later in the fall as the cold weather sets, Colton escapes to his second home in Hopedale, LA to push a poling skiff into oversized Redfish.

If you're interested in targeting saltwater species that eat well and don't break the bank, give us a ring!! 

SHOP EVENTS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:

     At Golden Fly Shop we're all about BBQ's, beer, parking lot fish tales and general fishing BS. As our shop remodel came to an end in the Spring we hosted a bash to celebrate. We commissioned Drew Wilson (@drewlr) to create a one-off art piece in the form of a 14ft shark that hangs above our fly rod display. Our "Cutty-shark" has been quite the conversation starter and something that's been a long time in the making. 

Drew Wilson executed our favorite Grip-N-Grin to date.

An event we really wanted to bring home to the shop was an opportunity to host the fly fishing film tour. After the F3T organization was forced to postpone or cancel many in-person events earlier in the year, we got the go-ahead that Golden Fly Shop would be one of the hosting locations for 2021. We had an absolute blast and look forward to hosting more film nights at the shop in 2022.

As summer continued we hosted monthly BBQ's in the parking lot as a way to connect with our customers and give back to those who stuck around through the crazy 2020/2021 transition. The free BBQ and Beer was an instant hit and so was our "Golden Cast" fly casting competition.

"We're basically the fly fishing version of "Cheers" the bar but with only one drink option (Coors Banquet) and WAAAYYY too many fly options."

Scott Kennedy tallies up the scores before handing out a Douglas DXF fly rod to one lucky winner. 

 To wrap up our year of transition, growth and community engagement we started our weekly Fly Tying Tuesday. These tying nights happen every Tuesday through Winter but rotate every other week from an instructional $10 class to a Beers and Bugs theme. 

Next weeks Fly Tying Tuesday (January 11th), will be Beers and Bugs night. You can count on free beer but be sure to show up a little early to secure one of our limited seats.