Running your own business can be rewarding but it certainly has its challenges at times.

I left a 25 year career in corporate america to pursue my dream of having my own business. I believe I prepared myself and did my homework as much as humanly possible.

I researched starting a small business on the internet. I attending a small business start up workshop sponsored and provided by SCORE and was assigned a mentor who helped me determine if I was even cut out for owning a small business.

My partner and I decided to take the leap and created an LLC, again, all online by ourselves.

Now, a year later, I can say the amount I have learned is overwhelming. Tracking inventory, determining what type of inventory sells or what does not, doing the accounting of the business, paying bills, etc, etc.

My partner and I compliment each other very well as he is the creative "think out of the box" type and I am the analytic numbers guy.

Daren and I both are willing to learn. We both don't do things just because we should. We do them because it makes sense most of the time.

We debated holding classes at our store last year. There was so much we didn't know. We felt like we had to be experts to do it. There is no such thing as an expert when it comes to BBQ. There are a thousand ways to get the same result. We received so much support from our family and friends.

We held our first class late last year and both had a blast doing it. Not to mention the benefit to the store as well! We still continue to hold the classes and have refined them over time. We have received very positive feedback on the laid back atmosphere of the class and humor Daren and I through into the class. (Having samples at the end of class doesn't hurt either!)

Interested in learning about barbecuing? Know someone who enjoys barbequing but needs some help? Give us a call and sign up for one of our classes. They are a lot of fun and I guarantee you will learn something.

Come on down to the store at 6850 N. Academy Blvd (northeast corner of York and Academy) or call us at 719-465-1041 for more information.

Look for our Living Social half off class deal beginning May 25th!!!

Dan

Many people ask me as the owner of a BBQ supply store how do I have to patience and whatnot to make good barbecue. 

BY RYAN MAYE HANDY, THE GAZETTE

A wind whipped across the ridgeline at the top of Monarch Mountain, obscuring the sun and crusting the freshly fallen snow.

It might have been a bad day to be skiing the main mountain and riding the lifts. But for the skiers dropping off the ridge’s edge, away from the wind and into fresh powder, it was a good day to be cat skiing.

Cat skiing, whether at Monarch, Loveland, Copper Mountain or Steamboat, to name a few, can satisfy cravings for fresh tracks.

“The biggest draw for folks coming to ski with us is the untracked powder,” said Eric Deering, a guide and director of Steamboat’s Powdercats operation. “Ski areas are getting hit so hard these days, if you’re not first in line for the gondola, then chances are you are going to be behind the ball, especially if you’re not familiar with that area.”

Cat skiing is ideal for those looking for untracked lines, but not necessarily “the steepest, gnarliest lines,” Deering added.

“You don’t have to be an expert skier to go cat skiing,” he said.

Even in a time of desperate drought, the thousands of acres of cat-skiing terrain at Steamboat still had plenty of fresh powder last year, Deering pointed out.

At Monarch in February, a fresh five-inch snowfall was bound to be tracked up within hours on the lift service terrain; the hike-to slopes in Mirkwood Basin might have had more freshies, but at the cost of a slow hike.

Monarch Snowcat Tours’ swift, school bus-yellow snowcat zooms up the ridgeline, allowing for 13 to 15 runs in a day and almost-guaranteed virgin snow for a group of 12 riders.

“Yeah, we get a lot of people and this will be their best day skiing all year,” said snowcat guide Kelly Millward.

“I hear our terrain is some of the best snowcat terrain. We’ve got the steeps,” he added.

Millward and fellow guide Gail Bindner — both former ski patrollers and in their second decade at Monarch — started guiding when the program began in the late 1980s. Back then, the snowcat had an open, lurching box for skiers — cold and exposed, it wasn’t much better than a ski lift, save for the fast trips up and down the mountain, Bindner said.

The industry had a reputation for being “a bit cowboy,” Deering noted, but with the increasing push into back-country terrain, cat-skiing operations are upgrading.

Deering, a co-founder of the Catski U.S. Association, hopes that placing all the outfits under one umbrella, with universal standards, might encourage more skiers and boarders to go the cat-skiing route.

Monarch has shed its rickety cats, replacing them with heated cabs with plush seating, stereo systems and electrical sockets. The operation’s two cats roar through the forest along a network of snow roads.
Yet in a tough snow season there’s still no guarantee cat skiing will deliver your best ride. Earlier this month, Monarch’s snow cover was still pretty thin in the trees, Bindner cautioned. It only took a few turns through the forest before the ski group got stuck in low undergrowth or logs.

The mountain has not gladed the tree runs, Bindner added, making top-to-bottom lines hard to find. Although it had snowed several inches, many slopes had crusty, day-old turns underneath, which made for tricky navigating through otherwise smooth powder.

(After recent dumps at Monarch — and Colorado’s other ski areas s— however, this shouldn’t be an issue.)

Monarch’s terrain might be steep, but it’s also short — four or five big powder turns can get you to the bottom of some runs.

At some ski areas, such as Loveland and Copper, cat skiing comes at no extra cost — buy a regular lift ticket, and you’re there.

During mixed conditions, a paid cat trip might seem a little pricey, but when you return to the thoroughly skied-out lift terrain at the end of day, it could be with a great sense of triumph: You’re among a handful of people who skied untracked powder, all day.

Some Cat-skiing options:

Monarch Mountain
Jan. 14-March 25
Individual: $275
Full Cat (12 people): $3,000
Dec. 30–Jan. 13
March 26–April 14
Individual: $210
Full Cat (12 people): $2,300
skimonarch.com/index.php/generalinfo/snowcat-tours

Winter Park Powder Addiction
Jan. 5-March 27
Individual: $400
Full Cat: $4,000
March 28-April 30
Individual: $350
Full Cat: $3,400
www.powderaddiction.com

Vail Powder Guides
Individual: $400
Full Cat: $4,400
www.vailsnowcat.com

Steamboat Powdercats
Jan. 1–April 12
Individual: $450
Full Cat: $4,500   
www.steamboatpowdercats.com

We here at Colorado BBQ Outfitters never let weather get in the way of our cooking!

Cold weather does not mean you cannot BBQ or smoke your foods.

In fact, cold weather is the BEST time to do cold smokes. What are cold smokes?

Smoking food that has already been cooked or does not need to be cooked involves cold smoking. My personal favorite food to cold smoke is cheese!

As with just about all smoking or BBQing, it is very simple to do. You can use virtually any grill/smoker to do it as well.

What you need:

·         A grill – any kind will do. You will not be turning it on at all

·         A way to generate smoke. I recommend the A-Maze-N  smoker box that we carry the store. You can add pellets to it and light it and it will generate smoke for up to 10 hours.

·         Food to smoke

The beauty of cold smoking during the winter is nature has cooled off everything for you. In order to cold smoke in warmer temps you have to add ice in your grill to keep the ambient temperature down. During the winter, Mother Nature does it for you.

It’s as simple as getting blocks of cheese (I find that Sam’s or Costco work best) and cutting them up in smaller pieces.

Arrange them on the grill. I also recommend nonstick grilling mesh for this.

Light the smoker box (regardless of which brand or type you use), set it on the grates near the food, close the lid, and let it go.

How long you smoke it depends on how much smoky flavor you want to impart to the food. I usually go about an hour or so.

Understand that the cold smoke process I am referring to involves cheese or precooked meats, etc. Although you can use cold smoking for meats, it is not something I typically do as it takes a great deal of preparation and must be done much, much longer.

Get out there and enjoy the colder weather BBQ/smoking!

If there is one place on the planet right now that anglers should make a trip to it is Cheesman Canyon!  Flow as of this morning Dec. 11th is sitting at 170 c.f.s. which for this time of year is amazing. Combine excellent flows with a lot less fishing pressure, and we are talking 20 fish days for the experienced folks. Watch for ice on the trails after this last snow storm, but other than that even the hike should be fantastic because of the cooler weather.

Flow for the Dream Stream is not to shabby either and is sitting at 112 c.f.s.  Elevenmile Canyon is sitting where it usually does in December with a flow rate of 56 c.f.s. Flies to come armed with for the entire South Platte River Drainage are midges and more midges. The Bubbleback Midge or the Mojo Midge in black and olive, Mercury Black Beauties, and Rojo Midges in red. If you're fishing a two fly set up use any of the following patterns as your lead fly: BWO Barr's Emergers, Olive or Dun RS-2's, Cheesman Emergers, Apricot Eggs, Buckskin Caddis Larvae in the smaller sizes, and San Juan Worms. If you see fish consistently coming up goto a size 26 Parachute Adams.

Make sure you're fishing with 6x fluorocarbon leaders and tippet, and if you're fishing Elevenmile Canyon come down a couple sizes with your split shot. In Elevenmile and the Dream Stream fish will be hanging in the deeper runs; a good depth to set your indicator is anywhere from 4-6 feet above your first fly on a two fly rig.

The Pueblo tailwater is a zoo.  Unless you enjoy combat fishing at it's finest stay away...  If you must go there the flow rate is a whopping 36 cubic feet per second, so fish will be stacked like cordwood in the deeper pools, and the odds of somebody beating you to those spots are great. The same flies and techniques as the South Platte work here.  Tight lines and happy holidays everyone!

Anyone who has been paying attention knows that we have been experiencing serious drought here in Colorado. If this drought continues we face a drastic blow to our economy.  Colorado relies heavily on the money that comes from it’s outdoor industries; skiing, climbing, hiking, and fishing are all affected by dry weather.

Ask the fish what they think about our gorgeous 70 degree days in November and they will tell you, “I don’t have room to swim because the rivers are so low!”. Colorado’s snow pack reports are bleak, and many of our reservoirs are only 50 percent full. I recently got a fishing report from a fly shop in Almont, and they said that you’re literally walking a mile in spots that should be covered in water to gain fishing access at Blue Mesa Reservoir because it’s so low.  

Blue Mesa is a sobering example of why we desperately need a snowy winter! Not just to make the skiers happy, but also to maintain a healthy fish population. I propose we all gather at Memorial Park and do a snow dance for the well being of our great state. It might mean a few less sunny and 70 days, but I think we all kinda miss the snow anyway.  That is a sacrifice we are willing to make.    

What would you do if you had the opportunity to cycle 19 miles up a paved 14er. Would you do it? What if you're a semi-active, new-to-cycling mom in her 30's...would you still do it?!

Well, I had that opportunity and took it. I straight took that bull by the horns.

Pikes Peak and the City of Colorado Springs are running a pilot program in the month of September which allows cyclists to pedal up and down the mountain. In only it's first 11 days, the program has attracted close to 300 cyclists from around the nation. Now like I said, I'm semi-active. (If you're into racing up the mountain, check this out!) I get these bursts of "I'm motivated today" and then bursts of "screw that, where's the beer". So for me to attempt something like this and think there was a small chance in hell I could actually succeed...took a whole lot of motivation...with a bunch of support from my husband, friends and family. It was also my friend Karin's 38th birthday and she thought it would be the perfect present: to ride all 38 miles by bike!

The day was September 11th, 2012. Nothing like today to remember the fallen of 9/11 then by honoring them on top of America's Mountain. After we paid at the toll gate ($12/person or up to 5 car passengers= $40) we parked 2 miles in since we were naive as to where to park, but many folks ride up from Cascade, even Manitou Springs (crazies!). So, we did the best we could and parked at the Crowe Gulch hiking and picnic area. I have no doubt that the first two miles we skipped would have been a killer warmup! After some minor bike tuning (thanks to the random dudes on bikes that had a better pump) we were on our way! Bright yellow aspen greeted us on our first turns into the ride. Miles 3-5 were an amazing warm up with a mix of flat, low grade inclines and some downhill. Then, at mile 6, we cruised downhill into Crystal Reservoir for some photos.

Warning! Colors are more vivid in real life! It is highly recommended to see them in person!

MtnMama strikes a pose at Crystal Reservoir

Read the rest of the trip report here....

Check out this Praying Mantis Kristen found during our afternoon hike through Garden Of The Gods.  It was massive and probably the biggest bug I've ever seen in real life, and that includes peoples pet tarantulas.  It was at least 3 inches long!  I honestly had no clue that Colorado grew them that big so we felt super blessed that we got to check it out and take some photos. 

When we got home Kristen got on the computer and did a little research, and we think that this is a female European Mantid.  We think it's a female based on the info we found that said females are usually larger with more girth.  We also learned that large Praying Mantis are capable of catching and eating Humminbirds!  They also have been known from time to time to decapitate and eat the smaller male Mantis during mating...

The one we spotted on our hike seemed very passive but definitely moved with a chilling purpose when it decided it had enough of us flashing it with the camera, and thankfully Kristen decided to bring our camera so we can share the experience.  I tell a lot of potentially unbelievable nature stories so it's nice to finally have a camera available to capture evidence.  Granted this isn't really flyfishing related, but you never know a big Mantis might be confused for a mutant grasshopper in one of our local lakes or streams and get munched.  I bet it's happened!  Either way I think most of us as anglers find bugs interesting and this is one big bug!

I recently saw a commercial during the Olympics where they called Pikes Peak America's Mountain.  It's ironic that all of us Springs residents wake up every morning in the shadow of one of the most beautiful mountains in the country, and think nothing of it because we all subconsciously associate our mountain with what a mountain should look like.  All of the recent events have put our state in the National spotlight, and i am just as guilty as the next person when it comes to taking the surrounding beauty for granted. 

In fact even though I make what some people might call a "living" by taking part in nature as a flyfishing guide it took a fire in 11Mile Canyon and half of our mountain burning up for me to realize that what we have living in Colorado Springs is a complete and total blessing.  All this media coverage of the fire and shooting have shown the rest of the people in this country two things.  First is that Colorado residents are a resilient bunch, and second is that our state is one of the most beautiful places on Earth.  If you need further daily proof of that then look up and follow "The Pikes Peak Guy" on Facebook. 

He has dedicated his life to taking photos of "America's Mountain" from all angles 365 days a year.  In fact it is so refreshing to get on Facebook and see his photos every day that I was inspired to get off my fat butt and take some photos myself.  Obviously I'm not going to quit my day job but I think the photos came out alright.  It was sunrise around 8 a.m. and there was a cloud covering part of the mountain and Kissing Camels in shade.   I picked my favorite four of the group that showed the cloud moving away to reveal the rock formations.  Here they are...

I had another interesting experience with wild animals on yesterdays guide trip.  I was working with Lew Romett on the finer points of casting and site fishing on the Dream Stream when we heard a loud noise that sounded similar to birds in our back yard when they are being eaten by a cat.  We were fishing by the barns when the terrible yelping started, and even though you could tell it was coming from a distance the cries of this animal were so loud it sounded like it was right next to us.

As we were trying to locate where the noise was coming from we saw an antelope being chased down the side of Spinney Mountain by the biggest Coyote I have ever seen.  The screaming noise we were hearing was the sound of a full size antelope crying for help before it became a wild dogs next meal.  The Coyote tackled it right at the edge of a steep drop off.  Lew described the scene best, "That just looked like a scene out of the Wild Kingdom t.v. show!"

Lew and I were fishing on the Mountain side of the river when it happened and my camera was on the opposite bank.  Combine that with the fact that everything transpired so quickly and there was no way we were getting photos of the event.  I did climb up the bank and walk towards the animals to get a closer look and the moment the Coyote saw me he popped up and took off.

Unable to see either the Coyote or the Antelope at this point I got back into the water thinking that maybe I saved the Antelope's life by scaring off the predator, but the moment I got back in the water the Antelope took off running and the Coyote came out of nowhere and tackled it again.  This time behind a hill where we couldn't see.  Let me reiterate that this dog was big enough that we questioned whether or not it was a wolf.

We all know there aren't suppose to be wolves in Colorado but I have had enough experiences in the wild to know that anything is possible and there is a lot of wilderness in our beautiful state.  We couldn't see any other dogs in the pursuit which lead me to believe that this was a huge lone Coyote making a big kill from a great position on the side of a mountain.  Either way it was an amazing sight and something that I haven't seen in real life to add to my list.

By KEVIN CARMODY
THE GAZETTE
    Finally, an event that went off on schedule and without a hitch.
    After two weeks of postponements and cancellations wrapped around the turmoil and tragedy of the Waldo Canyon fire, Sunday’s 13th annual Summer Roundup Trail 12K at Bear Creek Park welcomed back 679 runners to a sense of normalcy.
    “We took out a lot of frustration today,” said Barbara Good, 56, a Rockrimmon neighborhood evacuee. “You try to get away from the smoke to train, but once you’re evacuated, you have no desire to do anything. You just hunker down and pray. That’s about it. It was just perfect out here today, except it was hard to find a good parking spot. This event has really grown.”
    That growth has attracted the area’s top runners, and that competition helped Coronado graduate Ryan Hafer shatter the event record. His time of 41 minutes, 46 seconds was an amazing 3:08 better than the previous mark set last year by Peter Maksimow.
    Actually, the first four runners to reach the finish line had times good enough to win the previous 12 Summer Roundups.
    Until Sunday.
    “Peter is a good runner, and that looked like a pretty good time from last year,” said Hafer, 26, the Pikes Peak Road Runners Winter Series champ who also won the Pikes Peak Ascent in 2005. “We were all pushing each other, and that’s what made it faster. But I didn’t think I would be that much under the course record.”
    Kenyan native Geofrey Terer crossed the finish line 49 seconds after Hafer, followed 2 seconds later by Sage Canaday, who recently moved to Boulder from Oregon.
    “We were sharing the lead on the way up, but Ryan was way stronger today,” said Canaday, 26, a Cornell graduate and overall winner of last month’s Mount Washington Road Race in Gorham, N.H. “I was hoping to be more competitive and give him a run for his money, but I was happy to put in a hard effort. I’m training for the (Pikes Peak) Ascent, and I haven’t raced this high for a month.”
    Kelly Ramirez of Fort Collins won the women’s division in 53:08, followed by Albuquerque runner Rachael Cuellar (54:40) and Rochelle Persson of Colorado Springs (55:02).
    Hafer, a graduate of Harvard – making two Ivy Leaguers in the top three – missed last year’s entire summer season while recovering from a broken sesamoid bone under his big toe. The engineer for a defense company plans on entering graduate school in mechanical engineering at Colorado-Colorado Springs.
    But before that, he hopes for further conquests in the running arena.
    “I’m definitely training for the Ascent, and it’s only six weeks away. I definitely need to get up to altitude, but I think I’m in a good spot. I’m getting on Pikes Peak as much as I can.”
    That was Good’s vantage point, back on June 23, when something caught her eye.
    “We were hiking that day on the Peak, and saw the smoke from a different view,” said Good, a Widefield graduate. “We didn’t’ realize it was heading towards us. It’s good to be able to go back up there again. That was tough to see.”

Top 3 Campsites Near Colorado Springs

by Ed McHenry • July 4, 2012

The 4th of July is a great time to spend with friends and family. There's no better way I can think of to do that, but to go camping! Here are my picks of the top 3 established campsites near Colorado Springs, chosen based on their beauty and accessibility.

Spruce Grove Campsite

This campsite has it all! Located in the PIke national forest near Colorado Springs and along Tarryall Creek, the area borders the Lost Creek Wilderness. Great rock climbing and a beautiful hike to Lizard Rock Trail are also accessible. For fishing enthusiasts, the Tarryall Creek is nearby as well as Tarryall Reservoir.

Directions: From Lake George, go .75 miles on Highway 24, turn right on CR 77 and go 12 miles to the campground.

Details: The campground fee is $9 and has a 14 day maximum stay.

Jefferson Creek Campsite

Located in the Pike National Forest, this easily accessible campsite is not too far from Colorado Springs and other amenities, but it's far enough in the wild to make it a great experience. It's surrounded by pristine sub-alpine scenery and also has great access to the Colorado Trail. 

Directions: From Fairplay, go on Highway 285 north to Jefferson, turn left on CR 35, go 1.75 miles, turn right on SFR 37, and then drive three miles to the campground.

Details: The campground fee is $7 and there is no maximum stay.

Blue Mountain Campsite

Another campsite in the Pike National Forest near Colorado Springs, Blue Mountain is a large campsite only a short drive west of Florissant, and is the first of a series of campgrounds along the South Platte. If you're new to the Colorado Springs area, you're sure to check out Pike's Peak and the Florissant Fossil Beds, very near to this campground. Crowds are not too common here, either. 

Directions: From Colorado Springs, drive west on highway 24 to Florissant, then drive four miles west of Florrisant four miles on County Road 1.

Details: No fees, no maximum stay.

Remember to obey all forest laws and be aware of any national forest fire bans when camping. Did you know that American Sportsman Outfitters rents camping gear? Happy camping from all of us!

Tags: Camping near Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs camping, Camping in the Pike National Forest

Hey fellow readers I wanted to share with you why I have chosen not to harp on the Waldo Canyon fire.  I am a Colorado native and this has been my home my entire life.  Let me assure you that my choosing to talk about happier things is not an attempt to take away from what may go down as Colorado's greatest natural disaster.  It is not an attempt to be insensitive or offend those who have lost their home, or who are waiting to find out if their home is still standing.  I can't imagine having my house burned to the ground.  Anger, sadness, and confusion are just a few items on a huge list of emotions Colorado residents effected by fires throughout this state are going through.

Fire isn't the only thing that has hit us where it hurts.  A short snow season hit us with a left hurting the ski/snowboard part of our economy.  Relatively no spring runoff hit us with a right when it comes to white water rafting; another huge part of our economy crippled this year.  And of course the huge uppercut has been this massive fire.  And unless the gods bring us our classic Colorado summer afternoon rain showers we are probably in for more large and destructive fires.  It is still only June!

People throughout this country turn on the t.v. and they see MASSIVE FIRE all over the news, so it's a safe bet to say they might choose a tropical climate to vacation in this year.  I refuse to give up on the things that make me and so many of you happy.  I refuse to give up on Colorado.  If you lost your home you have my deepest heart felt condolences.  I am so proud of how people in this city and people effected by fires throughout the rest of Colorado have responded to this devastation.

Families have opened their homes to evacuees.  People have supported the cause by donating to shelters, and to our brave firefighters.  These are all things I'm sure we will continue to do until our state has grown some greener pastures.

We must also continue to live our lives, and support our local economy.  We need people fishing now more than ever to support our economy and to provide funds to the state to help with natural disasters.  Colorado is an outdoor's kinda place.  We live to: run, ski, hike, climb, kayak, cycle, fish, and the list goes on.  If you get a chance to take your mind off of the negativity around you by doing the things you love you will feel better.  You will inspire.  So from this point forward I will continue to pray for those who are suffering, and only write about the things that make us all happy.  Here is to greener pastures...

Photo I took three days before the fire.

I have had the fortune to guide some awesome people the last few days, and we got into some amazing fish!  Did my first trip at Boxwood Gulch with 5280 Anglers out of Denver, and I seriously think Boxwood might be one of the best kept secrets in Colorado.  The property is immaculate and the fishing is insane!  Huge fish everywhere and some great guides working that water so if you're ever up in Denver look up 5280.  Click here to check out their website and rates.  Here are the photos from that trip...

Also I just wanted to make sure that all you Colorado Springs troutbums know that we at Anglers Covey are still 110 percent open for business!  Guide trips are going down to the Arkansas below Pueblo every day, and even though you might have to work for the big fish they are in there. Check it out!

If you're getting tired of sitting at home and watching the depressing news and want to get out and enjoy yourself there are still ample opportunities to do so.  Grab a friend and split the cost of a guide trip, and get out on the water with me and lets harass some fish.  No previous experience is necessary and I provide all the gear!  If interested shoot me an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tight Lines!

I was inspired by my friends at outtherecolorado.com and decided it was time to write an article on what to look for when purchasing a camera to take with you on the water.  Do you buy a compact point and shoot camera, or the larger Digital SLR?  What about low light?  Do you want your camera to shoot full 1080p video?  How important is it that your camera is water proof?  These are the questions I will attempt to answer along with giving you suggestions on the current options available for purchase.

First lets start with what I have touched on in previous articles, and that is the simple fact that most point and shoot cameras aren't much better than the cameras built into many of the current generation smartphones.  I say "most" because there are a few extreme exceptions to that rule.  Does that mean you can carry your iphone with you everywhere and you're good?  It depends on the quality of photo you are looking for.  Just because a "point and shoot" or a smartphone camera has 8 mega pixels doesn't mean that it will make better prints, or produce a higher quality photo for sharing on the web than cameras like DSLR's with larger and more accurate sensors that are only rated to 6 mp.

If you are reading this and you are thinking, "Jon Kleis what the flying french toast are you talking about?  What is a sensor?", then let me share with you fellow readers that a sensor on a digital camera does the same thing that film does in a 35mm camera.  When you press the shutter release button on an old school 35mm camera the shutter opens and the image is captured on a piece of film.  Digital cameras record what your eyes see through the viewfinder onto a sensor.

Digital cameras come with different sized sensors the same way that film comes in different sizes/formats.  Smart phones and "point and shoot" cameras have smaller sensors than a Digital SLR.  Larger still is a "full frame DSLR", which is the digital equivalent to 35mm.  Many of you will not need a full frame digital camera unless you plan on making wall sized professional prints.  The size of the sensor will greatly determine how large a print you can make.

In other words a "point and shoot" camera that packs 15 mega pixels (15 million pixels) onto a tiny sensor won't allow you to make clean looking poster sized prints of that 10lb brown you landed last fall like a DSLR will.  Point and shoot/smartphones cameras = small sensors which are fine for small prints up to 8x10 inches, DSLR's = medium sized sensors which are good for making up to poster sized prints,  Full Frame DSLR = HUGE sensor and huge prints which won't be necessary for most fishing applications.

This is why I carry a DSLR when I fish.  The second reason I prefer my Digital SLR to most "point and shoot" cameras is because they tend to perform better in low light conditions.  Many huge fish are landed either first thing in the morning or during that magic hour before the sun sets in the evening.  For this reason it is my humble opinion that a camera that takes high quality photos under low light conditions is extremely important.

How well a camera does in low light is determined by its ISO range.  The average point and shoot/camera phone will have an ISO between 50-800.  A good camera for shooting in low light has an ISO between 100-3200.  The higher the range typically the better the camera does in low light.  Tip: you can find the technical specs such as a camera's ISO range on the box it is packaged in or online on most manufacturer's websites.  Here are a couple of photos I took free hand in low light during sunrise with my 6mp Nikon D40 DSLR.

If you insist on having a more compact camera to carry with you everywhere, and still want to capture amazing professional looking photos there are a few "point and shoots" on the market that have a lot of the same capabilities as their DSLR counterparts.  The Canon Powershot G12 has a high ISO range up to 3200, built in image stabilization, and shoots 720p video with stereo sound.  Honestly I don't think there is a better point and shoot for the money other than the camera that will ultimately replace the G12 which is the Canon Powershot G1 X.

Because the G1 X has: a larger sensor, a high speed USB connection, ISO range up to 12800, and shoots full 1080p video it is the ultimate fishing compact camera.  The G1 has an elite price tag though at $800.  The G12 currently sits at $450 which is a steal, and that price will probably continue to drop so my advice is to go for the G12 for almost half the price.  Neither camera is waterproof, but the only scenario I can imagine you would need it to be waterproof is if you are shooting underwater footage in which case get a real submersible video camera like the Gopro Hero 2.  Ninety percent of the time if you are wanting a picture of a fish you will be dragging it to the bank anyway so leave the camera there where it's safe and dry.

DSLR's have many benefits for someone wanting to get the best possible photo of their fish or the beautiful surroundings that fish live in.  The first benefit I previously mentioned and that is that they are considerably better for shooting in low light.  Next you have the option of interchangeable lenses which is huge because the glass your sensor records the image through is every bit as important as the sensor itself.  You will see a tremendous increase in the quality of your photos if you invest in good lenses for your camera.  Last but not least another huge benefit to keeping a DSLR with you when you fish is the fact that you can crop the image and still keep a high quality in your photos.

Their are two major players in the DSLR market (Canon and Nikon), and they each have a cult following neither of which I subscribe to.  That being said I have only owned Nikon cameras.  It is my opinion that Nikon does a great job of including options in their entry level cameras that make it easier for new photographers to learn the technical aspects of photography.  However both Nikon and Canon have the option to take pictures in full Auto which is what most people will be shooting in anyway.  I believe that Nikon has extremely good quality glass in their entry level lenses as well.

Almost all of the entry level $600-$800 Digital SLR cameras come with a kit lens that will get the job done.  Just about all of the 2011 to 2012 DSLR cameras shoot video as well.  Another sound piece of advise I will give you is not to buy the camera based on its video taking capabilities alone unless it is your intention to start shooting and producing your own fishing videos.  Many of these cameras shoot great video but they are built as still cameras.  

One of the many downfalls shooting video with these cameras is that if you are shooting with the lens set on full auto focus you can hear the lens focusing as background noise.  Video on DSLR's is just an option that is great for catching those family moments, or the moments no one will believe unless they are seeing it unfold.  If you want great video the best way to go is to purchase a dedicated video camera.   

If I were to purchase a new entry level DSLR based on my previous experiences knowing what I know now it would be the Nikon 3200.  Seven hundred dollars gets you the camera body which has an ISO range of 100-12800, 24.2 mega pixels, full 1080p video, and a built in guide mode that teaches you how to use the camera.   A great 18-55mm lens with built in Vibration Reduction which will also help you get clean looking hand held shots in low light.       

I have read the reviews, seen the sample photos, and looked at the tech specs of both the Canon Powershot G12 and the Nikon 3200 and would recommend either one of those cameras for fisherman.  Not taking video into consideration I give a slight edge to the Nikon 3200 based on its user friendliness and the quality of photos.  But if you want a camera that you can throw in your fishing pack that won't take up a lot of space the G12 is still an excellent choice.  For more gear reviews and helpful tips subscribe to my blog www.coloradoflyfisher.blogspot.com

Global Exploration Company Helping America’s Team Find Gold

It’s the time of year when American’s all over the U.S. start paying attention to the various sports and athletes representing the U.S. in the upcoming London Games.   Our best vs. the world.  But what many people may overlook is for most athletes, this is not just once every four years; it’s every day.  And sometimes the biggest hurdle to overcome isn’t lack of talent, but inability to pay the bills.

Depending on the sport, athletes in the Winter and Summer Games can spend between $12,000 and $120,000 dollars a year on training, equipment, travel, medical, coaching and nutrition.  This doesn’t even count the costs of everyday living and finding time between training and competing to work.  With limited and inefficient funding coming from their sports NGB’s, many athletes are faced with hard decisions of following their dreams or paying the rent.

America for Gold founder Kevin Montford, a former elite athlete himself recognized this need that largely goes unlooked.  Seeing the need, he created the non-profit to give financial assistance right where it’s needed, directly to the athletes to help with the financial burdens of training.  Through his organization, donors, sponsors, and companies are able to help America’s Team directly.

Just announced last week, HEI Resources, a global exploration company, has stepped up and is helping underwrite four of America’s athletes through the London Games.  Their generosity will help fund the training of four top athlete’s including: Steven Holcomb, 2010 Gold Medalist, Loree Smith, 2008 Olympian, Jacque Payne, 2012 National Champion and Allison Jones, 5-time Paralympian. “Gaining support from AFG provides me with a great deal of relief and excitement.  Training at my best can be difficult when trying to work a full-time job on top of a consistent training schedule.  AFG has drastically reduced my stress around budgeting time and finances, as well as provide me with a great boost of confidence!  They have allowed me to focus on getting stronger and performing better, to get closer to realizing my full potential.” said Jacque Payne, weightlifter and a full-time tour guide at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center.

 “HEI is pleased to be a supporter of America For Gold,” said Reed Cagle, CEO of HEI Resources.  “HEI has recently expanded beyond the oil and gas industry to include the mining of base and precious metals. We thought it was quite appropriate to support these athletes in their pursuit of precious metals and wish all athletes around the globe all the best in London this July!”

Mr. Montford is pleased with the support and generosity of HEI and hopes this will prompt others to do the same.  “America’s athletes not only serve as role models, but also ambassadors for our country during international competition,” said Kevin Montford, AFG Founder. “It is our mission to underwrite the expenses of as many American athletes as possible, since support is needed years before medals are won. With consistent financial support, these athletes can continue inspiring future generations of proud Americans. We thank HEI for their generous contribution.”

With the Summer Games around the corner and Winter Games not too far away, we know America’s best are training their hardest to represent this country to the best of their abilities.  Right now there are four athletes benefiting from AFG funding, with your help, it could be all of America’s athletes.

To learn more about America For Gold or to find out how you can support America’s athletes visit: www.AmericaForGold.org 

To learn more about HEI and their Global Exploration activities visit: www.HEIPartners.com 

Attention fellow anglers and nature enthusiasts!  Anglers Covey fly shop is having its annual learn to fly fish day this June 2nd.  There will be huge door buster sales including a great 4 piece fly rod for beginners for only $59.99.  If you have always wanted to learn how to fly fish this is a perfect opportunity to get free advice from the professionals who make a living teaching people on the water.  We will have presentations on knots, rigging, and bugs.  We will be giving free casting lessons all day, and the day will be capped off with a drawing for a free Sage One fly rod!  Doors open at 8:30 so stop by and give our friendly staff a chance to show you why Anglers Covey was chosen as Orvis Outfitter Of The Year, and let us help you get started on your flyfishing adventure!