Colorado Parks and Wildlife has invited anglers across the state to participate in their Take a Friend Fishing contest for the fifth consecutive year. The event, running through Feb. 28, 2025, aims to encourage seasoned anglers to introduce novice anglers to the sport in a productive, safe way for both them and the environment.
The contest is a collaborative effort between CPW, several Colorado fly shops and fishing brands, and national outdoor companies. Participants can win prizes by submitting a photograph and a brief story of their fishing experience. According to Andre Egli, CPW’s statewide angler education and event coordinator, the contest was conceived to help adults experience Colorado’s natural beauty through the sport and to create a sense of community among anglers. Both mentees and mentors must be over 21 years old to participate.
“We wanted to encourage seasoned anglers to take a novice under their wing and introduce them to the sport in an organic, inviting way,” Egli explained. “We realized that children get taken fishing fairly often by relatives, parents, and family friends, but once we reach a certain age, if we haven’t gone before, it can feel intimidating to ask for guidance as an adult.”
Participants’ stories have shown how this event is far more than just an excuse to get people to buy a future fishing license. After convincing his reluctant friend and wife to get out on the river, longtime fly fishing guide, Alex Gordon, shared his experience with last season’s event.
“I saw their expressions change and experiences being made when I took them fishing last season. They both put their phones down for once and connected in a way that I feel they have not before. We fished for five hours, catching all different types of trout,” Gordon said. “While we did not win the contest, my buddy and his wife purchased their fishing licenses in front of me and pledged to come back when their work allowed it.”
Like Gordon, Egli also recounted several memorable submissions from past contests, with his favorite moment being when two elderly sisters reconnected after 60 years apart through their love of fishing.
“We had a pair of sisters who moved apart, and one got really into the outdoors and fishing and the other was never exposed to those activities. Then one moved back to Colorado after about 60 years apart, they reconnected, and the outdoorsy one took the other sister fishing, and now they go fishing together almost weekly! Both sisters are now in their 80s, proving that it’s never too late to learn a new skill.”
With over $20,000 in prizes available, the event continues to grow in popularity. It highlights the joys of the sport and the importance of mentorship within the angling community. Prizes include a cooler package from Yeti, Bass Pro Shop, and Cabela’s, a full beginner fly fishing setup from Colorado fly shop Ascent, a premium kit from Orvis and Ross Reels, and a belly boat with fins and a pump.
“As a fishing guide, I am always looking for a fun way to expand the sport and selfishly get free stuff,” Gordon said. “When I heard about this Take a Friend Fishing thing that Colorado Parks and Wildlife was doing from my boss, I knew I wanted to get involved.”
The contest isn’t solely for fly casters; packages also reward those who spinner and ice fish. Egli said the prizes are designed to incentivize newcomers to continue after the contest is well over. According to the CPW employee, since the program began, 71% of novice participants purchased a fishing license for the following year, and 41% of them purchased one for multiple years.
“When people try out a new sport or hobby, a lot of the time, the financial cost of the equipment can be a huge barrier,” Egli said. “My goal was to remove that barrier so winners could get everything they needed to keep fishing for the rest of their lives.”
Hunting and fishing licenses provide more than 25,000 full-time jobs and bring in over $3.25 billion in funding to the state—funding that, if not obtained from these licenses, might have to be paid for by Colorado taxpayers. Events like Take a Friend Fishing are a win/win for the state and its residents.
“I’m really just hoping to keep the contest going,” Egli said. “It’s so easy to enter but it’s been hard to get the word out and encourage people to take the plunge and try taking someone fishing for the first time. I hope to also bring back the guided fishing trips as a prize. I think getting the opportunity to go out with a professional guide is an amazing experience for a mentor and a mentee.”
Registration is open until Feb. 28, 2025, for those interested in participating. Participants must register online, providing their first and last names, email, phone numbers, and CID numbers. Mentors can have only one mentee entered per contest duration and are eligible to win only one prize. For more information, visit the Take a Friend Fishing page on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.
The Take a Friend Fishing contest fosters a love for the sport, builds lasting connections and supports wildlife conservation efforts. As Gordon aptly put it,
“It’s giving you an opportunity to win something, support wildlife protection, and teach others how to respectfully enjoy the ecosystem that we all love here.”
