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We hope everyone is having a great start to September! It’s Friday and we are excited to get outside and on the water for the long Labor Day weekend. It is currently sunny at 59°F with scattered clouds. Later in the day there is a chance for stray showers or thunderstorms. The high for today is 73°F.The fishing is turning finally and we are happy to say that the conditions have been good despite limited access. Rain and cooler temperatures at night are helping improve the conditions. Blue Wings and Mahogany duns are beginning to hatch and will continue to...

With the recent rain that the valley received, the river flow has increased from 40 CFS to 100 CFS and as a result fishing has really picked up and the conditions have improved. Unfortunately, the river is not yet open, but if we continue to get consistent rain and experience some cooler days we feel optimistic about the river potentially opening back up soon for anglers.River closures include the tailwaters of Stagecoach Reservoir, Yampa through town, and Chuck Lewis. This is due to low water levels and high water temperatures. We recommend checking out Steamboat Lake and Pearl Lake. Lately...

The city of Steamboat Springs announced Wednesday afternoon that it will enact a commercial and voluntary closure of the Yampa River beginning at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. The intention of the closure is for the protection of our best resource in the Yampa Valley, which is the river.  According to the Steamboat Pilot, “The river experienced water temperatures greater than 75 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday, which exceeds the threshold for closure as outlined in the city’s Yampa River Management Plan. Low water flows, high water temperatures and low levels of dissolved oxygen can impact aquatic life and are factors when determining...

The conditions of the waters in the Yampa Valley are subject to change day to day and we are currently monitoring the conditions. We will keep everyone updated as the announcements come in.The Yampa and Elk are both in midsummer form with fish eagerly eating hoppers and other terrestrials while still capitalizing on the spattering of hatches we are seeing. There are still some early summer Pale Morning Duns and Yellow Sallies hatching. Caddis are coming off in good numbers as well. Even where fish are not actively rising, these three flies have been presenting  well in likely holding water have...

Everyday at Straightline we get asked about what are the best outdoor shoes for hiking, hunting, tubing, and more. I've been in the outdoor industry for over thirty years helping people make informed decisions about their choice of footwear. Based on my own experience, reviews from others, and expert opinions, I have put together this guide to highlight the best summer shoes that we have in our store. After years on the trail and river, we believe shoes can be such a game changer. Whether you’re floating the river, hanging out in town, or going on a multi-day backpacking trip, it’s...