CPW’s Take A Friend Fishing Contest rewards anglers for sharing their expertise and love of fishing
Joey Livingston
2023 Take a Friend Fishing Contest winners Debi and Paul show off their catch
DENVER - For the sixth consecutive year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and our partner Colorado fishing companies are encouraging anglers to take part in our Take a Friend Fishing Contest. Experienced anglers that introduce a novice to the sport can be eligible for some high value prizes. Both mentors and mentees are eligible to win. Congratulations to our 2023 winners; Inna Mitchell and Christina Cordova (Commerce City), Paul Gaeke and Phil Jolas (Denver), and Debi Asselta and Paul Morland (Colorado Springs).
“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 some 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 different 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 set up (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.
- Mentor and mentee must be at least 21 years of age.
- Mentees must meet one of these criteria:
- Never had a fishing license until 2024
- Only had a fishing license in 2023 (e.g., a second-year angler)
- Not had a fishing license in the past five consecutive years (i.e., since 2019)
- Contest participants must follow all applicable Colorado fishing regulations.
- Mentor must have had a Colorado fishing license before the start of the contest.
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2023 Take a Friend Fishing Contest winners: Inna and Christina (left) and Phil and Paul (right)
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 43 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.