RULES and River Etiquette

Welcome to the 10th Annual Upper Colorado Fall Classic. We want to ensure a safe and courteous event and are providing a set of rules for all to follow. Be safe, have fun, and good fishing.

• Scoring will be a combination of number of TROUT caught and length of up to three (3) measured fish.

• You may ONLY measure THREE fish in the tray. If one falls shy of 12”, no bonus, still counts. NO CULLING!

• This is a Catch and Release event. This is also a TEAM EVENT!!! Work together with your partner and guide!

• Anglers must keep the fish alive and in good health until the rower can safely measure the fish.

• Anglers may bank/wade fish public areas if the guide can safely pull off in that location, and it is public!

• Your guide must record all three fish and you must provide a photo to document your three measured fish.

• The competitor may assist the guide with the measuring process to ensure safety of the fish.

• Measuring tube will be used to determine length of fish, pinching tail down is NOT permitted.

• Any fly rod is allowed!!! Pinning, spey, and switch rods are okay.

• Each angler may have up to three rods (3) rigged if desired.

• ONLY fly fishing tackle is allowed!!! Only fish caught IN the mouth count!!!

• No live or artificially scented baits. No pegging, worms, beads, thread, flesh material allowed on your system.

• Pinched barbs on ALL hooks – barbless hooks ok, as well. Tandem/stinger rigs allowed. No treble hooks.

• Guides are NOT allowed to fish.

• Colorado Fishing License is required for all anglers – be prepared to show your license at the venues.

• All Colorado Fishing Rules & Regs (no more than 3 flies at one time) must be followed.

• Please obey all access and trespassing signage.

• Life jackets are mandatory, type of your choosing. Anglers may provide own PFD.

• Late arrivals will be penalized 10 points per team per minute (unless river emergency).

* Rules are subject to change without notice.

Scoring 

Each and every fish scores 10 points including each of the fish measured for length.

• On the measured fish, 10 bonus points per 1 inch, round up or down to the NEAREST inch. 12” minimum!!!

Longest portion of un-pinched tail counts. Examples: 12” fish = 10 bonus points; 17” fish = 60 bonus points.

• EACH ANGLER MUST take a picture of up to three fish 12 inches or better in fish tubes (measure and record).

* Rules are subject to change without notice.

Timeline:

• 7:15AM Guides arrive at Beaver Creek Bear (West) Parking Lot.

  7:30AM Anglers arrive at Beaver Creek Bear (West) Parking Lot.

  7:45AM Anglers & Guides Drive To Pre-Determined Launch Sites.

  8:45AM Guide Safety Presentation.

  9:00AM 1st Boat Launch @ Each Venue. EVTU Board Members will shuttle guide vehicles.

  9:05AM 2nd Boat Launch @ Each Venue and so on through all boats.

  3:00PM ALL boats must be at designated takeout. Late arrivals penalized 10 points/team/minute.

  4:00PM ALL Anglers/Guides return to Beaver Creek Bear (West) Parking Lot and go to Venue Location TBD

  5:00PM Upper Colorado Fall Classic Happy Hour & Awards Ceremony @ Location TBD.