Get Your Toad On!

Our Fly Fishing Flag shirts are now available at Toads Guide Shop in Montrose!


Toads is located at 309 East Main Street in downtown Montrose. Toads is a Combat Veteran-Owned Small Business. Tim Kenney owns and operates the shop, from which he offers guided fly fishing trips, white water rafting adventures, and private land hunts among many other services and products.

Toads truly offers "the best of the Rocky Mountains, without the crowds!"

Let's get one thing out of the way right upfront, for those who may not know. The store is called Toads and that's a reference to a term used by guides to describe an "excessively large fish." You gotta love it!

So let's talk about what all Tim offers. It's a lot!



THE FLY SHOP

Toads has a great selection of top quality flies representing the top manufacturers in the business. Some of the most recognized western patterns were patented in the Montrose area. Scott fly rods and Ross reels are manufactured in Montrose, in fact. Tim can arrange a tour for you at either or both if you're interested, or set you up with that new outfit you've been wanting. "We carry all the gear you may need," Tim said. "And if we don't have it, we will get it." Toads even offers top-quality rental gear if that's the way you'd prefer to go.

GUIDED FLY FISHING

Great fly fishing without the crowds is what you get in Montrose. Chase high mountain native cutthroats. Pack in with horses for a multi-day wilderness raft trip down the world-famous gold medal waters of the Gunnison Gorge. Access the incredible year-round fishery at the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk tailwater of the Uncompahgre River. These are just some of the public waters available!

Toads also has exclusive access to the private trophy waters of the Double Diamond River Ranch where an episode of ESPN's "On The Rise" television show as filmed in 2010. Tim was in Afghanistan serving our country at the time, but host Frank Smethurst landed one of the biggest toad rainbows they ever caught on film at the ranch.

The Double Diamond has the most diversified waters on the western slope, consisting of a half-mile of private access to the Uncompahgre River, five private creeks, and 2 lakes. The ranch offers a real chance for you to catch the "toad" of your life, and the entire ranch is yours for the day so take your time and enjoy because no one is going to torch that monster toad you just missed, and you can try him again later in the day.

Toads also has three miles of Henson Creek outside Lake City and other private ranch waters. Tim works with other licensed outfitters permitted through the Bureau of Land Management, so the price you pay as a client doesn't change; it just allows him to give you more options legally and professionally. Toads' guides are courteous professionals with years of experience on the all the local waters.

Toads is an Orvis-endorsed guide service, proof that they will provide you with the professional service that you are accustomed to.

WHITE WATER RAFTING

One of the best ways to see the awesome mountain scenery on a hot summer day is from the water. It's also a lot more exciting for the family than sitting in a car! Toads Guide Shop offers two different trips down the Uncompahgre River. The "Country Run" is a half-day trip on the upper Uncompahgre - a nine-mile flat through some beautiful working ranches. The "Town Run" is a 2-hour trip that runs through the town of Montrose and is perfect for those who don't have as much time to spend on the water.

Tim is committed to your safety while you have a great time. He is also committed to the preservation of the river corridors. For this reason, no bare feet or flip-flops are allowed. Proper safety gear must be worn. And all personal items must fit in your guide's dry bag so nothing falls into the river. "We leave nothing in the river," Tim said. "And the only things we take from it are pictures and good memories with family and friends."

GUNNISON GORGE WILDERNESS TRIP

The gold medal waters of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is world-famous for its fly fishing, scenery, whitewater rapids, and wildlife. For this multi-day trip, boats and gear are packed down to the river on horses. You enjoy catered professional service while you revel in the beauty of this deep canyon paradise. Access is extremely limited and Toads works with licensed outfitters permitted through the BLM to get you there. This truly is a MUST DO trip at least once in a lifetime.





VACATION PACKAGES

Whether it's for a getaway weekend or a week, Toads can put together a custom vacation package that fits all of your needs, wants and desires!

HUNTING

Toads offers guided hunts for trophy mule deer, elk, and waterfowl on private lands. Montrose is ranked in the top ten counties in the USA for trophy mule deer. Toads offers access to private ground right on the west Cimarron migration route.

GROUP/CORPORATE EVENTS

Looking for a fun and unique day for your employees, clients or business partners? Let Toads set it up for you in the professional manner you are used to. Tim hosts groups from 5-30 at the Double Diamond River Ranch. Customized experiences are their specialty.

LODGING - THE BUNKHOUSE

Nestled between the Uncompahgre River and the 13-acre private Lake Nokomis is the Double Diamond River Ranch Bunkhouse. The 900 square foot bunkhouse was converted from a calving shed using materials found on the ranch. The stone floors, farm-weathered wood walls, and tin ceiling combined with an eclectic mixture of fixtures from the 1950s and 1960s will take you back to a quieter, simpler time. The antique hunting, fishing, trapping and ranching memorabilia will entrance you for hours, and the books cover what interests you most - hunting, fishing, trapping, etc.

The taxidermy showcases some of the animals harvested on the ranch and will get you dreaming of the season at hand.

The bunkhouse sleeps eight comfortably and comes with a full kitchen and stocked cupboards and a refrigerator.

We could not be happier to have Toads Guide Shop as the newest member of the COLORADO CALIBER family! Be sure to stop by the shop and say hi to Tim, and pick up your Fly Fishing Flag shirt! They carry long-sleeved and short-sleeved t-shirts.

For more information, call the shop at 970-249-0408 or visit their website!

The Fraser Fly Shop

Our Colorado Caliber FLY FISHING FLAG t-shirts are now available at The Fraser Fly Shop!

The Fraser Fly Shop is a full-service fly shop and outfitter located in Fraser, Colorado, just down the road from the Winter Park Resort.

Though the Fraser Valley is world-renowned for its skiing opportunities, it also plays host to some of the best fly fishing in the Rocky Mountains.

The Fraser Fly Shop is also home to the Winter Park FlyFisher. The Winter Park FlyFisher is their outfitting business, while The Fraser Fly Shop is their retailing business. Both are located at the fly shop, and most of their guides are also employees at the shop. Owner Jeff Ehlert says you should feel free to stop by the shop and pick the brain one one of the guides!


Jeff says that the mission of the Winter Park FlyFisher is to give each guest a deeper appreciation of the local waters, the fish that live in them, and the sport of fly fishing. Creating lasting memories, improving fly fishing skills and enjoying outstanding customer service is what every guest can expect while fishing with the Winter Park FlyFisher, he said.




 "We strive to make your fishing experience in Grand County a fond lifetime memory," Jeff explained.

"Your time to fish is probably limited, so don't waste that time guessing where to go or what to use. We do the homework for you daily with the most experienced guide staff in Grand County."

Guests of the Winter Park FlyFisher are outfitted with the latest and greatest gear from leading companies such as Simms, Patagonia, Winston Rods, Lamson Reels, Ross Reels, Hardy Greys, Solitude Flies, Montana Flies, Dan Baileys, Idylwilde Flies, Umpqua, Scientific Anglers and more.

"We are here to make sure that you have the flies that the trout are looking for and the information to find those trout," Jeff said. "Every great fishing rip in Grand County begins with a stop at The Fraser Fly Shop. Please drop by after your fishing to let us know how you did as we like to keep our reports as up to date as possible."

Even President Eisenhower loved fly fishing around Winter Park and Fraser. In fact, he spent so much time in the area that Fraser came to be known as the "Western White House." Grand County has more fish-able water than any other county in Colorado. If you're in Fraser, you're in the middle of Colorado trout fishing.

For more information give Jeff a call at 970-726-5231 or visit the shop's website. The shop is located at 76981 U.S. Hwy. 40, Unit 3, in Fraser.

The Shootist in Englewood

The Shootist Pistol Range in Englewood now carries Colorado Caliber 2nd Amendment apparel!

Owner James Peterson is pictured with one of our 2nd Amendment hoodies. Our 2nd Amendment design features the Colorado state flag ... but with our own unique twist! The entire flag is made up of guns.

We're excited to welcome James and his staff at The Shootist to the Colorado Caliber family. You can find our navy blue and black t-shirts at The Shootist, along with our black hoodies. James also carries the 2nd Amendment stickers, which are vinyl and weatherproof.

The Shootist has been an Englewood fixture for a very long time. James took ownership in 2015 and set about making lots of changes. Since taking over the range, James has made continual improvements and investments. Lighting, air filtration, cleanliness, quality of staff, onsite trainers, and product selection lead the list of things James has focused on. And he has lots of big plans for the future!

The range itself is being prepped for a major overhaul, with plans to bring in options for rifle calibers and more intensive training. No rifles are allowed on the range right now, but stay tuned to The Shootist website for announcements regarding when you can bring in your 5.56 and 7.62 to shoot. According to James, 2016 is going to be a very exciting year for The Shootist.

For outside trainers, The Shootist is one of the only places they can bring their students. James and his staff welcome outside trainers with open arms. Properly credentialed trainers can bring their students in to use the classroom or the range.

Members of The Shootist can also take advantage of private and dealer firearms transfers. Some ranges and shops won't do that anymore.

The Shootist has very competitive membership packages. James says he is glad to take daily range fees from customers, but that membership really is the way to go. Fees range from $249 per year for a basic membership; the $299 per year gold membership; and $999 per year for a corporate membership. That's some of the lowest prices in the Denver area! Maybe THE lowest!

A wide variety of training courses is offered at The Shootist. Everything from NRA courses to basic firearms training, concealed handgun permit training, and armed merchant guard certification is offered. Something for everyone!

The range offers 10 lanes of shooting that extend to 25 yards. The range is also divided down the middle to separate 5 lanes on each side of a reinforced wall. This allows The Shootist to offer special training opportunities down range for both civilian and armed professionals.

Of course, The Shootist also offers the best deals on firearms and accessories.

You owe it to yourself to stop by The Shootist and check things out, especially if it has been a while since you visited. For more information, check out their website; or give James a call at 303-781-3382.


 We sincerely appreciate The Shootist for carrying our Colorado Caliber apparel! 

Red Wagon in Golden offers eclectic mix of treasures

One of the most unique and popular gift shops in Golden, Colorado, now carries Colorado Caliber products!

The Red Wagon is located in the heart of historic downtown Golden and offers a fun and eclectic mix of treasures for the home and garden.

The store offers a great selection of bike-related gifts and clothing, as well as a large children's section, with delightful toys and adorable clothing.

Their ever increasing product mix includes many locally made items, such as Magic Fairy Candles (made in Longmont) and the store's own line of soaps and lotions, crafted especially for The Red Wagon in Idaho Springs!

The store also offers seasonal products, including plants and garden decor in the summer and holiday items in the winter.

On a recent visit to The Red Wagon, I was amazed at the selection of great items on the shelves. Lots of fun stuff!

The shop's hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Be sure to stop by and say hi, pick up your Colorado Caliber t-shirt or hoodie, and check out all the other tantalizing goodies available at The Red Wagon!

For more information, check out The Red Wagon website by clicking here.

You can also reach the store by phone at 303-278-3994.

The Red Wagon carries our Wildlife and Fly Fishing designs on t-shirts and hoodies; as well as an assortment of our popular stickers.

We sincerely appreciate the support of all of our retail partners; and are excited to welcome The Red Wagon to the Colorado Caliber family!

Will Bynum
Colorado Caliber

Bristlecone Shooting, Training & Retail Center

We could not be happier to announce that Colorado Caliber apparel can now be found at Bristlecone Shooting, Training & Retail Center in Lakewood.

Bristlecone is located at 12105 W. Cedar Dr. and is one of the more popular shooting destinations in the Metro area - for good reason!

A LITTLE HISTORY

It's not your typical Colorado shooting range. They do offer many of the same great services that you would expect from a traditional shooting range - but you'll also find a bright, welcoming atmosphere with an emphasis on customer service. Bristlecone's mission is to make everyone feel welcome and to help you have an EXTRAORDINARY recreational experience.

The driving forces behind Bristlecone's success are Bryan and Jacquelyn Clark. After moving to Colorado, they discovered few indoor shooting ranges where the focus was placed on the recreational experience and where they felt at home. They also saw that many of the private ranges in the area had very long waiting lists. Instead of fighting the system, Bryan and Jacquelyn decided to work with it by creating their own ideal shooting environment.

So where did the name Bristlecone come from? As a locally owned and operated company, Bryan and Jacquelyn wanted the name of the range to reflect their pride in the natural beauty of Colorado, as well as showcase their enthusiasm about the outdoors.

So, the range was named after one of their favorite trees - the Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine. The tree is native to Colorado and grows just below the tree line in alpine regions. BUT, that's not what makes this pine so amazing.

Not only is the Bristlecone the oldest living organism on the planet, but the wood is durable, extremely dense, and has incredible longevity. Rather than rotting like a typical tree, the Bristlecone Pine actually erodes like stone into beautiful patterns, creating interesting and gnarled shapes.

Bryan and Jacquelyn believe the Bristleone Pine parallels the firearms industry, which has also proven its longevity, endurance and adaptability to changing conditions over the years.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Bristlecone has made gun education a core offering. They believe that safety, firearms familiarity and skills improvement are paramount for every shooting sports enthusiast. The goal was to create a non-intimidating environment and to invite all levels of sportsmen and sportswomen to participate in scheduled indoor firearms training programs. Bristlecone sports two training classrooms that include a state-of-the-art virtual training simulator and enough seating to comfortably accommodate up to 70 students.

The shooting range itself is also state-of-the-art. With 14 indoor lanes, each stretching 25 yards, you are welcome to shoot your handguns, shotguns and rifles here. A wide variety of firearms is also available for rent. The lanes are separated into two range bays. The first is reserved for standard target shooting practice and has six fixed firing point lanes with solid ballistic shooting stalls and electronically controlled rail-based target retrieval systems.

The second bay, with eight lanes, is equipped for tactical shooting practice and training. Here, the stalls are separated by clear ballistic glass for optimum instructor viewing and are equipped with advanced tactical, fully automated, computer-controlled, 360-degree full turning target retrieval systems.

To fully understand what the Bristelcone tactical shooting bay is all about, you really must experience it! It's not enough to describe the quick-turn friend/foe, advancing/retreating targets, fully programable for live courses of fire, and the no light, low-light, and even strobe light capabilities of the individual target carriers. It's not until you see the space and the top of the line equipment in action that you can fully understand the possibilities.

Be sure to visit the Pro Shop before ending your Bristlecone experience. The shop offers new and used firearms, knives, non-firearm alternatives, ammunition, accessories, apparel (including the Colorado Gun Flag Shirt!), and cleaning supplies.

GETTING IN TOUCH

To find out more about Bristlecone Shooting, Training & Retail Center give them a call at 303-985-0989 or visit their website by clicking here.

Frisco hosting Wassail Days through Dec. 13th

One of the missions of Colorado Caliber is to shine a spotlight on world-class events and activities right here in our beloved Centennial State.

One such event is going on right now in Frisco. The mountain town is hosting Wassail Days through Dec. 13th.

Wassail is a hot spiced cider served all over Frisco during Wassail Days - Frisco’s super fun celebration of all things winter and the holidays. 

 

So what do you do during Wassail Days? Drink wassail of course! Local businesses serve up their own secret version of wassail. Guests are encouraged to taste at least 12 different types of wassail at 12 different locations and fill their “12 Sips of Wassail Card.” Once the “12 Sips” card is filled out guests can turn them in at the Frisco/Copper Information Center in exchange for a commemorative Frisco Wassail Days mug. The 2014 Frisco Wassail Days mug featured the iconic Moose Jaw, a Frisco tradition in its own right. The design for the 2015 includes Frisco’s iconic holiday light display. You’ll have to come to Frisco to see it though

 

What else? Frisco’s events throughout the week encourage some good clean holiday fun with a dose of magic and wackiness. Some of the highlights include an “Ugly Sweater Challenge” on Main Street, a “Soup Cup Classic” with unlimited tubing and soup tasting at the Frisco Adventure Park and a tree lighting featuring 600 luminaries up and down Frisco’s Main Street. We hope you’ll find your own piece of mountain magic in Frisco during Wassail Days. Check out the Frisco Wassail Days schedule of events for more information.

Colorado Caliber Apparel now available at The Reloading Zone in Wheat Ridge!

We are very pleased to announce that Colorado Caliber Apparel is now available at The Reloading Zone in Wheat Ridge. The Reloading Zone is located at 11407 W. I-70 Frontage Road (Unit E), at the corner of Robb St.

Mike, the owner of The Reloading Zone, bought his first gun over 25 years ago and immediately knew he was hooked! His wife, Mary Jo, eventually agreed to go with Mike to the range to learn how to shoot. Guess what? She was hooked immediately, too!

The cost of the sport they love eventually led them to learning to reload. Mike soon began teaching close friends and family how to reload their own ammunition, too. One thing led to another and soon The Reloading Zone was born!

The store began as a small business dealing with the sale of reloading components and eventually they began incorporating firearms, ammunition, accessories and other related products as well.

The mission of The Reloading Zone is to provide customers with the highest level of service, along with quality firearms, ammunition and reloading supplies at competitive prices.

Mike and Mary Jo pride themselves in conducting all business ethically and in good faith while continually striving to exceed customers' expectations.

The Reloading Zone carries Colorado Caliber 2nd Amendment shirts and hats, as well as stickers.

For more information, visit their website or give them a call at 303-431-4867. We're excited to welcome The Reloading Zone to the Colorado Caliber family!