Bugs N Brews events coming to Front Range breweries

By Jay McKinney

Fly fishing is as much art as it is science. While it’s a relaxing pastime that many Coloradans get addicted to, there is a bit of a learning curve. People who are interested would be wise to educate themselves on the sport. Thankfully, the passionate fly fishers at the Rocky Mountain Anglers of Boulder are here to educate with the Bugs N Brews events offered throughout the winter.

The events are typically held on weeknights at breweries along the northern Front Range and occasionally Denver. Holding the events on less crowded nights brings breweries customers they might not have had otherwise, and it allows Randy Hicks and his associates to really teach the fundamentals of fly fishing without the distraction of weekend crowds.

“It’s an opportunity for us to meet people face to face, share a beer with them and share what we’re passionate about,” Hicks says. “We enjoy tying flies in the wintertime because that helps you stay connected to the sport that you love and if you’re not fishing a lot, you can certainly start to tie flies and stock your fly box for the upcoming season.”

Beginners will get the most out of Bugs N Brews, but even experienced fly fishers will find value in the educational events. And who wouldn’t want to go to a class where you can drink a beer while learning? Hicks also buys the first beer for everyone who signs up for the event.

While most people who show up know of the event and plan for it, there are also many people who stumble across it while in the brewery for happy hour and get onboarded if they’re interested in learning. Among the breweries that have hosted the events are Liquid Mechanics Brewing Co., Upslope Brewing Company, Wild Provisions Beer Projects and others.

Those who want to try fly fishing can attend the next Bugs N Brews event on Friday, Feb. 28, at Odd13 Brewing. After that, there will be two more on March 7 and March 28 at Upslope Brewing Company. Once spring arrives, it's time to hit the river and put those flies to work.

“By the end of April we’re probably doing all fly fishing,” Hicks says. “In the summertime we transition and tend to do a lot of free intro to fly fishing classes that we offer on the weekends.”

Jay McKinney is a Colorado native who recently graduated from Metro State University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in communications. He loves spending time outdoors, playing golf and hiking.