A Decade of Multi-Species Madness: The 10th Annual Mile High 25 on the Fly

This June, we’re excited to host the 10th Annual Mile High 25 on the Fly! What started as a fun tournament idea to highlight Colorado’s diversity of fishing, has grown into one of our favorite events of the year. If you’ve never experienced the chaos, creativity, and camaraderie of the Mile High 25, there’s never been a better time to dive in.

June 21 & 22, 2025. Learn More and Register Here. 

As we gear up to host the 10th anniversary tournament, we’re reflecting on the event’s history, sharing tips for new and returning anglers, and celebrating the fly fishing community (and sponsors!) that make this all possible.

Brief History: From Humble Beginnings to a Front Range Favorite

The Mile High 25 began as a conversation right here in the Littleton fly shop. It was born out of a simple idea: celebrate the incredible species diversity we have access to along Colorado’s Front Range. Trout might get most of the spotlight, but our lakes, ponds, and rivers are teeming with warmwater species that are just as fun—and often more challenging—to catch on the fly.

The idea was to create an event that was equal parts competitive and fun, where anglers would have to think outside the box, get creative, and explore new waters. Over the past decade, the event has grown not only in size, but also in scope, attracting anglers from all over the region who want to test the full breadth of their fishing skills.

How It Works

If you’re new to the Mile High 25, here’s a brief rundown:

• Two-person teams fish for two days. This year, it happens June 21-22.
• The goal: catch, video and release as many different species as possible on the fly.
• All fish must be recorded and submitted via the tournament’s scoring app.
• There’s a master list of 25 target species - hence the 25 in Mile High 25, from familiar favorites like rainbow trout and bluegill, to more challenging species like walleye and tiger muskie.
• Each species has an assigned point value. At the end of two days of fishing, the team with the most points wins. Catching more than one of a species does not get you more points. Only your first submission of each species scores!
• Anglers may fish any public water on foot or by boat, abiding by Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations.

It’s a challenge that requires skill, strategy, and stamina, but it’s also a whole lot of fun. You’ll spend the weekend chasing fish in a wide range of habitats and thinking on your feet when conditions change. 

Tips from the Pros: Strategy, Patterns, and Preparation

Over the years, we’ve gathered tons of wisdom from past participants. Here are a few gems:

“Scout as many locations as possible before the tournament to make sure they are accessible by something other than helicopter and fishable without an auger or machete. Be prepared to fish through all four seasons. Speaking from experience, it is possible to see a tornado and get snowed on the same day.”

— Aaron W and Josh B., Team Scuds

“Just because a lake/pond says there are multiple species to be caught there does not mean you should sit around and try to catch them all. This leads to a huge time suck. Go to where you know you can catch one or two species and then move on to the next spot where you know you can catch one or two different species.”

— Doug Garvey, Tournament co-Founder

• Plan your route carefully. Time management is crucial. Don’t waste hours chasing a single species when you could be racking up others. Map out your game plan in advance, hit high-probability spots first, and always have backup plans.
• Diversify your fly box. Think beyond typical trout patterns—poppers, crayfish patterns, and buggy panfish flies are clutch. Check this out for some of our favorite multi-species flies. 
• Scout beforehand. Knowing where to find each target species can save valuable hours on tournament day.
• Have the right gear. A 5- or 6-weight rod covers most species. But bringing a heavier setup for streamers and big fish can be an advantage. 
• Be flexible. Weather, water clarity, and fish behavior can shift quickly. Be ready to pivot your plan.
• Stay organized. Keep your flies, leaders, and gear tidy so you’re not fumbling during prime fishing hours. 
• Stay safe and have fun. This is, above all, a celebration of our fly fishing community. While everyone wants to win, the real reward is the adventure, the laughs, and the memories you’ll make with your teammate.

“The Mile High 25 is more than just a two-day tournament. It's more of a multi-week tactical endeavor scoping water, chasing species and strategizing a plan of attack, which inevitably is thrown out the window. The planning culminates in a two-day adventure that is easily the highlight of the summer and something we look forward to every year. Some of the best memories are meeting up with buddies afterwards and swapping tales of triumphs, failures and everything in between!"”

— John, tournament veteran

Read more wisdom from past participants here.

Why We’re Stoked for Year 10

Hosting this event with the guys at 25 On The Fly for the tenth time is a huge honor for us at Anglers All. This tournament has always been about more than just the leaderboard—it’s about community, conservation, and creativity. And it’s only gotten better thanks to the incredible folks who show up year after year.

Once again this year, 25 On The Fly has partnered with Denver Trout Unlimited and has pledged a portion of every sign up directly to their work on the South Platte. Which just so happens to be where at least 5 or 6 species can be found!

We’re also incredibly thankful for the support of our amazing sponsors. Big shoutouts to:

Orvis – Returning as our feature sponsor. They will be hooking up this year’s prize packs with killer gear. 

Scientific Anglers – Connecting your cast to the fly that catches the tournament winning fish, SA leaders & tippet is important! These guys make great gear and will be sponsoring the longest fish challenge again this year!

Fulling Mill – Supplying the flies for our Fulling Mill Two Fly Challenge! These flies are those that make multi-species magic happen.

Riversmith – These guys fish in the event every year and make killer gear that helps anglers get to the water and fishing faster! 

Costa Del Mar – Adding sunglasses to the prize pool, and sponsoring the kick plastic team challenge. Polarized shades are sometimes more important than the right fly! Make sure you have yours ready for the event.

NRS – Getting out on the water, away from the shoreline can be a gamechanger for the Mile High 25 angler. NRS makes great raft and single man options for just that! Look for some great prizes from them this year!

OnWater – Choosing a route, and planning your attack early is part of the winning strategy. The OnWater app helps make this happen!

Flylords – The team at Flylords loves this event, and always put together a few crazy anglers to compete. Look for Flylords swag and prizes! 

Odell Brewing – Providing the post-tournament refreshments and hosting our awards ceremony again this year at their Sloans Lake location!

Whether this is your first Mile High 25 or your tenth, we can’t wait to fish, laugh, and celebrate with you.

Registration is open now! 

Head over to the official event page for all the details, and don’t wait—spots are limited and filling fast. Let’s make this 10th anniversary the biggest and best one yet. Tight lines, and we’ll see you out there!