YETI Catch Wars

FRIDAY, JUNE 6

In Round 1, one partner is the designated oarsman while the other partner fishes (catch & release) and the judge, well … judges. In Round 2, the two teammates switch roles and take on the river stretch again. The more fish caught (and safely released!) the more points the team earns. 

FRIDAY, JUNE 6

8:00 AM: Anglers/Judges meet at a TBD location. Rules and safety will be discussed.

9:00 AM: 1st Boat Launch Round 1  – boats will launch every five minutes until all boats are on the river.

12:35 PM: 1st Boat Launch Round 2 – boats will launch every five minutes until all boats are on the river.

3:45 PM: Last Boat at the take out

*Subject to change based on the final location of competition)

Categories:

Open – Teams of 2
*Minimum age to compete is 12 years old based on the athlete’s age at the end of the calendar year on Dec 31, 2025.

FORMAT & RULES:

• All Colorado Fishing Rules & Regs (no more than 3 flies at one time) must be followed.
• Time for each round will be determined based on water levels and conditions. Time will start when anglers put their boats in the water and end when they reach the take-out.
  • Times for each round will be announced at the mandatory safety meeting.
• Competition features 2-person teams
  • Each team member will row and fish the chosen section of the river.
• Start positions will be randomly selected.
• Once boats are on the water, boat position no longer matters. Only time.
• This is a Catch & Release event.
• Fly fishing only. No lures, live baits, or artificially scented baits.
• Competitors MUST be experienced oarsmen and capable of running Class III-IV whitewater.
• Competitors MUST know and be competent on the stretch of river. The Event Specialist will verify qualifications and/or competency.
• There will not be whitewater safety personnel on the river.
• Please obey all access and trespassing signage. No access is allowed on private property.
• Athletes are encouraged to use reef safe sunscreen during all competitions.
• All or part of this operation is conducted on Public Lands under a special permit from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
• All anglers should be aware that all competitions take place in mountain rivers which may have challenging conditions such as underwater obstacles, unseen hazards, rocks, debris and vegetation.
• CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY. Before participating in this year’s GoPro Mountain Games, athletes’ gear should be CLEAN of plants, mud, and debris; DRAINED of standing water; and completely DRY before your competition. Following these CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY steps helps to protect the waters we paddle from aquatic invasive species. Learn more at www.cleanboater.org.

equipment:

• Anglers will be required to provide all their own equipment, including flies.
• Any fly rod is allowed.
• Each angler may have up to three rods, rigged if desired.
• All fly fishing tackle is allowed with the exception of pegging. Only fish caught IN the mouth count.
• Pinched barbs are required on ALL hooks – barbless hooks are also approved for use during the competition.

MANDATORY equipment:

• A 2025 Colorado fishing license (be prepared to show your license at the start).
• Competitors must provide their own raft/cataraft with room for three people total.
• Life jackets are mandatory. Anglers must provide their own PFD as well as an extra for the judge.

FISH HANDLING:

• Safe & sustainable handling of fish must be practiced at all times!
• Anglers must keep the fish alive and in good health until the judge can safely measure the fish.
• Visit Keep Fish Wet for best practices.

RULES:

• Anglers MAY NOT bank and/or wade fish. All fishing and landing of fish MUST occur from the boat.
• Your judge must record all three fish and you must provide a photo to document your three measured fish.
• Competitors may assist the judge with the measuring process to ensure the safety of the fish.
• A measuring tube will be used to determine the length of the fish, pinching the tail down is NOT permitted.
• Judges make the final call on whether or not the fish was hooked and landed fairly.
• Judges are not allowed to fish nor are they allowed to assist in the netting of any fish.
• Late arrivals will be penalized 10 points per team per minute (unless river emergency).

Scoring:

• Scoring will be a combination of the number of TROUT caught and the length of competitor’s three 3 measured fish.
• Anglers can only measure three fish in the tray.  If one falls shy of the 12” minimum, no bonus points will be awarded, but the fish still counts.
• Take pictures of all three 3 fish 12” or better in fish tubes (measure and record).

POINTs:

• Each and every fish scores 10 points (including the fish measured for length).
  • Measured fish must be a minimum of 12″.
  • On the measured fish, 10 bonus points per 1″will be awarded (round to the nearest 1″).
  • Examples:
    • 12” fish equals 10 bonus points.
    • 17” fish equals 60 bonus points.
    • 20” fish equals 90 bonus points.

location:

YETI Catch Wars will take place on either the Eagle River or the Colorado River. Final determination will be based on water levels at the time of the event. Event Organizers will contact all competitors by June 1, 2025.

2024 RESULTS

RESULTS ARCHIVE

PRICE

EARLY BIRD PRICING  // February 5 – April 1, 2025
$150/boat

STANDARD PRICING // April 2 – May 27, 2025
$170/boat

FOMO PRICING // May 28 – June 1, 2025
$190/boat

*The first person that registers will serve as the captain and pay the full entry fee. All teams must have both team members register by June 1 at 6:00 PM.

PAYOUT

TOTAL PURSE: $1,750

1st – $1,000 ($500 per person)
2nd – $500 ($250 per person)
3rd – $250 ($125 per person)

PRIZES

Prizes to be determined.