Official hub for writing, guiding, and conservation work
Fly-fishing writer. Urban carp specialist. Conservation advocate.
I’m Rick Mikesell. I write gear and fishing coverage for MidCurrent, work in the fly-fishing industry at Riversmith, and spend a lot of my time on Colorado water chasing carp and warmwater species.
This site is the home base for my work, media appearances, and guiding.
Orvis Podcast
Trout Unlimited
Riversmith
What I do
Three lanes. One message. Clear, field-tested information for anglers and brands.
Writing
Gear reviews, fishing coverage, and perspective pieces built from real use on Colorado water and beyond.
Guiding and education
Urban carp and warmwater fly fishing with a focus on approach, accuracy, and reading fish.
Conservation
Work that supports healthy rivers and access for the next group of anglers. The Denver South Platte is home water for me.
Start with these
If you are new here, these pages explain what I fish, how I fish it, and where my work shows up online.
About
Who I am and where my work lives
A single page that connects the dots: writing, industry work, guiding, media, and conservation.
Media
Podcasts, press, and speaking
Past appearances, approved bio copy, headshots, and contact.
Latest from ColoradoCarp.com
Fresh posts, guides, and field notes.
Denver South Platte carp: where to start
A practical starting point for finding fish, reading water, and understanding when the river sets up well.
Carp flies that produce in real conditions
Patterns, weights, and how I decide what goes on the leader when visibility and mood change.
Shot selection in tight urban water
The difference between seeing a fish and sticking one comes down to angle, pace, and timing.
Affiliations
A few places that help frame the work and the water.
Book a trip, book a talk, or reach out
If you want to talk carp, warmwater, gear, conservation, or a project that needs a field voice, send a note.
Media and partnerships
Short bio, headshots, and recent appearances live on the Media page.
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DENVER CARP 
