Set against the expansive backdrop of John Martin Reservoir, the annual Fishing Derby in Holly, Colorado invites anglers of all levels to engage in a lively contest with nature. The reservoir, a sprawling body of water covering over 9,000 acres, challenges participants with its strong currents and diverse fish population, including wily walleye, largemouth bass, and channel catfish that refuse to be easily tamed.

The derby’s setting is a practical fisher’s paradise—access points ring the water's edge, ranging from rocky shorelines to gentle, grassy banks, making it accessible to both families with kids and seasoned competitors. The open waters dare you to read their subtle changes in wind and current, pushing you to adjust your bait and tactics. Nearby trails offer worthwhile, moderate strolls around portions of the lake, revealing vistas where the water meets the sky in sudden stretches of reflective calm.

To prepare for this adventure, pack gear ready for variable weather; the reservoir sits at just under 3,660 feet elevation, meaning early mornings carry a crispness that transforms by midday into sharp Colorado sun. Footwear with good grip will carry you safely on uneven rocks by the shoreline. Hydration is essential here—this body of water, while inviting, exists in an arid region where every step under the open sky can draw moisture from the body fast.

Timing your visit is critical. The derby usually unfolds in late spring or early summer, when fish are active and the weather supports long days on the water. Early mornings are prime: that is when the fish bite hardest and the rising sun casts golden hues across the liquid surface, an ideal moment for both fishing success and reflective tranquility.

The derby is more than competition; it’s an engagement with a body of water fiercely itself—wild, variable, and captive only through respect and adaptability. Participants often remark on the way the wind sometimes howls across the reservoir, as if emphasizing that the water and its creatures answer only to their own rules. This dynamic makes the derby not just a test of fishing skill but also a lesson in observation and patience.

Whether you're baiting your hook for the first time or returning as a veteran, the John Martin Reservoir Fishing Derby promises an experience packed with anticipation, skill, and the chance to be present where land, water, and wind actively converse. Prepare, engage, and cast your line—nature is ready for the challenge.