ABOUT THOMAS

TroutTricks was built on one obsession — figuring out stillwater trout from the shore, without a boat, when conditions aren't easy. And most days, they aren't.

Thomas Frank fishes Colorado lakes the way most anglers fish rivers — methodically, with intent. His core focus is indicator-based systems, balanced leech presentations, and chironomid fishing — techniques built around depth control, presentation precision, and understanding fish behavior rather than chasing fly patterns.

Influenced by the stillwater systems of Phil Rowley and Brian Chan, Thomas has refined a shore-based approach that consistently produces 20–24" class trout on Colorado's most productive reservoirs — Spinney Mountain, Eleven Mile, Antero, Carter Lake, Horsetooth, and select Front Range and South Park fisheries.

His philosophy is simple: depth matters more than pattern. Presentation beats everything. Small adjustments — inches, not feet — change everything. What you'll find at TroutTricks isn't theory — it's a repeatable system built around real fish behavior on real water.

Whether you're just getting into stillwater fishing or trying to crack tough bites without a boat, this is about helping you fish smarter, dial in your confidence, and consistently catch better fish.

Where to start reading: how to fish chironomids in Colorado, the #1 mistake stillwater anglers make, and the 5 patterns I lean on year-round.