Name: Michael Maroney

Name of Business: Infinite Outdoors

Website: infiniteoutdoorsusa.com & Infinite Outdoors App

Social Media: @infiniteoutdoors_usa on Instagram, infiniteoutdoorsusa on Facebook, @infiniteoutdoors6159 on YouTube

Infinite Outdoors is a hunting and fishing platform that allows outdoorsmen to access private land for affordable daily rates for their do-it-yourself adventures. We work closely with landowners to provide quality properties for hunters and anglers to use throughout the year. Similarly, our on staff biologists work to help improve all our properties through habitat improvement, game monitoring, and harvest control. We have properties where users can fly fish for trout or hunt for a variety of game including waterfowl, upland birds, big game, turkeys, doves and more. All of our properties can be browsed and booked through the Infinite Outdoors app or website. 

Can you share a bit about yourself and your background? How did you come to be involved in the fishing product industry?

I grew up hunting and fishing across Colorado and Kansas from a young age. I have hunted everything from upland to waterfowl, big game and turkeys and fly fished since I was 12. My background originally started as a fishing and hunting guide in the Northern Colorado area on the Yampa River and in the Flat Tops. I also spent time guiding deer and elk hunts in northern New Mexico. After guiding for several years, I switched career paths to fisheries biology and stream restoration. That led me to hooking up with Infinite Outdoors and taking on a role as lead biologist and marketing director. 

What’s the story behind the name of your company?

Our company name came up before we were an access platform. Infinite Outdoors started as an online fly fishing retailer selling flies and fishing gear. As the company grew into what it is today, the retail store dissolved and we focused on providing access to private land across the country for both fishing and hunting on private land. 

How long have you been involved in trout fishing personally? Is there a memorable story you’d like to share?

I’ve been fishing for trout since I can remember and really got into fly fishing around 12 years old. I have several memorable fishing moments, from my first big streamer eat at a young age, to my first steelhead in Oregon, to guiding anglers to their personal best trout. I think that every day on the water creates an opportunity for a great story, similar to every day in the field. My most memorable days on the water typically revolve around big hopper eats on the Yampa and White Rivers in mid august. 

Why did you decide to focus on or include trout fishing products in your company’s lineup?

We found that as more and more access gets tied up in private entities like guide operations and single lease holders, there needed to be an avenue for everyday anglers to access private streams at an affordable daily rate. We then expanded our platform from hunting to include several rivers across the country to fish on at super cheap rates. 

How do you ensure that your products are suitable for trout fishing, specifically?

All of our fishing properties are focused on trout, mostly because we are located in some of the best trout fishing areas in the west. We have everything from small mountain streams to big water on the Eagle and White Rivers that almost always produce good numbers and quality trout.

With the ever-evolving world of fishing, how do you keep up with the latest trends and innovations in trout fishing?

In a lot of ways we are setting the bar for day access fly fishing for trout. Due to our mobile app and unique booking platform we are creating a totally new way for people to access private land for their fishing trips. 

Out of all the products your company offers, which one is your personal favorite for trout fishing and why?

I have personally fished all of our properties on the platform and my favorite has to be Cowboy River Ranch near Meeker CO. It can be a killer spot for chasing browns in the fall or big eats fishing hoppers in the summer. 

Can you share a story or experience where this product made a significant difference in a fishing trip?

Every day on one of our properties is special because you have the water all to yourself. Every time you book an Infinite Outdoors property you and your group have exclusive access to that property so you are never fighting for the best holes or rushing to cover ground. You can fish at your own pace and enjoy the day on the water. 

What feedback have you received from customers regarding this product?

Since our launch in 2023 our customers have been very satisfied with our platform with reviews mostly falling in the 4.5+ range. Our app makes it incredibly easy to book, find and be successful on all the properties and gives people access at a fraction of the cost of outfitters or yearly leases. 

Where is your all-time favorite location to fish for trout? Why?

My favorite spot to fish has to be the Green River below the Fontenelle Reservoir. It carries some huge fish and a variety of species. Plus the hatch varies throughout the day where you can be fishing BWO’s one hour, caddis the next, then pmds and yellow sallies by lunch. 

Describe your most memorable trout catch.

My most memorable catch was on the Green just below the Fontenelle Dam. I was fishing a gold chubby chernobyl and had a giant brown come up out of the turbulent water and eat my hopper. He immediately went down to the bottom of the river and the fight was on. I hollered at my buddy downstream to grab the net and when the fish came up thrashing the surface he knew it was a pig. I tried to get below the fish, (somewhere in the 28+” range) and he started to dive again. As I began to pull him close to the net he spit the hopper and slipped back into the depths, never to be seen again.. I was devastated. Although it wasn’t a “catch” it was certainly the most memorable, and heartbreaking. 

What type of bait or lures have you found to be the most effective in that favorite spot?

I typically fish large streamers up there in the fall to find big browns on the move or fish a variety of dry flies to rising fish. 

What’s one trout fishing mistake you see beginners make frequently, and how can they avoid it?

Most beginners tend to over cast. Let the rod do the work for you, that’s what it was designed for. Small, and often slow movements are always better. That and don’t forget to set the hook.

Can you share a lesser-known trout fishing tip that has consistently worked for you?

When big hatches are going on, one trick I have learned is to drown a dry fly behind a bead head nymph. This works great on trico hatches and other small mayfly hatches where casting a size 22 dry fly can be nearly impossible. 

What piece of advice would you give to someone trying to improve their trout fishing game?

Learn the bugs. If you know what bugs are in the river and especially what bugs are hatching while you are on the water you are bound to get into the fish. It’s not always about the presentation but more about what flies you are throwing. Plus it’s fun to nerd out and see what cool things are living under the rocks.