Fly Fishing Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Streams or the two thousand plus sparkling, sunlit reservoirs’ and lakes dotting the state can be challenging and fun. Thefly fishing experience in Colorado offers ninety-two major streams and lakes for you to choose a spot for spending a lazy afternoon fly fishing in Colorado. And there's plenty of minor, out of the way fly fishing spots to choose from if you really want to be secluded from the crowds.
Colorado Fly Fishing: Where to Fish
Colorado fly fishing offersfisherman miles of world class fly fishing streams where the waters are managed by the Colorado Department of Wildlife to guarantee you the populations of large trout that you are looking for.
You may be a crackerjack fly fishing angler and know all the hot spots for fly fishing in Colorado or you may be new to the state and need some expert guidance. When you get your Colorado fishing license, be sure to pick up your free copy of Colorado Fishing Season Information & Wildlife Property Discovery booklet or go to any of the local Colorado Division Wildlife offices and pick up the Colorado fishing map.
Colorado fly fishing is divided into five regions: Northeast Region; Northwest Region; Southeast Region; Southwest Region And the Denver Metro Region. You can choose many fine Colorado fly fishing spots in any of these prime fly fishing regions.
Colorado Fly Fishing in Northeastern Colorado
The Northeastern Region offers excellent opportunities for fly fishing along the Front Range and into the Eastern mountainous areas. Your choices of world class fly fishing rivers in this region are the famous Big Thompson River, running from Estes Park to Loveland, the Poudre River, that winds down from the Continental Divide towards Fort Collins.
Don't forget the Laramie River, near the Wyoming border, the North Platte river, and the St. Vrain river in the south of this region, from Longmont up to the west. And remember that there are many smaller streams to fish, such as the the North Park Streams.
Many lakes and reservoirs dot the Northeastern region that are suited for fly fishing. There's Bellaire, Boyd Lake, and Red Feathers Lakes to the Northwest of Fort Collins, and Horsetooth Reservoir, just to the west of the city have long been fly fishing hot spots.
Chambers lake, just off the upper Poudre River is also a popular fly fishing spot near Fort Collins. Further up the Poudre River is Joe Wright Reservoir, which offers fly fisherman a delight catching grayling in its cold, clear waters.
Out on the plains in this region, fly fishing can be found in a number of reservoirs. Most prominent of these are Jackson Lake and Jumbo reservoir, both off I-76 to the northeast of Denver.
Colorado Fly Fishing in Southeastern Colorado
Most of the Colorado fly fishing found in the Southeastern region is done in lakes and reservoirs. The popular fishing locations in the Southeast region are the Pikes Peak North Slope reservoirs, Turquoise and Twin Lakes, and the ever popular Clear Creek Reservoir.
The best Colorado fly fishing in this region is found on one of the two majestic rivers. The South Platte River travels from west of Colorado Springs, through Denver, and northwest to Greeley where it joins the Big Thompson and the Poudre rivers. This river offers some of the finest tail water fishing in the state.
The other fly fishing river in this region is the Arkansas River. This high elevation river with cold, crystal clear water provides the perfect environment for fishing zealots. The best fly fishing will be found in the headwaters of the river.
Colorado Fly Fishing in Northwestern Colorado
The Northwest region of Colorado offers fly anglers a variety of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs to choose from. From the Yampa River and its tributary, the Elk river in the north to the prime fly fishing rivers of the southern part of this region, the Northwest region of Colorado is noted for fly fishing.
Colorado fly fishing is at its finest from Meeker Colorado and the White River to the grand Colorado River running through central Colorado from the high mountains.
Fly fisherman will delight in the trophies they find fishing this region's rivers. Most notably, the Green river, Blue river, Roaring Fork River, and the Crystal River provide anglers with the fly fishing adventure they are looking for.
Colorado fly fishing is found on the lakes and reservoirs of the region too. Grand lake and Grandby Reservoir are found on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park and are both noted for their fishing.
Steamboat Lake is in the north of this region and is a picturesque place for the fly fisherman to angle. Other reservoirs include Williams Fork Reservoir, Willow Creek Reservoir, Stagecoach Reservoir, and Wolford Reservoir to name just a few.
Colorado Fly Fishing in Southwestern Colorado
Colorado fly fishing in the Southwest region offers a pristine delight and beautiful scenery to the fly fisherman. Here again the angler will find that rivers provide the best fly fishing in the area.
The most popular Colorado fly fishing rivers are the Gunnison River, Uncompahgre River, Animas River, Dolores River, and the San Juan River. But many other fly fishing rivers and streams are found in this region to provide the fly fisherman with tales they can take back to friends and families.
Fly fishing is found in many of the reservoirs that speckle the region. Lakes are not common but can be found. Beaver Creek Reservoir, Echo Canyon Reservoir, Big Meadows Reservoir, and Ridgeway Reservoir are most notable. Two fly fishing lakes that you may want to visit are Bear Lake and Blue Lake.
Colorado Fly Fishing Around Denver Metro
Colorado fly fishing can also be found in the Denver Metro area. Many people come to Colorado on business trips to Denver. Just because you're in the big city doesn't mean that you can't participate in Colorado's famous fly fishing. Bear Creek, Chatfield Reservoir, Cherry Creek Reservoir, and Arvada Reservoir are just a few of the fly fishing spots that the traveler to Denver can find.
You can find out more about the fly fishing areas and fishing conditions at:
Wherever you are looking for a fly fishing adventure, Colorado offers excellent fly fishing conditions and opportunities. Fishing is constantly improved by the efforts of the fifteen Colorado Division of Wildlife hatcheries. The Colorado Division of Wildlife stocks over 4.3 million 10-inch fish a year, in addition to 43 million warm-water species and 11 million cold-water species.
Catch and release fishing is popular and if you don't plan to eat the fish you've caught, please help conserve Colorado’s precious fly fishing resource by returning the fish to the water.
The natural beauty of the Colorado fly fishing spots is distracting even to the most seasoned angler. But distractions not withstanding, and the proper fly fishing equipment, anglers and enthusiasts are more than able to hook trout species like browns, brookies, and the rainbow trout in the rivers and streams that fly fisherman prefer. Fly fisherman may also stumble upon grayling and cutthroats too.
The other species that can be found here in Colorado's fly fishing lakes and reservoirs are Walleye, Wipers, Yellow Perch, Crappie Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Tiger Muskies, Bluegill, and Pumpkinseed. Fly fishing in Colorado provides any angler with an experience of a lifetime.
Various lures and worms work best during the spring runoff when the waters are high and streams running fast. Flies usually work best during late July, August and September. Watch for what's hatching in the area where you're fly fishing. This is the indication of which fly fishing flies will work best. Mayflies, caddis flies, midges, and stone flies predominate in this fly fishing area.
Colorado fly fishing is world class and you will find some of the best fly fishing in North America. There is no excuse not to pick up your fly fishing rod and tackle and set out on a leisurely Colorado fly fishing vacation of a lifetime.
