Native Americans of the Ute and Arapahoe tribes called Colorado and Rocky Mountain National Park their home for at least 10,000 years. The Utes occupied the Colorado mountains for thousand of years and the Arapahoe migrated from Minnesota to Colorado in the late 1700's. About 36 place names in the park are of Arapahoe and Ute origin. In the late 1800's, the Arapahoe moved to reservations in Oklahoma and Wyoming, and the Utes to Colorado and Utah.

Rocky Mountain National Park covers over 265,000 acres and spans the Continental Divide. Hundreds of miles of trails weave through different landscapes of rugged, snowy mountain peaks, flower-filled meadows, aspen and pine forests, and alpine tundra. There are an estimated 260 species of birds, 66 species of mammals, 11 species of fish, 5 species of amphibians, and 1 reptile.

A multitude of streams, creeks, ponds and several rivers occupy this vast area. The inhabitants of these waterways are brook trout, rainbows, browns, and cutthroats all wild and self-sustaining. You can catch Colorado's state trout in these waters, the greenback cutthroat.

Our licensed, professional instructor/guides are eager to show you this beautiful park and the great fishing. Top off your vacation with a trip with us; you may even see Elk roam in a meadow near your stream or lake!

The South Platte River below Spinney Mountain Reservoir is considered one of Colorado's most productive big trout streams. Often called "Spinney and the Dream Stream," it is 3 miles of tailwater that flows from Spinney Reservoir and empties into Elevenmile Reservoir.

This beautiful stream meanders through historic lands surrounded by the Mosquito Range mountains and their 13,000'- plus peaks to the west, the Tarryall Mountains to the north and the famed Pikes Peak to the southeast. The insect habitat is plentiful and diverse, creating fishing opportunities year 'round. As is the case most of the time, the angler will be fishing with small flies in sizes 18-24. All of this stream is catch and release, with flies and lures only.

Updated 09/04/03: Current flows are 94 CFS. Look for a trico hatch during the morning, yellow sallies, caddis, midges and PMD's. Best action has been on P-tails size 20, scuds, disco midges, blood midges, black beauties and WD-40's, Greg's yellow emergers. Fishing has been good above the bridge. Best flows for this stream are between 80-300 CFS.

Elevenmile Canyon is 42 CFS. Water has been warm due to low flows and high air temps. Early a.m. best time. Better fishing ahead. Action on RSll's, parachute Adams, chocolate WD40's, black beauties sizes 22-24, tan body hoppers, pmd's, streamers.

The Williams Fork River is located 22 miles west of Granby. This river is a tailwater that is 2 miles long, emptying from Williams Fork Reservoir, and winds its way through some beautiful ranch lands to join up with the Colorado River. During the spring and fall, big browns and rainbows work their way up from the Colorado River to spawn.

There is a short hike into the Williams Fork, and it is well worth the effort. Bald eagles hover above the river during the winter and spring time with an occasional deer wandering through the willows. An old homestead marks a once established farm.

This river is rich in aquatic life and sometimes that can present a fly choice dilemma for the angler. Good fishable flows for this river are between 60-250 CFS. Updated 09/04/03: Current flows are 183 CFS. Good flows on this water are 60-250. Near banks throw a tan-bodied hopper, ant, and beetle. Look for big trout to come out of the Colorado end of September. Nymphing with #18 P-tails, san juan worm, prince nymphs, grey RSII's. Blood midges, caddis, Greg's emergers, brassies, P-tails, pmd's & mosquito patterns. Speaking of mosquito's, bring insect repellent. Look for red quill hatch in the soft water along with caddis.

Flies to Use
blood midges, brassies, grey RSll's, san juan worms, p-tails, pmd's.

The Colorado River starts its 1,450 mile journey as a stream from Rocky Mountain National Park and soon becomes a major river eventually emptying into the Gulf of California.

The State of Colorado has over 150 miles of trout fishing along the Colorado River. Many of the rivers in the state empty into the Colorado River. The Colorado offers a diverse range of fishing situations that will accommodate any angler's fishing ability. There are many fishing areas open to the public along the river and very accessible from Byers Canyon to Kremmling, known as Middle Park.

The Colorado River at Parshall is where the confluence of the Williams Fork and the Colorado meet. Some nice deep holes through there offer good fishing. Updated 09/04/03: Current flows are 85 at Paul Gilbert and 897 at Kremmling. At Parshall there is a tremendous trico hatch in morning. PM brings higher water temps. Black stoneflies with rubber legs, scuds, midges, caddis, hoppers, PMD's, p-tails #18. Stonefly patterns like the twenty incher and and prince nymph will produce trout. Greg's yellow and black emergers #20.

Flies to Use
Golden stones, black stones, scuds, flashback prince nymphs, pmd's,caddis.

The Arkansas River starts its 1,400 mile long journey to the Mississippi River, in the Sawatch Mountain Range. The Sawatch Mountain Range is the highest range in Colorado and, therefore, the high peaks pull out most of the moisture from storms, leaving the Arkansas River Valley with lots of sunny days. This valley is commonly referred to as the "Banana Belt of Colorado."

The Arkansas River is known for its tremendous caddis hatches and fiesty, wild brown trout. Long, deep runs, riffles and pocket water along with its famed white water, give character to the "Ark." Unlike a lot of rivers in Colorado, the Arkansas is a freestone river, with no dams obstructing its flow until the town of Pueblo.

Updated 09/04/03--Current flows in Salida are 282 CFS, below Granite--237. Chernobyl black caddis are working, when fished tight against the banks. Rains may muddy the river especially below Salida. A smorgasbord of flies now. Also Copper Johns, twenty-inchers, golden stones, green Copper Johns, P-tails, prince nymphs sizes 18-20.

Flies to Use

Copper Johns, P-tails, parachute adams, sizes 16-18.
Prince nymph, golden stones, sizes 10-12, Greg's Olive Emergers size 18, pmd's, tan bodied hoppers.