I'm heading up to Estes Park for a few days next week and wondering if anyone has any advice on where to fish, fly shops, guides, etc. I've done a lot of fishing but not much fly fishing so I'll probably spend a day with a guide and then try my own luck another day. Any advice would be appreciated.

My wife and I have been to Estes Park three times, love the Rocky Mountain Park. I have taken a guide with Kirks and two with Estes Anglers Fly Shop. Both were great, Kirks slightly more expensive, but not much. Within the Park there are many places to fish and there is lots of people fishing the park. If you can afford it go with a guide to private waters. I haven't done it, but they promise bigger fish than the park. There are maps top the park showing all the rivers. Fish are pretty small, three weight or four weight rod is all you need. Lots of dry fly fishing this time of the year, grasshoppers, ants, royal wulff, beetles, etc.

There is a Fly fishing Guide to the Rocky Mountain National Park by Steven B. Schweitzer is a great book. You should have a blast.

Thanks. I just saw that book over the weekend and ordered a copy although I'm not sure how much time I'm going to have to research before my trip. I think I might give Kirk's a try.

Fishhead

I have fished around there a bit. The Big T has good water. Dry fly(Adams) with a dropper nymph was the way to go.

Emergers in the evenings on Lilly lake.

The Fan can be lots of fun up in the park. Nymphs and dries.

A friend of mine use to own the Estes Angler. He put us on to the fish. I heard the new owner was very knowledgeable as well. Best of luck to ya.

If you can make it to Bailey Co. The fishing is awesome.

Kirks was helpful when I was up there last Oct. Since I was limited on time, I was up there for a wedding, I was only able to fish just down from the dam which is about 2 miles from Kirk's, but had decent luck in the morning.

Scotts fly shop. Have used them several times, and used their guides. excellent experience. also marys lake can be good fishing. scott is always willing to tell you what baits are hot and where to go, even if you don't use a guide

Got a buddy who guides out at Sasquatch outfitters there

Kirk's is a good shop and they have been knowledgeable and helpful. The book Jim mentioned is definitely worth getting.

To me, fishing inside the park was a little weird. Some spots were crowded while other areas were deserted. The lakes were difficult to fish, very clear with easy to spook fish. The farther you get from a road, the better the fishing experience was while inside the park.

If I ever make it back up there, I'll probably spend most of my time on the Big Thompson river down stream from town. For the most part, as long as you do not cross any fences and there are no signs, you just need to find a place to park alongside the highway and start fishing.

Have fun!

The park is beautiful, but the fishing is better (bigger fish) in the big Thompson below the dam. There are some good spots in the park too. I like the Big T in Moraine park area and up. Glacier Creek can be good and up at the beaver ponds. The Alluvial Falls and up have some nice pools but require some steep hiking, and they have cutthroats in them. If you can hike up to some of the lakes (Fern, Odessa, Sky pond, Loch, etc..), you can do well with a beetle for cruising trout. Try the inlets and outlet areas.