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First trip to Colorado Front Range-advice?
#11780569
08/16/16 10:10 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 22
sbtay
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 22 |
Suh Dudes. I'm heading to Boulder for the weekend on 9/1/16 and I want to fish in Rocky Mountain National Park. I have never been so I don't even know where to start. I am thinking about booking a half day with a local guide on my first day just to get some local knowledge, but I'm not totally sure that's necessary. I looked at Front Range Anglers fly shop in Boulder and they do half day to RMNP for $225. Anyone have any advice and/or guide recommendations you'd be willing to share? Ragonk.
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Re: First trip to Colorado Front Range-advice?
[Re: sbtay]
#11780586
08/16/16 10:20 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 143
oldnslowfisherman
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 143 |
Try Kirks fly shop in Estes Park.
Air Force vet
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Re: First trip to Colorado Front Range-advice?
[Re: sbtay]
#11780660
08/16/16 11:12 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 463
WoollyBugger
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 463 |
We were in Estes Park last month. Kirk's has some private waters in the Big Thompson canyon below EP that have some great fishing. The park is beautiful, but can be crowded and the fish are smaller. RMNP, Big Thompson in Moraine Park... "Grandpa's" private water with Kirk's... If you have any fly fishing experience, you likely don't need a guide to fish the park, especially in late summer. Hoppers, caddis, or anything fairly substantial-looking will work. If you want to fish the private waters, you have to go with a guide. They didn't have anything that you could just pay a daily rod fee to fish DIY.
Last edited by WoollyBugger; 08/16/16 11:15 PM.
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Re: First trip to Colorado Front Range-advice?
[Re: sbtay]
#11780711
08/16/16 11:38 PM
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,238
RexW
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,238 |
RMNP is a popular place and you'll probably get differing opinions. Do you want to fish inside the park or just in the area? In the area, the Big Thompson is a good option and the private water is fun to fish. I've used Kirk's a couple of times and I've had a great guide and a less great guide from them. If you decide to use Kirk's, I'd get the name of the guy Woollybugger used and request him. (Don't let any guide take you below the dam in EP, you can do that yourself.) If you want to fish inside the park and this will be your first visit, I would get a guide. The park is huge and it takes time to figure out what is what and where to fish. Moraine Park and the trail to Fern Lake have good areas to fish, but both can get crowded. We drove through the west part of RMNP this summer for the first time. If I ever go back, I plan to go to this part of the park to fish the Colorado River. Smaller crowds and beautiful water. If you do hire a guide, be sure to discuss what is included and when the half day starts and ends. I would hate to find out the clock starts at their shop and includes an hour drive to the fishing location. Have fun! It is a great place to visit. (Also, black ants were active while we were there last month and the green back cut throat were nailing black ant flies. )
Fly Fishers International certified casting instructor TFO Rods pro staff
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Re: First trip to Colorado Front Range-advice?
[Re: sbtay]
#11780835
08/17/16 12:36 AM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 463
WoollyBugger
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 463 |
My guide will be back at college by 9/1 (if he's not already). College baseball player. I was a little skeptical at first, but he was a great guide.
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Re: First trip to Colorado Front Range-advice?
[Re: sbtay]
#11781505
08/17/16 04:59 AM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,067
McKinneyLonghorn
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,067 |
I fished with Kirk's last October and had a great time in private water on the Big T. I fished with Jerry. I believe he guides there year-round so he should be available when you are there.
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Re: First trip to Colorado Front Range-advice?
[Re: sbtay]
#11782092
08/17/16 04:19 PM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 97
JdDurango
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 97 |
I might also suggest Sunrise Anglers. They have Park permits and won the Orvis Endorsed Guide Service of the year in 2011.
Good luck!
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Re: First trip to Colorado Front Range-advice?
[Re: sbtay]
#11784725
08/18/16 10:26 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 172
flydoc
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 172 |
If you wanna catch big bows on dryflys go to Spinney and hit the shallows for the callibaetis hatch from 10-1.
20" avg. to 25" about 1 hr west of Colo. Springs on US 24..
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Re: First trip to Colorado Front Range-advice?
[Re: sbtay]
#11786105
08/19/16 06:59 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 469
Golfer Jeff
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 469 |
Spinney and Dream stream is way too far from Boulder to make it worthwhile.
I like the headwaters of the Colorado that time of year. Big Browns are moving up from out west to do their things. you can find 20" fish in a stream 20' wide. Hoppers, droppers, and eggs.
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Re: First trip to Colorado Front Range-advice?
[Re: sbtay]
#11792435
08/23/16 03:58 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 22
sbtay
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 22 |
I just booked with Sunrise Anglers. I'll post my review after the trip. Thanks for all of the suggestions!
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Re: First trip to Colorado Front Range-advice?
[Re: sbtay]
#11814510
09/06/16 03:11 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 22
sbtay
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 22 |
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Re: First trip to Colorado Front Range-advice?
[Re: sbtay]
#11814808
09/06/16 06:24 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 469
Golfer Jeff
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 469 |
The reason you could not ride with him is because you were in a National Park. He also should have put you on new water instead of behind other anglers.
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