After having squandered my fishing opportunities while living in the mountains, I'm making up for it by trying to get out and fish as much as possible.
(Living in Summit County for many years and having private fishing rights on the Blue...I guess it's true, you never know what you got, until it's gone...)
Moving to the front range, I realized that life in the "big city" isn't all it's cracked up to be. Fishing in the metro area is mediocre at best due to the pressure of so many fisherman and so few spots to fish. Yes, I know there's plenty of fishing, but for a guy that primarily fly fishes, there's not much going on in the big D.
Considering my addiction, my wife tends to support my habit, even though we just recently had a little girl and our work lives are super busy. I'm blessed that she's supportive of fishing and my many other hobbies! It helps that she sometimes likes to tag along as well!
This blog is away for me to highlight some of my accomplishments in exploring rivers, creeks, lakes and ponds around Colorado. It's also a way for me to keep track of where I've been, when, what was productive and what wasn't. Feel free to tag along and share your comments, suggestions, ideas, etc...
Andrew K.
Hi Andrew,
ReplyDeleteI live in the UK and will be doing a scenic drive through Colorado, from Durango to Grand Junction, then along I-70, before going north thru Rocky Mtg Park, Vail onto Vernal in Early August.
Being a flyfisherman, I hope to fish as many small rivers and creeks as possible on my travels and you seem to have most of the ones I want fish covered in your blog. I fished the Green River below the dam at Flaming Gorge last August, where it was shoulder to shoulder with anglers. What are my chances of finding some open space to fish, without hiking miles, when I come to your part of the world? Ken J.
Your chances of finding open space to fish are very good! Since you're covering a lot of ground on your travels, you will have access to lots of great fishing along the way.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to stay away from crowds, don't bother visiting the Frying Pan, but do try to fish the the Roaring Fork. The Colorado, Blue, Eagle, and other tributaries and streams will all offer great fishing, and there is a lots of great fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park. Early August is a great time to fish and there is lots of access points all along I-70.
When you get closer to coming out, send me a message and let's see if we can meet up and I can show you around or at least make some recommendations on some hot spots and flies to use.
Thanks Andrew,
DeleteIt would be great if we could meet up. At present my wife and I have not booked accomodation, usually staying in motels, or cabins along the way, but if I know that we would be visiting a defined area, then I could try to book a cabin, or lodge for a few days.
Your flies seem tiny. I usually use 14-16 dries and nymphs on our small river Whitewater, which is catch and release. Check us out on Flyfishing Forums river Whitewater. I put on some of my trout pics from my first outing this year.
Trout fishing in England is very restricted, with most rivers having long waiting lists to join. I was fortunate to join my little syndicate on the Whitewater, £100 a season for 3 days a week, April til end of September. I do fish a free bit of trout river on another local river, but you have to avoid the shopping trollies, when wading! Ken J.
Crazy how different the fishing is over the pond! In the summer, I up the size of my flies anywhere from a size 8-16. Winter tailwater fishing calls for size 18 and smaller. I don't usually fish anything smaller than a 22.
DeleteSummer has bigger bugs and hungry fish!
Once you get your schedule worked out, let me know and if I can make it out to fish with you, I will. Otherwise I'll make sure you have some good spots to fish at and some good flies to take!
Andrew, I stumbled across your blog looking for info on Colorado fly fishing. I am coming in from Louisiana with a group of 6 guys that have never been fly fishing except for 2 of us.
ReplyDeleteWe will be travelling from Cotopaxi to Grand Lake and looking for a spot anywhere in between to hire a guide/outfitter to take us on a day tour and we will need equipment/gear as well.
I'm having a tough time finding non-biased reviews on where to go or whom to hire.
Do you have any thoughts,recommendations, or point me in the right direction?
Thanks,
Brett
Hi Brett,
DeleteWhere are you looking to fish? What rivers? I'll be honest, I've never hired a guide so my experience with guides is limited to my friends who are guides.
But if you can pick specific rivers that you want to fish, I can point you in the direction of some guides who have made certain rivers their "home water" and they fish it on an almost daily basis. Plus, they will have historical data and they know every inch of that river like the back of their hand.
Your route will pass some awesome waters and if I may make a suggestion...
Fish the 3 rivers that have mysis. The Taylor, The Blue, and The Frying Pan. Your route brings you close to all 3 and you will have an AMAZING trip. All are tailwaters so there's not much to figure out. Hit a shop and pick up an assortment of tailwater flies and mysis and go to town. These 3 rivers hold the biggest fish in the state.
Feel free to shoot me an e-mail if you need more info!
Andrew
andrewkwang@yahoo.com