Fly Fishing Rocky Mountain National Park

Fly fishing Rocky Mountain National Park varies from difficult, brushy streams with very selective trout, to open mountain streams consisting mostly of pocket water,  and fish that will eat just about anything that hits the water.

Most visitors fish near Estes Park, the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, on the Eastern Slope of the continental divide.  However, visitors staying near Grand Lake see fewer fishermen, and have some superb fishing on the Western Slope.

Click here to download a map of the Park.

Fly fishing Rocky Mountain National Park during the summer is not difficult.  You can use terrestrial patterns and catch fish on virtually all the lakes and streams.  But, if you get caught in an afternoon thunderstorm, you may want to tie on a BWO, Golden Stone, Adams or even an attractor pattern as the fish key to emergers and adult aquatic insects hatching. 

Primary Hatches

With the exception of midges, you can typically fish #14-16 on most of these patterns, but carrying an #18 is always a good idea.  These trout can be very spooky, so smaller is usually better.

Leaders & Tippets
As we just said, these fish can be spooky.  When we guide our clients we typically fish 7 1/2 foot 4-6x Rio Trout leaders, but we add 2 to 5 feet of fluorocarbon tippet material.  You can usually get away with a 5x tippet, but you may have to go down to a 7x.

In colder weather when fluoro' won't lay flat on the surface, we use standard tippet material.  The fishing pressure is down at this time of year and the fish are less leader shy.

East Slope Streams
On the Eastern Slope of Rocky Mountain National Park, the major streams are the Big Thompson River, Upper Cache La Poudre, Fall River and St. Vrain, with the significant tributary streams consisting of Glacier Creek and Roaring River.  Hatches typically start sooner on this side of the mountains.

West Slope Streams
On the Western Slope of Rocky Mountain National Park, the major streams are the Colorado River, East Inlet, North Inlet, and the Tonahutu.  The tributaries to these streams do hold fish at certain times of the year, but many get very skinny as the heat of summer reduces their flows to a trickle.

Fish Species
The following species can be found in the Park:

For more information on Greenback cutthroats and what biologists are working on in the Park, click here.

Guides
If you're not experienced, HIRE A GUIDE!  Our guides are required to be knowledgeable about the Park, fishing, and certified in first aid and CPR, and generally they are a lot of fun to fish with.  Besides, it's safer, and you'll have a better fishing experience.

We hope you found this helpful in planning your trip.  Fly fishing Rocky Mountain National Park is a great experience for the whole family.

For more information, call 303-525-7373.