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How to Go Fly Fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park

This is part of my Girl’s Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park! Everything you need to know, from the best day hikes to the best places to eat. Check out all my posts by clicking here.


Fly fishing is one of the most popular activities within Rocky Mountain National Park during the summer. I would definitely make time for this during your trip!

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The cool water is refreshing on hot summer days and I’ve never found a fly fishing spot that wasn’t beautiful. Why not have a little A River Runs Through It moment on vacation?

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I would recommend getting a guide to take you. This is actually pretty affordable, and they know where to go to catch the best fish, plus, they provide all of the equipment you need. You don’t have to lift a finger.

For this topic I’ve called on my friend Liz Curtis, who fly fishes every year in Rocky Mountain National Park, for her thoughts. She says,

“We go fly fishing almost every time we go, and use Kirk’s Fly Shop.  It’s on the main square, and they guarantee a catch each time.  We have gone on a 5 minute drive down the canyon, and have driven into the park and hiked with our gear if you prefer that.  They are excellent teachers if you have never held a fly rod in your life.  There is a maximum of 3 fisherman to a guide, so there is plenty of one-on-one instruction.”

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Obviously, she was successful!

One time I met a couple in the park that were on vacation to Rocky Mountain National Park as one of their first trips together, and they caught their limit. It looked like they were having a blast.

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River Guides

What to Wear

  • Quick dry top
  • Quick dry pants
  • Water shoes such as Tevas or Salomon Techamphibians, or old tennis shoes
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses with croakies (you don’t want your glasses to fall off in the drink)
  • From Liz: “The water has always been pretty chilly, so I’d recommend a light pair of hiking pants to go under the waders in the summer, or a heavier pair of pants in the early spring or late fall.  Sometimes you are hip deep in water, and sometimes on ankle deep!”

How Much Time to Allow

  • 1/2 – 1 full day

FYI

  • From what I’ve read, trout don’t survive very long out of water, so once you catch one be ready to snap that Instagram picture quickly! That is, if you don’t plan on having it for dinner. 🙂 #gonefishin

And if you don’t go fishing, be sure to try trout at one of the restaurants in town. You won’t regret it.

Happy fishing, ladies!

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