estes park

[Todd in Rocheport]

Hi all - going to be in Estes park from the 4-10 of July.  Any advice on some good fishing spots within an hour or two.  Spin or fly fishing.  MOtroutbum I sent you a gmail.

Thanks in advance.

 

Todd

[moguy1973]

Lots of fishing opportunities in RMNP.  I caught several nice trout in the Big Thompson along Fern Lake Rd as well as in the Colorado on the other side of the divide.  Plenty of fishing in the lakes there too if you are willing to hike up to them.  They have the green back cutthroats there that are a gorgeous fish.

[ness]

Sounds like maybe a family vacation and you're hoping to fish a little? Every stream in the park will have fish. Browns, rainbows and brookies. Bigger water, bigger fish and vice versa. Probably the best chance for a biggun would be outside the park on the Big Thompson, but...it gets hammered. 

If native trout interest you, there are greenback cutts on the east side, and Colorado River cutts on the west side of the divide.  Lily Lake used to have a lot of greenbacks, but that population has taken a few hits in recent years. It's easily accessible, and therefore gets pressure. You can also get greenbacks along Roaring River at Aspenglen Campground and upstream. CO River cutts are rare, and I can't  post what I know on a forum. I'll just say they get outcompeted by the brookies and interbreed with the rainbows, so go up, up, up to find them. 

[Pondhopper]

Does anyone have any guide suggestions for the Estes Park area? I'll be there at the end of July with my wife and inlaws. Its our first time fishing outside of a Mo state park.

[ness]

The guide I used there retired a couple years back. Too bad because he was outstanding. I’d give Kirk’s fly shop a call for suggestions. Other shops there  are Estes Angler or  Scott’s.

[motroutbum]

Pondhopper,

PM Sent.  I work and guide for Front Range Anglers and we spend a TON of time guiding in Estes Park.