CW Guided Adventures: Fly Fishing - Best Fly Fishing Trips in Colorado
- admin171125
- Mar 28
- 20 min read
Updated: Mar 29
Experience an unforgettable adventure with Colorado Wilderness through our guided fly fishing adventures! Explore Colorado's pristine streams and serene alpine lakes. Whether you're an experienced angler or just starting out, we'll take you to the ideal fishing spots for everyone.
Why Choose Our Expert Guides?
Our guides are not just knowledgeable; they are true experts in the field. With years of experience and a deep understanding of the local waters, they know the best spots better than anyone else. Get out with an expert guide to uncover hidden gems and some of our favorite spots in the Colorado wilderness.
Join Us for an Adventure!
Let us take you on a journey where you can connect with nature and enjoy the thrill of fly fishing in some of the most beautiful settings Colorado has to offer.
In this article:
*Can be Half Day or Full Day
Fly Fish: Half Day
Fly Fishing Boulder
Experience the best of Boulder, Colorado fishing in its creeks, rivers, and lakes. These waterways are renowned for fly-fishing, offering miles of waterways with easy, moderate, and advanced terrain. Our local guides will take you to hidden alcoves, holes, and river bends in the premier trout waters of the Front Range. Boulder provides diverse fishing opportunities, and your guide will discuss your goals, expectations, water conditions, and temperatures to ensure the ultimate fishing experience. Discover why Boulder, Colorado is a top destination for fishing enthusiasts and join us for an unforgettable adventure.
Itinerary: After booking, a Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides guide will contact you to customize your trip. As a general rule, Half-day trips usually start around 7:30 am or 1:00 pm and include 3-4 hours of fishing. We have fly fishing departure locations from Denver, Golden, Boulder, and Estes Park Colorado.
Colorado Lakes
While Colorado is known for its exceptional trout fishing, it also has a sizable bass population, with large mouth, smallmouth, and spotted species. While the bass don’t thrive in the shallow cold mountain waters, they are numerous in warm lakes, where there’s year-round fishing opportunities. We’ll have the opportunity to fish both wading from the shore and in boating only rivers. Come experience some of the best bass fishing in the west.
Itinerary: The exact times of the ½ day trip will be determined after sign-up and arranged directly with Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides. Half-day trips usually start around 7:30 am or 1:00 pm and include 3-4 hours of fishing. We have fly fishing departure locations from Denver, Golden, Boulder, and Estes Park Colorado. Our guide will pick you up at your Boulder Hotel or residence, alternatively you may meet us at our Boulder Offices. On the 5 to 20 minute drive to the fishing area we will go over basic safety information, questions that you may have and review our plan for the day. Once we arrive at our fishing location for the day, our guides will quickly get you set up with the equipment needed, go over any instructions that you may need and get you on the fish to begin a wonderful day of fly fishing.
Estes Park
Set under a Rocky Mountain backdrop, the town of Estes Park features numerous fly-fishing opportunities from easily accessible lakes and streams, to the nearby rushing waters of the Big Thompson River. This is a great trip for those who want to see what’s outside of Rocky Mountain National Park. Our local guides will take you to some of their favorite spots, some which aren’t even in the guidebook, and show you Estes Park in only the way that they know! For beginners or intermediates, this is one of the best ways to see Estes Park from a unique vantage point. We’ll match the location to your ability level and improve your technique and skills as we search for some of the best trout in the West!
Itinerary: The exact times of the ½ day trip will be determined after sign-up and arranged directly with Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides. Half-day trips usually start around 7:30 am or 1:00 pm and include 3-4 hours of fishing. We have fly fishing departure locations from Denver, Golden, Boulder, and Estes Park Colorado. Our guide will pick you up at your Boulder Hotel or residence, alternatively you may meet us at our Boulder Offices. Depending on our departure spot, the drive will take between 20 and 40 minutes. During the drive to the fishing area we will go over basic safety information, questions that you may have and review our plan for the day. Once we arrive at our fishing location for the day, our guides will quickly get you set up with the equipment needed, go over any instructions that you may need and get you on the fish to begin a wonderful day of fly fishing.
Fly Casting Skills Clinic
Improve your cast and maximize your success by working with our expert guides to improve and perfect your technique. We’ll practice traditional casting, roll casting, and long casting to enhance speed and accuracy, and we’ll learn how to cast into narrow slots and between rocks. During our clinic, we’ll also have access to video recording, where we’ll record your cast and then play it back while offering constructive feedback and slowly make our way towards a better improvement of skills and technique.
Itinerary: The exact times of the ½ day trip will be determined after sign-up and arranged directly with Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides. Half-day trips usually start around 7:30 am or 1:00 pm and include 3-4 hours of fishing. We have fly fishing departure locations from Denver, Golden, Boulder, and Estes Park Colorado. Our guide will pick you up at your Boulder Hotel or residence, alternatively you may meet us at our Boulder Offices. Depending on our departure spot, the drive will take between 5 and 20 minutes. During the drive to the fishing area we will go over basic safety information, questions that you may have and review our plan for the day. Once we arrive at our fishing location for the day, our guides will quickly get you set up with the equipment needed, go over any instructions that you may need and get you on the fish to begin a wonderful day of fly fishing.
Entomology
A good fly fisherman knows their environments as well as they know their technique. Fly Fishing Entomology is a study into learning about the rivers, seasons, species, flies, and conditions. We’ll study seasonal river conditions, weather, hatch times, use of flies, and what works with which species. We’ll learn how to choose the appropriate flies for each condition, learn about hatch timing and the different species across the state.
Itinerary: The exact times of the ½ day trip will be determined after sign-up and arranged directly with Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides. Half-day trips usually start around 7:30 am or 1:00 pm and include 3-4 hours of fishing. We have fly fishing departure locations from Denver, Golden, Boulder, and Estes Park Colorado. Our guide will pick you up at your Boulder Hotel or residence, alternatively you may meet us at our Boulder Offices. Depending on our departure spot, the drive will take between 5 and 20 minutes. During the drive to the fishing area we will go over basic safety information, questions that you may have and review our plan for the day. Once we arrive at our fishing location for the day, our guides will quickly get you set up with the equipment needed, go over any instructions that you may need and get you on the fish to begin a wonderful day of fly fishing.
Intro To Fly Fishing
For those who are taking their first steps into the world of fly fishing, this introductory class is for first timers who want to learn basic skills and get that first exposure to the sport. You wont be expert anglers to start with but you’ll be getting there. This four-hour experience will teach you about equipment, basic casting techniques, how to pull your fish in, and introduce native Colorado species. The goal is to formulate the basic fly-fishing skills that we can then build upon. Our patient, experienced, and knowledgeable guides will walk you step-by-step how to cast gracefully and learn the art of this beautiful sport.
Itinerary: We will depart from your hotel or our Boulder office and drive 5-20 minutes to our river or lake that we will be fishing. While driving, we will cover vital safety and basic fishing information. Although we will plan a time to meet when we make the reservation your fly fishing guide will call you before the trip to confirm the meeting time to best set you up for fishing success. Most half day trips usually start around 7:30am or 1:00pm and include 3-4 hours of fishing.
Fly Fish: Full Day
Upper Colorado River Float
The Upper Colorado is one of the West’s most legendary fly-fishing rivers. The landscape of open plains and red rock canyons makes for some of Colorado’s most secretive scenery, and the plentiful fishing is as exhilarating as the terrain. We’ll drop in at one of the upriver campsites and ride the river downwards through the rushing canyon waters and calmer waters around the plains as we search for trout hidden between the boulders and tides. We’ll also have the opportunity to wade onto rocky islands in the middle of the river and fish by wading. This is a great way to see a little known part of Colorado that is still undiscovered in the guidebook.
Itinerary: After arriving at the Rancho Del Rio, our Boathouse on the Upper Colorado River, you’ll be issued a wetsuit, helmet, and personal flotation device. Once geared up, you'll meet your guide for a safety briefing before being shuttled to the river. The adventure begins with a calm float to warm up before you hit the Class III-IV rapids, including exciting twists and turns. The day includes a lunch stop on the river to relax and refuel. You’ll spend 4-6 hours navigating thrilling rapids and enjoying scenic views along the way. Trips depart at between 8-10AM and run throughout the day for a total of 6-8 hours.
Summit County Rivers
Summit County is known for much more than its ski resorts. With multiple creeks and rivers crisscrossing between the mountains, Summit County also features world-class trout fly-fishing in breathtaking mountain scenery. Throughout the year, the clear cold rushing waters of Summit County provide a great breeding ground for a wide variety of species. We’ll get to explore creeks fed by snowmelt from the nearby mountains with both wade fishing and fishing from the shore available in a variety of conditions from easy to challenging conditions. We’ll see Summit County in a way that only the locals know!
Itinerary: Contact us for custom itineraries around Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, Vail, Beaver Creek, Kremmling, and Winter Park
RMNP Rivers
Rocky Mountain National Park is known for its rushing rivers and waterways. With dozens of streams fed by the summer snowmelt, the water and temperature makes for the perfect conditions for groups of trout across the park. Our expert guides will teach you the technique to wade fly-fishing in the cool mountain creeks and streams and take you to remote sections of the park under gorgeous scenery to experience a lifetime of experience in a full day trip.
Itinerary: The exact times of the full day trips will be determined after sign-up and arranged directly with Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides. Our full day trips usually start around 7:30 am and include 6-7 hours of fishing. However actual times will be determined by your schedule, your guide and what trip you go on. We have fly fishing departure locations from Denver, Golden, Boulder, and Estes Park Colorado. Our guide will pick you up at your Boulder or Estes Park Hotel or residence, alternatively you may meet us at a central location. On the drive to the fishing area we will go over basic safety information, questions that you may have and review our plan for the day. Once we arrive at the fishing location our guides will quickly get you set up with the equipment needed, go over any instructions that you may need and get you on the fish to begin a wonderful day of fly fishing.
RMNP Lakes
This tour takes you to some of Rocky Mountain National Park’s extraordinary lakes, set in dazzling scenery and remote sections of the park. We’ll have the opportunity to fish from well-stocked waters while searching for some of the rarest species in Colorado. We will hike high above the tree line to search for pristine water sources that only our guides know and take in one of America’s most gorgeous fly-fishing landscapes. Come experience Rocky Mountain National Park in a way that very few others have seen.
Itinerary: The exact times of the full day trips will be determined after sign-up and arranged directly with Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides. Our full day trips usually start around 7:30 am and include 6-7 hours of fishing. However actual times will be determined by your schedule, your guide and what trip you go on. We have fly fishing departure locations from Denver, Golden, Boulder, and Estes Park Colorado. Our guide will pick you up at your Boulder or Estes Park Hotel or residence, alternatively you may meet us at a central location. On the drive to the fishing area we will go over basic safety information, questions that you may have and review our plan for the day. Once we arrive at the fishing location our guides will quickly get you set up with the equipment needed, go over any instructions that you may need and get you on the fish to begin a wonderful day of fly fishing.
Live to Fish Greater Denver Area
Get ready for an extra long day, as we find the best conditions in the West and fly you for a full day of fishing that’ll have you back in Denver and Boulder by dinner. This custom experience is for fisherman looking for the most prime conditions, which may include the Gunnison, Yampa, or Roaring Fork Rivers in Colorado, the Green River in Utah, Grey Reef, Miracle Mile, or Jackson Hole in Wyoming, or Yellowstone and Southern Montana. We’ll take you to where the fish are and make sure that you’re getting the best conditions and the best scenery. We customize every aspect of this experience for maximum success.
Itinerary: Contact us for custom itineraries around Denver, Estes Park, Grand Lake and in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Kremmling Area
Seeing the Upper Colorado Basin by foot gives a whole new vantage point to the area. We’ll get to explore the secluded riverbanks of this spectacular area. Our guides will take you to the secluded areas of the rivers where we’ll fish between the boulders and rushing waters. We’ll get to see areas only accessible by foot and avoid most of the boat traffic as we fish with a variety of lures and techniques. The high pressure areas where we fish contain the most well-stocked populations and we’ll be sure to get you to where we’ll be able to have the most success in this gorgeous area.
Itinerary: Contact us for custom itineraries around Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, Vail, Beaver Creek, Kremmling, and Winter Park for the Upper Colorado River.
Backcountry Rivers
From the Yampa to the Upper Colorado and the Gunnison, we’ll take you to some of Colorado’s most secluded waters and alcoves, where we’ll search for rarely fished waters and secret spots that only our guides know. We’ll travel through gorgeous scenery, from wide-open plains to deep canyons and rushing waters, we’ll get deep into Colorado’s backcountry and search for many different species of trout including the once thought extinct Greenback Cutthroat Trout. This is an excellent chance to experience Colorado’s backcountry waters in a manner rarely seen by others.
Itinerary: The exact times of the full day trips will be determined after sign-up and arranged directly with Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides. Our full day trips usually start around 7:30 am and include 6-7 hours of fishing. However actual times will be determined by your schedule, your guide and what trip you go on. We have fly fishing departure locations from Denver, Golden, Boulder, and Estes Park Colorado. Our guide will pick you up at your Boulder Hotel or residence, alternatively you may meet us at our Boulder Offices. On the drive to the fishing area we will go over basic safety information, questions that you may have and review our plan for the day. Once we arrive at the fishing location our guides will quickly get you set up with the equipment needed, go over any instructions that you may need and get you on the fish to begin a wonderful day of fly fishing.
Fly Fishing Trips: Multi-Day & Custom - Colorado's Best Guided Fly Fishing Adventures
Weekend Trip (2 Day)
For adventure-seeking fisherman, this trip affords the opportunity to fish spectacular sub-alpine lakes, plus inlet and outlet streams, searching for naturally occurring populations of the native Greenback Cutthroat Trout. While the size of the fish is not very big, it puts up a thrilling fight. We will travel to Thunder Lake in the shadow of Mt. Alice and the Continental Divide, and explore the various waterways around the area. The native populations are only found on the eastern side of the Divide, which means that finding the fish is an adventure all its own. This is the opportunity to fish for a unique species of trout in a breathtaking setting.
Itinerary
Day 0: Plan on meeting for 1-1.5 hours the night before your trip departs to double-check all gear and make sure backpacks are packed and ready to go for an early morning departure. Note: Some companies include this day as part of the total trip length, thus making it a four-day trip. However, we only include it as Day 0 to help with organization and acclimatizing to the higher altitudes in Colorado.
Day 1: Meet early morning and depart for trailhead. We will need to stop at the horse packer’s to drop gear for the horses and then continue to the trailhead. This day starts on the south-eastern side of Rocky Mountain National Park. The trail begins at 8451′ under the foliage of Lodgepole and Ponderosa Pines and follows a nicely flowing river up to our camp at a sub-alpine lake situated below the Continental Divide and the Mighty Mt. Alice. This is a great hike where the day is spent ascending through a thick canopy of trees with the occasional glimpse of the valley below and the mountains above. After arriving at camp, we will spend the afternoon fly-fishing around Thunder Lake. Elevation gain: 2110′. Distance: 7 miles.
Day: 2: This day will be spent fly fishing around Thunder Lake and the inlet and outlet streams of the Lake. We often get up early and fish at dawn. We then take a break and make a large lunch combined with a mid-day rest. Later, we fly fish for the afternoon when the weather calms and fishing heats up again. Camp at same location.
Day 3: After breakfast, we pack the bags for the horses to transport back to trailhead. We’ll be fly fishing through the morning around the Lake and then after lunch on the hike down to the trailhead, on the same route we ascended Day 1. For most of the hike, we’ll fish along the descent route, especially the last 2 miles before the trailhead for some great river angling. Drive back to Estes Park, Boulder, or Denver. Elevation loss: -2110′. Distance: 7 miles.
Difficulty Description: Moderate – On moderate trips, you will hike 3-6 miles with a 25-35 pound backpack, remaining on maintained trails. Elevation gain/loss may be as much as, but not more than 2250 feet. For a moderate trip, you should be comfortable hiking 6-8 miles in hilly or mountainous terrain with a light daypack. Altitudes range from 7,000 – 10,500′.
Flat Top Wilderness Area (7 Day)
The Flat Top Wilderness Area is Colorado’s 2nd largest wilderness area and is one of the states best and most secluded wilderness experiences. Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides offer amazing guided backpacking, fly fishing, and multi-day wilderness experiences in the Flat Top Wilderness. Situated between 8,000’ – 12,000’, the Flat Tops are a combination of large lakes, pristine rivers, high plateau mountains, and amazing scenery. The Flat Tops wilderness also offers anglers Colorado’s best fly fishing for ribbon cutthroat trout in high alpine lakes and streams for both avid anglers or those learning the art of fly fishing.
Itinerary: Day 0: Arrive. Meet and go over gear, food, and Itinerary in afternoon or evening.
Day 1: Depart 6 am and drive 4 hours to the trailhead at 10,255′ where we will begin our adventure. Begin hiking by 11 am. Starting at the trailhead in a flat marshy area, we hike through evergreen forests for 2.3 miles and 1000’ of gain to a divide overlooking the Colorado and Yampa drainages. The final ascent to the divide is a series of switchbacks. From the divide, we traverse and slightly descend to our camping location around by the afternoon. After a bite to eat and setting up camp. We will spend the afternoon fly fishing around the lake for the evening hatches. Hike 2.94 miles (+1,206’. Camp at 10,910’)
Day 2: Today is dedicated to fly fishing the four lakes in this basin. Plan on walking 3 to 3.5 miles today with 500’ of gain. Campsite is at same location. Lakes are from 5 to 20 acres in size and depending on the lake have Brook Trout, Colorado River Cutthroat Trout, or Rainbow Trout.
Day 3: We descend the drainage south for about 2.85 miles and 1279’. From there we ascend a plateau and head west to our camping location situated by 2 small lakes. Hike 6.05 miles (+1210’. Campsite is at 11, 072’). Plan on departing camp around 9:30 and arriving at camp around 3:30 pm. We will spend the evening fly fishing the two lakes around camp.
Day 4: In the am, we leave camp and travel through a valley and then ascend to camp. Depending on conditions, we might fly fish this drainage for the am mid day hatch and then continue to camp. Hike is 3.85 miles (+1279’ and +656’. Campsite is at 10,281’). Plan on departing camp around 9:30am and arriving at camp around 12:30 – 3:30 pm depending on fly fishing during the day. Afternoon fly fishing around camp. These lakes have cutthroat and rainbow trout.
Day 5: We have the option of fly fishing the three lakes around camp or ascending a saddle to the southwest and dropping into other lakes. If we traversed into the other valley, plan on 2.64 miles and 687’ of gain and then 1041’ of loss. If we did the hike and fish then we would have to return to camp in the afternoon, and the 2.64 miles and 1041’ would be have to be retraced. This decision will be based on the groups’ desires. Campsite is at the same location.
Day 6: Hike West onto a large plateau. From here we ascend northwest to a lake.
Hike 4.65 miles (+1279’ and +656’. Campsite is at 10,281’). Plan on departing camp around 9:30am and arriving at camp around 2:30 pm. Spend the afternoon fly fishing. Lake has Cutthroat Trout. Note: We could also make this day 7.1 miles and then camp at another lake to make the last day shorter.
Day 7: Today is a 7.4 mil hike north and then east descending back to our trailhead. Drive back to Boulder. Get back to Boulder/Denver around 7-8 pm.
Note: We would recommend arriving 1 or best 2 days early to acclimate to the altitude. 2 nights early is recommended.
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard hiking due to altitude, elevation gain, and multi-day nature of the trip with weight on your back. Elevations will be between 9000’ and 12,000’. All hiking will be on trails with daily mileage between 4-8 miles and as much as 2500’ gain and loss depending upon exact campsites.
Long Weekend (3 Day)
For adventure-seeking fisherman, this trip affords the opportunity to fish spectacular sub-alpine lakes, plus inlet and outlet streams, searching for naturally occurring populations of the native Greenback Cutthroat Trout. While the size of the fish is not very big, it puts up a thrilling fight. We will travel to Thunder Lake in the shadow of Mt. Alice and the Continental Divide, and explore the various waterways around the area. The native populations are only found on the eastern side of the Divide, which means that finding the fish is an adventure all its own. This is the opportunity to fish for a unique species of trout in a breathtaking setting.
Itinerary: Day 0: Plan on meeting for 1-1.5 hours the night before your trip departs to double-check all gear and make sure backpacks are packed and ready to go for an early morning departure. Note: Some companies include this day as part of the total trip length, thus making it a four-day trip. However, we only include it as Day 0 to help with organization and acclimatizing to the higher altitudes in Colorado.
Day 1: Meet early morning and depart for trailhead. We will need to stop at the horse packer’s to drop gear for the horses and then continue to the trailhead. This day starts on the south-eastern side of Rocky Mountain National Park. The trail begins at 8451′ under the foliage of Lodgepole and Ponderosa Pines and follows a nicely flowing river up to our camp at a sub-alpine lake situated below the Continental Divide and the Mighty Mt. Alice. This is a great hike where the day is spent ascending through a thick canopy of trees with the occasional glimpse of the valley below and the mountains above. After arriving at camp, we will spend the afternoon fly-fishing around Thunder Lake. Elevation gain: 2110′. Distance: 7 miles.
Day: 2: This day will be spent fly fishing around Thunder Lake and the inlet and outlet streams of the Lake. We often get up early and fish at dawn. We then take a break and make a large lunch combined with a mid-day rest. Later, we fly fish for the afternoon when the weather calms and fishing heats up again. Camp at same location.
Day 3: After breakfast, we pack the bags for the horses to transport back to trailhead. We’ll be fly fishing through the morning around the Lake and then after lunch on the hike down to the trailhead, on the same route we ascended Day 1. For most of the hike, we’ll fish along the descent route, especially the last 2 miles before the trailhead for some great river angling. Drive back to Estes Park, Boulder, or Denver. Elevation loss: -2110′. Distance: 7 miles.
Difficulty Description: Moderate – On moderate trips, you will hike 3-6 miles with a 25-35 pound backpack, remaining on maintained trails. Elevation gain/loss may be as much as, but not more than 2250 feet. For a moderate trip, you should be comfortable hiking 6-8 miles in hilly or mountainous terrain with a light daypack. Altitudes range from 7,000 – 10,500′.
Securing your Colorado Fishing License
Visit the Colorado Division of Wildlife: https://www1.co.wildlifelicense.com/start.php.
Click “start now,” and the site will guide you through the process.
If you have any questions, call 800-244-5613 or visit https://wildlife.state.co.us/ShopDOW/AppsAndLicenses/Pages/totallicensing.aspx.
Please make sure your license is dated for the day of your fishing excursion
.
If you prefer to secure your fishing license in person, you may purchase one at the locations below. You will need your driver’s license (or passport if you are not a US citizen) and your Social Security number.
Estes True Value Hardware & RadioShack
461 E Wonderview Avenue
Estes Park, CO 80517
970-586-3496
McGuckin Hardware
2525 Arapahoe Avenue
Boulder CO, 80302
303-443-1822
What's Included In Our Rates?
The services of a professional fishing guide
Round-trip transportation between your Boulder or Estes Park hotel or our office and the fishing location for groups of 6 or less
Terminal tackle and equipment (Including flies, rod, reel, and booties/waders)
Bottled water and snacks (lunch is also included during full-day trips)
Education about the local and natural history (including a library of Rocky Mountain flora and fauna)
Group CB, medical kit, & emergency support.
What's NOT Included In Our Rates?
Gratuities for your guide (while it is up to your discretion, the recommended gratuity is 15-20%) - *Gratuity is auto-added for groups of 6 or more.
Colorado fishing license or rod fee for private waters. We will secure private waters based on request
Transportation for groups of 7+, we can accommodate larger groups for an additional cost
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