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Rocky Mountain National Park

Latest Guide Report

07-16-2019

Report by: Randy Hanner

Fish are becoming more active once the water warms up around 11:00 AM. Water is dropping and the fish are spreading out, make sure to fish the riffle waters as well as pockets and pools. Midges can be seen coming off sporadically throughout the day, but the main hatches of grey drakes and PMD’s are coming mid-afternoon. Dry dropper rigs have been working well, and nymph rigs in deeper water. Dries to fish include Furimsky’s grey drake (#16), pearl caddis (#16-18), royal chubby (#16), hippie stomper (#16), and extended body PMD (#16-18). Nymphs that have been working include: cinnamon toast (#16), rainbow warrior (#16-20), black zebra midge (#16-18), BH soft hackle pheasant tail (#16), Frenchie (#16-18), and micro mayfly (#16-18)

Guide Rating
3/5
Weather Experienced

Clear
Temperature:
Wind Conditions: Calm
Precipitation: None
Water Observations

Light-Stain
Water Temperature:
Flow Level: CFS
Runoff? Light-Stain

Rocky Mountain National Park Water Flow Graphs

About Rocky Mountain National ParkFly Fishing

This may just be one of the best resources that the Front Range of Colorado has to offer. The “Park” as locals like to call it has too many lakes and streams to begin to speak about. The Park really has it all, from big browns in Moraine Park to beautiful native Greenback Cutthroats in high mountain streams and lakes. The Greenback is the Colorado state fish and was thought to be extinct around the turn of the century. Lucky for anglers a remnant population was found and RMNP has gone through lengthy efforts to return the Front Range’s native trout back to its home range.

The park might be the best shot at finding what has been called the most beautiful cutthroat on a fly.

Rocky Mountain National Park has three entrances from the Front Range. From the east the main entrances are Beaver Meadows, which enters via highway 36, Fall River, which comes in from highway 34, and then there is the Wild basin entrance off the Peak to Peak Highway (Hwy 7). All three access great water. Highway 36 places you right near Moraine Park and the Bear Lake area. Moraine Park is best known for the meadow section where you can hunt nice brown trout in undercut banks while elk watch from a distance. The Bear Lake area has numerous high mountain lakes; Dream Lake is one of the highlights in this area.

The Fall River Road entrance via highway 34 has easy access to Fall River and the Roaring River. These rivers offer excellent dry fly fishing in breathtaking settings. Further up the trail there are some high mountain lakes that are well worth the 5+ mile hike in. This area offers one of the best shots at getting the Grand Slam; Browns, Brooks, Rainbows, and Greenbacks.

The Wild Basin area is just that, wild and fun. The head waters of the St. Vain run through here, while Longs Peak and Mt. Meeker set the backdrop for some of the more remote places in the park. This is another area where a Grand Slam is very obtainable.

Rocky Mountain National Park has some of the best fishing that the Boulder/Denver area has to offer. There really is something for everyone there, even beyond just fishing.