Fly Fishing Colorado late May

Late May should be safe, but check the fishing/river reports to be better informed. Some areas are more prone to runoff and snowpack plays a major role in this, along with late spring and early summer temps. There is a lot of water to fish up around RMNP, and out of Estes Park. Great places to stay and decent places to take a 9yo to enjoy. Obviously it also depends on if you want to DIY, or, get a guide. I may suggest a guide for at least one day or half day, just to get acclimated. Plenty of young guns out there that are more than willing to help, instruct and see a young fisherman have a good trip.

Check these couple of links for info, the first one focusing on river conditions, flow and fishability. I am pretty sure the first one updates daily, but don't quote me on that. Good luck. Oh, and if it were me, I'd wait until June, when you have less chance of a late season snow storm. Good luck!


LINK (river conditions)
LINK (good info about Rocky Mtn. Nat. Park and surrounding areas)

Awesome info. Thank y’all.

I ran your question by my son who lived in Colorado for six years. Worked in a fly shop and did some guiding. He says the streams will be high that time of year from runoff.

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He says the streams will be high that time of year from runoff.

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Likely, but I'd call a guide service like Breckenridge Outfitters...if fish can be found, they'll know where.

Run off is very high in May and rivers will be dirty. If you’re flexible on timing and location, I suggest the Madison or Snake in August before he goes back to school. It doesn’t get any better than that.

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Taking my 9 year old who loves to fly fish.

Deciding on where to stay and thought I’d ask for recommendations.

What areas in Colorado would be best for some fly fishing?

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A word of caution, and I will probably be taken to task for this, but trout fishing in Colorado is almost as frustrating as snook fishing in Florida. The damned things are everywhere but something is going to stand between you and your goal. Unless you are talking about hiring an outfitter you will need a lawyer and military grade positioning equipment to stay off private land and they are DEADLY serious about protecting their fishing. The further you get from Denver the less this becomes an issue for obvious reasons but is true of the entire state.

That being said there is some incredible fly fishing, not necessarily trout but warm water species including carp, not to be discounted on a fly rod, in Denver proper. And it is pretty much public access. It is a blast.

If you are talking about hiring an outfitter there are far better areas than Colorado unless its only Colorado or nothing. New Mexico is better in my opinion and Idaho, Utah, Montanna, Wyoming and Washington are heads and shoulders better than Colorado...again in my experience. Utah is my favorite. Public access is also better in all of these except maybe Washington. Even outfitters in Colorado are pretty limited in the areas they can fish and, again in my experience, given the access issues, the crowds and the overall vibe it would be my last choice. Trout fishing in Colorado, especially as you get closer to Denver, is a competition and is both a spectator and contact sport...if you go 10 hours without having some words with some a-hole you have beaten the odds by double.

The San Juan in New Mexico and the Green River in Utah are the best trout fishing in Colorado....

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Snake in August

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Honey Hush! Fantastic idea. And the Henry's Fork. Idaho. Don't get no better....

For those who like the idea of DIY drift boat fishing the Yakima River is the perfect location. Reds Fly Shop rents drift boats for under $300 a day for 3 people with a pick up shuttle. They offer rowing lessons and the Yakima is the ideal location to learn the craft. This is a traditional fast flowing western river that offers everything from highly technical nymphing to a huge summer time terrestrial bite. The lower end of the Yakima also has some of the best small mouth bass fly fishing in the lower 48...not a lot of pigs but more 2 pounders than you could care to catch. Reds used to offer small mouth trips, I would bet they still do. The scenery in the Ellensburg area is what you'd expect of a western river while the lower end can resemble a southern river only flowing far faster. Its an incredible opportunity and experience...fly into Pasco and rent a Cabin in or around Ellensburg and you will probably wind up in the market for a drift boat....as daunting as it seems if you have the upper body strength for it it is pretty damned easy to more or less master.