Entrepreneur Spencer Schar is a keen fly-fisher in his spare time and therefore appreciates the significant finesse involved in the sport. The attached PDF delves deeper into the history of fly-fishing, a sport enjoyed by more than 7.5 million anglers in the United States alone according to Statista.
For fly-fishers, Rocky Mountain National Park is an iconic destination, where peak fishing season runs from mid-June to mid-October each year. It is during this period that trout are at their most plentiful, biting frequently. The attached infographic contains some interesting statistics on trout fishing from around the world.
Offering more warm summer days any other state, Colorado boasts seemingly endless fly-fishing opportunities, with countless creeks, tailwaters, and lakes to explore. Home to four species of trout, Rocky Mountain National Park is popular among new anglers during the summer months, presenting a prime opportunity for beginners to learn the ropes, with fish more active and willing to accept offerings than at other times of year.
In parts of Rocky Mountain National Park, rainbows, browns, and brookies are abundant, with greenback cutthroats also patrolling the waters. Since 1975, Rocky Mountain National Park has operated a program designed to help restore and propagate Colorado River cutthroats, an indigenous trout species. The embedded video contains more information about fish species found in Rocky Mountain National Park’s lakes, rivers, and streams.
Local fishers suggest that the further the angler ventures into Rocky Mountain National Park, the greater the beauty of their surroundings. Nevertheless, fish landed here tend to be smaller than those caught even a short distance beyond the park’s perimeter, with fish averaging just 6 to 10 inches in waterways near Moraine Park. Although specimens measuring between 12 and 16 inches are sometimes caught in Colorado’s high mountain lakes, these remain somewhat meagre compared with the 22-inch examples caught down in the valley.
As one local fisherman points out, the tradeoff for smaller fish is “insanely good scenery.” In addition, anglers seeking to reach the most sought-after fly-fishing spots are challenged by significant hikes to reach the best waters, taking them further away from civilization and out in the fresh air, sharing their environs with all manner of wildlife including elk, moose, and bears.
When fly-fishing in Colorado, visitors need to obtain a fishing license. Located off Bear Lake Road, Glacier Gorge is an easy-to-access spot in close proximity to the road. Anglers do not need waders to enjoy this stretch. Other popular spots including Roaring River, where fishers can cast a line 50 yards from their car, or Upper Thompson River, which is reached via an easy hike from the Fern Lake Trailhead and boasts an excellent fishery. More information about fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park is available on the National Park Service website.
