Be There And Take Along a Fly Rod

The number of fly fishing destinations across the United States covers a broad array of water.

- Michael Salomone

Fly anglers who travel with a long rod search for a magical equation where access, scenery and angling provide a coordinated encounter. A gestalt experienced on a floating line. To truly savor the flavor of a place, it must deliver in multiple ways. While some anglers sing the praises of Montana, Wyoming or Utah, Colorado is where you want to be with a fly rod in your hand.

The highest elevations found throughout the Rocky Mountain range stand tall against Colorado's pure blue skies. Here is where the spine of America forms spires crusted in snow. As far as scenery goes, Colorado holds the high cards.

Fly fishing in Colorado is a passion dictated by seasonal availability and anglers' desires. The progression starts with the cutthroat trout that live in the highest elevations and works down in elevation for brook and brown trout then to water open twelve months a year for the iconic rainbow trout.

The high country in Colorado won't open until the summer months. Warmth from the sunshine and the constantly clear skies work in tandem to eliminate the barrier that the snowpack creates. The paths to cutthroat country are lined with wildflowers during the summer months. Indian paintbrush, columbine and larkspur fill the experience like a Monet painting come to life.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife lists three cutthroat trout species as native to the mountains: greenback, Rio Grande and Colorado River. Numbers of each species vary greatly in abundance and availability.

A close-up headshot of the colors and unmolested teeth on a pristine Colorado River cutthroat trout. (Photo/Michael Salomone)