Kim D. McHugh
Of Colorado’s more than 8,000 miles of streams, and 2,000-plus lakes and reservoirs, there are 322 miles of Gold Medal Trout Waters; streams, rivers and lakes designated by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission for the quality of their cold water trout habitat and capability to create trout 14 inches or longer.
Area outfitters agree that the most popular time of year to fish begins after the spring runoff in April and May. June and July mark the beginning of dry-fly season, which lasts through the middle of October. However attractive the long and temperate days of summer or the magnificence of the turning leaves of autumn, it may surprise golfers that winter is the secret fishing season.
Running with brown, cutthroat, rainbow and brook trout, the rivers, streams, ponds and lakes give anglers a shot at a “hat trick” or a “grand slam,” where three or four different species may be caught in one outing. To improve their odds of catching fish, anglers need to consider the value of guides.
“A golfer takes a caddie to read greens, assist in making club selections, look for balls, and provide conversation,” explains John Livingston, Fishing Director at The Roaring Fork Club. “An angler might take a fishing guide to read the water, select the type of rod and fly, look for flies stuck on the bottom or in trees, and be a companion on the water. Caddies and fishing guides are the insiders, and they bring you to beautiful places.”
As rewarding as it is to hole a bunker shot for a birdie, teasing a cutthroat into striking is equally satisfying. No wonder golfers get hooked.
Find an outfitter near you!
Angler’s Covey, Colorado Springs
719-471-2984
www.anglerscovey.com
Aspen Flyfishing, Aspen
970-920-6886
www.aspenflyfishing.com
Breckenridge Outfitters, Breckenridge
970-453-4135
www.breckenridgeoutfitters.com
Bucking Rainbow Outfitters, Steamboat Springs
970-879-8747
www.buckingrainbow.com
Denver Fly Shop, Denver
303-736-9320
www.denverflyshop.com
Duranglers, Durango
970-385-4081
www.duranglers.com
Fly Fishing Outfitters, Vail
970-845-8090
www.flyfishingoutfitters.net
Frying Pan Anglers, Basalt
970-927-3441
www.fryingpananglers.com
Gore Creek Fly Fisherman, Vail & Avon
970-476-3296
www.gorecreekflyfisherman.com
Grand County Fishing Company, Winter Park
970-726-5231
www.grandflyfishing.com
The Mountain Angler LTD., Breckenridge
970-453-4665
www.mountainangler.com
Minturn Anglers, Minturn
970.827.9500
www.minturnanglers.com
The Peak Fly Shop, Woodland Park & The Broadmoor Resort
719-687-9122
www.thepeakflyshop.com
Roaring Fork Anglers, Glenwood Springs
970-945-0180
www.roaringforkanglers.com
The San Juan Angler, Durango
970-382-9978
www.thesanjuanangler.com
San Miguel Anglers, Telluride
970-728-4477
www.sanmiguelanglers.com
South Fork Anglers, South Fork
719-658-2955
www.southforkanglers.com
Steamboat Flyfisher, Steamboat Springs
970-879-6552
www.steamboatflyfisher.com
Taylor Creek Fly Shop, Basalt
970-927-4374
www.taylorcreek.com
Telluride Outfitters, Telluride
970-728-4475
www.tellurideoutfitters.com
Trout’s Fly Fishing, Denver
303-733-1434
http://troutsflyfishing.com
Click the links below for more on Colorado's best “fish and chips” spots…
Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.