Time and again at that show, fly fishing people in the know pointed to a particular fly shop in Breckenridge as a good place to find such a talent. Check in any phone book (or the back of this guide) and you’ll appreciate the quantity of fly shops and fly fishing powers in Colorado. As mention of this one shop persisted, I decided I’d better find that guy.
Sure enough, Jackson Streit, the person behind The Mountain Angler in Breckenridge, turned out to be one of the best, most modest, friendliest and most talented authorities on fly fishing in Colorado one could hope to meet. After some persuasion, Jackson agreed to put everything he knew about fly fishing in his home state into a No Nonsense guidebook.
When Jackson needed additional information more specific to particular waters, he had scores of willing associates and friends across the state who were happy to contribute to his book. Often he didn’t have to look much farther than the knowledgeable group in his shop, or their buddies.
The result of all this has been one of our most popular books. This is perhaps one of the happiest and most helpful fly fishing collaborations to come from college archrivals. Author Jackson is a University of Denver graduate, and the publisher is a Colorado College alum. Just attend a DU vs. CC hockey game and you will know what I mean.
David Banks
Evan Streit on the Blue River. Photo by Jackson Streit.
Preface
This guidebook outlines what my angling friends and I think are the best public fly fishing waters in Colorado. Private waters are excluded, except for those that can be floated through safely by experienced boaters and those mentioned on the Rocky Mountain Angling Club pages.
Also, after a lifetime of fly fishing, I’ve learned that everyone has an opinion! This guide reflects mine and those of a few of my friends. You are certainly entitled to your opinion and with this guide we hope to expose you to something new to have an opinion about.
If a river or lake has been omitted, we mean no disrespect. More than likely it’s not here because fewer people want to know about it. This means, however, that there might not be many people there, which isn’t all bad! Additionally, if waters that are dear to you are included in this guide and you wish them less publicity, I apologize. We do feel, however, that people are entitled to the basic information in this guide. Who knows? You might meet some very interesting person as a result of this guidebook. We hope you understand.
Finally, I hope you use this guide to find a piece of fly fishing water you’ve always dreamed about. I think Colorado has it. And I know Colorado can offer days on the water that fulfill those dreams. Good luck!
Jackson Streit on the Colorado River. Photo by Jim Muth.
About the Author
Jackson Streit has been fly fishing for more than 33 years. Since 1971 he has fished in Colorado an average of 100 days a year!
After graduating from University of Denver, Jackson moved to the ski resort town of Breckenridge where he has lived ever since. In 1977 he started the first fly fishing guide service in the area. In 1985 he opened The Mountain Angler, a thriving fly shop he owns and operates. The shop supplies gear, guides and fly fishing information to anglers testing the many waters of Colorado…and beyond.
Jackson has personally tested those “beyond” waters, having guided and fished most of the western U.S. and Florida as well as New Zealand, Belize, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and the Bahamas. He also escorts a group of fly fishers to Christmas Island each year.
The fly fishing community seeks Jackson, and his array of photos, for many presentations each year. He has written several articles for Colorado publications and is very involved in his Trout Unlimited chapter. In the summer, he teaches fly fishing schools.
Jackson is also passing along the family passion for fly fishing to his son Evan. When not raising a family, traveling, managing his fly shop or writing about fly fishing, Jackson plans and waits for his next chance to fish.
Fishing a beaver pond in the McCullough Gulch area. Photo by Jim Muth.
Acknowledgments
Although I have fished most of the waters in this guide, I recognize that there are people who are more familiar with their local waters than I. In fact they’re experts and great sources of fly fishing information. So, while this guide may have my name on the cover, other experts contributed and helped ensure its accuracy. These talented, information-packed locals really know their stuff and I suggest you look them up if you’re fly fishing in their area. On with the thanks.
Bud Collins, one of the top guides at Duranglers Fly Shop in Durango, and to John Flick and Tom Knopnick, owners of Duranglers. To Brad Beefus of Ross Reels, Pat Dorsey, guide for The Blue Quill Fly Shop in Evergreen. Jim Blackburn in Steamboat Springs, Bruce Keep of Vail, for his knowledge of the Eagle River. Pat Chant of Leadville, a guide for Mountain Angler, added great information on the Arkansas River. Bill Fitzsimmons contributed detailed information on the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork. Bill White from Telluride tossed in information on the San Miguel; thanks, Bill. David Padilla, former Mountain Angler manager, was also a great help. Jim Muth, photographer and expert guide, and Doug Hardwick, guide and expert bug man, both of Mountain Angler. And thanks to Kevin Macreery, for his editing and patience.
Also, thanks to my publisher David Banks, who thought me the man for the Colorado guidebook job, and Pete Chadwell, who created the maps and covers. Helen Condon, Rick Drennen and Bill Nelson, fly fishers all, provided proofreading and editing help. Thanks to all of you, and anyone I may have forgotten!
Jackson Streit
Cheesman Canyon on the South Platte River. Photo by Jim Muth.
Colorado Fishing Regulations and Etiquette
After more than 33 years of fly fishing in Colorado, I’ve formed some basic ideas that might have a bearing on your fly rodding experiences in our state.
First, we should congratulate the Colorado Division of Wildlife for its work. Over the last 30 years, the division has generally improved the quality of fly fishing in the state. An obvious example is the promotion of catch and release. Now practiced nearly everywhere in Colorado, it was a little-known department priority in the early ’70s. Keep up the good work.
Second, as participation in fly fishing continues to increase almost everywhere, I suggest occasionally fly fishing lesser known or publicized waters. Though many of us would like to catch five-pound fish all day long with only a couple of buddies looking on, we do not live in Shangri-La. We live in a region, like most western states, that has only a few rivers that offer that kind of potential. That’s why fly anglers are discovering the rewards of small and medium-sized streams, lakes and reservoirs that attract few, if any, anglers. These types of waters can be found throughout the Rockies, and many are described or noted in this guide. I suggest you bypass some of the major waters and give these others a try. Look for the heading “Nearby Fly Fishing” for ideas.
When driving along a popular water without finding a place to fish, consult a map or this guide. There are usually a number of nearby creeks feeding the river, lake or pond that hold fish. Getting away from the crowd, trying something new and catching a bunch of brookies or cutts isn’t all