Experience Unforgettable Fly Fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park

Welcome to one of the most beautiful and rewarding destinations in the country to cast a fly: Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). Here, the art of fly fishing meets the beauty of high peaks, winding rivers, and alpine solitude. Whether you're holding a fly rod for the first time or an experienced angler looking for a taste of the back country, RMNP offers something for each individual who explores its wilderness.

With crystal clear streams, towering mountain backdrops, plus wild trout rising in gorgeous settings, fly fishing in RMNP is more than just a pastime. It’s a journey through some of the most unspoiled waters in the West, where each cast is accompanied by the untouched nature surrounding you.

While there are endless fishing opportunities surrounding you, choosing the right location can be daunting.

The Big Thompson River is a favorite for its easy access and productive waters right near the park entrance. Glacier Creek offers classic pocket water and rewarding dry fly action in a stunning alpine setting. Moraine Park is ideal for beginners and seasoned anglers alike, with open sightlines and rising trout in the meandering stream. Fall River delivers a more intimate experience with stealthy casting and vibrant wild fish. For the adventurous, a short hike into the high alpine lakes opens up incredible opportunities to fish for aggressive trout in secluded, scenic backdrops.

Top Fly Fishing Spots in Rocky Mountain National Park

Why Fly Fish Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park offers a fly fishing experience like no other. With more than 150 miles of fishable streams and over 50 alpine lakes, the park is a haven for trout enthusiasts seeking both variety and solitude. Anglers can expect to encounter native greenback cutthroat trout, brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout in crystal-clear waters surrounded by dramatic mountain landscapes. Keep in mind, while these fish can be greedy and hungry some days, having the right fly choices can still be key. If you want to learn more on fly choices for the park and see our some of our top choices, following the link here. Whether you’re casting dry flies in open meadows or exploring remote, high-elevation lakes, RMNP offers something special for every fly fisherman.

Truly one of the greatest troves of information and knowledge on the park can be found in A Fly Fishing Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park by Author Steven Schweitzer. This book details locations, flies and everything one could need to explore this majestic park and it's waters. He will also be joining us on Saturday, June 7th (Sage Day) from 1pm - 3pm, for an exclusive book signing and presentation. More details to come..

Guided Fly Fishing Trips with St. Peter’s Fly Shop

Fly fishing in RMNP isn’t about chasing trophies—it’s about experiencing
fly fishing in its purest form. With over 150 miles of fishable streams and more than 50 named alpine lakes, the park offers a lifetime of discovery. Each body of water tells a different story, shaped by elevation, geology, and time.

The park is one of the last strongholds for native Greenback Cutthroat Trout (Colorado's State Fish), a species once pushed to the brink and now making a slow comeback in select waters.

With clean, cold water flowing down from snowfields, these fish thrive in a landscape that remains largely untouched by development. While
they may sometimes strike recklessly, they can be selective at times—especially on bright days or in heavily fished sections—making fly selection and presentation key. Dry-dropper rigs, parachute dries, small terrestrials,
and attractor nymphs all find their place depending on the season and
conditions.

Water from the Divide: A Wild Origin Story

What makes RMNP especially fascinating is the origin of its water. The park sits astride the Continental Divide, where rivers begin their long descent to different oceans. The Big Thompson, Cache la Poudre, and Colorado River all begin here, their headwaters fed by melting snowpack and alpine springs.

To fish these headwaters is to stand at the very source of great river systems. This setting isn't just a backdrop; it's part of the experience. The silence of the mountains, the stillness of dawn,
the occasional encounter with a moose or elk, and the thrill of seeing your fly taken in a glassy run—all of it makes RMNP a fly fishing sanctuary.

Unlike more developed fisheries, RMNP rewards those seeking a
quiet connection with nature. There are no lodges on the banks or bustling
crowds in the back country, just trailheads, switchbacks, and miles of stream waiting to be discovered. The reward isn't measured in inches or numbers, but in moments: a perfectly timed cast, a missed rise that keeps you thinking, a fish netted in the soft light of evening.

And when the sun dips below the peaks and the wind settles, there’s no better feeling than stepping off the water, heading down the trail, rod in hand, already dreaming of the next day’s adventure.