Posted on 04/16/2010 3:18:13 PM PDT by smokingfrog
I'm hoping some FReepers will be able to help me out here. The wife and I will be vacationing in Colorado in mid May. Flying into Denver and will be looking for some things to see and do there. (Is there anything in Denver that would be considered a must see?)
At this point in time we're looking at staying around Estes Park or maybe the Winter Park/Fraser area. We'd prefer to stay in a cabin/cottage or maybe a B&B if not too pricey. Not interested in staying at a Dude Ranch or someplace like that where all the activies are planned.
Neither of us are fishing fanatics, but we'd like to try our hand at some fly fishing. So where are the best places to fly fish in Colorado that would not be too far from Denver? If you do an internet search for 'fly fishing Colorado' the number of hits is kind of overwhelming. I guess we'd be looking for a guide or outfitter that can give us some lessons, along with a half day or so of fishing. (We don't own any fly fishing gear.) I've seen a few places like this while browsing the net. Some of them seem to be quite expensive. So can anyone here point me in the right direction or tell me a good place to look for information. Is mid May a little bit too early for fly fishing?
I highly recommend that you see the Denver City Limits sign...in your rear-view mirror.
Ping!
A. Never done it...
B. Not picked up a rod in years...
You will have a possibly agonizing time at it. There is a LOT of practice that goes with the sport. Not the way to spend time on your vacation. Just sayin'.
Does your wife call you “the husband”?
You might want to contact the people at Blue Quill Angler in Evergreen and see about booking a guide - they will know what is running and where. Have a good trip!
http://www.bluequillangler.com/
Aww girl, you bet me to the ping! 2/3rds is our resident Colorado outdoorsman on ATRW.
Ha!
Something to consider.
Of course, the advertisements make it look like you will be having the time of your life learning to fly fish.
She usually calls me by my name.
If you have the patience of Job. Fly fishing is an art, one that I've never mastered, although I am an avid fisherman....just not fly fishing.
I live in SW Colorado, and there's plenty of fishing everywhere.
FMCDH(BITS)
Why not move out here and then worry about it?
Just saying...
Considering Relocating? Think about Colorado Springs…
If you or a CONSERVATIVE person is considering relocating, I’d invite you to tell them about this family values oasis. I’d personally suggest Northern Colorado Springs as being the best and the most conservative.
And just to lay my cards on the table, I am not in the Real Estate business and make nothing off anyone moving here. I just know that Soros and others have dumped millions into Colorado and have succeeding in taking over the state government for the first time in decades recently.
The Springs loses out to Denver and Boulder in the state elections but it is still close enough to make a difference.
Pass this along.
18. El Paso County, Colo.
Largest city: Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is the right-wing stronghold of Colorado. The Air Force Academy and NORAD are based in the county. About 19 percent of the population are civilian veterans, one of the highest rates in the nation. The other conservative influences are social: Focus on the Family is located in Colorado Springs, as are many other parachurch organizations. Colorado Springs was named by Money Magazine as the best big city to live in 2006.
http://dailycaller.com/2010/03/19/americas-top-20-conservative-friendly-counties/
Outside Magazine just ranking Colorado Springs as the best place to live.
http://outside.away.com/outside/destinations/200908/best-towns-america-colorado-springs.html
Outside Magazine lists as a drawback that it might be get this TOO CONSERVATIVE for some people.
As you know, Money Magazine consistently usually ranks it number 1 as well.
http://www.ownyourownmountain.com/artman/publish/Gazette_Telegraph_Article.html
Take America back starting at the center...
dittos on the Denver City Limits sign. It’s not too great there, like most typical liberal cities. We seldom went up to Denver after a few goes. The scenery was nice out around Estes Park, but way too congested for me.
If it were me, hey I am biased, I would hot foot it down I25 to Colorado Springs(where we lived) and out to Pikes Peak. The mountain road out of Colorado springs, Woodland Park, Cripple Creek, and the Pikes Peak road itself, if it’s open, leads to some beautiful scenery. There is some really nice scenery in the foothills outside of Colorado Springs, just local roads all along the front range.
We four wheeled nearly every 14 teener in the state that you could climb with a Jeep when we lived there. The real scenic area is down in the south west corner, the San Juan Mtns. You can rent trail ready four wheelers in some small towns, but you best know what trail driving is all about before you do that. Stay out of mines ... !!!
Always carry warm clothes, some supplies, food, water, fire starters, flashlights, axe, base camping stuff — just in case. You can get blizzard conditions, several feet of snow really quick as late as June — And I mean when traveling normal roads. It happened to us outside of Denver on I25, middle of June, whiteout within and hour — and plenty of times when out four wheeling or skiing. Weather can change really fast. Be safe, don’t push it, Colorado can be rough going for the uninitiated.
Unfortunately that’s where the beauty really is, the outback. Fishing, May might be a little early, but near any stream or river should hold fish.
Mmm. Patience is definitely not one of my virtues.
Thanks
Whether you decide on night crawlers or red worms, make sure they’re fresh.
Thanks! I’ll be sure to check the expiration date!
For Estes, check out Valhalla Resort. Right now the East side of Rocky Mountain National Park is great. Not a fan for the West side (Fraser, Granby, etc). Too much beetle kill going on.
In Colorado Springs the drive to the top of Pike's Peak is worth it as is Garden of the Gods. Breckenridge is a quaint ski town at most 2 hour drive from Denver. Lots of mountains along the way.
Ditto.
Here in CS we need all the conservatives we can get to get the state back!
Another thing I love about Colorado is the state motto: “Nil Sine Numine”.
(I am an escapee of the Left Coast).
It also requires some investment in gear to do it right. I do more bank fishing than fly. It's much easier for a beginner with not much time on their hands. All you need is a rod and reel, hook, line and sinker (no pun intended) and some bait. Also have to know how to cast it out as far as possible. But if you want to fly fish, you must commit more than just a half day and you must start with a fly fishing shop to get set up. I will let them take it from there. There are several in Denver. You can do a google to find one. Not sure about where they are in the mountain towns, unless one of the previous posters mentioned one.
BTW, almost ALL fly fishing in Colorado is 'catch and release' so if you were looking for catching dinner, you best bank/bait fish like I usually do.
Anyway, good luck if you do go.
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