Estes Park/Kremmling

[Fred]

My wife has planned a four-day trip to Estes Park in mid-July. We are going to meet some of her family there and camp for a few days. I've been looking at the map to figure out where I can fish during that time and it looks like the area near Kremmling, where the Muddy, Blue, and Coloroda Rivers run might have some good fishing.

Does anyone know if this is the case? Also, any specific directions on access points to wade fish would be greatly appreciated!

[Scott Heemstra]

If you are staying on the Estes Park side of RMNP then those rivers that you mentioned would be a haul. I would suggest that you fish (for rivers) the Big Thompson that runs out of the park and through town then down the canyon into the plains. Pick your point of interest from tailwater to canyon to beaver pond (in park) to moraine. Any one of the small streams and lakes in the park itself (RMNP) are chocked full of brookies just like fishing in the Uintas. You could even take a short drive down towards Lyons and fish the St Vrain (John Gierach, Everybodys St Vrain) or take the Peak to Peak highway (CO-7) to intersect with the St Vrain. The other side of RMNP leads you to the upper colorado and also gains you access to eventually the Blue. If you are headed that way I would either fish the upper CO, the streams around Winterpark the Williams Fork or the main CO river right at the confluence with the WF (near Kremmling). Questions e-mail me at fuggles7@hotmail.com
-Scott

[Fred]

Thanks for the info. Very helpful.

I'll email you in the next week or so.

[stout_trout]

I spent much of last summer in RMNP. There are some beautiful places (and productive) in the park that I would be happy to tell you about. The Thompson below Estes is where I would go if you want something that has a little size and a lot of fight and color.

When you get to Estes you should check in with a fishing/camping/outfitting place called Scott's (I think)

I found my favorite fishing was day hikes to some of the moutain lakes. Don't over look them.

email me if you would like more details.

bstout_trout@hotmail.com

[Fred]

I will definitely be emailing both of you in the next couple of weeks.

thanks for the info.

This site rocks!

[Juke]

Fred,

RMNP has some great scenery and some intimate fishing ops. as well. Lilly Lake (south of Estes) will produce some the most beatiful cutthroats made, the Greenback. There are also some small streams in the park that will give these up as well. The Poudre drainage is not bad. There is a reservoir on highway 14 called Joe Wright that has numerous Grayling readily takes a dry, as well as Emerald Lake Rainbows.

I like the section of the Colorado R. around Hot Sulfur, typically big stonefly nymphs work well. Lots of public access in this area. It has rebounded nicely after WD wiped it out in the mid 90's.

Juke