Let me break the ice for those of you who don't know: Fly fishing isn’t that hard. There is nothing stopping anyone from walking into a fly shop, buying a rod, and hitting the river, and if you are like me, it will change your life.
At the root of fly fishing, we are imitating nature as much as possible to coax the natural behavior of trout. The farther from that you are, the less you are fly fishing.
Before I dig into the Boulder fly fishing scene I want to talk a little about fly fishing basics. There is so much information out there on the internet, and most of it is just there to sell you gear you don't need. My first word of advice for anyone getting into the sport: more gear doesn't equate to more fish, nor does expensive gear equate to bigger fish. To this day, I believe my brother has never bought a new piece of fly fishing equipment. Unlike so many outdoor sports, fly fishing is truly about being in nature, not showing off gear.
So! You have decided to go fly fishing. Here is what you will need to get started. I would challenge any new fisherman to spend less than $500 their first season. I would also challenge new fly fishermen to read some books before their first day. There are a ton of great references out there written by seasoned veterans of the sport.
When you're buying your first fly rod, ignore most of the marketing and focus on three things: weight, material, and vibes. For Colorado trout, a used graphite 8- to 9-foot, 3- or 4-weight rod is a great place to start, and you'll likely enjoy it more than the standard 9-foot, 5-weight many beginner guides recommend. Your first rod should simply be one that feels good in your hands and makes you excited to fish. Take care of it, learn how it casts, and it'll become one of your most valuable pieces of gear. I have owned many rods, but the rod I reach for more than any other on Colorado backcountry creeks is my Winston, Tom Morgan favorite, 2-piece, 8’ 4wt, graphite rod.
Your reel doesn't need to be expensive; it just needs to match your rod's weight and work reliably. Spend your money and time on the water rather than premium equipment. The fish won't know the difference. I personally prefer a click-and-pawl (my brother will always have a disc drag rigged).
Fly line, leaders, tippet, and flies can seem overwhelming, but don't overthink them. Start with a standard floating trout line, 5X tapered leaders, 5X tippet, and whatever flies your local fly shop recommends. The goal isn't to own every piece of gear; it's to build confidence and spend time learning the water. My favorite fly right now is the Yakoda Chimera, made by Yakoda Supply in Louisville. They also have some of my all-time favorite gear made locally by locals.
After you have a rod, reel, fishing line, and some flies, you will need a fishing license and some knowledge of where you can legally fish and how to fish respectfully and ethically. I would highly recommend a net with silicone, a pair of forceps, polarized sunglasses, and something to hold a cold beer or flask. It should be fun after all, and not to disappoint anyone, but catching fish is really only part of the enjoyment of the sport. Some days you will catch nothing, and that is okay.
Your local fly shop is a great resource for anyone starting out if you don't know where to go. Fishermen are notorious for keeping their fishing spots a secret, for obvious reasons, so I will always recommend exploring on your own.
Boulder Creek runs West to East from Nederland through Boulder, and almost all of it is public. As a matter of fact, you can fish Boulder Creek as it flows through town, walking distance from Central Boulder. Boulder Canyon Drive follows Boulder Creek all the way to Nederland, and if you see a spot to pull off and fish, go for it. Up the road after leaving Boulder west about five miles, you will reach the confluence of Boulder Creek and North Boulder Creek. As a rule of thumb, trout love confluences and so should you.
Running southwest out of Lyons is the legendary South Saint Vrain Creek. South St. Vrain Drive follows the creek and connects with the Peak to Peak Highway through Ward into Nederland, creating a lovely fly-fishing loop. There are hundreds of fishing opportunities along this loop and would take a lifetime to fish it all. One of my personal favorites is the St. Vrain. Easily accessible trails twist along the creek, offering scenic, shaded pools to technical, narrow rapids.
Twisting southwest of Boulder is Flagstaff Road. Following this road will connect you with a few seasonal creeks that offer small brook trout fishing and general exploration that is worth your time. If you continue down this road, you will eventually end up at Gross Reservoir. A great place to start your day is the South Boulder Creek Kayak Run parking lot, but be prepared to share the river and trail with other fishermen. If you are anything like my little brother, even the idea of seeing another person while fishing is enough to not fish at all. I will always encourage folks to explore, but always be safe!
South Boulder Creek runs west from this dam and continues into Eldorado Canyon, which can also be accessed from the east by Eldorado Springs Drive via Marshall Drive off Highway 36. This stretch of water offers excellent canyon fishing with technical sections varying drastically season to season. Within driving distance of all of this fishing is one of the state's best-kept cheesy secrets. Toss: Wood Fired Eatery offers some of the best pizza around, tucked away down a small dirt road just south of Ned. Get a pie and beer, sit in the shade, and then get back after it.
Adventure awaits close to town, but for those willing to adventure, Colorado offers some of the best mountain fly fishing in the world. From Rocky Mountain National park, to the Rio Grande and Animas River flowing out of Durango, Colorado offers new fishermen a lifetime of exploration and wonder.
My brother and I create fly fishing content based out of the Front Range of Colorado. For more fly fishing, or just silly goose content, check out Frog Boys USA on Instagram@frogboysusa.
Good luck out there.