Denver Business Trip - Bonus Fly Fishing Adventure

Brown Trout

 

Finding extra opportunities to fly fish for trout or actually any fish that can be caught on a fly rod is a major passion of mine.  I travel quite a bit for business and love slipping away in the morning or evening to look for fish. A smart fly fishing business traveler will seek opportunities to travel to amazing places like Denver to host meetings.  One of my partners works the Colorado area quite a bit, and we partnered on this trip.  After several meetings downtown, and in the Tech center, we headed north to Boulder and Fort Collins for additional meetings.

 

Yes, 2 Fly Rods in a Carry On!

 

As you can see, I brought 2 fly rods in my carry on.  Imagine trying to bring two 4 piece rods on a business trip.  My plan was to fish El Tres, our 3 weight rod, but you never know if you will have a chance to throw some streamers, so I also brought El Cinco.

 

Brown Trout

 

I was excited to visit Boulder.  I‘ve fished all over Colorado, but the areas near Boulder were new to me.  I’ve booked two saltwater fly fishing trips with Front Range Anglers of Boulder, and I was excited to connect with this very solid fly shop to get some expert assistance.  Setting up fishing with this crew was super easy. I highly recommend anyone heading to Denver that has an evening free, connect with Front Range Anglers and ask for Antonio.  These people are the real deal.  I love fly shops, and when I walked into this one for the first time, I was shocked.  They had so much gear, the best brands in the business, one of the best tying sections I’ve ever seen, and a great staff.  Check this place out in person or online.  It’s solid.  

 

Brown Trout

 

 

 

 

I’d like to introduce you all to my guide for the day.  Andrew Hope is an extremely polite and very knowledgable young man from Texas that attends the University of Colorado in Boulder.  I’ve fished with a lot of guides in my days, and I know a good one from a poser almost immediately.  Andrew brought me to Boulder Creek, we drove up the canyon 9-10 miles.  The spot he brought me to was totally open, no anglers, maybe a few rock climbers.  He knew exactly where to find fish, and the flies to toss to them.  If you have fished with a guide before, you know what I mean by my next statement.  Andrew is a very “Fishy” guide.  He is constantly scanning the river looking for rising fish and pockets where fish will be.  I feel I’m also fishy, but Andrew made me feel like we were on a fish catching expedition, and the only way to win was to land more fish.  I like that!  We finished the evening back in Boulder hitting a few rising trout right in town.  Sometimes it‘s fun to have an audience!

 

Boulder Fly Fishing

 

The next day brought several meetings in Fort Collins and Boulder.  Late in the afternoon after I wrapped up for the day, I headed to Front Range Angler’s to pick up a couple of things and planned to head back to Boulder Creek.  The crews working on the canyon road had other ideas and apparently blasted rock from the canyon onto the road that needed clean up.  ROAD CLOSED.  My only option was to head up north to Estes Park to fish the Big Thompson on a solo mission.  The drive was beautiful, and I was rewarded with several gorgeous browns.    Two new rivers for me this week, all while having very productive meetings throughout the day.  I was able to fish our 3 weight packable fly rod, land several trout in our super light carbon travel net, and store all my gear in El Bolso, our sling pack.  Great product testing session for sure!

 

 

 

Elk on the Side of the road near Estes Park

 

Andrew was heading to The Frying Pan River the next week, and this is one of the pictures he sent me.  If you have a chance to check that place out, you absolutely should.  It’s one of my favorites.  

 

Frying Pan River

 

Andrew is the real deal.  Check him out on Instragram and call my friends at Front Ranger Anglers to book him for the day or afternoon.  I promise you will have a great time as I did!  Until next time!