Colorado has some of the best fly fishing in North America. North Fork Ranch guided trips and the expert guides leading them offer every angler access and knowledge to some of the best fly fishing public and private waters in Colorado. From North Fork Ranch, to Shawnee Meadows, Rawhide Flyfishers, Abell River Ranch, Santa Maria Ranch, Tarryall Land & Cattle Ranch, and so many other waters, their selection of guided trips is tailored to fit every angler's fly fishing dreams.
North Fork Ranch:
North Fork Ranch offers the best private water fly fishing experience anywhere, no questions asked. This carefully managed fly fishing ranch is situated in a secluded tranquil valley outside of Shawnee, CO, offering guests access to nearly a mile of the best water on the entire North Fork of the South Platte. And while the fishing at North Fork Ranch is world-class, it’s just the start of the adventure for guests here- gorgeous Rocky Mountain scenery, a luxurious main lodge, and gourmet lunch service all await the select few anglers who get the opportunity to spend the day at North Fork Ranch.
North Fork Ranch consistently boasts some of the largest fish in the North Fork, in the entire South Platte drainage, and really just about anywhere! Rainbow Trout in this section average 3-5 pounds, with larger 6-8 pound fish frequently hooked. Every season several fish over the 10 pound mark are taken off this property! Other species encountered on the property include Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Brook Trout, and Tiger Trout. Anglers fly fishing at North Fork Ranch can take their pick of throwing various dry flies, dry-dropper rigs, and nymph rigs based on the day’s conditions when trying to fool these monster trout.
Shawnee Meadows:
Shawnee Meadows offers guests access to 1.5 miles of the North Fork of the South Platte River upstream of Bailey, CO as well as a 6-acre lake teeming with big fish. This property was closed to commercial guiding until 2020, when extensive stream work and restoration was conducted to improve fish habitat and holding water. In the few years that Shawnee Meadows has been open to guiding, it has quickly become known as some of the best private water access on the entire North Fork of the South Platte.
The property is split evenly into two sections- smaller groups can choose to reserve either the upper or lower section, while larger groups can reserve the entire property. Both sections of Shawnee Meadows feature some of the deepest pools and runs of any property on the North Fork, harboring both high numbers of fish and some fish of epic proportions! For anglers hoping to learn Stillwater fishing techniques or those wanting a change of pace after fishing the river, the lake at Shawnee Meadows is included at no additional cost and offers consistent action and opportunities at some very large Rainbow Trout. Many anglers end up enjoying fly fishing the lake as much or more than even fishing the river!
Rawhide Ranch:
Situated in a gorgeous valley just downstream of Bailey, CO, Rawhide Ranch offers over 2 miles of access to one of most highly-regarded stretches of the North Fork of the South Platte. Picture perfect runs and pools, stunning Rocky Mountain views, and shockingly large fish have quickly made this property one of the most coveted private water fisheries around.
Rawhide Ranch's private ranch is split into 3 major beats- the upper, middle, and lower sections. Each section of Rawhide has received several rounds of stream improvement and habitat restoration work to maximize holding water for fish, so regardless of which section you choose, there is more than enough fishable water to explore. Each section offers numerous deep pools chock-full of big fish, as well as plenty of less obvious pockets for experienced anglers to work through in search of the fish of the day. Open banks provide easy access and casting for anglers of all skill levels, making Rawhide a great option for groups with varied fly fishing experience.
South Platte River: Abell Ranch:
Located in the town of Lake George, CO, Abell River Ranch offers anglers private access to over 3 miles of the famed South Platte River, arguably the West’s most well-renowned trout fishing. Abell River Ranch is situated between the popular Eleven-mile Canyon and Cheesman Canyon tailwaters, making this section some of the best trout habitat available. As one of just a few exclusive outfitters permitted to guide on Abell River Ranch, North Fork Ranch Guide Service offers guests the opportunity to experience this unique stretch free from the heavy pressure from other fishermen that the South Platte is known for. Anglers arriving to Abell River Ranch will find the river nestled amongst rolling hills and surrounded by Ponderosa Pine lined mountains. Open banks along the river make for easy access and great casting opportunities free from trees and other potential line hang-ups. Wildlife sightings on Abell River Ranch happen more often than not, and include bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, and frequent flyovers from both Bald and Golden eagles.
Abell River Ranch is split into three, 1-mile long beats, each of which has more fishable water than could ever be explored in a day. As recently as 2022, an immense amount of stream improvements and habitat restoration have been conducted on the Abell River Ranch property to help mitigate bank erosion and maximize the amount of holding water for fish. This stream work combined with Abell’s high aquatic insect biomass has translated into some unbelievable fishing opportunities. Abell River Ranch benefits from some of the most dense insect hatches we’ve come across anywhere, and this stretch is a dry-fly fisherman’s paradise when conditions are right. The large Brown and Rainbow trout that frequent Abell River Ranch are notoriously wary, testing the wits of novice and experienced anglers alike. There’s nothing more rewarding here than working together with your guide to adjust your setup, casting, drift, and techniques until you finally see a big nose break the surface and realize you’ve fooled the fish of the day!
Browns and rainbows 8-16 inches are the most frequent catch at Abell River Ranch, although larger fish 18-22 inches are not uncommon and fish as large as 26 inches have been caught on the property. The larger Brown Trout tend to lurk beneath grassy undercut banks where they can effectively ambush terrestrials falling off the bank and smaller baitfish passing by. Meanwhile, the larger Rainbows tend to reside in the deeper runs where they can be targeted by anglers using nymph rigs and streamers. All in all, Abell River Ranch is truly a fly fisherman's paradise!
Middle Fork of the South Platte River: Santa Maria Ranch:
Situated just outside of Hartsel, CO, Santa Maria Fly Fishing Ranch offers guests of North Fork Ranch Guide Service exclusive access to 1.5 miles of some of the best water in the entire South Platte River. This historic working ranch property dates to 1874, two years before Colorado gained statehood, and the original ranch buildings make a stunning backdrop amongst wide-open valley skies while pursuing big trout. In 2006, extensive stream restoration was conducted on the property that resulted in a wide variety of new fish holding structures and riffles. Fly fishing at Santa Maria Ranch feels like stepping back 100 years in time; as one angler put it simply, “it’s how fly fishing should be!”
Anglers fly fishing on Santa Maria Ranch can expect to find a healthy mix of wild Brown and Rainbow Trout ranging from 8-16 inches, with larger fish up to 22 inches not uncommon. Fish numbers on this stretch are astounding; in fact, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has noted this section of stream holds "more trout biomass per mile of stream than any other river in Colorado.” Santa Maria Ranch also experiences a run of Brown Trout coming up from Spinney Mountain Reservoir each Summer and Fall- these Browns grow to epic proportions (18-26+ inches) and pull like a freight train when hooked!
Tarryall Creek: Tarryall Land and Cattle Fly Fishing Ranch:
North Fork Ranch Guide Service is the exclusive outfitter on Tarryall Land and Cattle Ranch, a 2-mile stretch of the Tarryall Creek tailwater located below Tarryall Reservoir. This gorgeous ranch property boasts not only superb fly fishing conditions and some of the highest fish per mile counts of any small stream, but also breathtaking high alpine scenery and frequent wildlife sightings. Tarryall Land and Cattle Ranch is the perfect property for new fly fishermen hoping to learn rigging and skills that they can use on their local waters at home, or avid anglers who enjoy “matching the hatch” and the prospect of fish rising to dry-fly imitations.
Tarryall Land and Cattle Ranch is the definition of a meadow stream; the river snakes back and forth through a lush hay-meadow surrounded by several looming peaks and stunning rock formations. The riverbanks are lined with willows but largely open along the water, allowing anglers to cast without worry of hanging up in the trees. Wildlife sightings are common, including frequent mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, foxes, hawks, and eagles.
The Tarryall Creek tailwater itself is a 10-20 foot wide channel emblematic of a classic Colorado trout stream, with ample riffles, runs, pools, and pockets for anglers to work through. Fish on this property are often very willing to eat, and frequent Summer hatches of various aquatic insects make the dry-fly fishing here a sight to behold. Tarryall Land and Cattle Ranch has received several rounds of embankment preservation and erosion control to help maintain the river channel and preserve deep holding water for fish to over-winter and grow to maturity. This section has also taken part in significant habitat restoration and improvement to ensure plenty of places for fish to hide and feed. As the river gets further towards the bottom of the property, it widens and slows considerably- this lower section offers a unique dry-fly and streamer fishery where new and experienced anglers alike can put their casting and drifting skills to the test.
