North Fork Ranch is a family-owned ranch has been operating on the North Fork of the South Platte River since 1985. From the moment you arrive, the team, led by your hosts Nick and Hayley Horner and daughters Layla and Vanessa, create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. With a hands-on approach, they take pride in actively participating in daily activities to ensure your stay is memorable. Whether assisting with trip planning, engaging in friendly conversation, or serving up delicious homemade meals, the dedicated staff at North Fork Ranch is committed to making your experience the adventure of a lifetime.
The North Fork of the South Platte River, a scenic waterway that stretches approximately 50 miles before converging with the South Platte River just 20 miles from the city of Denver. Flowing with waters sourced from Robert’s Tunnel, the North Fork boasts a distinctive fishery, with lots of stream restoration and habitat improvements making it the perfect place to catch fish. The majority of this river winds through private property, ensuring a tranquil and secluded environment for avid anglers seeking an exclusive escape.
Reservations & Rates
Seasons at North Fork Ranch
Spring in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains is a beautiful thing; leaves and grasses are beginning to green up, wildlife is out and about, and hungry fish are waking up from Winter ready to feed. Spring fly fishing in Colorado can really be broken into two categories: early Spring fly fishing, where temperatures have begun to warm but flows are still at or near winter minimums, and late Spring fly fishing, where snowmelt runoff dramatically raises water levels.
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Early Spring Fly Fishing:
Early Spring generally begins sometime in March and continues until May when river flows begin to rise. During this time, fish are becoming more active thanks to longer sunlight hours warming the water, and bugs are beginning to move around and potentially even hatch on warmer days. The first bugs of the year to make a consistent appearance are generally Blue Winged OIives (BWO’s), which fish will key in on and devour as soon as they can. On warm afternoons, BWO hatches can occur, prompting the fish to feed on the surface for the first time of the season and making for some superb sight fishing with dry flies if conditions are right. This early Spring shoulder season is one of the more under-appreciated times of year to fly fish in Colorado, and anglers that are willing to trade choppy Spring skiing for a day on the water are often well rewarded!
Late Spring Fly Fishing:
Late Spring fly fishing is characterized by runoff, where melting snow in the high country causes river flows to increase and water color to stain. While some anglers falsely believe fishing is bad during runoff, it can actually be an angler’s best friend. The rapid increase in flows funnels trout food such as aquatic annelids and worms into the river; combine this with an increase in aquatic invertebrate movement as waters warm, and the fish have an all-you-can-eat buffet of bugs to feast on. Furthermore, off-color water really helps to lower the fish’s guard, allowing anglers to size up their flies and tippet and to get closer to their target than normally allowed. While wading can be treacherous during high-water and is ill-advised, high flows will send fish towards the banks looking for a break in the current, and anglers can often fish during this time of year without even setting foot in the water.
Summer Fly Fishing:
If you’ve ever been fly fishing in Colorado before, chances are you went out on a beautiful summer day. Colorado gets some of the most sun of any State, and our warm summer days in the Rockies are picture-perfect for getting out on the water. The options for summer fly fishing in Colorado are seemingly endless: there are countless freestones, tailwaters, creeks, and lakes to explore. Many of these waters offer a wide variety of bug life, allowing anglers to pick and choose their methods and techniques when trying to fool Colorado’s 4 species of resident trout. The Summer months are a great time for new anglers to cut their teeth and learn the ropes of fly fishing, as fish are active and spread out, often more willing to make a mistake and accept our offerings than during other times of year.
The fly fishing during Colorado’s Fall season can only be matched by the amazing scenery you’ll find yourself fishing in. It’s no secret that Colorado’s Rocky Mountains boast some of the best Fall views around, with changing Aspen groves and abundant wildlife. If you really want to immerse yourself in Colorado’s Fall experience, Fall fly fishing is the way to do it. River flows on the properties North Fork Ranch Guide Service guides are often some of the best of the year, and fish are trying to pack on calories with any easy meal they can find before Old Man Winter rears its head and food becomes scarce.
Fall Brown Trout Fly Fishing in Colorado:
Fall in Colorado’s rivers signals the beginning of the Brown Trout spawn; while spawn timing varies from year to year and river to river, it generally occurs between late September and early November. Pre-spawn, male Brown Trout will become very aggressive and can be effectively targeted using streamer patterns. The female brown trout will be packing on calories before digging their spawning beds (redds), often feeding voraciously. This phenomenon makes early Fall a fantastic time to fish many of Colorado’s rivers and streams. Once the actual spawn begins, it’s critical to allow Brown Trout to reproduce in peace by avoiding fishing to actively spawning fish and being cautious not to wade through or near any spawning beds (redds). During this time, Rainbows and even Browns that are not yet spawning will feed heavily on loose eggs, and can be targeted in the deeper runs away from spawning areas.
Getting to North Fork Ranch
The North Fork Ranch is located 83 miles southwest of the Denver International Airport(DEN). Most people coming to the Ranch will fly into Denver International Airport, which handles more passengers than any other Colorado airport and the third busiest airport in the US. DEN hosts 22 airlines with 1500 flights daily. Most guests choose to rent a car and drive to the lodge which is around an hour and a half from the airport. Many of the fishing properties are located off the ranch and guides are not insured to drive clients, you will need a vehicle for fishing unless you are strictly fishing on the Ranch. Check-in from 3pm-8pm.
Lodging at North Fork Ranch
Wildhorse Lodge:
A comfortable lodge with country western charm with five suite style rooms: perfect for couples, singles, families, retreats, or business events
• Sleeps 9 or 5 singles
• Up to five spacious suite-like bedrooms to choose from
• Luxurious Queen or King size beds
• Private baths in each room
• Ideal for retreats, small conventions, seminars, and meetings
• Convenient location adjacent to the dining area
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Homestead Cabin:
Built in the early 1900s, the Homestead Cabin sits at the meadow's end by the fishing pond, surrounded by spruce trees and aspens. Step inside through the porch to find a roomy living space with a large fireplace, a cozy sitting area, and a handy coffee bar.
• Sleeps 8 or 5 singles
• Common living area with fireplace & porches
• Trapper” Suite - located on the main level, features a king bed, spacious bath and sitting area.
• “Pioneer” Suite - features two bedrooms, private bath and located on the main level.
• “Miner” Suite - located on the upper level and features 2 bedrooms with a large bath and a sitting area
Klondike Cabin:
Conveniently situated near the pool and river, this elegantly rustic haven offers a picturesque view of horses grazing in meadows alongside the river. Start your mornings on the porch, sipping coffee and taking in the tranquil scenery. It's the perfect spot to gather around the rock fireplace in the evening, sharing stories about your day.
• Ideal for families, couples, or fishermen traveling together
• Choose between the "Moose" or "Caribou" suite
• Each suite accommodates up to four individuals or a family of 6 and a couple.
• Suites feature a large stone fireplace, a comfortable sitting area, and a cathedral ceiling.
• Enjoy the flexibility of king or twin size beds based on your preference.
• Private baths
Stonehenge:
Originally built as a private mansion, the Stonehenge is our largest accommodation is a testament to southwestern elegance and is seamlessly integrated into the hillside. This property is a great option for family reunions, group travel, or corporate retreats. Stonehenge offers a large common area and fireplace.
• Private porches with panoramic ranch views and Pike National Forest sitting on the banks of the South Platte River
• Sleeps 11 or 8 singles
• 6 bedrooms
• 3 full bathrooms
• 3 large common areas providing ample space for gatherings
• Wood-burning fireplaces in each common area for a cozy ambiance
Individual Suites:
• "Santa Fe" Suite (Upper Level) - 3 bedrooms with private baths
• "Taos" Suite (Main Level) - 2 bedrooms with private baths
• "Mesa" Suite (Lower Level) - 1 bedroom with a private bath
Fishing at North Fork Ranch
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.
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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.
What Makes This Destination Special and Unique?
• FISHING OPTIONS – There is a lot of variety at North Fork Ranch. Lots of managed, private access fisheries that are loaded with trout within a short drive from the lodge. But if you want something more challenging and technical, North fork Ranch has access to 3 private fisheries with some great dry fly fishing on meadow streams. Bring a beginner and get them into fish or bring your buddy who wants to stalk fish in mountain meadows. No matter what your taste in fly fishing is, the lodge has plenty of options for you to mix up your fishing style and preferences.
• EASY TO GET TO – The Lodge is easy to get to from anywhere in the US. Located an hour and a half from the 3rd busiest airport in the US, most major cities are a direct shot and a short drive and you are at the lodge fishing. Come up for a weekend or stay for a week. Many guests visit multiple times a year to experience this fishery.
• LOTS OF FISH – North Fork Ranch has 3 highly managed properties located within minutes of the ranch. All of beats are enhanced to hold fish on the property and there are plenty of fish to go around.
Whether you have a kid or a friend you want to get into fly fishing or you just want to get away with some buddies to catch some fish. North Fork Ranch is a great place for to learn fly fishing, keeping your odds high for catching plenty of fish.
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