I'll be heading up to Wyoming to meet some friends for an annual fishing trip in July. Since I bought a used ATC this spring for this type of trip, I've decided to have my wife and 3yo fly in to Denver at the end of my fishing trip so we can do a week exploring the Colorado backroads. I'm looking for backcountry areas and campsites that would lend themselves to our family setting up for a couple of nights of fun. We really like to be on the water, streams especially, and if that water has trout in it it would make our day. I'm not really familiar with that kind of fishing in Colorado so need some suggestions. Being able to let him see everything that happens along a stream would be awesome and if we can catch some dinner it'd be even better. Any ideas?
Camping/Fishing trip with wife and kid
- Thread starter Bayou Boy
- Start date
JasonJLamb
Observer
I'm new to overlanding and fly fishing, but here's my advice:
My wife and I spent some time in Rocky Mountain National Park and in the area around Salida and Monarch Pass a couple of years ago. Lots of storied rivers in both areas. In RMNP, check out the fly fishing on the Big Thompson river. And make sure you drive the Old Fall River Road
At my library, we have a video titled, Fly Fishing Colorado's Major 6. I haven't watched it yet, but it'd be where I'd start. If your local public library doesn't have it, ask if they can do an inter-library loan (ILL).
We weren't wheeling, but there are lots of gravel roads in these areas accessible by car, if off the beaten path is what you're after. Of course there are even more needing 4WD if that's what you want.
Maybe check out The Colorado Pass Book: A Guide to Colorado's Backroad Mountain Passes. My library's copy is from 2000, so there might be an updated edition. Just check to make sure the trails listed are still available for driving. You might also try Funtreks's Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails.
Finally, check out the FJ Summit, which is a meet based in Ouray, Colorado. Their website lists a lot of the trails they go on, including Black Bear Pass, Engineer Pass and Imogene Pass. My guess is you'd find a lot of fishable water!
Hope this helps. Hopefully someone from the are, or spends a lot of time in that area, will reply too.
My wife and I spent some time in Rocky Mountain National Park and in the area around Salida and Monarch Pass a couple of years ago. Lots of storied rivers in both areas. In RMNP, check out the fly fishing on the Big Thompson river. And make sure you drive the Old Fall River Road
At my library, we have a video titled, Fly Fishing Colorado's Major 6. I haven't watched it yet, but it'd be where I'd start. If your local public library doesn't have it, ask if they can do an inter-library loan (ILL).
We weren't wheeling, but there are lots of gravel roads in these areas accessible by car, if off the beaten path is what you're after. Of course there are even more needing 4WD if that's what you want.
Maybe check out The Colorado Pass Book: A Guide to Colorado's Backroad Mountain Passes. My library's copy is from 2000, so there might be an updated edition. Just check to make sure the trails listed are still available for driving. You might also try Funtreks's Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails.
Finally, check out the FJ Summit, which is a meet based in Ouray, Colorado. Their website lists a lot of the trails they go on, including Black Bear Pass, Engineer Pass and Imogene Pass. My guess is you'd find a lot of fishable water!
Hope this helps. Hopefully someone from the are, or spends a lot of time in that area, will reply too.
Thanks. I've narrowed it down to the Buena Vista area or the Alpine Loop/ Rio Grande headwaters area. Both look to have a good bit of remote roadside camping on streams and lakes that would work perfectly and would put me a half day closer to home when it comess time to make the trek back. Important with a 3 year old.
JasonJLamb
Observer
I know what you mean. We have two nine-month-old girls. Our trips are now counted in minutes instead of hours.