Frequently Asked Questions
Our FAQ page for Fly Fish Estes Park gives visitors a clear overview of what to expect before booking a guided trip. Explaining the different trip options, including short beginner-friendly outings, half-day and full-day trips, backcountry adventures, private water access, and kids’ lessons or camps. Pricing is outlined by trip length, and the page notes that most necessary gear is included, such as rods, reels, waders, boots, flies, and tackle.
Our visitors will also learn what flies are working, what seasons are best, and how weather affects fishing. Learn that beginners are welcome and that guides teach casting, rigging, knots, reading water, fly selection, and presentation. Highlighting what makes our company stand out: local experience, private trips, included gear, free parking, licensed guides, and ASL-certified guide options.
Your day starts at our Fly Fish Estes Park shop in downtown Estes Park, located at 363 E Elkhorn Ave, Suite 305. We have free parking, so getting started is easy before we head out for the day. Most trips generally begin around 7:00 AM, but you are on vacation, so you’re the boss. We will work with you to choose a start time that makes sense for your group, the season, and where the fish are most active.
When you arrive, we will help everyone get set up with the right gear, go over the plan for the day, answer questions, and make sure you feel comfortable before heading to the water. From there, you will follow your guide in your own vehicle to the chosen fishing location. Depending on your trip, we may fish local Estes Park waters, the Big Thompson River, Rocky Mountain National Park, private access water, or a backcountry destination.
Every trip is private, which means you will never be grouped with people you do not know. The day is built around your experience level, comfort, and goals. Beginners can expect hands-on help with casting, knots, fly selection, reading water, and presentation. More experienced anglers can focus on technique, new water, and finding productive spots.
We keep the day relaxed and flexible. When you are hungry, we stop. Food is provided on trips that are 6 hours or longer, with meals sourced from local delis. For 2-hour and 4-hour trips, we recommend bringing a snack. All fishing gear is included, so guests only need layered outdoor clothing, a valid Colorado fishing license if age 16 or older, and a sense of adventure.
Fly Fish Estes Park offers guided trips at several price points to fit any group size or schedule:
- 2-hour trips start at $225 for one guest (up to $650 for 6 guests, 2 guides)
- 4-hour half-day trips start at $300 for one guest, one guide, up to $700 for four guests with one guide; upgrade to 6 guests with 2 guides for $1095
- 6-hour trips range from $425 (1 guest, 1 guide) to $1300 (4 guests, 2 guides)
- 8-hour full-day trips start at $495 for one guest, one guide and go up to $1425 for four guests, 2 guides
- Full Day Backcountry trips (approx. 10 hours) start at $650 for one guest
- BEST VALUE are the 4-Guest, One Guide Trips
All gear is included: rod, reel, waders, boots, flies, and tackle — at no extra charge. Groups of more than 6 should contact the team directly for custom pricing.
◆ 2 hrs from $225 ◆ 4 hrs from $300 ◆ 8 hrs from $495 ◆ All gear included
Yes, all guests aged 16 and older are required to hold a valid Colorado fishing license, even on a guided trip inside Rocky Mountain National Park. Licenses are not included in the trip price and must be purchased separately before your trip.
You can buy a Colorado fishing license online through Colorado Parks and Wildlife at cpw.state.co.us. The good news: Fly Fish Estes Park handles your RMNP timed-entry reservation for you when you book, so no separate park permit is needed on the day of your trip.
◆ Required age 16+ ◆ Buy at cpw.state.co.us ◆ RMNP reservation handled for you
The Estes Park area offers exceptional variety. Fly Fish Estes Park guides fish all the following:
- Big Thompson Tailwater
- Big Thompson Canyon – most consistently productive, especially below Lake Estes
- Fall River and St. Vrain River
- Rocky Mountain National Park – Moraine Park and high-country rivers and lakes
- 30+ alpine lakes throughout RMNP
- Private properties with exclusive access
Target species include Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, and the native Greenback Cutthroat Trout. A Full Day Backcountry trip combines alpine hiking with fishing for native trout in pristine RMNP settings.
Absolutely. Fly Fish Estes Park tailors every trip to the skill level and goals of each angler. Beginners are welcome on all guided trips. The 2-hour and 4-hour trips are especially well suited for first-timers.
For structured instruction, FFEP also offers standalone fly-fishing lessons on Lake Estes. The beginner lesson covers:
- Knot tying and rigging techniques
- Basic entomology and fly identification
- Casting and presentation methods
- Reading the river and locating fish
- Hatch charts and fly ID reference sheets to take home
All lessons are conducted outdoors on the water (not in a classroom), with all gear provided.
◆ All skill levels welcome ◆ Beginner lessons available ◆ All gear included
Estes Park offers year-round fishing, with each season offering distinct advantages:
- Spring (April–May): Blue-Winged Olive hatches building; improving flows and RMNP access
- Summer: Peak season backcountry opens, alpine lakes accessible, prolific hatches
- Fall: Spectacular scenery, Brown Trout feeding actively before winter
- Winter/December: Low, clear water; minimal crowds; reliable midge fishing on tailwaters
The guides at FFEP fish every month of the year. The Big Thompson tailwater below Lake Estes is the most reliable year-round fishery. The best daily window is typically 10am–3pm during warmer months.
◆ Year-round guided trips ◆ Best window 10am–3pm ◆ Summer: backcountry access
Yes, Fly Fish Estes Park actively welcomes families and has programs designed specifically for young anglers. The minimum age for guided trips is 7 years old (with one guide and up to 4 guests). For groups with children under 7, a two-guide setup is STRONGLY recommended.
FFEP also runs Kids Fly Fishing Day Camps for ages 10–15 each spring and summer. These 2-day camps (3 hours per day) teach:
- Fly fishing equipment basics and casting fundamentals
- Fly tying and entomology
- River safety, etiquette, and Leave No Trace practices
- Fish handling and conservation techniques
- Rigging, knot tying, and reading the river
Camp cost is $400 per student and includes all gear, snacks, and water. Instructor ratio is 4:1.
◆ Min. age 10 for trips ◆ Kids camps $400/student ◆ Ages 10–15 ◆ 4:1 instructor ratio
NO, everything is provided, but if you have your own gear more than welcome to bring it along. Fly Fish Estes Park includes all fishing gear in the cost of every trip at no extra charge:
- Fly rod and reel
- Waders and wading boots
- Flies and all necessary terminal tackle
Shorter trips (2 and 4 hours) include snacks and water. Longer trips (6 and 8 hours) include a box lunch. Guests only need to bring comfortable, layered outdoor clothing, a valid Colorado fishing license (if 16+), and a tip for their guide.
◆ All gear included, no upcharge ◆ Snacks + water on short trips ◆ Box lunch on 6 & 8 hr trips
All trips begin at Fly Fish Estes Park, the guide service’s downtown shop at 363 E Elkhorn Ave – Suite 305, Estes Park, CO 80517. Guests then follow their guide in their own vehicle to the chosen fishing location.
We are the only fly shop in Estes Park offering free parking, a significant convenience in a busy tourist town. The shop also sells hand-tied flies, fly-tying materials, apparel, and Ranger vices.
◆ 363 E Elkhorn Ave, Suite 305 ◆ Free parking ◆ (970) 702-4986
Fly Fish Estes Park publishes a regularly updated Fishing Report on their website covering river conditions, fly patterns, and location-specific tactics. Current conditions show good fishing with low, clear flows and tailwater stretches below Lake Estes are most reliable.
Top fly patterns (current): Zebra Midge #20–24, Black Beauty #20–24, RS2 #20–24, Pheasant Tail #18–22, and BWO Emergers.
Tactical tips: Fish 10am–3pm during peak midday warming. Use small flies (#20–24), light tippet (5x–6x), and slow clean drifts. Blue-Winged Olive activity is building as spring progresses into summer.
◆ Best: 10am–3pm ◆ Tippet: 5x–6x ◆ Report updated regularly
Several factors set Fly Fish Estes Park apart:
- 40+ years of combined local experience guiding in Northern Colorado and Southern Wyoming
- Always private trips and groups are never combined with other parties
- All gear included at no up-charge: waders, boots, rods, reels, and flies
- RMNP reservations handled for you. No separate timed-entry permit needed
- The only guide service with ASL-certified guides (available upon request)
- Free parking at their downtown Flops shop is the only Estes Park guide service to offer this
- Google 5-Star rated and licensed by DORA (OUT#0003405) with an RMNP Concessions permit
- Year-round trip offerings and custom trips! – call for more information
