This past weekend, a few of us were able to enjoy the beautiful landscape and incredible private-fly-fishing at the Laramie Foothills Reserve. We spent the day Saturday exploring the canyon and getting acquainted with the resident trout throughout 2.5 miles of the North Fork of the Cache La Poudre River.
Departing Denver a little after 8:00 in the morning, we arrived at around 10:00 AM and were greeted by numerous pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and bald eagles soaring overhead as we drove through the ranch. We fished the upper section below Halligan Reservoir all morning, hooking up with fish, after fish, after fish. It didn’t really seem to matter what fly we threw at them, as long as it was getting it in front of them, they would eat. This river rarely gets fished by many people. We saw how that lack of fishing pressure directly translates into countless hook-ups and numerous fish to the net. The upper river seems to be stacked up with fish in every piece of good looking water, and there are some monster browns lurking in its riffles.
What a way to spend a day fishing. I was a fly-fishing guide for several years, and I can truly say this is the way fly-fishing is meant to be. I’ve rarely seen such a pristine and productive wild fishery. Many fish and countless smiles were had by all!