Best Places to Fly Fish in Estes Park, Colorado

Rob Hammer March 29, 2025

Estes Park Fly Fishing Photographs

Big Thompson Canyon

Whether you’re a Denver/Boulder local or just visiting the area from out of town, Colorado has incredible fly fishing for everyone! Only an hour and a half from Denver International Airport, Estes Park offers world class views and countless fly fishing opportunities. The hardest part is choosing which one!

The Beauty of Big Thompson Canyon

Big Thompson Canyon is not just a pathway to Estes Park but a destination in its own right. The canyon's river winds through rugged terrain, with clear waters that are perfect for fly fishing. The natural beauty of this area provides a jaw dropping backdrop for a day of fishing, where the only sounds are the rushing waters and calls of local wildlife. At any point of any day you’re likely to catch sight of elk, deer, and other wildlife that make the Rocky Mountains their home. Unlike a lot of other locations that require long hikes into the backcountry, this section of the Big Thompson River is not only stunning, it’s also easily accessible. There are endless pull-offs on Route 34 (Big Thompson Canyon Rd) that grant you access to peaceful isolation just a few minutes from your truck. It’s one of those places where you can easily spend a few hours to get your fix, then be back in time for lunch or dinner depending on the time of day. And with so much access, there’s no need to be fishing around other people. Just the drive through the canyon alone is worth the effort!

If you’re in need of a fly fishing guide for a day on the Big Thompson River, contact Front Range Anglers. They’ll take good care of you.

Click HERE to shop my fly fishing wall art

Photograph of a fly fisherman kneeling on ice while casting into the Big Thompson River near Estes Park, Colorado. — Estes Park Fly Fishing

Winter fly fishing near Estes Park, Colorado — Winter fly fishing - Estes Park, CO

Photograph of a fly fisherman netting a trout in Estes Park, Colorado — Winter trout fishing in Colorado

Rainbow trout caught in winter near Estes Park, CO — Rainbow Trout - Estes Park

Photograph of a fly fisherman in a snowstorm in Colorado — Fly fishing in the snow

Colorado winter fly fishing — Winter fly fishing in Colorado

Photograph of a fly fisherman crouching in the river to avoid being seen by fish — Colorado Fly Fishing

Photograph of a mallard swimming by a fly fisherman — Mallard

Photograph of a fly fsherman removing a hook from the mouth of a rainbow trout — Removing hook from Rainbow Trout

Black and white photograph of a fly fisherman in Big Thomson Canyon near Estes Park — Black and white photo of fly fishing in Estes Park

Long exposure photograph of water flowing on a river — Abstract river photograph

Cheesman Canyon Fly Fishing

Rob Hammer November 6, 2022

Fly Fishing Photography - Cheesman Canyon, Colorado - Prints

That old saying “you get what you put in”, or something there abouts, is one that always seems to resonate with fly fishing. Whether you want to call it a sport or hobby, there are a million different ways to do it. Well, 3, actually - bad, mediocre, and great. It always amazes me to see the guys who pull their truck up to a river, cast from the same spot for 3 hours without ever losing sight of said truck, then drive home. Different Strokes, I guess? Personally, I need a hell of a lot more than that. I want to get my ass kicked on a hike to some remote location, spend the whole day fishing/shooting, then get my ass kicked on a hike back to the truck where cold beer awaits in a cooler. Standing shoulder to shoulder with 15 other fly fisherman sounds like hell. Might as well go out on a half day Cattle Boat charter.

The South Platte River in Cheesman Canyon is a place I’ve been lucky to spend a good amount of time fly fishing and making photographs. Visually it’s a lot of fun and offers something for everyone. You can fish 30 steps from your truck if that’s your thing. Or, you can make a day of it, hiking into the backcountry as far as you please. Ensuring that you won’t see but one or two other people the entire time. That’s fly fishing.

Click here to see more of my fly fishing photography . Or contact me directly to purchase prints.

A fly fisherman hops from rock to rock on the South Platte River in Cheesman Canyon, Colorado

A person standing on top of a large boulder looks into the South Platte River during a day of fly fishing for rainbow trout and brown trout in Cheesman Canyon, Colorado

Overhead view of a Fly Fisherman casting into the South Platte River in Cheesman Canyon, Colorado

A fly fisherman walks through large boulders on the South Platte River in Cheesman Canyon, Colorado

A fly fisherman jumps from boulder to boulder on the South Platte River in Cheesman Canyon, Colorado

A large trout in the South Platte River in Colorado

A fly fisherman wades through a beautiful section of the South Platte River in Cheesman Canyon, Colorado

A photo with motion blur of a fly fisherman casting into the South Platte River in Colorado

A Fly Fisherman hiking up a rocky cliff in Cheesman Canyon, Colorado

A fly fisherman on the South Platte River casting near large rock cliffs in Cheesman Canyon, Colorado

A fly fisherman on the South Platte River navigates a rocky section in Cheesman Canyon, Colorado

A fly fisherman rigs up his rod while sitting on rocks in Cheesman Canyon near Deckers, Colorado

A fly fisherman on a beautiful rocky section of the South Platte River nets a fish in Cheesman Canyon, Colorado

A fly fisherman hiking into a remote section of the South Platte River in Cheesman Canyon, Colorado

San Diego Fly Fishing

Rob Hammer August 22, 2022

Blacks Beach Fly Fishing

San Diego, CA - Photographs

San Diego’s stunning coastline is a paradise for anglers, and Black’s Beach, located beneath the rugged cliffs of Torrey Pines, offers a distinct and rewarding fly fishing experience. Known for its seclusion, surf, and dramatic natural beauty, Black’s Beach is more than a surfing destination—it’s a hidden gem for fly fishing enthusiasts looking to try their hand at casting for Corbina from the beach.

If you’re looking for a fly fishing guide in San Diego, contact Tyler Vanosdell at Mission Bay Fly Fishing.

Tyler on Instagram - @missionbayflyfishing

Olivia on Instagram - @merlinoolivia

Click here to see more of my fly fishing photography

Two fly fisherman walking on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean on Blacks Beach in San Diego, California. Patagonia Fly fishing. — San Diego Fly Fishing

Photograph of two fly fisherman hiking down a dirt trail to Blacks Beach to fish for Corbina in San Diego, California. Patagonia Fly Fishing. — Fly fisherman in Lajolla, San Diego

A girl and guy laugh together on Blacks Beach before fly fishing for Corbina in San Diego, California. Patagonia Fly Fishing. — Two fly fisherman having fun on Blacks Beach in LaJolla, CA

Photograph of a fly fisherman's rod bends as he connects with a Corbina on Blacks Beach in San Diego, California. Patagonia Fly Fishing. — Fly fishing for Corbina on Blacks Beach in San Diego, CA

Photograph of a female fly fisherman casts into the surf for Corbina at Blacks Beach in San Diego, California. Patagonia Fly Fishing. — A female fly fisherman surf casting in San Diego, CA

A girl and guy walking down Blacks Beach to fly fish for Corbina in San Diego, California. Patagonia Fly Fishing. — Two fly fisherman walking on a beautiful section of Black Beach in LaJolla, CA

A fly fisherman standing on a rock gets hit by a large wave on Blacks Beach in San Diego, California. Patagonia Fly Fishing. — A fly fisherman getting hit by a wave on Blacks Beach in San Diego, CA

A female fly fisherman stands in front of the cliffs on Blacks Beach early in the morning casting for Corbina in San Diego, California. Patagonia Fly Fishing. — A girl fly fishing in front of the beautiful cliffs of Blacks Beach in San Diego, CA

Two fly fisherman hike up a dirt trail after fishing for Corbina on Blacks Beach in San Diego, California. — Two fly fisherman hiking up the dirt trail from Blacks Beach in San Diego, CA

Fly Fishing Photography - Alaska - The Last Frontier

Rob Hammer April 3, 2022

Alaska Fly Fishing - Photography

Outtakes? Is that what these images should be called? If you’re only going on a fly fishing trip to tally up trophies to post on Instagram then you’re in it for the wrong reasons. And I want nothing to do with you. Is it fun to catch big fish? Damn right it is. Especially after those long stretches of getting your ass kicked and coming up with nothing. There has to be more than the catch though. If you were guaranteed to have fish in the net every day, what fun would that be? It wouldn’t. That’s why all the other things are so important. The people you’re with. The laughs. The scenery. The journey. The adventure. The culture. Working for it. Etc etc etc etc. That’s what these images are about. The in-between times.

Click HERE to see more of my fly fishing photography.

Click here to check out Zach Benson’s website (Alaska fly fishing guide, hunter, and duck decoy artist)

Contact me directly to purchase prints of my fly fishing photography. Wall Art is available is multiple sizes.

Beaver flight at sunset in Alaska

Zach Benson - Alaska Fly Fishing Guide

Alaska Fly Fishing

Photograph of a grizzly bear walking along a river in Alaska with snow covered mountains in the background - Fly Fishing - Photography - Adventure

Alaska fly fishing photography

Alaska fly fishing culture

Photograph of a fly fisherman in Alaska with a gun on his belt

Alaska fly fishing culture

Alaska landscape photography

Alaska fly fishing photography

Best place to fly fish in Mammoth, California

Rob Hammer June 5, 2019

Fly fishing in the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Mammoth Lakes, CA.

Backpacking in the Flat Tops Wilderness - Yampa, Colorado

Rob Hammer February 5, 2016

Flat Tops Wilderness - Yampa, Colorado

Backpacking - Fly Fishing - Photography

Only about 6 months late on this post, so yeah. Trying to chip away at the piles of images gathering dust on my hard drives from the past year. These are from an incredible camping trip in the Colorado backcountry. Specifically in the backcountry of Yampa. A very small and very remote town that is only frequented by locals, and those lucky enough to know about it. Our "campsite" was about a 5 mile hike from the car. So not crazy, but certainly enough to get far away from everything. Mojo was with me on this one, and he had a blast to say the least. We got in a lot of fishing and a lot of eating. One thing the Yampa backcountry is famous for is the "Devil's Causeway" (seen below). It's part of a trail with a narrow strip of rock with very immediate and very long drops on both sides. If you fall, you're down. Walking up to it doesn't seem that bad, but once you're there, it gets in your head a little. I saw one kid completely freeze while trying to cross it.