Fly Fishing - Crested Butte, CO

Taylor River Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing Photography - Colorado

Sometimes you think the sun is going to help with the cold and on certain days is does. For all the rest of the days, it’s easiest to just accept the fact that you won’t feel your hands again until you get back to the truck. At which point you’ll need to put a koozie around your beer just so they don’t get any worse. Thankfully this wasn’t one of those. It’s only the middle of October but that doesn’t matter. If you spend time in the mountains then you know an early summer morning can feel oddly similar to winter. It’s got to be part of that whole love/hate thing.

It’s safe to assume that most western fly fisherman, in the beginning at least, are only concentrated on the rainbow trout. It’s put up on a pedestal. The trophy. The goal. Won’t deny having those same feelings, but that’s all changed over time, as everything does. Now, in my opinion, brown trout are king. Their colors and markings are really special.Now, In the name of transparency this isn’t my fish, but my friend caught it while I was shooting. Which means I was sort of catching it vicariously through him. That’s the only way I’ve found to calm the urge to set the camera down and replace it with a fly rod. It’s a vicious cycle that I’m trying to be at peace with. On the scale of problems, it’s a good one to have. Snowboarding is the only thing I do that absolutely won’t involve a camera unless it’s the one on my phone. Fly fishing on the other hand is a constant battle.

Good times on the Taylor River that day.

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Fly Fishing the Taylor River

The beautiful markings of a brown trout

Colorado Fly Fishing Photographer

11 Mile Canyon Fly Fishing - Colorado

Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains not far from Lake George, Colorado - 11 Mile Canyon is a breathtaking destination that attracts fly fishing aficionados with its crystal-clear waters, stunning scenery, and abundant fish species that offer an unforgettable experience for anglers. Colorado is known for its breathtaking mountain ranges, lush forests, and serene lakes. The backcountry canyon section of the South Platte River offers a unique opportunity to escape the crowds of fisherman, immerse yourself in nature, and find solitude on the water. Fly fishing in these remote areas not only allows you to connect with the environment but also gives you access to wild, untouched fisheries teeming with life.

If you’re going to spend a few days fly fishing in 11 Mile Canyon, there are designated campsites along the way, with Spillway Campground being the best. Just to be clear, this is not dispersed camping. It is a campground where you’ll have neighbors, but the sites are adequately spread out, and your literally steps from the South Platte River in a section with large, hungry trout. Early mornings there are great for quiet fishing before anyone wakes up, but don’t wait too long or there will be people on every corner. At that point, I’d recommend making some breakfast, then heading down canyon where you’ll find stunning stretches of river and solitude if you’re willing to work a little bit. Some of the canyon sections are a lot harder to access than others because a short hike down a steep hill is required for river access. It’s all worth the effort though to be surrounded by rocks cliffs and pristine water. Then, when the sun starts going down, head back to camp for some food and beer, and you’ll be just in time for the evening hatch. I’ve heard a lot of people talk about success throwing mice patterns there in the dark, but have never done it myself. Usually at that point the itch has been more than scratched, and beers around the fire is too appealing.

Click here to shop my fly fishing wall art and contact me directly about licensing photographs for editorial/commercial usage - rob@robhammerphotography

Fly fishing road trip

11 Mile Canyon Fly Fishing

Scenic Colorado Fly Fishing

Black and white fly fishing print - 11 Mile Canyon

Take a break on the river - tying flies

Netting a trout on the South Platte River

Fly fisherman walking through a tunnel in 11 Mile Canyon, Colorado

Fly fisherman on a scenic section of the South Platte River in 11 Mile Canyon, Colorado

Black and white photograph of a fly fisherman netting a trout on the South Platte River

Boulder hopping in 11 Mile Canyon

Fly fishing in 11 Mile Canyon

Afternoon rainstorm in Colorado

End of the day - 11 Mile Canyon

Fly Fishing the Owens River

Owens River Fly Fishing

Mammoth Lakes, California - Winter

Some time over the past couple months has been spent archiving my library of images which is a hell of a process. Sorta seems like moving houses in that you have no idea how many stuff you’ve accumulated over the years until it’s necessary to move it. Archiving my library is daunting but necessary. Should have been doing it all along. A lesson I’ve learned during this process is how easy it is to forget about images once they sit on hard drives for a certain period of time. Life goes on. You get busy. Commercial shooting and other paying projects get put on the front burner. So now I’m faced with having to archive 10+ years of imagery onto a separate site that will allow the images to be licensed instead of collecting dust on a shelf. That aside, it brings a lot of joy to see images from trips past that I haven’t looked at since they happened. Also brings the thought of travel to the forefront and what COVID has done to the possibility of doing it at all. Internationally at least.

The images you see here are from a camping trip last year to Lone Pine, CA in the Alabama Hills. On the way out we hit the Owens River briefly to see if there were any trout hanging out in a particular section we’d never been to. Turns out, there weren’t……

Click HERE for an archive of fly fishing imagery which will is still a work in progress and always will be as my library continues to grow.

Fly Fishing in the Eastern Sierra

Owens River Fly Fishing

Winter fly fishing on the Owens River

Fly fishing the Owens River

Winter fly fishing in the Eastern Sierra

Fly Fishing - Kern River

Kern River Fly Fishing Photographs

Kernville, CA

If you’ve ever had the chance to fly fish on the Kern River, you know it’s not just about the fish—it’s about the entire experience. The river, with its challenging flows and abundant trout, runs through a incredible canyon that seems to capture the very essence of wild California. The canyon’s walls, rising steeply on either side, are a mosaic of rugged rock formations and greenery that changes with the seasons. In summer, the light filters through the leaves, casting shimmering patterns on the water’s surface, creating a dance of light and shadow that photographers dream of.

The river itself is a haven for trout, and fly fishing here can be as rewarding as it is picturesque. The Kern is home to both native and stocked trout, including rainbow and brown trout, providing anglers with plenty of opportunities to test their skills against these spirited fish.

Capturing the Kern

As a photographer and passionate angler, I’ve spent countless hours driving to the Kern to escape the madness of southern California Each photograph I take aims to encapsulate not just the thrill of the catch but also the profound peace that comes with being surrounded by such majestic beauty. My images are a tribute to the quiet grandeur of the Kern, an invitation to lose oneself in its timeless flow.

These photographs are more than just decor; they’re stories of adventure and tranquility, of early mornings and late evenings spent in the pursuit of the perfect cast. They speak to both the heart of the angler and the eye of the art lover, making them ideal for editorial and commercial licensing, as well as for enhancing any space with the spirit of the outdoors.

A Call to Anglers and Art Collectors

Whether you are a magazine editor looking to convey the essence of California fly fishing, a business owner seeking to add character to your space, or an individual looking for that perfect piece of art that resonates with your love of fishing, these photographs offer a unique perspective. They are not just images; they are an experience—a way to bring a piece of the Kern River's soul into your everyday life.

For those who have fished its waters, each print might stir a sense of nostalgia, a reminder of days spent in nature’s embrace. And for those who have yet to cast a line into its flowing waters, consider these photographs as a call to adventure. The Kern awaits, as do its stories waiting to be told through both angling and art.

Come, explore the collection, and find the piece that speaks to your spirit of adventure and appreciation for natural beauty. Prints available HERE.

Kern River Fly Fishing Photograph

Black and white fly fishing photograph

Summer fly fishing in California

Summer fly fishing on the Kern River

Camping on the Kern River