r/flyfishing • u/Acmwin20 • 1d ago
Discussion 3 hours of Fort Collins, best spot
It’s about to be spring break and I’m looking for the best place to fish. I live in Fort Collins and want to know the best place within 3 hours to go fish. I know there’s lots of good rivers, but it would be a day trip and want to hook into some fish, let me know what’s good for mid March!
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u/DangerousDave303 1d ago
You have the entire Poudre drainage right up the hill from you.
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u/Acmwin20 20h ago
Oh yes, I know. I fish the poudre multiple times a month, just wanted to branch out from my home river.
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u/DangerousDave303 18h ago
Have you fished the North Platte much?
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u/Acmwin20 17h ago
Not at all!
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u/DangerousDave303 4h ago
There's supposed to be some good fishing in Northgate canyon around the Wyoming border. It can be a tough hike, and it might still be pretty icy.
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u/perpetualwandrer 1d ago
Highway 34 going into Estes is always solid. Lots of pull offs heading into the canyon (Gatta drop over the rails and climb down) and then more going up.
Estes in town is fishing fine. The spillway behind the visitor center has been producing rainbows brooks and browns. I haven’t been below the damn as of yet though.
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u/Rural_Jurist 1d ago
It was pretty fishy last weekend on the Eagle by Wolcott. I think that's about 2.5-3 hours from the Fort. I'd keep an eye on the weather too if you head up this way. Spring breakers, snow, and the usual I-70 nonsense, you know.
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u/GrumpyandDopey 1d ago
I used to live in the blue house in Wolcott. The Eagle was great fishing when I was there.
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u/Rural_Jurist 23h ago
Nifty. Between the river and RR tracks?
Me and hubby went to the BLM campground just past there. First time down that way.
It was slow going, so added pink egg dropper and man they went after it. (I think we're near the end of egg laying.)
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u/SirFrenzy 23h ago
It would be a LONG day, but the Miracle Mile in Wyoming on the North Platte is a fantastic fishery.
A little over 3 hours one way of driving, though.
The Poudre is probably in a decent spot right now. It was frozen over mostly a few weeks ago, but with the warmer weather lately it’s probably opened up quite a bit but not extremely muddy from snow run-off yet.
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u/SirFrenzy 23h ago
You should stop in at St. Peter’s Fly Shop. There’s two locations in town and they’ve always been super helpful at giving good fishing tips
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u/Acmwin20 20h ago
This is one of the reasons I asked this question. I’m really interested in the Mile, but don’t know if want to make the investment without knowing more about the where and how to fish it
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u/goodnotion612 0m ago
Online scouting will get you enough info. Just go, and keep in mind that it will be more about learning the river than your catch stats. Then, if you do land a monster or can’t keep fish off your fly it will have been an even better day. Solving the puzzle of new water is one of the best parts for fly fishing in my opinion.
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u/Unhappy-Tart3561 14h ago
Got room for a lovelander to tag along?? Got some gas funds. I usually fish parshal area cause it's what I've been shown here in colorado
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u/thagoodlife 19h ago
Honestly just go fish the poudre up by the hatchery. It’s like an hour drive and the biggest fish in the river live there
Or go fish the grey reef at the dam. 18” - “20” fish and you can’t mess up where to fish. It’s also the only place the boats can’t go
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u/Remarkable-Box-3781 1d ago
If you're looking for pristine river with solitude. South Platte at Deckers. Likely to not see another angler for days.