This section is dedicated to fly fishing, a passion of Ryan’s. It’s about the joy of being on the water, learning new techniques, the meditative experience of fishing, and sharing the highs and occasional frustrations of the sport. I’m not a pro, just an avid angler who loves exploring new rivers, testing out gear, and swapping stories about the ones that got away. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned fly fisher, you’ll find honest reflections, helpful tips, and a shared appreciation for the adventure that keeps us coming back to the water.

September 1, 2024

Taylor River September 01, 2024

Temperature: high 70's
Flows: ~320 cfs
Fish Landed: 9

Summary

The Taylor is nestled in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (about 3.5 hours from Denver) and is a true gem for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. The river is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, abundant wildlife, and, of course, its trout fishing. Whether you’re wading through its gentle currents or casting into its deeper pools, the Taylor offers a perfect balance of challenge and reward. The combination of stunning mountain scenery and world-class fishing makes it a destination you’ll want to return to time and time again. The Taylor is one of my all time personal favorite rivers in Colorado. In fact, I just love Taylor Park for all it has to offer. Fishing, water sports, OHV, hiking, biking, and camping.

August 31, 2024

Rustic Ranch in Fraser, Colorado

Temperature: high 80's
Flows: ~5 cfs
Fish Landed: 2

Summary

My angler buddies and I decided to venture to Fraser, CO, and try out the Ranch Creek Valley Vista. This is private water offered by the wonderful folks at RareWaters. Located about 1.5 hours from Denver, it makes for an easy day trip.

It was a cold morning, with our breath visible and a light frost on the grass. Even though it was late August, it warmed up quickly as the day progressed. The river was just a short walk from the parking area, but upon arrival, it was immediately clear that the flows were very low. We started working our way from the upper boundary towards the lower, searching for any deeper pools or pocket water. We found some pools, but the water was nearly static, making it difficult to achieve a proper drift with our euro setups.

September 30, 2023

Clear Creek Fly Fishing September 30, 2023

Temperature: high 70's
Flows: ~100 cfs
Fish Landed: 4

Summary

I got a text from my buddy Art on Friday asking if I could fish over the weekend. I quickly checked the kids sports calendar and lucky for me, the last game ended around 12:30pm leaving me a whole afternoon to fish. To make things even better, I was already going to be in Arvada cutting down the trip time to reach our destination, Clear Creek Canyon. Clear Creek is a great local fishery about 45 minutes from Denver and Boulder. There are ample pull of spots along highway 6 from Golden, west through the canyon, until you reach I-70. While the river is much longer than this strech we decided to focus on the areas in the canyon.

🎣 Fishing

Musings from my fishing outings