I’ve been a fly fishing enthusiast since about the age of 12. My first trout caught on a fly rod was on the Wild River, Gilead, Maine. It was on a Zebco Fly Rod that my father bought for me at KMART. An 8 weight outfitted with a Sportfisher 444 reel. The outfit has since been retired with 3 other gems on a rod rack handcrafted for me by my Gramp.I fly fished over 150 days a year up until about 6 years ago. In all of my fly fishing days, I’ve truely wanted to experience the West. The photo’s I saw and articles I read just made the Rocky Mountain fishing look like Utopia and forever burned an itch in me to go out there and fly fish. I booked a 10 day vacation to Colorado with the family to visit my sister in law. I landed a guide for 3 days in an attempt to experience my dream. As a family we did it all, Pikes Peak, the Zoo, 6 Flags….The day before my fishing started I got a call from home that my grandmother had passed away unexpectedly. I arranged to fly back early for the funeral, and managed just one day on the water. Turns out there was only one seat left on the plane to get me back in time, and my days on the river were sadly shortened from 3 to 1 day. BUT WHAT A DAY IT WAS!I brought my wifes 12 year old nephew, and a friend of the family that was 20. Neither had fly fished. My guide handed me my waders and said “If your fishing a T3, it’s safe for me to cut you loose while I give them a lesson.” He handed me a net, gave me instructions on a couple of short runs, and set me up with a dropper rig.He checked in with me an hour later and I had landed 12 fish. Rainbows, Cuts, and Cut-Bows. When he arrived I had one on and he netted it while I readied the camera for a photo opportunity.My six hours on the river felt like 2 hours, but 42 fish later, I knew my grandmother had an order in for me to get on that plane with only one seat left and then 42 fish…she was on a roll!!!!!After an outstanding lunch, firm handshake, I assured Greg, I’d be back to fish with him next year.For the South Platte River at 11 Mile Canyon is where it’s at. Gold Medal Water.I landed 42 fish. 30 of them had to be between 14 and 19 inches. I landed one Rainbow that was 22 inches and a Cut that was 20. Weather was in the high 30’s and 65 by lunch time. Water temp was 43 degrees.My guide offered little advice but when he spoke his wisdom was unparalled. My first guided trip was a near perfect experience, and I’ll never hesitate to book with a guide again.
Great read gilly. Sounds like you had a great trip. I too have fished in the great state of CO. My first experience fishing out there was also with a guide and i will never forget the experience. “trout are beautiful fish that live in beautiful places” was a quote from our guide, and how right he is. Thanks for sharing your story.
I consider Colorado one of my hobbies, and by the looks of your report, I will be taking a trip in the near future.
Hi Gilly,
Great story – made me a bit homesick. My wife and I moved to Maine from Colorado. I was not yet a flyfisher while there, but I was a river guide (whitewater). I’d put an experienced guess that your guide was doing what he loves. My wife once asked me “What if you had discovered flyfishing when we lived in Colorado?” My answer was a joking “One or both of us would still be there!” We love Maine, but sometimes only my feet are really here.
Mike
It’s a beautiful state. I had never been out West. The Pikes Peak area in general was breathtaking.
My guide was Greg Blessing. He’s been guiding for 30 years, and you could sure tell.
I’d love to guide, but the risk is to great to take with a young family. In the meantime, we’ll keep enjoying each other on the water.