Fly Fishing in Colorado | Devil's Thumb Ranch

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*All activities, including fly fishing, are reserved for in-house lodging guests only. Advanced reservations are required.

Always imagined taking a Colorado fly fishing vacation? Our Orvis-Endorsed lodge is the perfect place. With a complete fly shop, expert fishing guides, fly fishing instruction, and extensive private water access; the Ranch is a haven for anglers. We have 4 miles of Ranch Creek on our property as well as a mile of the Fraser River, both waters of the Colorado River. Whether you were born holding a fly rod or you’re just getting hooked, we have programs and services to fit your experience, even spinning rods for the young’uns!

Fly fishing guided trips include waders, rods, flies, beverages and snacks.
During the summer season, fly fishing guided trips on public water are not available on weekends.

Approximate Season/Availability:
March 1 – October 31 (weather dependent)

Photos

Location

Obtain your CO license for guided Fly Fishing Wade trips prior to your trip by clicking below.

GET YOUR CO LICENSE

PRICING & RESERVATIONS

FLY FISHING PACKAGE

The Ranch Recommends

NEW THIS SEASON: Euro Nymphing

We are excited to offer the Euro Nymphing fly fishing technique on our guided trips this year!

Euro Nymphing is a newer and very efficient style of fly fishing. We use a specialized and highly sensitive 10ft Orvis fly rod, equipped with an extra long leader and tippet to target fish feeding on nymphs along the creek and river beds. Using heavy tactical nymphs, we simply put the “bugs” directly into the feeding zones most frequented by trout.

Available to anglers of all experience levels! Our Euro nymphing fishing trips are professionally tailored to your specific skill level and are a great introduction into fly fishing. Intermediate and Advanced anglers will also greatly benefit learning this style of fishing which will put even more fish in the net on your next outing. Our expert guides are excited to teach you these new skills of tactical fly fishing.

Please call (970) 726-8231, the Activities Center at Zach’s Mercantile to reserve your next adventure.

Fraser River between Tabernash and Fraser, CO

An inviting mountain meadow stream that averages 20 feet across and holds some surprisingly large browns and rainbows. This half-mile of the Fraser sees some prolific hatches of red quills, drakes, and caddis flies.

Capacity: 2 anglers, half day only

Easy back casts and slow riffles make this stream an enjoyable half-day adventure.

Best fished in the morning before the sun warms it up and the winds move in.

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Ranch Creek at Devil’s Thumb in Tabernash, CO

There are 3 sections of Ranch Creek at Devil’s Thumb Ranch. All of which makes a beautiful meandering stream. All types of water from pockets to undercut banks and riffles to deep runs, this creek offers each angler everything they ever wanted in a small trout stream. Browns, brookies, and rainbows are abundant with the occasional cutthroat trout. Perfect for a two or three weight.

Capacity: 2 anglers per section

Ranch Creek Section #1 is half willows fishing and half beaver ponds. Section 1 is technical water for the experienced angler. This is the only section of Ranch Creek that can be fished unguided by lodge guests. Lodge guests must call to reserve the water and pay a $75 private water rod fee.

Ranch Creek Section #2 is half-meadow fishing with occasional willows downstream. Upstream half braids and gets a little bit skinnier and faster.

Ranch Creek Section #3 is wide open meandering stream free of willows. This section is the easiest of all three sections.

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Public Water, Colorado River

About an hour from the Ranch is 15 miles of the Colorado River, open to the public for fishing. Guests can fish rainbow and trout during the winter and in the summer.

All or part of this operation is conducted on Public Lands under a special permit from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

Rod Fee for One Angler:
Quarter-Day Wade – $275
Half-Day Wade – $350
Full-Day Wade – $425

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Meadow Pond

Just steps from our Main Lodge is a great fishing pond for practicing casting. Rent a fly-fishing rod or spinning rods are great for any age!

Catch and release only. Barbless hooks.

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Meet Our Guides

Our year-round staff has accumulated more than 25+ years each, of local fly-fishing experience. Drawing on their extensive knowledge of local waters, we offer quality guided fly-fishing trips, as well as private and group lessons to anglers of all levels.

NEW THIS SEASON: Euro Nymphing

Fraser River between Tabernash and Fraser, CO

Ranch Creek at Devil’s Thumb in Tabernash, CO

Public Water, Colorado River

Meadow Pond

Meet Our Guides

Kevin Scannell

Josh Frank

John Tilstra

Dan Real

Brian Young

Tripp Rankin

Newton Logan