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I'm having my bachelor party in Colorado. We're renting a ranch outside of Ft. Collins and enjoying some time away from the cities we live in. My buddies aren't fishermen, so I didn't want to center the trip around fishing--but I did decide to extend my trip a few days to make sure I get to see the best of what Colorado has to offer.

We'll be at the ranch May 2 - May 5. The North Fork of the Poudre River runs through the ranch. I know there will be fishing opportunities here, but I'm not sure how much I'll get to enjoy them. I'll probably take the guys down and give them a few lessons.

I have to get the guys back to Denver on the 5th, and I'm going to the Yankees - Rockies game on the night of the 7th.

Otherwise I have no obligations, and a desire to catch fish. I enjoy fishing technical water, and the harder the better... as long as I have a good shot at catching fish. I prefer dry fly fishing to nymph and streamer fishing, but that's just a preference.

I don't quite know when runoff typically starts, but it sounds like I'll be there pre-runoff and should be seeing some BWOs on most rivers.

Where should I go?

My Dad's cousin lives on the Blue and has access to private water. He invited me to fish on his property and said he might join me for a day.

Should I do that? What other options do I have within a few hours of Denver?

Hi Willy -

Aren't you being buried in snow right now?

It's raining and mid-50s here in Chicago. Sounds like it's been snowing in the Denver area lately, but it is supposed to push towards 80 this weekend.

Oops! Sorry, Willy... I thought you were writing from Denver (should have looked closer at your avatar). I would imagine the amount of snow they've had this Spring is gonna make things a little rough until the Summer. If you are right about the 80 degree weather settling in this coming weekend, that can't be good for your fishing chances the following week. The Ranch should have info on all this; check with them a day or two before your trip to figure out what gear you want to bring (if any). We have some Coloradans who are regular contributors to the forum, so hopefully they'll check in. Congrats on your upcoming nuptials!

Access to private water on the Blue? Go for it. Options within a few hours of Denver? The sky's the limit. Runoff? That could present a problem this time of year. Good luck, hope you get a chance to fish, and if you do lets us know how it went.

Bachelor party...? Shouldn't we be sending along congrats? And here I thought we might meet on the Holy Water sometime...those days maybe over young man. :)

If someone is going to show you their water and its private to boot. That should be a no brainer. Those chances don't always present themselves.

Spence, I told her that we couldn't get married in June because that's fishing time. I'm still headed to Gates for a week of Hex fishing (or maybe sulphurs if the weather stays like it has been), but we are getting married June 1st... so she kind of won. It looks like we'll be in Chicago for the time being, and that means lots of trips up there for me. Marriage won't change much in terms of fishing. In fact, we're getting a hunting dog in July which may increase the frequency of trips up north. Once we have kids though...

I was fishing the Holy Water last week for a few days. It fished pretty well. Then did a day of steelheading in Indiana... yes, Indiana.

Sounds like the Blue is a good bet. I fished the stretch once a couple of years ago for about two hours and it seemed pretty good. It's literally in his backyard (it's a housing development, so it's not truly private, but it's private in that you have to live in the development to fish the water). The fact that it's a tailwater has to help with the potential runoff situation, especially earlier in the season.

Still looking for more ideas though. Hope some Colorado guys chime in.

Hey Spence, not only does this guy deserve a big round of congratulations, but maybe we should be sending some gifts.

Congrats Willy.

Ha! Not as long as she knows what she's getting. Have you been honest, Willy? Come to think of it, even if she does and you have - it's what follows that usually changes things! :):) LOL

Willy, unless we have a serious heat wave in the next 10 days any of the rivers you just mentioned will be fishable. The BWO's are coming off now on the Roaring Fork and Frying Pan rivers. I am sure they are hatching on the Blue aswell.

Having pvt water on the Blue does not guarantee fish. Especially if the river access is only the size of a lot (back yard). Get ahold of your dad's cousin, and find out. If he has plenty of river to fish go there. I would, as you have a chance at fish that will go over 5 lbs.

Good luck fishing if you are able to after the party.


Wayne

Kurt..."if you have been honest with her"...Ha! We are anglers here and predisposed to the fib. At my club we used to have a tall tale night and the best BSer got a prize. Now that's honest...Admitting we know we are lying. :)

Good luck young man. This weekend my wife and I are celebrating our 25th. I will admit I'm spoiled having captured this wonderful person I married. No one can see through my lies better than she can. She knows the difference though between a basically harmless bullshitter and something way more serious. Being seriously honest where it counts goes a long way in maintaining trust. If the proverbial shit where ever to hit the fan, she knows which man will show up.