Fly Fishing Colorado’s 11 Mile Canyon -Fun things to do

11 Mile Canyon Fly Fishing

Last weekend it was a miserable day here on the Front Range in Denver, Colorado so we did what all fishermen and women do—we went fishing.

The temp on the front range didn’t get above 33 and the fog was so thick it made the trees icy. There was no reason to hang around Parker, Colorado, not even the fact that the Broncos were playing the Patriots, so we packed up and headed tot the river. As we climbed up US 24 out of Colorado Springs the sun started to peek a boo with us until finally we climbed out of the clouds and into 45-55 degrees pure Colorado Heaven.

Ice on trees just below Woodland Park.

Once on the river we very quickly realized that not only was the weather perfect but NOBODY not even the normal regulars were on the river. We have 11 Mile Canyon (which is actually 8.5 miles I learned) all to ourselves. Actually we did see one other guy but basically we had all of it to 4 eager fly fishing freaks.

The river was overflowing with fish and we were killing it most of the day. Jamie and I did get suckered into a deep pool where we could see that it was full of fish and we wasted about an hour there trying every fly in our box trying to get them to bite. I think it was a hit on our ego since we could not get them to bite anything we threw at them. We moved on and licked our wounds.

After noon the clouds rolled over 11 mile canyon and the hatch began. BWO was the fly of the hour. I LOVE fishing small dry flies on a clear river and watching the trout rise to eat them. It’s a high better than any drug could ever produce. Seeing the fish rise and suck in the fly and knowing that your about to get that long awaited TUG and fight.

There is a pool there Jamie calls the “community pool” that from the road you could see at least 50 trout rising to eat the hatch. What a rush! Three of us stood there for an hour catching fish after fish hooting and enjoying the moment. Freedom from work and the daily stress of surviving.

So, if your looking for fun things to do around Parker Colorado try a day up at 11 mile canyon. There are campsites and pull offs for easy parking .

To get there. Take Hwy 24 out of Colorado Springs to CR 96 at Lake George and follow the signs to a little slice of heaven. Enjoy a great day of fishing.

Fly Fishing 11 Mile Canyon