Welcome to Colorado

Location, Type of Fishing:

What started as a simple guide house in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Steamboat Springs, has transformed into a premiere fly fishing outfitter and guide service for the Yampa River in Northwest Colorado. Brooklyn Outfitters offers exclusive access to private waters in the Yampa Valley, offering everything you need to enjoy catching trout on half-day and full-day trips and floats. Catch and release fly fishing takes place on properties with water that has been supremely preserved and protected to provide resident trout with excellent holding areas and habitat. Explore miles of pristine waters that are chock-full of trout and find comfort in the finest fly fishing that Northwest Colorado has to offer. Plan for a day of fishing or stay for a long weekend. There’s plenty of one-of-a-kind fisheries to keep you entertained and fishing new and different water for several days. Classic western streams are within easy driving distance of town, so you’ll get to spend more on the water and less time getting there. Brooklyn’s guides are experts at showing you exactly how to catch trout, knowing precisely what flies to use and where to find the fish. A small crew of full-time guides, they have over 80 years of combined fly fishing experience, and their laid-back, fun-loving style will have you savoring every moment and sharing in the good energy they give off. Let Brooklyn Outfitters bring the excitement and challenge of Rocky Mountain trout fishing to you, and they’ll turn your dream of fly fishing into something truly memorable.

 

 

• Base Rates:

# of People     Half Day        Full Day

       1                $300.00        $400.00

      2                $350.00        $500.00

 

• Floating Rates:

$650.00 per boat

1 - 2 anglers per boat

 

 

 

 

What Makes It Special:

It starts with good communication and authentic experiences. By knowing exactly what kind of fly fishing adventure you desire, Brooklyn Outfitters will do their absolute best to see your unique vision become a reality. It’s not just about catching fish, you deserve to come away from the experience with a greater understanding of fly fishing  as a whole as well as a healthy respect for the fish and the environment in which they live. They will match your skills with the right guide and property that gives you the greatest opportunity for success in achieving your goal. All the streams and rivers that they fish are located on private property. Surrounded by incredible vistas, these true western ranches provide the ultimate backdrop for a perfect day of fly fishing. Brooklyn Outfitters provides you with the sole use of these world-renowned fisheries, so you can slow down, relax and fish without feeling rushed. All of their properties are catch and release, so you will have the security of knowing that your water is well-rested and hasn’t been pressured. Some of the best fly fishing in Colorado, that just happens to be smack dab in the middle of some of the region’s most breathtaking landscapes, puts you in a great position to make some truly wonderful memories that will surely last a lifetime. Let us help you pick a fly fishing trip that will give you the experiences which you are craving, and together we’ll show you precisely how fly fishing becomes a passion.

 

Fishing:

Yampa River:

The Yampa River flows right through the town of Steamboat Springs. Originating as snow melt high in the mountains of the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, the Yampa is one of the last wild and untamed rivers of the American Southwest. Having few dams and reservoirs to impede its natural flow, it is the only major tributary of the Colorado River System to not be detrimentally interrupted by water storage. With it’s flooding processes left virtually intact, the rushing waters of the Yampa River are free to erode banks and shift channels, frequently changing its course and depositing new sediments along its path. By jumping its banks and constantly shifting, this fragile river dance helps to establish new forests and wetlands along the valley floor. The principle watershed in Northwest Colorado, the Yampa is a fairly large river, about 60 to 90 feet wide in most places. A lovely riparian forest, dominated by cottonwood, box elder and dogwood, follows the river along both sides. To the south of town, the river is more characteristic of a tailwater, only to become more free-flowing as it heads out of town to the west. The ranches in the area cut hay and raise cattle, and while it is likely that you will see some herds, the landowners do a good job of keeping the livestock out of the river. There are numerous flats, riffles, runs and deep plunge pools to fish while you peacefully explore the river. Predominately a rainbow and brown fishery, you will occasionally catch some cutthroats and cuttbows. Anglers do very well nymphing and fishing streamers here, but fish will also rise to a dry fly, especially in the late summer when hopper season is in full swing.

 

Elk River:

A major tributary of the Yampa, the Elk River is a large freestone river that drains a large portion of the Zirkel Wilderness Area on the west side of the Continental Divide. Fast moving and turbulent at run-off, it’s banks have been improved and strengthened in crucial places with rip-rap to contain this rolling and tumbling stream as it descends the valley floor. In early summer, a significant amount of its water is designated for irrigating the valley, and you can find trout below diversions holding just off of the current that pours over these man-made structures. In summer, the Elk is a cool water oasis for trout looking to escape the heat by laying-up in deep plunge pools and along the bottom in long runs below riffles. Beautiful scenery abounds here, as the river is shaded by tall cottonwoods providing not only relief from the abundant sunshine but is also a great place for quiet reflection and solitude. The clean, well-oxygenated water of the river flows over a bottom almost entirely comprised of slick, round river rock with the occasional shale and sandy bottom. The wading can be strenuous, but it is usually not too difficult. A wading staff is recommended. The Elk River also has some good pocket water, and you can pick up rainbows and the occasional brown in and around the various boulders and natural structure, feeding on well-placed nymphs, dries and streamers. Summer hatches include: stoneflies, pale morning dun, caddis, and terrestrials. In the spring and fall, there are also some baetis hatches.

 

North Fork of the North Platte:

Situated among the high, lonesome country of North Park in the North-Central region of the state, incredible views from the North Fork of the North Platte River feature the snow-capped mountains of the Never Summer and Snowy Ranges. This medium-sized stream oxbows and meanders through high elevation meadows and hay fields as it lazily makes its way to the confluence with the main river. The large valley floor of the Upper North Platte River System is dominated by cattle ranching and hay making operations, and the North Fork is no exception. It is not uncommon to have to step over a fence ladder to access the river as it flows through a new pasture. Willows and  other riparian bushes line the river, closely mimicking the river’s seemingly haphazard course. Even though the stream looks densely covered from a far, there are excellent open casting areas at most of the holes, making it easier for the beginner to intermediate angler to fish this river. During run-off, the rushing waters of flood stage carve deep pools at the bends and deposit the sediment in what will later become riffles in the low flows of summer. Predominately rainbows and browns, the trout of the North Fork like to hold on the seams of these bends and are often found at drop-offs right below the riffles. The ideal habitat, the North Fork provides these fish with the security of deep water as well as great spots for feeding. In the summer, look for hatches of golden stoneflies, pale morning dun and caddis. Terrestrials and streamers are good patterns when there is no noticeable hatch activity.

 

 

Typical Day:

Brooklyn Outfitters wants you to be as much a part of the planning of your trip as you would like to be, so if there is something you would like us to know, please speak up! The night before your scheduled fishing trip, plan on getting a call from the guide to strategize for the following day. This is a good time to talk about your expectations and to inform him/her about what you’re hoping for while out on the water. Before the trip, everyone over the age of 15 will need to buy a Colorado fishing license, and you can purchase licenses online by visiting the link: http://cpw.state.co.us/buyapply/Pages/Fishing.aspx. The first day is $9.00, and it is $5.00 for each additional day after. You must have confirmation of a fishing license with you, even if you are fishing on private property. Transportation will be provided right from your door to the water, so have your address ready to give the guides when they call to set up the meeting time. Full day trips are 7 hours on the water, and 4 hours for half days.  The morning of your trip, the guide will meet you at your location with all of the equipment you will need for fly fishing, including waders, boots, rod outfits and flies for the day. Full day trips include snacks, a stream-side lunch and drinks. The guide will have plenty of bottled water, but if you would like something specifically that the guide won’t have, please feel free to bring it along.

 

What’s Included:

Fly fishing gear is included on both full and half-day trips. Lunch is provided on full day trips only, but can be included on half day trips for an additional charge. Free ground transportation to/from the water is available. Base rates do not include trespass fees to access private water. Trespass fees vary per property and are an additional expense. A Colorado fishing license is required for adults 16 years and older and is not included. A credit card is required at the time of booking, and you will have up to 48 hours to cancel without penalty before the trip.

 

To purchase licenses online, please visit the link:

http://cpw.state.co.us/buyapply/Pages/Fishing.aspx