Colorado Adventure Update

Greetings from the Colorado Adventure!

After a long travel day on Monday spent at the airport and driving to Rocky Mountain National Park, the group was excited to go fishing Tuesday morning. We began the day with some knot tying, casting practice, and going over the basics of fly fishing before heading out to practice on Glacier Creek, a small stream that runs by Glacier Basin campground where we stayed.  Despite the technical fishing and thick brush on both sides of the creek, the boys managed to catch a few brook trout throughout the day. After a hearty dinner of cheeseburgers and potato salad, the boys headed back out again to Glacier Creek to throw a few lines before the sun set amid the evening hatch.

Day Two we got to wet our lines in one of the most spectacular alpine lakes in RMNP, Sky Pond. At just about 11,000 ft, this alpine lake sits below Andrews Glacier and the aptly named Sharkstooth formation. From the trailhead, Sky Pond is about five miles and three thousand feet of elevation gain away. The trail even requires you to climb up a waterfall.  Although the hike was difficult and long (10 miles there and back), the fishing and breathtaking views were well worth the steps. Almost everyone in the group caught brook trout before we made the five mile descent back to the trailhead, rode the shuttles back to our campsite, and got to cooking some spaghetti and meat sauce to cap off the day.

On Day Three the group headed up to Loch Vale Lake, another alpine lake situated on the trail below Sky Pond. The boys were grateful for the shorter hike and the opportunity to catch Greenback Cutthroat, a native species in Colorado. We fished until some weather rolled in and made our way back to the campsite.  After a long couple of days, the boys feasted on some brats and celebrated everyone’s catches. The storms may have cut into our s’more making time, but the double rainbow that emerged from the dark clouds was well worth the soggy marshmallows!

Due to the closure of the Colorado River to fishing, our group had to adjust our plans today. Instead of heading north to Granby, we headed south to Buena Vista to a campsite directly on the Arkansas River. We showered, did laundry, and enjoyed burgers and milkshakes from local burger joint, K’s. Tonight, we’re looking forward to an evening spent fishing on the Arkansas and getting ready for another hike to an alpine lake tomorrow in the Collegiate Mountain range.

 

Fox, Eleanor, & the crew

Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions was started in 2010 as a graduate thesis for my Master's Degree in Environmental Conservation Education at NYU. The operating premise was simple - by coupling amazing wilderness fly fishing camps for teens with environmental education and service learning we can help inspire future generations of fly fishing conservationists. We have been growing our unique list of trips and experiences ever since.

When it comes to choosing a summer program for your teen the options are endless. For the teen who loves to fish, be outside, and has a strong sense of adventure we have made the choice easy. We are the leader in teen fly fishing adventures and are dedicated to providing the best backcountry fly fishing experience with opportunities for teens to engage in leadership training, community service, and backcountry camping.

Sincerely,

Will Lillard signature

Will Lillard, Founder/Director/Guide

Contact Us

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Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions
2540 King Road
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768

(828) 577-8204