TLDR

Want to level up fast as a beginner fly fisher? Book July 15-19, 2025 (or any dates in the third/fourth week of July) in Colorado's South Platte drainage. Get a guide for day 1, then fish solo for days 2-5 across rivers, creeks, and lakes. You'll learn to read water, match hatches, and catch plenty of fish without breaking the bank. Budget: $1,090-1,425 total.

The Three Stages of Learning Fly Fishing

When you're starting out, you go through three distinct phases:

Stage 1: Just catch A fish. Any fish. You need proof this actually works.

Stage 2: Catch LOTS of fish. Once you've caught one, you want consistency. You want to know you can do it again and again.

Stage 3: Catch THE fish. Now you're selective. You want the big one, the difficult one, the one that matters.

Most beginners spend months in stage 1 and years in stage 2. That's totally normal. This trip is designed specifically for stages 1 and 2 - you're going to catch fish, lots of them, in different conditions. The trophy hunting can wait.

Why the South Platte Drainage?

I'm going to recommend something specific: base yourself in Lake George, Colorado (between Colorado Springs and Buena Vista) and fish the South Platte River system in mid-July.

Why here?

• Affordable. No fancy lodges required. Motels run $80-120/night.
• Variety. Within 30 minutes, you've got tailwaters, freestone streams, small creeks, and high mountain lakes.
• Fishable flows. Mid-July is after runoff but before late summer low flows. Water temps are good, fish are active.
• Willing fish. These aren't picky Henry's Fork trout. South Platte fish will eat if you present the fly reasonably well.
• Great guide services. Multiple fly shops with affordable half-day and full-day guide options.

In mid-July, the South Platte near Lake George runs 100-250 CFS (based on 10-year averages) - perfect for wading and learning. Set up a flow alert on RiverReports to know when it hits the sweet spot.

Your 5-Day Itinerary

Day 1 (Tuesday, July 15): Guided Day on the Main South Platte

Call Royal Gorge Anglers at (888) 994-6743 and book a full-day wade trip. Ask for their "beginner fundamentals" trip to Eleven Mile Canyon. Cost: $500-550 for two anglers, $400-450 for one.

When you book, say exactly this: "I'm a beginner. I want to learn how to read water, nymph effectively, and present dry flies. I don't need to catch big fish - I want fundamentals."

Your guide will teach you:

• How to read seams, pockets, and feeding lanes
• High-stick nymphing and indicator fishing
• Dry fly presentation in slower water
• Which flies to use and why

Bring a waterproof notebook. Write down:

• Every fly pattern that worked (sizes and colors)
• Specific techniques the guide showed you
• Rivers or access points he recommends for your solo days

Day 2 (Wednesday, July 16): Solo Practice on Eleven Mile Canyon

Park at the Springer Gulch access (first pullout after entering the canyon). Get there by 7:00 AM before it gets crowded. Fish until noon.

This is pocket water - fish the seams behind rocks and along the banks. Target fish in the 10-14" range. They'll eat dry-droppers (Parachute Adams with a Pheasant Tail dropper) all morning.

Before you go, check the Eleven Mile Canyon gauge. You want 150-250 CFS. Above 300 CFS is tough for beginners.

Day 3 (Thursday, July 17): Small Creek Day - Tarryall Creek

Drive to Tarryall Creek Road. Park at the Forest Service access 2 miles past the campground. Get there by 8:00 AM.

This is small water - you'll fish upstream, staying low and quiet. Fish are 6-10" wild browns and brookies. They're eager to eat but spook easily.

Use a single dry fly (size 14-16 Elk Hair Caddis or Adams). Cast from 20 feet back. You'll catch a dozen fish if you stay quiet.

Day 4 (Friday, July 18): High Mountain Lake - Spinney Mountain Reservoir

Fish the South Cove area (turn left after entering Spinney). Get there by 6:30 AM for the morning rise. Bring waders - you'll wade the shallows.

Watch for cruising fish in 2-4 feet of water. They're bigger here (14-20") but visible. When you spot one, cast 10 feet ahead of where it's swimming.

Use a size 18-20 midge or BWO under a strike indicator. Move slow. This teaches patience.

If the lake is slow, fish the inlet where the South Platte enters. Check the Spinney gauge before you go.

Day 5 (Saturday, July 19): Put It All Together - Dream Stream

Fish the Dream Stream (South Platte between Spinney and Eleven Mile Reservoir). Park at the Charlie Meyers State Wildlife Area. Get there by 7:00 AM.

This is meadow water - wide, flat, with visible rising fish. This is the most technical water you'll fish all week.

Look for pods of rising trout. Use size 16-18 PMDs or caddis. Focus on drag-free drifts.

You'll probably get refused by a few smart fish. That's the point - you'll see what "intermediate" looks like and know what to work on next.

Gear and Logistics

Fly Shops:

• Anglers Covey (Colorado Springs) - full-service, great guide staff
• Ark Anglers (Salida) - closer to some of the water, good local knowledge

Both shops rent gear: $50-75/day for rod, reel, waders, boots. If you're buying, they'll get you set up properly.

Flies to Have:

• Dry flies: Parachute Adams #14-18, Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, PMD Comparaduns #16-18
• Nymphs: Pheasant Tail #16-18, Prince Nymph #14-16, Copper John #16-18
• Streamers: Woolly Bugger #8-10 (for the lake)

Don't overthink it. Get 6-12 of each pattern. You'll lose half of them anyway.

Where to Stay:

Book the Eleven Mile State Park campground for July 14-19 ($28/night = $140 total). Reserve at Colorado Parks & Wildlife 6 months in advance (opens January 14 for July dates).

Can't camp? Stay at the Woodland Motel in Woodland Park ($95/night = $475 total for 5 nights). It's 30 minutes from Eleven Mile Canyon.

Budget Breakdown:

• Lodging (5 nights camping): $140
• OR Lodging (5 nights motel): $475
• Guide (1 day): $450
• Gear rental (4 days): $240 ($60/day)
• Flies: $60
• Gas/food: $200
• Total (camping): $1,090
• Total (motel): $1,425

What You'll Actually Learn

By the end of 5 days, you'll be able to:

✅ Read different types of water and identify likely holding spots

✅ Present nymphs effectively with indicators and tight-line techniques

✅ Make decent dry fly presentations in slower water

✅ Recognize common hatches (caddis, mayflies, midges)

✅ Catch fish consistently in varied conditions

✅ Fish solo with confidence

You won't be an expert. But you'll be solidly intermediate. You'll have moved through stage 1 (catch A fish) deep into stage 2 (catch LOTS of fish), and you'll have glimpses of stage 3 when those smart Dream Stream trout refuse your flies.

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Don't skip the guided day. I know $450 feels like a lot, but trying to figure everything out solo will cost you 10x that in wasted time, bad habits, and frustration.

Don't show up at noon. Get to the water by 7:00-8:00 AM. Morning fishing is better, and you'll avoid crowds at popular spots like Eleven Mile Canyon.

Don't bring too much gear. You need: rod, reel, waders, boots, vest/pack, flies, tippet, nippers, forceps, and a fishing license. That's it. Don't overthink it.

Don't fish through lunch. Take a break from 12:00-3:00 PM. Fish less, eat lunch, take a nap. Evening fishing (4:00-7:00 PM) is often better anyway.

Why This Works: The Guide-Then-Solo Method

I've used this approach personally, and it's incredibly effective. Here's why:

Day 1 with a guide: You download years of knowledge in 8 hours. You learn the techniques, the spots, the flies.

Days 2-5 solo: You struggle to apply what you learned. You make mistakes. You figure things out. This is where real learning happens - when you have to solve problems yourself.

If you fish all 5 days with a guide, you'll catch more fish but learn less. If you fish all 5 days solo as a beginner, you'll develop bad habits and get frustrated.

One day guided, four days solo is the sweet spot.

When to Go

Book July 15-19, 2025 (third week of July). Here's why this week specifically:

• Runoff is done (flows drop to 100-250 CFS)
• Water temps are 55-62°F (ideal for trout)
• PMD and caddis hatches are consistent
• Weather is stable (75-80°F days, 45-50°F nights)
• Not crowded yet (August is busier)

Can't make these exact dates? The third and fourth weeks of July (July 14-26) work equally well. Avoid the first two weeks of July (runoff may still be high) and August (crowded, warmer water temps).

Two weeks before your trip, check the South Platte gauge and set up a flow alert. If flows are above 300 CFS, call Royal Gorge Anglers for conditions.

Your Action Plan

Here's exactly what to do right now:

Today:

1. Block off July 15-19, 2025 on your calendar
2. Call Royal Gorge Anglers at (888) 994-6743 and book your guide for July 15
3. Create a free RiverReports account to track flows

January 14, 2025:

4. Reserve Eleven Mile State Park campground for July 14-19 at Colorado Parks & Wildlife (or book Woodland Motel at 719-687-2244)

Two weeks before (July 1):

5. Check the South Platte gauge and set up a flow alert for 150-250 CFS
6. Buy your Colorado fishing license online (valid for the calendar year)
7. Order flies from Royal Gorge Anglers (they'll ship to you)
8. Confirm gear rental pickup for July 15 morning

Most beginners never build momentum - a weekend here, a day there. Five consecutive days is how you jump from "I hope I catch a fish" to "I know how to catch fish."

You'll come home a different angler.