Colorado High Country Dry Fly Fishing | Where to Fly Fish in the Thin Air of Colorado's High Country | Summer 2025

In this episode, we head up—way up—into the alpine zones of Colorado’s backcountry to talk high country dry fly fishing. If you’re sick of fishing behind three other people on the South Platte, this is your invitation to breathe thin air, throw big loops, and fool native cutthroat in cold, clear water.

Colorado high country streams are at their peak from mid-June through early August. The runoff has settled, the hatches are reliable, and the fish aren’t nearly as picky as their tailwater cousins—unless you screw up your drift.

We cover:

• What counts as high country (hint: if it’s under 8,000 feet, it’s not it)

• The best months, times of day, and weather windows for dry fly success

• What to pack: from Parachute Adams to terrestrials, with only the essentials

• Why stealth matters more than fly choice

• How to get technical without overthinking it

We also spotlight a few of our favorite alpine drainages and small creeks that fish lights-out with a single fly and a 3-weight. Whether you’re hiking into Rocky Mountain National Park or poking around roadside creeks near Leadville, this episode breaks down what makes high country dry fly fishing one of the most rewarding ways to catch trout in Colorado.

No indicator rigs. No mop flies. Just clean casts, good water, and rising fish.

Want to read the full post? Visit RiseBeyondFlyFishing.com for the full breakdown, fly recommendations, and more content for the modern Colorado angler.