Rocky Mountain National Park Fly Fishing Photos for Editorial and Commercial Use

Rob Hammer June 4, 2025

Chasing Trout in the High Country: A Fly Fishing Journey Through Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado is filled with iconic destinations for fly fishing, and for good reason, Rocky Mountain National Park is near the top of the list. The quality of fishing their combined with the views make it world class. The fishing here isn’t just good, it’s meaningful. These rivers and creeks are full of native greenback cutthroat, wild browns, and brook trout that look like they were painted by hand. You earn your casts, too. Some of these spots are a few miles in on foot, tucked beneath craggy peaks and snowfields, far from the roadside crowds. That’s part of what makes it special—and part of why I photograph it the way I do. There are far too many places in the country where you can just pull over a toss a line, but here you need to be skilled and focused. The park is rugged and varied from one section to the next. The Moraine is big open country where you backcast is never a concern, but fighting the wind sure is, so finding those trophy trout 9ft deep in the banks can be quite the challenge. And as you move back along the Big Thompson River, the forest starts to move in around you, making each cast more difficult and technical the further you go. Have you been practicing your slingshot cast, because you’re gonna need it?!

I’m not staging anything. I’m out there for real. Early mornings, cold fingers tying on flies, watching the fog lift off the water. That’s the stuff I try to capture—authentic moments that feel lived-in and true to the experience. If you're a fly fisher yourself, you’ll recognize it. And if you're looking for images that tell a genuine story—one about wild fish in wild places—then you've come to the right place.

This collection of photographs from Rocky Mountain National Park is available for editorial and commercial licensing. Whether you're working on a magazine spread, a catalog, a branding campaign, or just need images that reflect the quiet power of time spent on the water, these visuals are built for it. They're not just pretty—they're grounded, real, and made by someone who knows what it means to be waist-deep in cold mountain water, focused on dead drifting to smart trout.

If you need photography that feels real, something that captures the spirit of fly fishing in wild places, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to help you find the right photos for your editorial, commercial, or branding needs. Just shoot me a message and let me know what you're looking for - rob@robhammerphotography.com

A fly fisherman ties a fly to his line while sitting on the back of his car in a beautiful mountain location — Fly fishing guide tying a fly to his line before fishing in front of snow capped peaks

Photograph of a fly fisherman surrounded by rugged terrain and snow capped mountains in Rocky Mountain National Park — Fly fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park

A fly fisherman walking through a beautiful section of the Big Thompson River in Rocky Mountain National Park — Big Thompson River Fly Fishing - Rocky Mountain National Park

Photograph of a fly fisherman putting floatant on his fly while standing in front of snowy mountains — Fly fisherman adding floatant to his fly

A fly fisherman walking through the Moraine in Rocky Mountain National Park — Fly fishing the Moraine - Rocky Mountain NP

A fly fisherman netting a fish surrounded by dense brush in rugged terrain — Backcountry fly fishing

Photograph of a fly fisherman walking through a dense forest of burned trees — Fly fisherman walking through a forest of burned trees in Rocky Mountain National Park

Photograph of a fly fisherman frustrated after losing a fish in Rocky Mountain National Park — Frustrated fly fisherman after losing a fish

A fly fisherman fishing a rugged section of the Big Thomson River — Fly fisherman netting a trout in a backcountry section of the Big Thompson River

Photograph of a fly fisherman on a high alpine river in Colorado — Rocky Mountain National Park fly fishing

Photograph of a fly fisherman smiling — Smiling fly fisherman

A fly fisherman walks up the river past a huge dead tree in Colorado — Authentic fly fishing photography

Best Places to Fly Fish in Estes Park, Colorado

Rob Hammer March 29, 2025

Estes Park Fly Fishing Photographs

Big Thompson Canyon

Whether you’re a Denver/Boulder local or just visiting the area from out of town, Colorado has incredible fly fishing for everyone! Only an hour and a half from Denver International Airport, Estes Park offers world class views and countless fly fishing opportunities. The hardest part is choosing which one!

The Beauty of Big Thompson Canyon

Big Thompson Canyon is not just a pathway to Estes Park but a destination in its own right. The canyon's river winds through rugged terrain, with clear waters that are perfect for fly fishing. The natural beauty of this area provides a jaw dropping backdrop for a day of fishing, where the only sounds are the rushing waters and calls of local wildlife. At any point of any day you’re likely to catch sight of elk, deer, and other wildlife that make the Rocky Mountains their home. Unlike a lot of other locations that require long hikes into the backcountry, this section of the Big Thompson River is not only stunning, it’s also easily accessible. There are endless pull-offs on Route 34 (Big Thompson Canyon Rd) that grant you access to peaceful isolation just a few minutes from your truck. It’s one of those places where you can easily spend a few hours to get your fix, then be back in time for lunch or dinner depending on the time of day. And with so much access, there’s no need to be fishing around other people. Just the drive through the canyon alone is worth the effort!

If you’re in need of a fly fishing guide for a day on the Big Thompson River, contact Front Range Anglers. They’ll take good care of you.

Click HERE to shop my fly fishing wall art

Photograph of a fly fisherman kneeling on ice while casting into the Big Thompson River near Estes Park, Colorado. — Estes Park Fly Fishing

Winter fly fishing near Estes Park, Colorado — Winter fly fishing - Estes Park, CO

Photograph of a fly fisherman netting a trout in Estes Park, Colorado — Winter trout fishing in Colorado

Rainbow trout caught in winter near Estes Park, CO — Rainbow Trout - Estes Park

Photograph of a fly fisherman in a snowstorm in Colorado — Fly fishing in the snow

Colorado winter fly fishing — Winter fly fishing in Colorado

Photograph of a fly fisherman crouching in the river to avoid being seen by fish — Colorado Fly Fishing

Photograph of a mallard swimming by a fly fisherman — Mallard

Photograph of a fly fsherman removing a hook from the mouth of a rainbow trout — Removing hook from Rainbow Trout

Black and white photograph of a fly fisherman in Big Thomson Canyon near Estes Park — Black and white photo of fly fishing in Estes Park

Long exposure photograph of water flowing on a river — Abstract river photograph

Chasing Trout and Capturing Moments: Fly Fishing the Big Thompson River

Rob Hammer November 9, 2024

Big Thompson River Fly Fishing Photography

Just outside Loveland, Colorado, the Big Thompson River tumbles through its canyon like a secret meant to be shared sparingly. Here, under the towering rock faces and amid the seasonal flourish of aspens, the trout glide in waters so clear they seem borrowed from another world. It’s a place that refuses to be ordinary, even as it sits just a short drive from the sprawl of Denver and Boulder. Those who find themselves here—rod in hand or simply drawn to the rhythm of the river—know they’ve stepped into something rare.

On a crisp morning not long ago, I joined two Front Range Anglers guides, John Brown and Charlie Schaefer, for a walk along this stretch of the Big Thompson. Both men carried the quiet competence of those who’ve spent enough time on the water to lose the need for bravado. Watching them fish was like watching a craftsman turn wood on a lathe—each cast a practiced motion, each drift a moment of intent. Their chosen method was euro nymphing, a stripped-down approach that trades flashy for effective. The rewards spoke for themselves: trout rising from the depths, some modest, others stretching well past the 20-inch mark.

Walking the riverbank, my camera ready, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this place was built for dreams. The pools, deep and inviting, seemed to whisper promises of trophy fish. The riffles, swift and playful, dared anglers to master their currents. And then there was the light—always shifting, always softening or sharpening the canyon in ways that made even the most routine moments shimmer.

Fall is the Big Thompson’s most dramatic mood. The aspens and cottonwoods light up like fire, a golden warmth against the cool grip of the river. The trout, sensing the change, become bold and hungry, their movements electric against the calm of the season. Some days, the sky stretches wide and blue; others, it crouches low, heavy with clouds or mist. It’s the kind of beauty that demands both attention and reverence, the kind that fills a camera frame yet somehow feels too large to hold.

But fly fishing, as anyone who loves it will tell you, is never just about the fish. It’s a slow-burn affair with the land and water, a test of patience and awareness, a chance to step into the raw pulse of the natural world. For brands and magazines hoping to capture the soul of fly fishing, or for those who simply long to lose themselves in its rhythms, the Big Thompson River is more than a location—it’s a story waiting to be told.

The river has a way of holding onto you long after you’ve left its banks. Its trout, its wildness, its ever-changing moods—all of it lingers like a song you can’t quite stop humming. As a photographer, I find it both a privilege and a challenge to try to pin that feeling down, to turn moments into images that speak to the unspoken connection we have with water, fish, and the landscapes that hold them. On the Big Thompson, I can’t help but feel like I’m chasing something infinite.

Click HERE to check out more of my fly fishing photography and contact me directly to inquire about prints - rob@robhammerphotography.com