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