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

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

Fly Fishing - Crested Butte, Colorado

Crested Butte, Colorado Fly Fishing Photography

San Juan Mountains

Crested Butte, Colorado is hands down one of my favorite places to go fly fishing in the country. It’s just one of my favorite places period. Combine the stunning views with their mountain town culture and access to all sorts of fly fishing, and the place is hard to beat. Summertime anywhere in the San Juan mountains will seduce you whether you’re aware of it or not. The images are from a recent backcountry fly fishing trip with friends to a small creek that shall go unnamed for obvious reasons. There is plenty of easy fishing access around around Crested Butte on the Taylor River, East River, and Gunnison River, so blowing up such a remote spot like this would cause me to lose sleep. Just looking at these photographs is FOMO inducing. Can’t wait to get back out there.

Click here to see more of my fly fishing photography.

Summer fly fishing near Crested Butte, Colorado

Fly fishing in Crested Butte, Colorado

Photograph of two friends fly fishing a small creek in Colorado

Fly fisherman wading up a river in Crested Butte, Colorado

Photograph of a fly fisherman climbing over a pile of logs along a stream

A fly fisherman climbing over a pile of trees and branches on the side of a river outside Crested Butte, Colorado

Photograph of a fly fisherman casting in a beautiful section of stream near Crested Butte, Colorado

Fly fishing a picturesque stream in the San Juan Mountains

Photograph of beers cooling off in a pool off on the side of a stream in Colorado

Cans of Coors Banquet chilling in river water during a fly fishing trip in Colorado

Catching trout on a backcountry stream in Colorado

Backcountry fly fishing in Colorado

A fly fisherman netting a trout in a small stream surrounded by canyon walls in Colorado

Fly fisherman laughing after a fun day on the river in Crested Butte, Colorado

Fly fishing wading boots and wading socks drying on a tree

Wyoming Cattle Ranch

Wyoming Cowboy Photography

American West

A cowboy gathering cattle on a ranch outside Laramie, Wyoming. Cowboy Photographer Rob Hammer.

Wyoming cattle drive

Wyoming is a land rich in rugged beauty, where open plains meet towering mountain ranges, and the cowboy way of life still thrives. One of the most iconic images that evokes the spirit of the American West is that of a working cowboy on a Wyoming cattle ranch. These photos not only showcase the breathtaking landscapes but also the hard work, dedication, and heritage that define ranch life.

A cattle drive on a large ranch in Wyoming by cowboy photographer Rob Hammer.

Cowboys moving cattle on a ranch in Wyoming

A cowboy lets his horse drink from a pond during a long cattle drive on a ranch in Wyoming by cowboy photographer Rob Hammer.

Black and white cowboy photography print

Cowboys herd cattle on a rugged section of open ranch in Wyoming by cowboy photographer Rob Hammer

Wyoming cowboys

Silverton Mountain

Silverton Mountain in Colorado is unlike any other place you can ski/ride in the U.S. Think of it as the exact opposite of Vail. First of all, just getting there is a commitment, as it's about a 6.5 hour drive from Denver. The last part of the drive titled "The Million Dollar Highway" is about as much fun as you can have on a mountain pass. Switchback after switchback, with very few if any guardrails, and long steep drops off the side. The town itself is the kind of place you can see having gun fights in the street back in the day. That kind of town. Drive about 15 minutes out the back of town, and there is a parking lot. Next to the parking lot is a trailer with skis/snowboards piled on it. Next to that is a 2 person chairlift and a yurt for a lodge. That's it. No bougie villages with people wearing fur boots while sipping on a Hot Toddy. Just friendly people that want to ride. And all those people are earning there turns, because that 2 seater lift only goes 3/4 of the way up. From there, your guide leads you on a hike up ardigeline to the place he chooses for you to drop in. And did I mention that they are only open Friday-Sunday? Which means the snow piles up all week, so you're always getting fresh turns. On top of that, the guides section off the mountain, to keep things fresh for the next two days. The terrain is steep and technical. And fun. If you're a serious skier, you should get to Silverton. I loved it so much and wasn't even in great skiing shape when we were there. It was only my second day riding for the year, and I was just finishing up a month long cross-country road trip. Hell of a cap, but definitely wish I was in better shape. Either way, it was a great time, and I can't wait to go back in March. Did a little bit of shooting while I was there too. Hard not to. On day two, the light was so good, I didn't have a choose. It was partly cloudy, so the sun was peaking in and out of clouds. Creating some surreal conditions. Silverton rocks.