North Fork Ranch & Fishing Lodge…The Experience

by Karen May

A day of fishing at North Fork Ranch and Fishing Lodge is always exceptional and an unforgettable experience!

Start strengthening your biceps in preparation to lift these hefty and healthy beauties! One cast can produce a fourteen inch brown trout, the next might be a 3-5 pound rainbow! In addition to rainbows and browns, cutthroat and brook trout are also seen in this healthy pristine private stretch. The Ranch is one of the most exclusive pieces of private water in Colorado and is known for large fish. Trout over 10 pounds have been known to be caught! The river caters to all skill levels from first time fly fishermen to experts looking for big fish.

fly fishing colorado south platte

The ranch is secluded in a picturesque mountain setting yet it is conveniently located on the North Fork of the South Platte River, an easy one hour drive from Denver. The ranch is an ideal base for anglers fishing the entire South Plate River drainage. This private water fishery is guided only but for anglers wanting to venture out on their own, the ranch is equal distances from the legendary tailwaters of the South Platte River: Cheesman Canyon, Elevnmile Canyon, Spinney Mountain Ranch (The “Dream Stream”). The South Platte River is home to endless small back country creeks, rivers, reservoirs and high country lakes to be explored.

For the passionate, dedicated angler who wants to accomplish both family time and great fishing the ranch offers a multitude of amenities. Recently awarded “Best Fly Fishing Dude Ranch in the USA” and featured as one of the “Top 50 Ranches in the USA”. Experience the west as a cowboy or cowgirl, while horseback riding at 8,100 feet. Enjoy adventures such as zip line, whitewater rafting, alpine hiking, trap shooting, in house fly fishing clinic, stocked fishing pond, and more. Or simply relax in the riverside swimming pool and hot tub or with our on site masseuse. Gourmet home cooked meals from your legendary hosts Karen and Dean May are anything but typical.

fly fishing colorado south platte
fly fishing colorado south platte

This unique environment with spectacular fishing on legendary water (President Dwight D Eisenhower’s favorite stretch of river) opens up opportunities to gather, bond, celebrate special occasions or simply reconnect. Best quoted by a recent guest, “Overwhelmingly comfortable place to fish, relax, wind up in a fun activity or wind down surrounded by the tranquil beauty of nature. North Fork Ranch is Truly an Experience”.

If you go:

North Fork Ranch is located about 65 miles SW of Denver on Hwy 285 near Shawnee. Reservations and arrangements must be made in advance. See the website for more information at www.northforkranch.com