Fly Fishing the Yampa River. Tom Kirkpatrick

      Yampa River (Northwest Colorado)

       Location: About 180 miles northwest of Denver International Airport.

      The Yampa River below Stagecoach Reservoir is an intimate tailwater, full of character and intrigue. Despite offering less than ¾ mile of public access, this tailwater will challenge and frustrate even veteran anglers.

      The Yampa River starts in the Flattops Wilderness Area near the town of Yampa, Colorado, about 40 miles south of Steamboat Springs. At its headwaters, the river is called the Bear River; as it flows from south to north and meets up with Chimney Creek, the river changes names to the Yampa River, and continues its northward journey. The river empties into Stagecoach Reservoir, 15 miles South of Steamboat Springs, near the town of Oak Creek. The reservoir itself offers anglers good opportunities to catch trout and northern pike, which are a kick in the pants for fly anglers to pursue with a 7- or 8-weight rod. However, the true gem of the state park for anglers is found below the dam, in the tailwater section.

      Gin-clear water; Volkswagen Beetle-size boulders; deep, narrow runs pouring into long, mellow riffles—these are some of the ingredients