ArkAnglers Fly Shop

Guided Trips
Never Ever Guided Trips – Our Never Ever Package combines our half- or full-day guided wade fishing trip with use of all equipment, terminal tackle and flies, and a one-day Colorado fishing license. All for one simple price. You can literally walk into our shop in Salida or Buena Vista wearing street clothes and a smile and we’ll outfit you completely for a day of guided fishing. We offer half day or full day options.

Wade Trips – Tailored to the needs of each individual guest, a guided wade trip will get the first-timer off to a solid start, provide more advanced instruction for the intermediate angler, and familiarize all with general and current tactics for fishing the Arkansas River. We offer half day or full day options.

High Lake Trips – Perhaps nothing distinguishes the Colorado fly-fishing experience like casting to cruising cutthroats at timberline. The hike up through the forest, thin air and delicate wildflowers, spectacular views down valley, the remaining snowfields still dripping in the higher cirques…it all combines with the crystal clear water and outsized fish to impart an otherworldliness to the fishing. Despite the attention lavished on the fabled waters of the Arkansas River, the valley is also home to one of the greatest concentrations of alpine lakes in the Rockies, most of which hold healthy populations of trout. As the summer unfolds, ArkAnglers guides follow the receding ice to higher and higher elevations, sharing this special fishing experience with intrepid guests through September. High lake trips are a full day.

Fly Fishing 101 – Perfect for the beginner and experienced angler alike, this one-day course is an exploratory session in fly fishing. The course includes classroom time with presentations on selection and rigging of equipment, aquatic insects and their imitations, and trout behavior. The course also features a casting clinic and river demonstrations on reading the water, line management, and fly presentation. The course fee is $175 per person and includes equipment use and a $100 gift certificate to ArkAnglers. Space is limited 2025 Spring Fly Fishing 101 Dates: March 29, April 12*, April 26, May 10*, May 24, June 7* (*Kim teaches. Head guide Stuart Andrews teaches the other dates)

CMC Salida

Fly Fishing – Introduction to Casting
Register with CMC at https://community-education.coloradomtn.edu/
Join instructor and avid fly fisher, Kim LeTourneau, in this beginner friendly fly casting course to learn the fundamentals of fly fishing. This course will introduce you to the basic physics and terms used in fly casting as well as physical casting techniques. You will learn the overhead cast, the roll cast, and aerial mending technique used during a cast to help manage line before it hits the water. This class will ensure you have a well-rounded base to make the most of your future fly fishing experiences.
Spring 2025
Session 1: Lesson 1 – March 28, 1 p.m. CMC Lawn, Lesson 2 – April 4, 1 p.m. Franz Lake
Session 2: Lesson 1 – April 10, 5:30 p.m. CMC Lawn, Lesson 2 – April 17, 5:30 p.m. – Franz Lake
*Franz Lake session – Requires fishing license, sunglasses, fly rod/reel (can be provided if needed); brimmed hat encouraged.

Fly Fishing – Bug Basics – Spring 2025
Register with CMC at https://community-education.coloradomtn.edu/
Learn about the different types of aquatic insects living in the Arkansas River and surrounding areas, their life cycles, and how to “Match the Hatch” when you are fly fishing. The class will give you an overview of basic entomology which will help you pick what fly patterns to use to enhance your days on the water. 
Lesson 1: April 22, 2025, 5:30 p.m. – Classroom at CMC
Lesson 2: April 25, 2025, 1 p.m. – on the river – location tbd

Fly Gals (of Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited) – Spring 2025 Dates TBD

Casting 101 – Limit 6 – First timers prioritized – create wait list of those who have taken a casting class prior – equipment available with advance request – Beverages/food after – Salida

Fishing Moving Water – Basics of casting, reading water – waders encouraged – limit of 6 (I may be able to add more if there are some other guides willing to help out) – equipment available with advance request – Beverages Food after – Salida

Fly Tying in Nathrop:

Join ArkAngler’s Guide, FlyGal, and avid fly fisher, Kim LeTourneau. Kim will be leading some fly tying classes at Kim’s Indoor Arena Property in Nathrop on the following dates, all on Wednesdays:
TBD – 6:00 pm  Fly Tying 101. This class is for First Timers.  You will be learning how to tie your very first fly.  Limited to 5 spots. Any equipment and supplies needed will be available to use or borrow.
TBD – 6:00 pm  Fly Tying-Midges.  Some experience needed. 
TBD – 6:00 pm. Fly Tying-Caddis.  Some experience needed. 
TBD – 6:00 pm  Fly Tying-Mayfly. Some experience needed.  
TBD – 6:00 pm  Fly Tying-Stonefly.  Some experience needed. 
Those who took Fly Tying 101 are eligible and encouraged to continue with this class and the following classes if you can and are interested.  Max 10 people ( up to 5 from the 101 class plus 5 additional women with some experience)  Any equipment and supplies needed will be available to use or borrow.
Gals must sign up in advance as space is limited. Check back for updated information soon!