A circular shaft of light filters through the fir branches, silhouetting the 22 inch rainbow who hovers a foot below the crystalline water. He surfaces semi-regularly, on his own rhythm, feasting on emerging blue winged olives. You try to time his movements, waiting for the perfect moment to cast the gray-green size 22 cul de canard floating nymph into his feeding lane. As it drifts by, the fish makes a two inch move to the left, only to take a natural. You pick up the line, make a side armed roll cast, and know when the fly hits the spot. You see the lunker rise, the white of his mouth a flash of pure adrenaline. Lifting the rod, you set the hook and the fight is on!

On most trout streams along Colorado’s front range, this is the best moment one could hope for on any day, and usually would be the fish of the year. But on the exclusive private waters of Boxwood Gulch and Long Meadow, this can happen around every corner! The browns, rainbows, cut bows and palomino trout that inhabit this 3.5 mile stretch of the North Fork of the South Platte River near Bailey average 18 inches and two pounds apiece. A 24 incher is hooked on almost every trip, and the largest trout landed last season was a 28 inch behemoth rainbow.

The Boxwood section is completely private, yours will be the only group there. A clubhouse with heat, a bathroom, and a gas grill is situated right in the middle of the action. The Long Meadow section is semi-private, there might be one other group there besides your own.

We are one of a very few guiding services allowed to lead trips on this exclusive water an hour from Denver. Book your trip soon, this great property fills up quickly!