Fly fishing Colorado - A K-T ranch review

We are pleased to be working with a new operation in Colorado at K-T ranch. K-T Ranch is 975 acre working ranch located in Meeker, Western Colorado. The property has 7 miles of the world class white river and numerous spring creeks providing a diverse trout fishery. The ranch is suited to both small group bookings and family holidays and provides an authentic experience of the American midwest. You can read a review below of a recent clients visit to the K-T ranch.....

COLORADO 2010-09-27

“ It was a long way to go fro some trout fishing !”

Well yes it is, some 26 hours from our home in Yorkshire but from the moment we were met by Buzz and Rose Cox ( and Princeton their Yoda look a like dog ) at the K-T Ranch we knew that we were in for a very special holiday.

Buzz described recently in a fishing magazine as a “ quiet and taciturn man “ could have been mistaken for a member of a ‘60s rock band ( complete with chromium Harley Davidson parked in the garage ) but he proved to be a superb guide and an extremely amiable and humorous companion. Within minutes of entering the White River with it’s fast water rifles and eddies, tying on a “Chubby Chernobyl “ ( which resembled a small surf board with half a dead sheep tied to it ) I was landing my first substantial Rainbow, followed by Brown, Cutbow and the especially lovely Cutthroat trout.




During the next 10 days Pam and I caught many fish up to 24” on Hoppers, Nymphs and Streamers ( the latter used in cloudy conditions which meant they were rarely used ). The trout were supplemented by White fish ( a grayling look alike without the extended dorsal fin ) and an unusual Flannelmouth.



In addition to the White River we had access to some much smaller spring fed creeks which Buzz has lovingly developed which provided sight fishing opportunities. The cattle upstream clouded the water whilst we were staying but we have to remember this is essentially ranching country !

We also took the chance to do fish the Colorado river a couple of times in a float boat. This was guided by Dustin Harcourt again a very able and experienced river guide. We caught many fish ( and had lots of laughs) mainly by nymphing the edges of some fast water ably assisted by some expert boatmanship in a very comfortable boat.

All of the fish caught were wild, fully finned and in superb condition a great test for our 4 and 5 weight outfits and a great testament to the conditions found in the rivers. I have never seen such abundant food resources clinging to every single rock and boulder.




At the K-T ranch it was not all fishing Pam managed to be invited on a cattle round up ( complete with two very real and charming cowboys) and went for some horse rides, the scenery and sky in Colorado is breathtaking especially seen from horse back at 9000 feet. We also took part in some Elk stalking and together with the surrounding wildlife it was a real privilege to see this country through the eyes of the locals.

However the most important part of the K-T is Rose. She is a most welcoming, courteous and charming lady making our stay and mealtimes especially memorable. Thank you.

K-T is part of a larger business including the main ranch at High Lonesome some 2 hours drive away were we spent the last few days of our visit. High Lonesome is run more as a dude ranch providing fishing, shooting, riding , communal dining and good food.



The fishing is on clear beaver ponds, some man made. We were expertly guided by Steve Loshbaugh ( another great companion ) all the trout species previously caught were there plus in addition some beautiful Brook trout. Once again fish readily took dry flies and small nymphs and there really were some monster fish. Pam landed a Rainbow of 25”+ ( on an English Daddy Longlegs ) and at dinner that night was presented with her pin as a member of the 25” club (up to then only 8 members on the board she being the only female) This was followed the next night by both of us receiving membership of the “ Grand Slam “ club (again only 1 member previously shown) so maybe the fishing wasn’t that easy!

Colorado was a great experience for us both. The weather and scenery far exceeded our expectations. The fishing and the people were superb, it may be a long way to go for trout but we can’t wait for our visit next year.

Well done Mat for finding and setting up a really great and special trip!!

Alan and Pam.

FOR INFORMATION PACK, DVD AND BOOKINGS PLEASE EMAIL US OR CALL ON + 44 (0) 1621 743711

Fly Fishing in Bosnia - Trip report

Our last Orvis group trip for the season was to the Rivers Ribnik and Pliva in Bosnia. Paul Procter gives an account of the fishing and almightly hatches of flies below....

A party of five rods and myself have just returned from Bosnia where we experienced unprecedented hatches of fly on the Ribnik. With perfect river levels and gin clear conditions, targeting trout and grayling was relatively straightforward. For once the weather dealt us a kind hand, overcast and muggy for the entire trip is a dry fly fishermen’s dream. Consequently, vast numbers of Pale Wateries and Blue Winged Olives kept fish rising all day long.



Initially, the challenge was presenting you imitation without any telltale drag. Decreasing leader diameters to 7X (0.10mm) certainly helped, as did a drop in fly size. And, once we’d done this the flood gates well and truly opened. Peter Legge managed to catch his first ever grayling on the first morning. Chuffed to bits, he climbed back into the river and proceeded to winkle out another five the best of them topping some 2lb. As you can imagine, he was grinning from ear to ear!

Under the watchful eye of our guide, Paul Maxwell mastered the downstream approach with a dry fly. And, having got his eye in there was no stopping him. Interestingly, brown trout featured heavily in Paul’s returns though he did manage to charm the odd grayling or two. As for Garry Carr, he came into his own on the Pliva by pitching a nymph into lively pools and runs.



Mike Collins, Steve Grimes and myself simply just pottered about, quietly slipping into the water here and there. On one occasion, Mike was blistering form, as it seemed every time I glanced upstream, his rod was buckled over in to yet another feisty trout. Steve too did me proud though he experienced a relapse when he lost a huge brown trout. Following the usually outcry, he soon settled down and continued to tempt fish with a size 18 CdC F fly.



Being autumn, chilly mountain air would come wafting down the valley about 5pm, summoning an end to the day’s events. Time for a cool beer and to reflect on what must rank as some of the most memorable hatches I’ve witnessed to date. As usually, it’s not until boarding the plane home that we suddenly realized just how special this adventure had been. Dates are already being planned for next season, roll on September 2011.

Paul Procter Sept 2010

Fly Fishing Varzina River, Russia: Client report

We had a group of anglers from Farlows, Pall Mall fish the Varzina River on the North Kola Peninsula in Russia in mid July this year. Chris Ward has kindly provided a report on the fishing during his week.....

Varzina Fly Fishing Report
We get our first view of the Varzina as the helicopter banks hard to the right on its final descent towards the camp.
Even from two thousand feet up the river is an imposing site as it cuts an impatient dash through the wild tundra of Russia’s northern Kola Peninsula.

Long foaming stretches of boulder strewn rapids are interspersed with mouth watering glassy pools and immediately I’m reminded of the advice from our Farlows representative. “Don’t expect to catch 50 fish in a week here but make sure you have strong tackle because this is a powerful river where you may just catch the fish of a lifetime,” I was told.

The camp sits on a hill with commanding views of the Varzina at its junction with the River Penka. The river is tidal here and it’s possible to see fresh fish entering the home pool on rising water. It also makes for some excellent fishing after dinner just a few minutes walk from the main lodge in the endless arctic daylight. We’re already too late in the season for the Penka’s impressive run of 20lb spring fish but our week from July 10-17 is considered a peak time for the Varzina. Even before leaving London we’d heard rumours that runs of salmon right across the Kola were down on previous years but I chose to banish negative thoughts and fish as hard as I could in the week ahead.

On the first morning my fishing partner and I were first to be dropped off by the helicopter at Finn Pool – one of the most consistent and productive beats on the river. Either side of lunch I lost two good salmon, one of them right at the net. Mastering the art of playing such powerful fish in heavy currents is all part of the learning experience. Towards the end of the afternoon my guide, Volodya, ferried me over to the right bank and within a few minutes of casting into the tail of the pool I hooked and landed a lovely fresh 13lb fish right on the lip of the rapids. Simultaneously, my fishing partner was into a better fish on the left bank and I enjoyed the theatre as our guide rowed back across like an Olympian to net what turned out to be a cracking 16 pounder.

And so the week continued with each day a new fishing experience on a new beat. The visiting angler can expect a mixture of rock hopping, different grades of wading, some easy casting and some not so easy. If, like me, you’re relatively new to salmon fishing it will pay to put in the hours back home to finesse your spey casting – preferably off both shoulders so you can cope with all circumstances.

I ended the week with 14 fish to 19 pounds. There were bigger fish to 25 lbs for some of my more experienced fishing friends and we saw plenty of grilse in the river which must auger well for future years.

For more information on rods available on the Varzina River in 2011 please email us or call on +44 1621743711

Fly Fish Iceland: Breiodalsa Salmon Report

Recently Tom Festing of Sportfish hosted a group of enthusiastic salmon anglers to Iceland's Breiodalsa and Jokla rivers. The Breiodalsa and Jokla are located in the North East of this majestic fly fishing country and offer a wilderness salmon fishing experience. While river levels were not perfect both rivers produced good numbers and size of fish with 60 odd salmon coming to the 5 rods over the 6 days fishing.

George Kavanagh produced a stunning set of images from the trip a selection of which can be seen below. To view more of George's photography follow the link to his website.











All images copyright of George Kavanagh

Guests comments

The fishing was great on the Breidalsa and tributary and our Icelandic guide, Sigi, was charming and very knowledgeable. The valley is beautiful with its broad sweep between hills and mountains to the sea. The clouds come floating along the sides of the valley so that the tops of the hills appear above them - sunlit if you're lucky. Lovely. The river and tributary have waterfalls and craggy pools as well as broad, smooth stretches - a bit of everything, you might say. I loved it.

C. Kershaw

In 2011 Fly Odyssey will be offering a range of salmon fly fishing rivers including the Breiodalsa, Jokla, East Ranga, Big laxa, and Laxa at Leirarsveit. For rod availability and rates for 2011 please email us or call on +44 1621743711.