Broadacres Ranch offers a unique combination of big tailwater, diverse pocket water, meadow freestone, and stillwater private fisheries. You can spend a morning stalking and wading the Rio Grande and then have an intimate afternoon on our smaller freestone fishery, Shallow Creek.

Our private river fisheries employ a carefully controlled "beat" system limited to eight anglers to ensure a quality angling experience. If you’d like a change of pace from fishing moving water, you can always challenge the trophy trout in our private lakes.

In addition to fishing on the ranch, Broadacres has miles of backcountry and float trip access for our more adventurous guests. We’re surrounded by the Rio Grande National Forest and as a result, there are hundreds of miles of streams and many lakes in close proximity to the Broadacres.

• The Rio Grande

   

  One of Colorado's best-kept secrets, the Rio Grande River starts 25 miles west of Broadacres Ranch in the San Juan Mountains. Flowing clear and cold from Rio Grande Reservoir, by the time the river reaches the Broadacres property line it takes on the characteristics of both a freestone stream and a tail water fishery. The 2.5 miles of private water at Broadacres is a broad, fast flowing piece of water with a variable boulder and gravel bottom. The river itself is easily accessed by wading, but it can also be floated. There is so much holding water from bank to bank that one can fish an entire morning without moving more than a few yards.

  The Rio Grande and its tributaries on and near Broadacres Ranch have an incredibly diverse population of aquatic insects. The river's peak season, starting around late June when runoff usually subsides, commences with a terrific golden stonefly hatch. Multiple species of other stones, mayflies and caddis come off before and after the stonefly hatch begins, and continue to hatch heavily throughout the summer and early fall. Big hatches mean fantastic dry fly fishing throughout our peak fishing season.

  The Ranch's 2.5 mile stretch of the Rio Grande typically produces brown and rainbow trout. Most of the fish are wild, but there are some stocked rainbows in the mix. The average fish size on the Ranch is about 14 inches, but fish up to 20 inches are commonly caught during a day's fishing. Trophies up to 25 inches are not too rare, either. All fishing on the ranch is catch & release.

   

• Shallow Creek
  Shallow Creek is a classic freestone tributary to the Rio Grande that runs through the northern side of Broadacres property. Flowing at about 8-15 cfs during the summer months, there are over 1.5 miles of beautiful river offering fantastic dry fly fishing in both a pocket water and meadow environment.
  
  Like its larger cousin the Rio Grande, the entire private section of Shallow Creek received extensive in-stream habitat improvements, from countless natural rock and log structures, to the deepening of existing holding water. The end result is a virtual angler’s paradise - nothing but riffle--pool-riffle rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout!
  
  Tired of catching the big hopper-eating browns on Shallow Creek? Had enough of those beautiful wild caddis-sipping rainbows on the Rio Grande? Our 11 acres of private lakes provide a change of pace from the rushing waters of the Rio Grande and Shallow Creek and offer trophy browns, brookies, and rainbows. Additionally, we have a smaller lake with very aggressive rainbows - a perfect place to practice your cast or to get kids hooked on the great sport of fly fishing. Float tubes are available for hours of relaxed fishing on the lakes.
  
  For those who are ready for little more adventure, Broadacres Ranch provides fantastic backcountry fishing opportunities. Broadacres Ranch guides on over 50 miles of backcountry streams in the Rio Grande National Forest. Float trips on the upper 30 miles of the Rio Grande River are also available in season. These waters offer exciting additions to the ranch fishing and a chance to explore more of the breathtaking beauty of the area. You’ll have the opportunity to land browns, brookies, rainbows, or perhaps even a cutthroat or two.