About Bucking Rainbow Outfitters
Bucking Rainbow Outfitters is Steamboat Springs' premier fly fishing shop and guide service, operating from a downtown location on Lincoln Avenue that has been the starting point for Yampa Valley fishing adventures for over two decades. The shop is staffed by passionate anglers who fish the local waters year-round and can put clients on trout whether conditions call for dry flies on a summer evening or nymphing through deep winter runs. Their guide roster includes some of the most experienced fly fishing professionals in northwest Colorado.
Guided trips cover the Yampa River (including the exclusive Gold Medal stretch through downtown Steamboat), the Elk River, and smaller mountain streams that most visitors would never find on their own. Half-day and full-day wade trips are the bread and butter, but float trips on the Yampa in drift boats provide a different perspective and access to water that's difficult to reach on foot. All trips include premium Orvis and Sage rod-and-reel setups, waders, boots, and a comprehensive selection of locally tied flies.
The retail shop stocks everything an angler needs — rods, reels, waders, boots, fly-tying materials, and a massive wall of flies curated for local conditions. Free daily fishing reports are posted on their website, giving visiting anglers real-time intelligence on hatches, water levels, and recommended patterns. For non-fishing companions, the shop can arrange rafting, horseback riding, and other activities through local partner outfitters, making Bucking Rainbow a useful concierge for groups with mixed interests. It's the kind of fly shop that earns a return visit every time you're in Steamboat.
