Reeling in Stories and Sustainability at a Colorado Fishing Retreat: The Broadmoor Fly Fishing Camp

Have you ever wondered how the gentle tug of a fly rod can transport you to a state of pure bliss? Join me as we embark on a captivating excursion to The Broadmoor Fly Fishing Camp, nestled in the heart of Colorado's majestic wilderness. There, amidst the whispering pines and flowing Tarryall River, Krista Heinicke and Randy Babas share the lure of this tranquil pastime and how it shapes the soul. Krista and Randy unravel their narratives that have intertwined with the art of fly fishing, offering a retreat that's not just about catching fish, but about capturing moments.

With rods in hand and the Colorado sky above, we delve into the intricacies and enchantment of fly fishing. Whether it's a beginner's first cast or an expert's seasoned sling, this episode is flush with insights into the delicate dance of selecting the right flies, mimicking the river's natural buffet, and practicing sustainable catch-and-release. As Krista and Randy guide us through the seamless integration of luxury and wilderness, we uncover the secrets to enhancing the angling experience and why a guided session could be the golden ticket to mastering this ancient sport. Embark on this journey to discover the symphony of nature and nurture at The Broadmoor Fly Fishing Camp—a place where every cast is a new story waiting to unfold.

RESOURCES

• Fly Fishing Camp | The Broadmoor
• Colorado Fall Road Trip (Itinerary) (globaljourneyswithjilldutton.com)
• Colorado (globaljourneyswithjilldutton.com)
• Lessons I Learned from Fly Fishing
  
  

Accolades: The Global Journeys with Jill Dutton podcast ranks 22nd in FeedSpot’s “Best Travel Podcasts on the Planet” list 
Guest spot: Travel Tales: Exploring Travel, Law of Attraction, Trains, and More on The Radiate Wellness Podcast (globaljourneyswithjilldutton.com)

The Radiate Wellness Podcast – guest

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:01

Welcome to Global Journeys with Jill Dutton, the podcast that transports you to captivating destinations around the globe. I'm your host, jill Dutton, a passionate traveler and seasoned travel writer. In each episode, we delve into the heart of a destination with a unique blend of storytelling. Join me as we introduce you to fascinating individuals and explore the enchanted places they call home. To learn more about my writing and podcasting career, stay tuned until the end of the episode for more details. Now let's embark on this global journey together, one person in place at a time. Welcome, fellow explorers, to another thrilling episode of Global Journeys with Jill Dutton.

Speaker 1: 0:49

Today we're casting our line into the world of unparalleled angling adventures at the Broadmoors fishing camp in Colorado. Situated 75 miles west of the Broadmoor Resort, along a captivating five mile stretch of Colorado's renowned Terriall River, the fly fishing camp stands as a cherished private retreat, seamlessly blending world-class fishing with the Broadmoors impeccable standards of hospitality. An idealic haven for anglers, the secluded paradise, surrounded by picturesque pine and aspen-covered mountains, is not only a delight for fishing enthusiasts, but also offers something special for the entire family. Set against a backdrop of timbered canyons, grassy meadows and meandering bends, this all-inclusive destination ensures both seasoned flyfishers and novices alike have the opportunity to partake in some of Colorado's finest fishing experiences, all while benefiting from the guidance of professional instructors and the expansive famous skies above. As an orvis-endorsed fly fishing lodge, the Broadmoor fly fishing camp extends its charm beyond day visits, welcoming guests for overnight stays, family reunions and corporate retreats. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of this retreat, or the art of fly fishing harmoniously intertwines with the beauty of nature. To get an idea of what you might experience at fishing camp, I've included a link to the itinerary from my visit in 2020, as well as an article I wrote about the experience. Check the show notes to find more.

Speaker 1: 2:22

For today's episode, we have two special guests Krista Heinke, the director of public relations for the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, and Randy Babis, the fly fishing manager for the Broadmoors fishing camp. Our guests will unveil the secrets behind the serene waters and breathtaking landscapes surrounding the Broadmoors' exclusive fishing camp. A bit about Krista. The year was 1984 when Krista Heinke fell in love with the Broadmoor. Training at the Broadmoor World Arena, krista formally joined the Broadmoor family in 2009 and has worked in various positions at the hotel over the past 10 years. Her career began in concierge, moving quickly into sales and then over to food and beverage and now marketing. In November 2021, she was promoted to director of public relations. Before joining the Broadmoor family, she was a senior publicist for a boutique PR agency, wilkinson Brown. While attending the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, she was co-owner of Che Pierre, an upscale French restaurant. Krista is an accomplished international and national competitive figure skater, winning a silver medal at the 1990 US Figure Skating Championships. You can find her spending time with her family in the great outdoors, teaching spin classes, fly fishing whenever she can and entertaining in her home.

Speaker 1: 3:41

Randy Babas is an aspiring Jedi master turned fly fishing manager from Fountain, colorado. Randy has been fishing since he was a young boy, with one of his earliest memories fishing the California surf with his dad before he was even in kindergarten. Randy's career started at the Broadmoor, working as a groundskeeper before becoming one of the hotel's security guards. In his free time, randy moonlighted as a fishing guide for several outfitters in the Colorado Springs area. One day, over pizza in the employee cafeteria, he was offered the job of the newly created fly fishing manager. Randy and his team have built and maintained a successful operation catering to around 2,500 guests each season. Randy has now been the fly fishing manager for the Broadmoor for a decade. In his spare time, randy is an avid reader and writer. He collects first edition books, sports cards and enjoys hunting and fishing with his brothers. He is still working on earning the title of Jedi master.

Speaker 1: 4:38

So, whether you're an avid angler or just curious about the lure of fly fishing, sit back, relax and join us as we explore the world of Broadmoor's fishing camp. Stay tuned as we cast our questions to Krista and Randy, unraveling the tales of adventure, serenity and the ultimate fishing escapades. Krista and Randy, first, thank you for joining me today. It's just really a treat to have you both here to talk about the Broadmoor fishing camp. Thank you so much. Yes, krista, we're going to start by diving into the unique story of how the Broadmoor's fishing camp, how it came to be, and then we'll switch over to Randy to learn all about fly fishing and the experiences at the fishing camp. So, krista, how did the fishing camp become an integral part of the Broadmoor resource, their legacy, and how has it evolved over the years?

Speaker 2: 5:38

Sure. So, actually, our Orbison Doris fly fishing camp was brought into the fold of our wilderness, our all inclusive wilderness experiences, in 2013. And it was purchased to really round out the full guest experience of things to do in adventures, and one of the key factors was, for us, was fly fishing, and we started by dipping our toe in the water. We had a little fly fishing operation Prior, but nothing that we could really call our own. Okay, so, yes. So when the Entudes family purchased the hotel, it was important to have just that extra item, so we added fly fishing lessons out on in between our East and West courses, and we enhanced the whole experience by Developing this and buying this fly fishing camp in 2013.

Speaker 2: 6:29

Mm-hmm, so it was important to keep it small and unique. I am I must call it your overwhelmed by nature, because it's extremely tranquil and peaceful. Yes, and it's just one of those things where you can kick off your shoes, put on your waiters, enjoy a day on the water and an evening with your best friends that you just made, especially if you're solo traveling, which I know is super popular and that is an option, so it could be a solo traveler as well, as they don't have to be a group coming in?

Speaker 2: 7:02

No, they do not, and I think that's probably one of the best ways to travel, because you'll need a bunch of people you never thought you would meet a and be, ever be friends with, and then you've got this common denominator of fly fishing and the love of Nature. So there you go. Yes, perfect.

Speaker 1: 7:16

Well, thank you. Can you kind of paint us a picture of what fishing camp is like for the listeners? You know what sets the destination apart from other fishing experiences. You know what kind of is like the day-to-day experience and and as we had already discussed, heidi Brandis and I had visited in 2020 and we've got to meet you there and and go fishing with you then. But I'm curious, for someone who's not familiar with it, if you can just share a little bit about what the experience is like.

Speaker 2: 7:45

You know, it's one of those Destinations that you never thought you needed to experience until you went. Yeah, and we can experience that, and you know we when we got together to do this. But it's five miles of private waters, which is an important thing, that we really maintain and and cultivate the five miles of Water starting with up at the Gatenburg Ranch and down. The other piece is that it's just Just super tailored to that Individualized experience. You don't have to bring anything with you. We have everything from waders, boots, poles. Of course, if you forget a rain jacket or sunglasses, you can always get those there.

Speaker 2: 8:28

But the other nice thing is that it's an all-inclusive experience. So your meals are made by a Broadmoor chef which, as you may, or your listeners may or may not know, the Broadmoor is the world's longest consecutive Recipient of the Forbes five star, five diamond. It's a play. Five diamond awards, yes. So to have a check up there is really important. And you know, and you can lie bait shitted up. You know people do yes, from lovely wines, and we all we had, we sure had a good time when we went to Elbit.

Speaker 1: 8:57

Oh, it's no fun. And yeah, sitting sitting around the table at the end of the day as well. You know, talking with other guests about you know their experiences fishing. It's so much fun To connect in that way over dinner and wine and or whatever.

Speaker 2: 9:11

No, yeah, and you know, and we really try to encourage that camaraderie and the other part about it is that it is a part of the Broadmoor but I sort of equated to sort of the Wild West experience of the willingness experiences, because it's Super small, it's a lot more relaxed, not to say that the Broadmoor other properties are stuffy, but it's just a different laid-back atmosphere and it's one that, whether you're traveling by yourself or with your children, or with your best friend or your significant other, it really admit it forces you to really unplug and be one with the water and to really Take into consideration all of the elements around you. And each time you fish within a season it's going to be different. If it's you're fishing spring, it's going to be completely different than if you're fishing mid-summer. You could come back three times within a season and really have a different experience each time.

Speaker 1: 10:03

No, that's interesting. Okay, yeah, and next question as an angler yourself, I know that female anglers are increasing, and you know, could you tell me, maybe, about the these boots are made for? Waiting, is that you're tailored tailored for females, and how did it is? How did that come about?

Speaker 2: 10:21

well it is. You know it came about because it's obviously I wanted to get out and fish and I had been doing some research and discovered that women were, you know, rising and getting on the water. And it was definitely initiative with Orbis which of course we're on Doris Spite to have a 50% female, 50% male on the water, and so it was an initiative that we embraced wholeheartedly and we offer to women's only weekends per season. Having said that, you know you can really have your own women's weekend at any time because of how small it is. You can definitely have every single cabin for your friends and it can just be for you guys. So it's a treat.

Speaker 1: 11:08

Right, so they've got the option of coming to the scheduled event or creating their own by reserving the cabins. Oh, yeah, Okay, wonderful. And do you have? Before we switch to Randy and start talking about fishing, can you share any memorable moments, either of yourself fishing or stories from guests who've experienced the fishing camp? You know what? Yeah, Such an unforgettable destination. Well, I mean.

Speaker 2: 11:33

I'm gonna refer to some of the women's weekends only because it's one of those gems that I mean.

Speaker 2: 11:41

The last few camps we've had a couple of solo travelers, some people who had like a group of eight of them and there was about 16 max for the women's weekends. But it's amazing how much women just wanna talk to each other about life. Yes, all the things that come out of the conversations that we have are deeply personal and very. It makes for a quick bond and that always surprises me. But it's so endearing that in this day and age, when people are consistently tied to social media and lack social skills and conversational skills sometimes, that during this weekend it is the parent that they all just wanna talk and they wanna share their experiences on the water, I mean. And when I see deeply personal Jill, I am, they are just. It's great, it's a wonderful relief and I don't think that anyone goes into a fly fishing weekend, whether it's in this women's only or just on their own, to have these personal revelations and it's fantastic. I really think it's fly fishing that does it, because you don't realize how precious and beautiful things help quickly.

Speaker 2: 13:05

Things can change until you're on that water and you catch your first fish and you know we're catching release, which I'm sure Randy will go into, and and you see, I mean I caught a little tiny like four inch fish and I caught a big 18 inch fish. Yeah, it's just a miracle, it's a, it's a great, I love it.

Speaker 1: 13:25

I love it. I think. I think, personally you know the, the atmosphere there. It's like you said, you just completely decompress once you get up into the mountain. Air and the, the setting, and you know those rustic cabins but yet they're, they're very charming and you know functional but but so you kind of let down your guard just in general. And then the fly fishing itself is such a peaceful, you know experience that I can really see that that connection with other people as well as it's. I bet it's just a great stress reliever for for people to get away from it all and and to experience something slow, you know, slow pace versus this go, go, go and exactly, and you know there is.

Speaker 2: 14:11

I mean, we can do hiking there and things like that, but what's amazing is like they never expect it to hit them the way it hits them. Mm, hmm, mm, hmm. That's what, and that's what's really revolutionary about it.

Speaker 1: 14:22

That's true. Well, chris, thank you so much. Now, randy, let's talk about fly fishing. I'm very excited to hear about this. Um, so, what led you first? What led you to become the fishing manager at the Broadmoors Fishing Camp? Hi Jill, hi Ray and Randy.

Speaker 3: 14:42

So I had moonlighted as a fishing guide in Colorado Springs for several years and one day I was eating eats in the cafeteria and Jack, our CEO, came in and asked me if I wanted to help bring the Broadmoors fly fishing in the house. And I said, sure, I would love to do that. And then couple of weeks later he came back and he said Absolutely, he's like you know, you're gonna be our guy and you need to Create a fly fishing program. Uh-huh, give me the keys and say there you go.

Speaker 1: 15:20

Oh, that's excellent, that's very, very impressive. Let's, because it was a great program that you created. Well, so when I was there, it was my first time fly fishing. I was very new to fishing in general. I had gone on a couple of deep sea kind of fishing expeditions, but it was my absolute first time ever for fly fishing. And you guys, you know we're so patient and teaching. You know the science of fishing, the fly fishing, you know looking under the rocks to see what type of fly to use, and and we got to watch the creation of the you guys making flies. So I'm just curious is this unusual for me or many of your guests new to the sport, or is Is was that unusual that I had never tried it before?

Speaker 3: 16:04

No, we have a pretty good mix of seasoned anglers and people that are First time, who never been, or very novice, and so you cater to either. We do, yeah, our fishing guides cater your fishing trip to you. And and that's not just that fly fishing camp, that's at Emerald Valley, that's at the resort. I oversee all the fly fishing for the whole, so everywhere there's fly fishing. You know that little bit of personalized service is on on every trip Excellent.

Speaker 1: 16:38

Excellent bull. So what are the key differences between fishing and fly fishing?

Speaker 3: 16:45

The biggest difference is the method of the for lack of a better term the beat you're using. When you're Just conventional fishing, you're using a worm and a barber or power beat. This is something like that where in fly fishing, you're trying to fool a fish To eat a hook that is wrapped together with chicken feathers. Oh that's made the, made the imitate a bug that's in the water.

Speaker 1: 17:12

Okay, so it just catches their attention and they see the colors and the movements and and that it Causes them to latch on.

Speaker 3: 17:21

Yes, yes. So size, color, movement, shape. Well, what you're trying to do is imitate the natural food that these fish are eating that are in the river.

Speaker 1: 17:29

Okay, okay, and I think Chris already talked about this, so there's no equipment needed. You provide, and what do you provide then?

Speaker 3: 17:38

We provided everything. The only thing you have to bring is the clothes you're gonna wear hat, sunglasses but the fishing guides have everything you need. We have everybody's waiters boots, rods, reels, flies, leader and tippet. Literally all guests have to do is show up and we'll take care of the rest.

Speaker 1: 17:56

That's amazing. That sounds so. It makes it so much easier, especially for a novice. But Okay, and what do you do with the fish once you catch him?

Speaker 3: 18:06

So the the fish are our, our friends and our teammates. So all of the fly fishing is catching release. So as soon as you catch your fish, you'll take a couple pictures of them, but you and your fishing guide will put the fish back in the water and watch him swim away.

Speaker 1: 18:24

And there's a sustainable aspect to that. I mean there's a reason right is. Is it for sustainability for the fish and to keep keep them from?

Speaker 3: 18:35

It is, yes, sustainability. It helps us. You know the ecosystem, chris. To talks a little bit about catching a smaller fish. Well, that that fish was probably, you know, from Reproducing fish in the river. You know, if we took every fish out of the river that we caught, we would clean the river out pretty quickly.

Speaker 1: 18:55

Oh my gosh okay, okay, and so that in effect, then contributes to the health of the local ecosystem as well.

Speaker 3: 19:02

It does. Yes, ma'am Wonderful.

Speaker 1: 19:05

Well, that's a great practice. So Season Chris had mentioned that different times during the season, but when are the seasons? When's the best time to go fly fishing the best?

Speaker 3: 19:14

time to go fly fishing is very subjective to the person. Fly fishing, uh-huh. You know, mr Jones might want to catch one really big fish when his wife might want to catch a whole bunch of fish. So different seasons are for different things. You know you'll catch more fish, I think, in the spring, after ice comes off, kind of, when the fish are kind of hungry, ready to go Mm-hmm, and then as the year goes on, fishing gets a little bit tougher. You know, the fish grow throughout the year and there's bigger fish to be had at the end of the season.

Speaker 1: 19:47

Okay, and if someone is wanting to book a guided fishing you know trip to Broadmoor fishing camp Is there so far in advance they need to reserve it. I mean, what do you suggest for that? The fly fishing?

Speaker 3: 20:00

camp is open seasonally, depending on weather, from May, mid-may through mid-October and as long as we know a couple weeks in advance, we're usually pretty good. There's a lot of moving parts to the fly fishing camp because we're still remote from the Broadmoor, just logistically wise, we have to make sure that there's enough food and drink and guides to go out there.

Speaker 1: 20:23

Okay, and speaking of guides, why should someone hire a guided service?

Speaker 3: 20:27

higher. You guide surface cuts down the learning curve for fly fishing. Ok, you know if you, if you see a river runs through it. There's a lot of stuff that goes into fly fishing. You have to know what bugs to use, what equipment to use, you know where to go, you know the fishing guide just cuts down on a lot of that and just helps you get on the water easier. Especially it's low impact. You don't have to rent anything, you don't have to do anything else.

Speaker 2: 20:56

And and Jill, I'm just going to jump in really quickly, and it's always helpful to have a guy take your tree that you've caught and get it off your hook, because that happens. Oh yeah, so it's presented.

Speaker 1: 21:08

You said a tree. You said a tree. Is that correct? I think I caught a lot of weeds and trees. That's funny. Yeah, now I do remember that was very valuable because I maybe caught caught a few things I wasn't supposed to. So OK, randy. As far as unique fishing experiences, so the fishing camp you know offers really unique angling experience, and so I'm curious you know what makes the fishing there stand out and what types of fish can someone expect to catch?

Speaker 3: 21:39

Absolutely. So what makes us stand out is our service. From the time you get there until the time you leave, your fishing guides are there with you, the camp managers are there and they're going to help you with everything you need during your stay. So the service is the biggest thing that I think sets us apart. You're getting that five star, five diamond treatment in a very rustic location on a fishing trip which is pretty unheard of. It's pretty, pretty good deal. The experience of the fishing guides and the camaraderie you know when everybody wakes up and has breakfast, lunch and dinner all the same time and you can make friends with everybody that's there at the camp this is just a really magical experience for everybody involved. Oh, I agree.

Speaker 1: 22:22

I agree Just a little bit as far as the experience goes of, you know, the cabins there. We talked about that a little bit, but the food, it was such a fun experience. And is it still that it's an all male team and you guys are doing every aspect of taking care of the guests, or has that changed?

Speaker 3: 22:42

It's not an all male team and the fishing guides are not the ones you know cooking, cooking dinners and everything for you. You know we have dedicated housekeepers and dedicated kitchen staff. Chef Hayes Seuss is amazing, oh OK, and as long as you know he knows your dietary restrictions, or if you have any special requests, as long as, as long as we know about it, we can get it done. We have guests that you know are up there for their birthdays or anniversaries and they want to get a lot of wine or special whiskey or warm, whatever it is. We can accommodate that as long as we know at the time.

Speaker 1: 23:19

Perfect. I just remember I don't know if it's the fresh air what my appetite was just, and the food was phenomenal, so I really appreciated that. So thank you. And last question what are some of your favorite moments or stories from your time as a fishing manager? Is there any remarkable catches or experiences that stand out in your memory?

Speaker 3: 23:39

Oh, I've got a lot of them. I would say my favorite memories are probably the ones that guests don't see. You know it's me and the fishing guides having breakfast burritos out on the back porch before everybody else wakes up, before we get everybody else's waiters and beets and be gone for the day. Or it's me and the guys going out and having a drink after a long day. Those are probably my favorite memory, the ones I have with the guides. As far as guest memories, there are several. We had a guest client a couple of years ago who he told the fishing guide if you did, you know, for every fish my wife catches, I will give you $100. So the fishing guide ended up walking away with $23 or $2400 in the socket.

Speaker 3: 24:26

Oh my gosh.

Speaker 1: 24:29

That's great. That's great and it sounds like you have a dream job. I mean the camaraderie that you have with the other guides as well as you know the guests, and that fun you know competitions and it really sounds ideal. I appreciate it and I appreciate you both being here to share. Is there anything else that you want to include that I might have forgot to ask?

Speaker 2: 24:52

I think we're good. I think you've covered it all. We appreciate your time and interest. Jill, I mean this is great.

Speaker 1: 24:58

Oh, I loved it so much and I hope to come back some day.

Speaker 2: 25:01

Thank, you both very much. Fantastic. Thank you so much. We appreciate it. I appreciate it. I hope you both enjoy the rest of your day.

Speaker 1: 25:10

Welcome to Global Journeys with Jill Dutton, the captivating travel podcast that takes you on an extraordinary adventure around the world. I'm your host, jill Dutton, and I am thrilled to be your guide through the mesmerizing tapestry of cultures, landscapes and experiences that await us. Global Journeys with Jill Dutton is more than just a travel podcast. It's an exploration of humanity itself. Through the power of storytelling, we illuminate the lives of the remarkable individuals we encounter along the way, whether it's through the eyes of a fishing guide, a distillery owner, a mixologist, a historian, chef or even a farmer. Each person we meet adds a rich layer to the narrative of culture and place. In this podcast, we embark on a transformative journey where the focus goes beyond the typical tourist attractions. Instead, we dive deep into the hearts and souls of the places we visit, uncovering the hidden gems and untold stories that make each destination truly unique. Join me as we venture off the beaten path, seeking authenticity, connection and a deeper understanding of the world we inhabit. Together, we'll unravel the tapestry of cultures, one story at a time. Although my writing career began in the late 90s, when I created and launched a wellness publication called Evolving Magazine, since 2015 I've worked as a travel writer, on a mission to seek out the locally celebrated foods, liquor, trends, outdoor activities and stories of those I meet along the way. My work has been published in Wine Enthusiast, a far woman's world, first for women, insider road trippers, modern farmer chilled magazine and many more digital and print publications. I'm also the creator of Global Plates the people we meet, the food they eat a syndicated column. Creating this podcast is the next step in my journey of sharing the stories of the people I've met along the way. So pack your curiosity, leave your preconceived notions behind and let's embark on Global Journeys with Jill Dutton, where each episode promises to inspire, educate and awaken the wanderlust within us all.

Speaker 1: 27:27

As we travel on this exciting podcasting journey together, I invite you our incredible audience, to be a part of it. Share your own travel stories, insights and recommendations with us. Whether you have a hidden gem in your hometown or a dream destination that has captured your imagination, we want to hear from you. Your suggestions will help shape the future episodes of Global Journeys, with Jill Dutton guiding us towards extraordinary locations and experiences that deserve a spotlight. Remember, this podcast is not about just the host or the guests. It's about the collective exploration and discovery that unites us all as wanderers in this vast world. So reach out to us through our website, social media channels or email and let your voice be heard. Send your suggestions to me at Jill at Global Journeys with JillDuttoncom. I can't wait to hear from you Until next time, may your travels be filled with endless curiosity, open-hearted encounters and transformative adventures. Safe travels, fellow explorers, and keep wandering.