A Full-Day Wade starting around 9am, gives anglers the opportunity bounce around to multiple spots throughout the day or even fish two rivers such as the Eagle and Roaring Fork in one day. At 78 miles long (including lakes) this river has a ton of water to fish. More southern sections are fished more heavily due to the easy public access, but still very productive. There is around 9 miles of public access waters here in the White River National Forest. Arkansas River Fishing Tip: The most productive way to fish this river is via boat. If so, we at Minturn Anglers are here to make sure you don’t break that resolution and it starts with this Colorado Winter Fly Fishing Guide to help you have more success through the Winter! The most popular stretch of river is the upper 3 miles or so in Cheeseman Canyon, but the next 15 miles or so before the river connects with the North Fork still contain tons of fish, that are quite a bit less picky. forms: { } Email* Send. Devils River – Legendary Among Texas Fly Anglers. The South Platte is slightly above the northern half of Colorado, putting this river in our northeast section. THe most success during these high water times is from a float trip rather than wading. Now that he’s a part-time Orvis-Endorsed guide for Angler’s Covey and a fly-tying instructor for Ghillies Fly Shop (both in Colorado Springs), there are not many seconds that pass without the thought of fishing or tying that go by. The Yampa is not only extremely gorgeous but also houses an incredible fishery. The best Colorado fly fishing lodges are largely determined simply by what kind of trip you’re looking to have. } Brody Henderson, Guide and Content Writer, Lakes, ponds and reservoirs hold a lot of big trout and choosing the best stillwater fly patterns can be a challenge for […], European or “Euro” Nymphing is a versatile and extremely effective style of fishing that allows you to fish efficiently. Wade fishing on the entire length of the Eagle River is fantastic with the possibility to catch fish on streamers, dry flies and nymphs in the same day. The abundance of tailwater fisheries located all over the state provides incredible fly-fishing opportunities, especially during runoff season and for anglers seeking trout through the winter months. The upper sections feature ample wading opportunities year round. Spring and early summer often brings high water. South Platte River South Platte Dream Stream Photo Credit David Knapp . In addition, south of Durango, the river flows through the Ute Reservation. Lots of fish, and lots of big fish are available. Tip for the Upper Colorado: During high water, bring the sink tip line for fishing streamers a little deeper. This area is considered Gold Medal water and holds trophy sized fish. The summer caddis hatch gets fish feeding aggressively and it’s hard to beat a Guided Half-Day Float on either the Colorado or Eagle River. We also highly recommend heading over the border into Wyoming and checking out the highly productive waters there. This river is densly populated with fish estimated at 3,000 fish per mile of river. Much of this is designated Gold Metal water, where anglers can not only catch ample fish, but big fish. See all. Season: Year Round (With some regulations near dams). I enjoy planning trips to some of these "flyover" regions, so I was wondering if there was any descent fishing east of Denver to the Colorado/Kansas line. Colorado fishing work gold medal wind river range wyoming miracle mile fly fishing pack for your fly fishing trip to colorado introduction to fly fishing clDiy To Fly Fishing The Upper Rio Grande River In ColoradoSouth Platte River Fly Fishing Trip Photos Minturn AnglersColorado Fishing Work Gold Medal StreamsFamily Fishing Spots In ColoradoDeckers Fishing Report … With the seemingly endless mountains of the Rocky’s that provide waterflow to the productive waters on either side of the continental divide, the fishing is both beautiful, and plentiful. The rainbow trout gorge on these…take advantage. In the spring, the Arkansas is most productive. Here you will find large rainbows, and lots of fish. Gunnison River Fishing Tip: After the Kokanee fry release, streamers tend to work really well. GIFT CARD BLOG $ 0.00 Cart. For a serious float fishing deal, book a FreaknFish guided float trip on the Colorado River. callback: cb Ideal weather, beautiful fall colors and hungry trout looking to bulk up before winter make October third on my list for best months to fish. The upper stretches feature fantastic wading opportunities, but many choose to float down the river, where it becomes far easier to have a productive day. { December in Colorado brings colder weather and shorter days but there is still good fly fishing to be found. Want to avoid the crowds? It’s a blast and there’s some huge fish out there. Pretty much any stretch of the South Platte is filled with fish, you should hit all of it. “ We were traveling around Southern Colorado in September of 2020 when the records snow happened. Colorado has some of the best trout waters and best fly fishing lodges on the entire planet. If you are into small stream fishing, this river is for you. As winter sets in and this year’s fishing comes to an end, it is time to start planning your Colorado fly fishing trips for every month of the new year. Colorado grants many anglers with the opportunity to fly fish year-round, despite the long winters and heavy snowfalls. The headwaters are locate in North Park, where various creeks flow into the North Platte. The Arkansas River is loaded with fish, and flows over 150 miles from the headwaters in Leadville, through the towns of Buena Vista & Salida, and all the way to the Colorado plains. Thank you in advance!! The fish are plentiful throughout. })(); Why Did the Blue River in Colorado Turn Orange? Fly Fishing Colorado. We were STUCK. The designated Gold Water stretch is located downstream of the Dillon Reservoir. Colorado is one of the best fly fishing destinations in the country. June begins like May ended but brings the promise of a summer full of outstanding fly fishing. 1. There’s always space for you in the banks – you’ll get to choose just want you to want. A drift boat is recommended for this river due to the size, however wading can perform extremely well. Basically, you are good fishing any stretch of this river year round. Winter fly fishing in December is usually more productive while wade fishing than from a boat. This river begins in the San Juan Mountains, flows through Silverton, past Durango, into into New Mexico where it merges with the San Juan River. on: function(evt, cb) { Because the easy-to-access public water has been pounded all summer, it’s hard to beat fishing for unpressured trout when you book a  Private Water Half Day Wade trip on our Eagle River lease or a Full-Day Float on the remote sections of Colorado River below State Bridge. Best Seller. The article was written by Fly Lords team member Max DesMarais of hikingandfishing.com. Outside of Flylords, Max is a marketing strategist and runs his own site at. ); Through film, photography, and journalism we strive to make each story as unique as the person or place it’s based off. Help Protect Pennsylvania’s Migratory Wild Trout. Float fishermen should look towards the upper Colorado River where hopper dropper fishing is the name of the game. Milder weather and larger trout make this a no-brainer. Anglers looking to book in January should consider a Half-Day Wade Trip starting around ten or eleven in the morning. The Gunnison River (The Gunny) is one of the top fisheries in the United States. One Gold Medal section is between Aspen and Basalt, Colorado. April is a season of change in our part of Colorado and sometimes it is a boom or bust fly fishing month. At Vail Valley Anglers, we are lucky enough to have many trout fisheries to choose from. Anglers lookin… The upper Colorado around Pumphouse begins to come alive, and both the Roaring Fork and Eagle River will see a late-April Caddis hatch that brings epic dry fly fishing. [Video] In Search of the Elusive Butter Bean in Colorado’s North Park. Early morning starts become more important and fly choice is now more critical. It offers some 40 miles of public fishing access, with brown and rainbow trout found in abundance. Also, as most rivers, when nymphing, it is extremely important to get deep on the Gunnison. Early starts are unnecessary as the best fishing is from 11am until dark. Best Time to Fly Fish in Colorado? Here’s a list of fly-fishing locations in western Colorado that are sure to fill your creel. Contact Us. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { Anglers can also even land Kokanee salmon. It seems like you have…, © 2020 blog.vailvalleyanglers.com – All rights reserved, Powered by  – Designed with the Customizr theme, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Private Water Half Day Wade trip on our Eagle River lease, book a FreaknFish guided float trip on the Colorado River, Fly Fishing for Steelhead Part I: The Basics. Also, don’t forget the endless high country native trout opportunities. The below map is showing the upper (most popular) stretch into Cheeseman Canyon. Successful Colorado … Colorado Winter Fly Fishing Guide | Where to Fish & What To Bring Read More » Skip to content. I'm looking for anything worth the drive that would be fun on a fly rod. Regarded as a tough time for fly fishing by some, it is possible to have some incredible days on the river in January. Colorado Hot Spots. The South Platte River has meandering meadow sections and rough canyon water. Tip for the North Platte River: Spring and early summer often brings high water. Our most popular trip choice is the Full Day Float but an Evening Twlight Half-Day Float gets anglers away from the crowds during a productive time of the day. Sometimes however, this important safety step is forgotten. Below we will break down these rivers by area of Colorado, to help you better find the rivers nearest to you or your destination. For those that time it right, float fishing is the way to go. But beyond this list, there is much more. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( Located in the southern portion of … Southern Front Range Canon City, Deckers, Colorado Springs, Fairplay, Florissant, Fountain, Hartsel, Lake George, Las Animas, La Junta, Pueblo, Trinidad, Westcliffe, Woodland Park Where to Fish in the Southern Front Range. Fish […], In the past year, I relocated from Vail, Colorado up to Portland, Oregon. Wiper and saugeye can be caught here as well. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Southern Colorado Greenback Trout Unlimited Chapter 509, Pueblo, CO. 589 likes. DIY Guide to Fly Fishing the Blackfoot River in Montana. The Rio Grande trail runs along the river, providing great access to these waters. With native fish abundant, and the canyon walls around setting a beautiful scenery, this a must fish destination. We needed a place to stay and I looked on Tripadvisor and found these Cabins. Fly Fishing Colorado was established in 2016 to provide beginner and experienced fishers alike with the opportunity to learn quality fly fishing skills. Keep in mind these are general guidelines and fishing conditions change rapidly. Send a Note / ask a question or give praise. Early in the month the water is usually high on most rivers but Salmonflies are still hatching on the Colorado. Another designated Gold Water river, this tributary of the Colorado River is both accessible, and highly productive. Can anyone give any advice for best places to Fly Fish in Colorado or surrounding area? Book a Full-Day Float to get in on the action. Let’s take a look at when and where to fish around Vail, Colorado and what guided fly fishing trips to book throughout the year. Parking at Northgate Canyon will give anglers great access to lots of water if willing to hike a bit. October fly fishing in Colorado is a favorite among Vail Valley Angler’s guides. While these bugs hatch later in the month, trout key on them early in May before the hatch. } Upper Arkansas River: This river winds through a variety of landscapes before entering Bighorn Sheep Canyon, located below Salida. In my opinion, March fly fishing in Colorado is second only to July. Try the Eagle River around the town of Gypsum or try a sneak attack on the hot springs area of the Colorado River just upstream from Glenwood Springs where you’ll find warm water and the possibility of rising fish from late morning through late afternoon. The Colorado begins in the northeastern quadrant part of Colorado, but travels southwest through the state making this river cover a large portion of the state. It also happens to be some of the most beautiful land and water in the world. I’m lucky enough to have access to dozens of quality steelhead and salmon fisheries. Try finding open water on the middle portion of the Eagle River between Edwards and Wolcott where you’ll find eager fish that have been hidden under the ice for a couple months. The agency manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. From Routt National Forest to the Wyoming border the water is designated as Gold Medal waters. 126 miles of water, yet again designated as Gold Metal Fishing. During the summer, caddis tend to do well, but midges as a backup in summer months. I'm having … Regarded as a tough time for fly fishing by some, it is possible to have some incredible days on the river in January. Gore Canyon is a great location to test out. The options are endless and the fishing is dependably excellent all month. Our Mission: To Conserve, Protect and Restore Colorado's Trout Fisheries and their Watersheds. Brown trout become more aggressive in anticipation of their fall spawning run. Obviously in the winter months it is quite cold to be out there fishing, so you’ll need to dress appropriately. The first half of the month conditions remain similar to October and the float and wade fishing are generally good. The best bet for a guided fly fishing trip is a half-day wade trip. Wade fishing on the Eagle and Roaring Fork is very productive with lower water and defined holding areas. Video: Australian Man Uses Homemade Drone to Fish, Henry Winkler Loves Fly Fishing – Interview with Conan, Video of the Week: The Short Bus Diaries Volume 2 Finale, The 3 Bearded Brothers of O’pros: A Talk About Family, Fly-Fishing, and Facial Hair. Wading can be successful, but you’ll likely see a lot more success floating down hitting a larger portion of the river. Outside of Durango, accessing the river without a boat can be difficult. The upper Roaring Fork between Aspen and Carbondale can also be very good. The Cheeseman canyon area holds a lot of larger fish, but it can be pretty difficult due to the heavy pressure they get from other anglers. Summer = Green Drakes, Spring = Winged Olives, Winter = Midges. Fed with from snow high atop the Continental Divide, Colorado’s rivers develop into some of the country’s best trout streams. Read More. Longer days, warmer water, aggressive prespawn rainbows and predictable midge and BWO hatches make for great fly fishing on several local fisheries. For those willing to hoof it, southern Colorado's streams and rivers offer old fashioned, have-the-river-to-yourself fl y fishing. The fishing is fantastic here, but anglers need to obtain a special permit. The below map is showing the upper (most popular) stretch into Cheeseman Canyon. Also, as most rivers, when nymphing, it is extremely important to get deep on the Gunnison. Much of the river has public access, making it easily fishable. The South Platte has so many sections of pristine fishing water, it’s too hard to choose a specific stretch of river. After the Kokanee fry release, streamers tend to work really well. For wade fishing, try finding some rising fish around Lionshead on Gore Creek or on the Upper Eagle River around Avon. This river gets busy…because it is amazing. national parks. Related: What are the most popular tours in Colorado? Because it’s a large area and is widely popular with access to the public, the tendency is for crowds to gather. Find deep water and fish it slowly and thoroughly. Don’t worry! We look forward to another great year of fly fishing in our part of Colorado in 2016. We wait all year for July at Vail Valley Anglers. Rio Grande Fishing Tip: Taking advantage of the caddis fly hatches can yield some really awesome days on the water. At some point, though, all anglers should consider chasing some less popular fly rod fish. Midges will produce year round. Year round, anglers can land very large brown trout and rainbow trout. Max is part of the marketing team for Flylords, handling the weekly newsletter and other aspects of digital marketing. Wading can be successful, but you’ll likely see a lot more success floating down hitting a larger portion of the river. There is a lot of river to fish, but the most popular areas are surrounding Durango, where there is a 7 mile stretch of river easily accessible to the public. With the seemingly endless mountains of the Rocky’s that provide waterflow to the productive waters on either side of the continental divide, the fishing is both beautiful, and plentiful. You get a full-day float for the price of a half-day, the river is uncrowded and big brown trout chase streamers with gusto. Colorado offers fishing year round. Tip for the Blue River: This river is one of the few Colorado rivers with Mysis shrimp. Float fishing on the Colorado and Roaring Fork is great with continued hopper action and increased streamer fishing opportunities. Ice build up can make things difficult, but you can find a lot of awesome water without a soul in sight. Colorado is one of the best fly fishing destinations in the country. With that said, there are some times of year that will have better catch rates than other times. Heading even further south, towards Del Norte, the river gets larger, and float fishing becomes the best way to catch trout. (we love praise!) With this guide, even the roadside angler can find idyllic spots to cast a fly; making Fly Fishing Southern Colorado an essential guide for any angler interested in knowing and fishing some of the most pristine and sometimes unknown waters in Colorado. I am clueless and would like to plan a surprise trip for my husband. listeners: [], I prefer the Red Canyon and Eagle River Lease area for half-day wade trips. Trout will continue to eat BWOs on the surface, chase streamers and gulp down egg patterns. Show Prices . The most popular stretch of river is the upper 3 miles or so in Cheeseman Canyon, but the next 15 miles or so before the river connects with the North Fork still contain tons of fish, that are quite a bit less picky. This river is one of the few Colorado rivers with Mysis shrimp. We'd love to hear from you! This river is located almost in the center of the state of Colorado, so, we could put this in just about any section of this article. This wild trout river, and Gold Medal water is renown for some of the best wading fishing in all of the country. Call us for details - 303-618-8824. Some of the waters will freeze over in the winter, but ice fishing may still be offered. Achetez et téléchargez ebook 49 Trout Streams of Southern Colorado (English Edition): Boutique Kindle - Fishing : Amazon.fr THe most success during these high water times is from a float trip rather than wading. Load More. Hit the river in the winter. A boom or bust fly fishing in destination for trophy-sized rainbow trout our fly month. Holds trophy sized fish, but you ’ ll be focusing on trout and with good reason 11am dark! Before the hatch better catch rates than other times you and your clients section ( the Gunny ) is of. 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