It has been a snowy winter and wet spring and now we have an above-average snowpack locked high up in the mountains. The annual “runoff” is here to stay for a little longer than most patient anglers want it to be. The high streamflows and off-color water make it challenging […]
![Vail Valley Fishing Outlook for 2023 [ PLUS 5 Tips for Pre-Runoff Success]](https://i0.wp.com/blog.vailvalleyanglers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Guide_School_Float_Trip_237.jpg?resize=570%2C350&ssl=1)
Spring is officially here, the snow has stopped momentarily, the sun is out, and the rivers are beginning to really come to life. This past winter has been one for the books, Vail mountain has had an above average snow water equivalent coming in at 21.5%, 113% of the normal […]
When the snow is falling in the Rocky Mountains, winter trout fishing may be an enticing option but most of the guides at Vail Valley Anglers are dreaming of their next saltwater fly fishing trip. This past month a group of Vail Valley Anglers guides and friends headed down to […]
The ski resorts attract most people to the Vail area during the winter months, but the local rivers should be on your list to check out. There can be days out on the water with 50+ plus fish caught and not another angler in sight. Typically the easiest way to […]
Fly rod design is ever-changing, new technology, new fly fishing tactics, trends, and new ideas are all driving rod designers to break the barriers to keep making better and better fly rods. Many will “skoff” at the price of these top of the line fly rods. But if you have […]
It’s that time of year again. White lights adorn evergreens in classic holiday fashion. The infamous Friday sales following Thursday’s gluttony are upon us as well. Shoppers with a question mark beside their favorite angler need to look no further than the Vail Valley Anglers fly shop in Edwards to […]
The mercury in thermometers have dropped below freezing, the rivers have begun to build up ice shelves and the trout have moved into the deep slow holes. Wintertime in #troutcoutry is a special time for anglers as the rivers are much quieter, the time on the water is short but […]
Fall seems to have already gone and winter is here, mornings are cold, evenings are dark and tropical fly fishing destinations sound pretty appetizing right about now. For the trout bum, saltwater fly fishing is a perfect way to keep up with the sport and try something new. There are […]
The alarm sounded at 3:30 am although I hardly got any sleep. One last check to see that I am packed and ready, I throw my stuff on the shuttle and head to the airport. There are 5 of us on this flight and another 7 arriving on different flights. […]
Darkness, moonlight, and big freakin’ brown trout! That is a quick way to summarize fly fishing with mouse flies at night in Colorado. “The freaks come out at night,” sings true on many rivers around here as the big predatory brown trout reserve themselves for nocturnal feeding. Big meals and […]
Alpine lakes are classified as lakes at high altitudes, usually above treeline or around 10,000 feet in elevation. The lakes are a refuge for fly anglers in the late summer when local waters are muddy or water temperatures are too high. Due to their cooler water temperatures, algae and weeds […]
Whitefish are the most misunderstood fish in the west. They might not do aerial jumps out of the water or slurp dry flies off of seams, but they can submarine your bobber and put a bend in your fly rod like any big trout can. The world record whitey is […]
The rivers are rising, the snow is melting, and runoff is officially here. High water in trout country can be tricky to fish, some days the increase in flows and turbidity will make it near impossible to catch a fish. On other days you can connect with a fish of […]
Check out the article below from VVA’s Jason Paez as he talks with Flylords about getting his kids out fly fishing on the saltwater. The last time the boys and I put together a piece with Flylords we wrote about “10 Tips for Fishing with Your Kids” and now we […]
“What a beautiful office you work in,” a client remarks to me as we are floating down the Colorado River. Like other fly fishing guides, we have all heard this remark from our clients. And I guess the client is right, fly fishing guides do work in the outdoors in beautiful scenery doing what they love,…
Food and fly fishing are intertwined for most. Our human makeup requires calories to keep the tank going. Staying well-fed on the river gives you the energy needed to outlast the elements. Just like home cooking, anglers have different styles of taking their food game to the river. Some anglers […]
In today’s modern fishing world, it is more important than ever to practice good etiquette. The sheer number of people fishing and the many ways in which to catch fish have put tremendous pressure on this precious resource. It is up to us to treat the fish with respect and […]
Having a good fishing dog is like having a good fishing buddy. They keep your spirits high regardless of the day, they keep you focused on catching fish and they entertain you despite how slow the fishing is. The bad ones spook the fish, get you in trouble on the […]
“There is no such thing as bad weather just bad gear,” you’ve probably heard this old saying once or twice before when someone is trying to convince you to go fishing in cold. While bad weather can be a good reason to not go out on the water this winter, […]
If you have hit the local water this year, you’ve probably noticed that the once quiet and peaceful fishing spots in #troutcountry are not so quiet anymore. Whether it’s been a rise in the popularity of fly fishing, more anglers moving to the area, or just a trendy trend, the […]
Autumn in #troutcountry can mean two things for the guides at Vail Valley Anglers, first, big game hunting, and the second, streamer fishing. For those who are not familiar with streamer fishing. It is a technique of fly fishing where fly patterns imitating baitfish are cast and retrieved with the […]
Autumn has arrived, some think of this time of year as the second spring when every leaf changes color. For anglers, fall is a time to rejoice, with cooler water temperatures, happy trout, and some peace and quiet on the streams. It can be a wonderful time to hit the […]
It used to be that the two-handed method of fishing was reserved for the wealthy, and that perception limited access to us peasants who couldn’t afford to fish that way. After all, Steelheading is “The Sport of Kings.” Two-handed rods and the equipment were catered to this type of fishing. […]
The farther you walk the better the fishing is, here in #troutcountry we are fortunate to have access to some quality backcountry fly fishing opportunities. Hike in or backcountry fly fishing can be defined as fishing opportunities in wilderness areas like National Forest or BLM lands that don’t have a […]
It’s evident that there has been a rise in the popularity of fly fishing in Colorado. A decade ago you would drive Highway 6 along the Eagle River and would be lucky to see 10 vehicles with anglers fly fishing. Fast forward ten years and now the Eagle River is […]
Summertime in the Colorado Rockies is upon us and this typically means the sun is out, the fish are feeding and the rubber hatch is in full force. The “rubber hatch” refers to when there are a lot of other boats on the water. It can make float fishing a […]
The snow is melting and float season is upon us in the Rocky Mountain region of Colorado or as we like to say #troutcountry. Depending on runoff each spring, mid-June marks the beginning of summer float fishing season. A primetime to get on a drift boat or raft to sling […]
At first glance, two-handed rods and spey casting looks like an impossible task. Long awkward-looking rods that require both hands and terms like spey, D Loops, anchor, head types, and line weights are enough to scare anyone away. Why then is this method of fishing growing? Because it is fun! […]
Fly casting is an integral part of fly fishing, it is one of the foundational skills needed to fly fish. Most often than not as a beginner angler you learn the standard overhead forward cast and the roll cast. While these two casts can get the job done in most […]
There is an unwritten code of ethics, a set of rules if you will within our sport that seems to govern how anglers operate on the river. I can’t remember how I first learned of them however, I have practiced them ever since I took up the sport over 25 […]
Check out the feature below from Andrew Braker of Flylords. Andrew interviews Vail Valley Anglers Store Manager, JP Modderno to learn more about how customers and anglers can enhance their fly shop experience. For the full blog check out the link here. 1) Say Hi! Rather than walking around the […]
With below freezing temperatures and short days across Colorado for the next few months, there is no better time to start fly tying than now. Fly tying is the process of creating the flies that we use to catch fish. It complements fly fishing and can be a great hobby […]
Nothing screams “troutbum” like a good old fashion fly fishing road trip. It’s a chance to get away from your local rivers to try your hand at having some success on a new piece of water. One thing is for sure, fishing a new river will most likely humble you, […]
Fly fishing in the Colorado High Country means constantly adjusting to the changing conditions. Maybe it is adjusting the depth of your indicator, adding on some split shot, or changing a fly. The trout always are keeping us on our toes. One simple way to stay ahead of the game […]
Winter fly fishing is not for the faint of heart, but if you choose to brave the elements, the trout will certainly reward you. During the winter trout are forced to adopt a feast-or-famine mentality. When feeding opportunities are there, the trout will eat with reckless abandon, taking advantage of […]
Negotiating the thin line between the worlds of adventure and danger, three anglers embark on a fishing excursion teeming with comedy, mystery, successes and failures. From hidden oyster bars and foul weather to personal best fish and fires on the boat, their journey provides insights, lessons and laughs for anglers […]
Fall in the Colorado High Country might just be the best time of year for trout anglers, lower flows, colder water temps, aggressive trout, and the beautiful fall colors. I’m not talking about the colors of the foliage but the colors of the fish. Every fall the brown trout begin […]
Almost overnight, fly fishing is suddenly the thing to do. Several factors such as social media, population increase, and the cool factor are all contributing to the sport’s popularity. There are more people who fly fishing now than ever. With the participation rate growing every year, the stress level on […]
As guides, we usually have those rare moments where we are able to twist another fellow guide’s arm into going out for an afternoon float after a morning trip. There is always a checklist of must-have items on the boat for a fun float: rods, flies, or beer. What most […]
Late summer fly fishing on Colorado’s Western Slope can mean low water, warm water, and at times, finicky trout don't let that stop you...
In Part I of Techniques to Land More Fish, we discussed proper tips to land fish in relation to reading water, proper hook set, playing, and landing a fish, in Part II the focus will purely be on rigging tips to increase your chances of catching more fish. By properly […]
Updated 1/19/2021 During these uncertain times, we are unsure what the future may hold. We do know the rivers are still there waiting to be explored. Here at Vail Valley Anglers, we are changing the way we operate to best fit your needs during these times. Hours of Operation: Daily […]
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