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 5/25/2020 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 […]
Here at Vail Valley Anglers, we know buying gifts for anglers can be easy or nearly as hard as catching that fish you have been eyeing all day. We put together a 2020 Holiday Gift Guide to help you find the right gift for your favorite angler this holiday season. […]
Midges, midges, and more midges. Midges are one of the four main aquatic insects in our western freshwater water systems (stoneflies, caddis, and mayflies make up the other three). They are the most diverse of these four species meaning they have the most sub-species. There are over 1,000 different midge […]
Originally published through Vail Daily on 11/6/2020. The onset of winter in the mountains brings snow and cold temperatures and for many of us the excitement of the start of the skiing or snowboarding season, however it can be a very depressing time for those who love to fish. […]
Originally published through Vail Daily Newspaper on 10/15/2020 When I first moved to Colorado, I was excited to try all of the amazing activities and hobbies that are at our fingertips. A wise friend of mine told me to focus on two or three activities and embrace them. I […]
Originally published in Vail Daily Newspaper on 10/8/2020 When it comes to the materials to tie flies, the options are endless. I started collecting my materials based on the flies I was learning to tie, however, I’ll list some of the “must-have” materials and their use. Thread The two […]
Often overshadowed by the Salmon Fly and Golden Stone hatch the Green Drake hatch is one of the most notary bug hatches in the west. Many anglers refer to Green Drakes as “trout candy,” because when these bugs begin to hatch, it triggers an all-out feeding frenzy. The trout key […]