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 […]
Colorado Rivers
149 posts
![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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
“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,…
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 […]
What does being a good steward of the river mean? Definition – Stewardship starts with recognizing what we love. – River stewardship, then, refers to a set of behaviors we practice in the care and enjoyment of our local Rivers. Whether we care to pay attention or turn a blind […]
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