January is just about over and here at Vail Valley Anglers we’re pretty excited about that because it means some of the best of Vail, Colorado’s winter fly fishing is just around the corner. The snow is piling up, which means we’re looking at good water levels for this summer. […]
Colorado Rivers
151 posts
In 1981 the City of Aurora finished the damming of the South Platte River to create the Spinney Mountain Reservoir and the Spinney Mountain State Wildlife Area to access the five miles of meandering tailwater prior to its flowing into Eleven Mile Canyon Reservoir. These three linear miles are, as […]
For the serious western angler there is no greater prize than the elusive, predatory Salmo trutta. By Rocky Mountain trout standards, Brown trout are especially ferocious. They are notorious for their ambush tactics, darting out from under logs and overhanging vegetation to devour unsuspecting grasshoppers, fish, and even mice. These […]
I often get asked by my clients when is the best time to come to Vail, Colorado to fly fish. The answer is, although some months are more consistent than others, trout can be caught every month of the year. Even in the cold of January, good fishing can be […]
What is the Colorado Pike Minnow? Last week I wrote about the desperate condition of our state fish, the greenback cutthroat trout. While doing research and learning about the situation, I stumbled upon some more in depth information about another Colorado native that is struggling to survive in its home […]
Fly fishermen across the west are used to hearing pretty much the same thing from fly shops and guides all winter long. The freezing temperatures and low water have set in for good, and the mayflies, caddis, and terrestrials that we love so much are no longer vulnerable to feeding […]
How can I find more Trout in our Western Rivers? The question “Where are all the trout in this river?” usually arises when fly fisherman have arrived at their favorite river when nothing is rising and fish action slow. This is a good question to ask at your local fly shop […]
When Is the Best Time To Fly Fish During Winter? A lot has been written about how and where to catch trout during the winter since the sport gained popularity during the coldest season a couple decades ago. One often overlooked factor that is probably more crucial than any other […]
Where Did The Fish Go? Many of the freestone rivers on Colorado’s western slope are susceptible to drastic temperature changes throughout the year. The very lower section of the Eagle River, for example, can get as warm as 75 degrees Fahrenheit in August and can dip as low as 33 […]
As October weather cools down, and it cools quickly in Vail, Colorado at 8,000 feet above sea level, local water temperatures correspondingly decline. Descending water temperatures can help make fly fishing and fly selection a less complicated task during autumn. When fishing our local rivers like the Arkansas River, Blue […]
Beer and Fly Fishing: What Is on Tap for After the Hatch? Beer and fly fishing go hand in hand. While top shelf scotch may go well with a soggy day of waking dry flies for steelhead and a fine wine pairs well with fine tippets and spring creek risers […]
Yesterday, when deciding where to fly fish with only a couple hours of sunlight left in the brilliant fall day, my attention was all of a sudden dedicated to the idea of fishing as many local bridges as possible in my short fishing window that day. The Vail Valley is […]
You must be logged in to post a comment.