Eagle River
Starting in the high country towards Leadville, the Eagle River is large enough to be thus named after the confluence of Peterson Creek, Rock Creek and Fall Creek. When a larger fourth tributary, Cross Creek also joins just above the quiet town of Minturn, the Eagle is now deep and wide enough to support year around wild trout populations with consistency. Boulder lined pockets, enticing overhanging banks, and short riffles hold mostly browns; however, rainbows are making a significant comeback from mining pollution that occurred in the 80’s and early 90’s. Our wade guides have good access here with incredible views and almost no fishing pressure.
As the Eagle tumbles into the town of Edwards it quickly loses the narrow, steep gradient and now longer runs and easier seams dominate. Trout are teaming here and anglers flock to float fish beginning in late spring all the way to early August as annual flows allow. Much of this section to Wolcott is private and the best way to fish is from a raft with a skilled oarsman who can dodge the boulders, slow the pace for quality presentations, all while staying legal. In Colorado, if the land adjacent to the river is private then the river bottom is also private to an imaginary line half way across. No wading, stopping, anchoring or beaching is allowed without permission. Trout Trickers guides have been rowing the Eagle for decades and will provide a safe, gentle ride through sometimes rowdy class III rapids while putting you on the fish. We also have a private boat ramp take out on this 7 mile run that allows for a more enjoyable exit without the crowds or wait times to get a boat back on the trailer. Trout Trickers never charges our clients for this privilege.
Downstream of Wolcott to the county seat of Eagle the river continues to maintain its faster personality with exciting on-the-go opportunities by boat and excellent dry fly action. Wading is also excellent here with numerous Colorado Division of Wildlife public access points to enter the river around private property. Below Eagle and all the way to Gypsum offers mostly floatable opportunities with a vast majority of the riverbank privately owned until you arrive at the Gypsum Ponds Sate Wildlife Area offering significant wade access. A popular place for our guides to fish especially during the winter months with abundant sunshine and higher winter temperatures promoting trout activity even during the coldest weeks of the year. Below Gypsum to just above Dotsero, for the next 5 miles, the Eagle broadens and mellows providing access in a drift boat as the preferred most comfortable boat for our guests. A great place to learn, the rapids and technical casts are now replaced with easily recycled runs, calm eddies and deep tail outs.
The Eagle is known for some of the best dry fly action anywhere in the state with major hatches of BWO’s, Caddis, Golden Stones, PMD’s and Green Drakes. Be ready to test your skills with the respected Eagle River hybrid cuttbow that typically becomes airborne after being hooked displaying athletic ariel shows and spitting out flies with ego and attitude. This river is a local favorite, spawning some of the wildest, biggest and baddest trout around.
Middle Colorado River
Our most isolated section of river, the Middle Colorado flows through wide open spaces filled with private historic ranches of the old west. Leave your cell phone as there is no service here, and escape to rarely fished banks filled with wild trout without development or crowds.
Lower Colorado River
Floatable 365 days a year, the Lower Colorado provides our anglers the best opportunities to hook into large rainbows and browns. The river is wide and calm down here, gentle riffles and long runs are a great place to teach new anglers and also chase huge trout.
Roaring Fork River
There are over 9,000 miles of trout streams in Colorado. Out of this total only 322 miles are currently designated as Gold Medal streams. Of these, few are as illustrious as the Roaring Fork River. This fast paced, rocky freestone beauty originates in the high peaks of Independence Pass. Fishable from a boat nearly year-round, anglers can expect to tangle with rainbows, cuttbows, browns and pure cutthroats.
Gore Creek
Gore Creek, a local gem, runs through the heart of Vail and is also listed as a Gold Medal fishery. Gore Creek offers the angler the opportunity to catch a grand slam (4 trout species in the same day) as well as shots at sight fishing trophy-sized trout. There is excellent access along it’s banks with a bike path running most of it’s length. The Gore offers incredibly diverse bug life with year-round fishing opportunities and is a great place to spend the afternoon while taking a break from the ski slopes in the winter.
Word on the stream
Owner/Guide Pete Mott of Trout Trickers has a definite “A” game in providing a first class trout fishing experience. With a great congenial and laid back personality, Pete will make your experience fun and relaxing. If your looking to upgrade your skills while on the water, he can quickly help you make adjustments to your casting or presentation skills to fit the water and conditions. I‘ve done numerous float trips and would consider Pete a master oarsman, always positioning the boat to enhance the drift and fly presentation. Oh ya, the food cooked right there on his grill in the boat is local and unique. No soggy turkey sandwiches wrapped in cellophane from this guy! Hope to float with him again.
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Trout Trickers Fly Fishing
COLORADO RIVER • EAGLE RIVER • GORE CREEK • ROARING FORK RIVER • NORTH PLATTE RIVER, WYOMING
970-306-6255
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Best of Vail Valley
Permit held By Trout Trickers, Inc.
All or part of this operation is conducted on Public Lands under special permit from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
BLM Permit #CO14010040
Outfitter license #3393
River license #491
Wyoming #WY-060-SRP18-01