Fly Fishing Crested Butte Colorado
Fly Fishing Crested Butte Colorado – every year as we approach summer I start to think about another great season of fly fishing. The opportunity to spend time on the many great rivers and streams in the Gunnison valley with friends and clients.
There are so many things in the Summer, but none to me are as enjoyable as the time I get to spend on the many rivers and streams searching for, and matching wits with elusive trout. I love the opportunity to go fly fishing in the Crested Butte area.I consider myself a journeyman fly fisherman. I am frequently humbled by missed strikes, and other fisherman, but I enjoy the lifelong pursuit required to master the knowledge, skills and techniques of fly fishing.
Attention to Detail…
A number of years ago I was floating with one of my favorite fly fishing guides Patrick Duke on the Gunnison River – the week prior Patrick had landed a State Record Rainbow Trout in a very deep pool. When we got to this special spot, he pulled a rod from his quiver that was already rigged especially to find the depths of this clear deep run and entice this monster trout… Patrick handed me the rod and provided me with specific instructions. A few minutes later we were amazed by the size of the flash as the giant rainbow made a strike (and I was too slow to respond). Patrick told me to “be ready – and let him run…” After a few more casts and drifts and properly mending the line, my senses and reactions were on high-alert as I saw the flash and I set the hook – and it was game on!
“…a huge rookie mistake that I will never forget, and a very hard lesson learned.”
That monster rainbow did exactly what Patrick warned me about – it made a mighty run. The fight did not last as the fish snapped the line… As I looked down at the excess line from the reel, and my gaze continued to my feet, I realized what had happened. I was standing on the slack line on the platform… a huge rookie mistake that I will never forget, and a very hard lesson learned – attention to detail is key. Such is the lifelong pursuit of fly fishing.
I have certainly gotten my fair share of large trout, and I get as much excitement catching a 4″ cutthroat or brook trout in a small high mountain stream. As any experienced fly fisherman (or woman) will tell you that you never master the sport. Most fish stories are about the big one that got away. This is part of the allure for us – fishing is a life-long pursuit. The conditions are different every time, the section of river or stream, the season, the time of day, the weather, cloud cover, water temperature, flow, hatch… all these variables make this pursuit both a mental and physical challenge.
A big part of the joy of fly fishing is the journey and being a student of the game… . Getting to fish with friends and clients is icing on the cake.
You Need Fly Fishing Stuff
Before getting started as a fly fisherman you will need some “stuff”. As with most pursuits, and especially fly fishing there is lots of equipment you can buy. You can get just the basics, or you can spend quite a bit of money on equipment (I have) and this can be important – but remember the trout don’t know how much you have spent on your stuff.
Other items include clothes, waders, special fly fishing boots, a net, a hat, polarized sun glasses, boxes to hold your flies, leader, tippet, maps, sunscreen…etc. There are a few very good fly shops in the Crested Butte area (Dragonfly Anglers, Crested Butte Angler, Willowfly Anglers) that can set you up with a guide and all the gear that you will need. It is common to have afternoon thunderstorms roll through in the Summer – a light fleece and a poncho or raincoat can be essential. It has been said, “if you look good, you feel good…” and a proper state of mind is key to fly fishing – so spending a little doe on some good new stuff may be a good idea.
Why Hire a Crested Butte Fly Fishing Guide?
It is always recommended to consider the services of a fly fishing guide to make the most of your time on the water to enhance your experience, especially if you are new to fly fishing, or new to the Crested Butte area.
I have some favorites and can make a recommendation or as mentioned the local fly shops have a stable of well qualified guides. Most guided fly fishing trips here in Crested Butte will be float trips – you will sit and stand comfortably in an outfitted raft for 2 fisherman and your guide where you will likely float the gold medal waters of the Gunnison River. You will probably start in Almont and float to a spot above Gunnison, or below Gunnison – depending on if you booked a full day or half day trip. There is about 15 miles of great water and this can be a very rewarding fishing experience.
I have taken many of my real estate clients on float trips down the Gunnison River – and many great memories. If you are wanting to walk and wade it is also a good idea to hire a guide so you will know exactly where to go, won’t be trespassing on private land, and since guides are typically on the water every day – they know what flies are working.
Trout You Will You Catch Fly Fishing Crested Butte Colorado
It is most likely that you will be fishing moving water. The largest rivers are the East and the Taylor that come together to form the Gunnison river. But there are many other smaller tributaries that hold some very nice fish such as the Slate River, Brush Creek, Cement Creek, and Spring Creek. There are also many mountain lakes and two large reservoirs (Taylor and Blue Mesa) in the Crested Butte area.
All of these waters are home to brown, rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout. Probably the most common is the hard fighting brown trout, which is usually more of a golden yellow color with bright orange spots. The rainbow trout is a beautiful silver fish with a pinkish red color running the length of its body and known for jumping out of the water once hooked. The cutthroat has a beautiful red orange coloration on it’s gills and is a prized catch. The brook trout which you may catch here in smaller streams or mountain lakes is actually a member of the char family and is known for its unique dark green markings on its back.
Fly Fishing The East River
This great river starts as a stream when it falls out of Emerald Lake well above Gothic. It is a picturesque setting to look down on this meandering river from Gothic Road as it winds it way around the back side of Mt. Crested Butte where it is joined by Brush Creek. It continues on the East side of the valley and the Slate River runs into it before the bridge on Highway 135 below CB South.
Unfortunately the majority of the East River flows through private lands – there are some stretches behind Mt. Crested Butte that offer access as well a few miles of public access at the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery (if you have not visited – you will see the sign off Highway 135 on the West side of the highway – drive in and look a the thousands of fingerling and larger trout in the raceways – ask a Ranger for some fish food and if they have time they will give you a quick overview of the facility).
In the late Summer and Fall there is a run of Kokanee Salmon from the Blue Mesa Reservoir up the Gunnison River, then the East River back to the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery – this can be an exciting time on the water! Here is an article about Flyfishing on the East River.
A great fly fishing development in the Crested Butte area is The Reserve on the East River – this development has 35 acre home sites available and boasts 2 miles of private pristine fly fishing on the East River. Homesite prices range from $1.5M – $2M and there are numerous amenities including fishing ponds, owner/guest lodging with rooms available to the owners in the Main Lodge – as well as the Guest Cabin. There is an equestrian facility, access to National Forest, as well as and hiking trails on the ranch.
The Taylor River Fly Fishing
There are almost 30 miles of the Taylor River and half of it has public access providing one of the most scenic and exciting fishing experiences in our area. The Taylor River starts where the water releases from the Taylor dam – here there is a section of the river for about ½ mile that is public access and some of the largest fish in our valley live right here. You will regularly see fisherman here hoping to catch one of these whoppers. These fish feed primarily feed on the very small mysis shrimp that are in the water coming out of the dam. This makes them big, old and smart.
The Upper Taylor has some swift water and can be tough fishing, there are many great stretches along the lower Taylor before it joins the East River in Almont to form the Gunnison River. There are many convenient points to access the Taylor river from the road – you will also notice many sections that are private. If you want to own a piece of paradise some of these private sections have land for sale – The Wilder on the Taylor is a 2,100+ acre shared ranch with 2 miles of Taylor River running through the property that is located 5 miles above Almont and offers homestead sites on the Taylor River.
As of this writing there are Wilder home sites available between $2M and $2.2M. I have had to opportunity to fish the 2 miles of river that flow through the Wilder on the Taylor and it is truly special – they have engineered the river to be a world class trout fishery with shallow riffles, and deep pools that hold large brown and rainbow trout. There is also a separate 3 mile stream (nicknamed “the dream stream”) and 6 stocked ponds with large trout waiting for the fly of the young and old.
The Gunnison River Fly Fishing
The Gunnison River also commonly referred to as “The Gunny” – This river starts in Almont at the confluence of the Taylor River and East River and flows through Gunnison into the Blue Mesa Reservoir. The water makes its way through two additional dams before becoming a river again as it carves its way through the Black Canyon and then the Gunnison Gorge.
Most anglers will first experience the Gunnison River with a guide on a float trip. This is an easy float and a great way to see a lot of the river and get the opportunity to present your fly to many awaiting trout. Officially classified as Gold Medal Waters – the Gunnison River below Almont with its variety of shallow and deep pools provides a near perfect habitat for brown and rainbow trout. There are miles of public access along the Gunnison River – depending on the water levels it may be tough to walk and wade this river, but typically in the late summer months and into the Fall it is very accessible.
Many fly fishing guides do walk and wade trips to sections of the Gunnison River, a map is also a recommended purchase at one of the fly shops. Gunnison Riverbanks Ranch is a development along the Gunnison River with homesites available. This ranch is South of Almont that also has about 1.5 miles of the Gunnison River flowing through it.
Fly Fishing Crested Butte Lakes, Beaver Ponds, and Small Streams
I prefer moving water, but there are many cold high mountain lakes in and around the Crested Butte area that can be really fun to fish and they hold some large trout. There are also some small high altitude streams that offer cutthroat and brook trout – typically these are small fry, but can be very fun to catch as they have rarely seen a fisherman and are usually enthusiastic.
I often marvel that there is a trout able to survive in these small waters, and some of the prettiest colorations can be found on these small trout holding in the pools of remote streams. Sometimes it pays off to combine the hiking guide book with some local fishing knowledge. If you have a lightweight rod – or a 7 piece rod this can be perfect to take with you into the backcountry and on family hikes. When I plan hikes through the wildflowers around Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte with my wife and daughters many of these hikes have water destinations – there are many cascading streams, waterfalls and high altitude lakes that hold wild trout. I know that we will take a break for an hour or so before turning around – so while my family rests and eats lunch, I fish.
Fly Fishing Etiquette
- It is tempting to fall back to the caveman mentality of being the hunter/provider and wanting to keep what we catch to put on the table. While it is legal within the Colorado fishing regulations to keep some of what you catch – I would suggest that it is mostly frowned upon to do so. Unless you are fishing in a lake or reservoir where the fish are plentiful, and are managed (stocked), you should consider Catch and Release. Think of it as recycling and giving that beautiful trout the opportunity to grow and reproduce to create more trout for you to catch next year!
- Delicate release – always wet your hand prior to holding a trout – a dry hand can wipe the outer protective layer from the trout’s skin. You may have noticed at high altitude the fish are not the only ones with less oxygen to breathe. If the trout you caught put up a good fight you should reward the trout by holding it outside the main current, facing upstream and gently rocking it back and forth.
- Know where to go fly fishing in Crested Butte – In Colorado the land below the water including the rocks is owned by the landowner. For those from out of state (especially Texas) this is different from what you may be used to. In Colorado the landowner may own the land on one side or both sides of a river – but he does not own the water or the fish in the water. Get a map, ask people in the fly shop, look for no-trespassing signs, or better yet get a guide so you know where you can fish. Be respectful, do not trespass, do not ground your boat on the rocks, or get out of a raft to pee or fish on private land.
Crested Butte Fly Fishing Final Thoughts
There are many mountain activities and recreational pursuits, but fly fishing is my favorite. To me standing in a river or stream with the cool waters flowing past me and the sound of the tumbling water and nature, gives me serenity. I learn something every time I fly fish, and each experience is different.
I have spent hours and not caught a trout, and many times the first cast results in a strike – this is the wonder of fly fishing. Like most fisherman I enjoy catching fish, but whether I catch a trout or not, doesn’t make my day – just being in the moment with the opportunity to fish and share my experience with others is special.
Experience and Attention to Detail – Fly Fishing & Real Estate
I have learned that there are hundreds of detailed skills needed in order to successfully present a fly to a trout in moving water, to hook a trout when he so subtly strikes, and then to successfully net, handle and safely release a trout back into the river or stream.
The trout I am holding in the photo is a very rare Palomino trout caught in the summer of 2022 on the East River here in Crested Butte.
I have had many clients that have complimented me on the level of detail in helping them to successfully buy or sell real estate here in Crested Butte.
As example – the consistency and attention to detail in my monthly market report is representative of what you can expect from me as your Real Estate Agent.
People often ask me “what makes Crested Butte a special place?” It is hard to put into words, but the unbelievable Crested Butte fly fishing is part of the charm of Crested Butte for visitors, locals and second homeowners. Whether you are a first time visitor or long time second homeowner I strongly recommend you carve out some time to go fly fishing and the excitement of watching a rising trout take your fly.
Searching for real estate in Crested Butte can be as daunting as your pursuit of elusive trout. As you consider your options, I hope that you give me the opportunity to earn your business. Like hiring the right fly fishing guide – I can really help you. I was once in your shoes, and was a second homeowner here in Crested Butte for 10 years prior to moving here full-time. Give me a call and let me help you to find that perfect mountain home for you and your family.
If you have enjoyed this article Fly Fishing Crested Butte Colorado and have an interest in Crested Butte Real Estate and would like to start a conversation about homes, condos or land in the Crested Butte area, call me.
Chris Kopf, Global Luxury Property Specialist
Coldwell Banker Mountain Properties
970-209-5405 or Chris.Kopf@CBMP.com
https://chriskopfCB.com or Contact Chris
