Winter Fly Fishing- Colorado

[Brian6428]

Hey guys, my family takes a ski trip to colorado each year after christmas for around a week. We go to colorado, like the title says. This year we plan to take a day off skiing to do other things. The rest of my family is taking a snow-mobile tour, but last year I picked up a winter fly fishing brochure. I am considering doing that, but I have a few questions:

1. Is winter fly fishing for trout even productive? Or is it just to target the uninformed (about fishing) skiers?

2. Would I have sufficient skill to fly fish? Over the summer I learned to cast a fly rod (thanks, flyfisher), but that was without gloves, nothing behind me, not aiming to land the fly anywhere etc. etc.

 

Any advice would be appreciated. If nobody here knows much about trout fly fishing I will probably ask this on a fly fishing forum, but I figured I'd ask here first.

 

Brian

[Lucky Craft Man]

Where in Colorado are you skiing?  I had a work trip out to Colorado in the winter last year and on our day off, three guys went skiing at Vail while I fly fished the Eagle River that runs right though Vail.  As with all winter trout fishing, I didn't kill the fish, but I think I ended up with a dozen.  It was a great day and if I were you, I would definitely give it a try.  There is nothing like winter fly fishing for trout especially in a place like Colorado.

[Brian6428]

Where in Colorado are you skiing?  I had a work trip out to Colorado in the winter last year and on our day off, three guys went skiing at Vail while I fly fished the Eagle River that runs right though Vail.  As with all winter trout fishing, I didn't kill the fish, but I think I ended up with a dozen.  It was a great day and if I were you, I would definitely give it a try.  There is nothing like winter fly fishing for trout especially in a place like Colorado.

Thanks for the reply. We ski at Beaver Creek, one of the Vail resorts. Did you have a guide or were you alone?

[Lucky Craft Man]

I just ran a solo. I parked at the fly shop by Eagle River, asked them for any fly suggestions, bought a few flies, and dropped right down to the river. Caught fish all the way through there. If you want to learn a few things, a guide might be a good way to go.

[Brian6428]

I just ran a solo. I parked at the fly shop by Eagle River, asked them for any fly suggestions, bought a few flies, and dropped right down to the river. Caught fish all the way through there. If you want to learn a few things, a guide might be a good way to go.

Sounds like a good time. I will definitely need a guide. Never fly fished for trout in my life and I only have a day to be there. Thanks for all the advice, I will post after the trip about how it goes.

[flyfisher]

If you talk to a guide and go out with one of them they will put you on fish, that's their job.  Trout in general are catchable year round and actually get pretty active in the mid 40 degree and colder water. 

 

If you do get a guide, see if you can spend some of the time getting a casting lesson from them as it will help tremendously.  

 

Looking forward to hearing the report when you get back.  Just be forewarned, it will be addicting and you just may find yourself slinging the buggy whip for bass a little more often next season

[CoBass]

Like others have said, the fishing will be a little slower than in warmer months but trout are a cold water fish so you should be able to get into some fish. Just stop by any local fly shop and they'll hook you up with the fly patterns that have been productive lately. 

[jaybird71]

Some years ago I fished the Blue River in late winter. My buddy caught one rainbow & I one brown, so we didn't tear it up but they were beautiful specimens and the scenery was amazing! I did learn (actually my buddy demonstrated) that the underwater terrain can be very treacherous as he went under trying to cross. His chest waders took on some water but he was lucky to grab a rock & navigate to shore. Those waters are cold so I would recommend a guide or buddy to fish with for safety!

[Lucky Craft Man]

Some years ago I fished the Blue River in late winter. My buddy caught one rainbow & I one brown, so we didn't tear it up but they were beautiful specimens and the scenery was amazing! I did learn (actually my buddy demonstrated) that the underwater terrain can be very treacherous as he went under trying to cross. His chest waders took on some water but he was lucky to grab a rock & navigate to shore. Those waters are cold so I would recommend a guide or buddy to fish with for safety!

 

This is a great point.  When I fish in the winter, I always wear synthetics or wool (which maintain their insulation properties even when wet).  I also try not to fish to far from the vehicle, because if you go in and have a long hike back, you will be miserable.  I also bring extra towels and clothes that I leave in the car in case a change of clothes is warranted.  Simple things that can keep you from being in a dangerous situation to just having the minor inconvenience of being wet and having to change if you happen to go down.

[flyfisher]

I will concur that glacier fed streams are always cold.....i fished the sierras in august and there was still snow on the peaks and the water was in the 40's

[Brian6428]

Thanks or the advice guys, I have decided to call the guide to book the trip some time this week. I will make sure to post pics after. Thanks again!