Yonks,
As you may have heard, Colorado is experiencing one of the best snow years in a long time which means that run-off will last well into July and possibly to August on most of our rivers. That being said, you still have lots of choices for some great fly fishing around both Vail and Colorado Springs.
In or very near Vail you have Gore Creek and the Eagle River. Gore is a Colorado Blue Ribbon designated stream that actually runs through downtown Vail. Contact Bill Perry at Fly Fishing Outfitters in Avon for all of the local information; [url=http://www.flyfishingoutfitters.net/blog.htm.:582b0]http://www.flyfishingoutfitters.net/blog.htm.[/url:582b0]
Within an easy drive to the East from Vail are Silverthorne and the Blue River below Dillon Reservoir. This is a tailwater that will fish well regardless of run-off. Contact Blue River Anglers in Breckenridge for info; [url=http://www.blueriveranglers.com/:582b0]http://www.blueriveranglers.com/[/url:582b0]
To the West of Vail about 2 hours lies the Frying Pan River and the Roaring Fork Valley. Another Gold Medal stream, the Frying Pan is challenging tailwater that can produce some very large fish. Contact Frying Pan Anglers; [url=http://www.fryingpananglers.com/:582b0]http://www.fryingpananglers.com/[/url:582b0] or Taylor Creek Anglers; [url=http://www.taylorcreek.com/,:582b0]http://www.taylorcreek.com/,[/url:582b0] both located in Basalt.
When you leave Vail for Colorado Springs your best route will be highway 24 up through Leadville. Once past Leadville you are on the headwaters of the Arkansas River, the longest freestone river in Colorado. The river may be high and slightly off color due to the run-off, but will still be very fishable. Contact Ark Anglers in Salida; [url=http://www.arkanglers.com/Default.asp:582b0]http://www.arkanglers.com/Default.asp[/url:582b0] or Royal Gorge Angler in Canon City: [url=http://www.royalgorgeanglers.com/:582b0]http://www.royalgorgeanglers.com/[/url:582b0] . Both of theses shops, along with Anglers Covey in Colorado Springs, can also give you information on fishing the South Platt. With run-off concerns, the Platt between Spinney Mountain and Eleven Mile Reservoir (known as the Dream Stream), and the canyon below Eleven Mile Reservoir are both great options.
Spinney Mountain Reservoir is also an option where you can hook into lots of 20?+ Rainbows.
For the Vail Valley, the Blue River, the Frying Pan, and the Arkansas, a 9? 5 wt. will probably do just fine. For the Dream Stream and Spinney, think 6 weights, the wind does blow up there.
As you can see, you?ve got lots of choices so do some research, contact the shops and come out to Colorado and have some FUN.
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Dan S
The poster formerly known as Outrider
Dan S
"I still don't know why I fish or why other men fish, except that we like it and it makes us think and feel." Roderick Haig-Brown, A River Never Sleeps