Eagle river through Minturn.
Try upper access to the Eagle through Minturn, CO. Drive through the town along HWY 6 and keep going until you see the river JUST OFF THE ROAD on your left. Pull off at any of the little gravel pull off sections.
This can be good to fish early season starting late June. There is a railroad the runs along the river up through toward Red Cliff. If you are feeling adventurous, give a little hike a see what you find! There are fish all the way through the canyon!
Late Summer: This is great pocket water with a hopper dropper.
Also try TWO ELK CREEK by the Minturn shooting range if you are in the mood for a creeking adventure.
Eagle River through Avon.
Early Season/Run-off: High and Dirty. Look for fish in slow big pools or along the banks in faster moving sections. Try the lime copper john or a san juan worm.
Late summer: Try tiny midge patterns and emergers. We like sparkle wing RS2’s …. all day!
Winter: Try a selection of pheasant tails and zebra midges. Fish below the Westin hotel where the water treatment plant comes in for year round unfrozen banks. There is about a mile below the treatment plant with nice pools.
Eagle River through Edwards.
Edwards has terrific river access. There is a healthy riparian zone from arrowhead down through the preserve.
Early season can be tough through town where the trees line the banks. Look for those nice wide open pools that are few and far between. They will be productive this time of year.
Late Summer: Look for well oxygenated water and tie on those tiny patterns!
Winter: The Preserve just past the Gashouse restaurant has great walk in access and can be good when everything else seems to be frozen over.
Homestake Creek
Early Season/Run-off: Make sure the access road is open before heading out. Get out your san juan worms and go get em’! This is a great place to fish when all the other rivers are blown out. The scenery can’t be beat.
Late June: We noticed mayflies and a few caddis. If you want to try for some dry fly action keep em’ small. Remember these fish aren’t all that big so give em’ something that will fit in their mouth! Trail a two-bit hooker or a juju baetis for some extra action. Other flies we like to ry up here are the Foldover Baetis and the Brassie.
Late Summer: Try hopper patterns or a royal stimulator with a two bit hooker underneath.
Cross Creek
Early Season/Run-off:Higher flows, these fish will also love the old san juan.
Late Sumer: Pocket water at it’s finest. We recommend a 3wt. rod to make it fun, and go with a dry dropper set up. Don’t fish patterns that are too big though, or you will lose the beautiful but small fish!
Gore Creek
Early Season/Run-off: Try the upper Gore where wading is a bit more manageable. You can follow the Gore trail and fish for miles in the creek!
Late Summer: Hail to the hopper! Drop a size 16-20 pheasant tail below and have a ball! Emerger patterns in size 20 are also a must when the fish won’t look up.
Local Stocked Lakes and Ponds around the Vail area:
Gypsum Ponds – Easy access ( one minute off of 1-70) and an easy place to walk. These Ponds are filled with trout and eager crappie. Gypsum Ponds make a great kids destination.
Nottingham Lake – In the heart of Avon, we recommend fishing early in the morning as this popular lake is in the center of a busy park. This lake is usually stocked yearly around Father’s day with rainbow trout.
Sylvan Lake – Located in Eagle, this is a trip that goes up a fairly well maintained dirt road into Colorado scenery that is simply fantastic. There is camping available at the lake. Bring layers, the temps can be quite a bit cooler up at the lake!
Piney Lake- Located off the Vail exit, this is an hour drive up a bumpy dirt road. Once you get to Piney Lake you are also at Piney Ranch, where you will find a restaurant, camping, canoe rentals, and plenty of hiking. We consider Piney a “must visit” while in Vail. We like to rent a canoe and paddle toward the creek where it pours into the Lake. Dry- Dropper rigs like a Royal Stimulator Fly trailing a Two Bit Hooker Fly are a great place to start once you reach the creek. You will see fish darting everywhere! Be stealthy!
Black Lakes- Located at the TOP of Vail pass, you’ll want to check and make sure these lakes aren’t still frozen before heading up. Usually late June, early July they become ice-free. Plenty of trout circle the lakes and there are some trails around the lake for access. Wear sturdy footwear as the trails can be steep in parts. The temps at the top of the pass can also be quite a bit cooler than on the Valley floor. So come prepared.