Willowfly Anglers

ORVIS Endorsed Fly Fishing Outfitter
in the Colorado Rockies, offering
guided trips on the Gunnison River,
Taylor River and East River


Special Offers
Fishing Conditions
River and Fishing Info
Photo Gallery
Three Rivers Resort
Local Weather


Willowfly Anglers
Three Rivers Resort
P.O. Box 339
130 County Road 742
Almont, Colorado  81210

(970) 641-1303
toll free: (888) 761-FISH

fish@willowflyanglers.com

ORVIS Endorsed Guide Service

We offer guided fly fishing trips year round, depending on weather and river conditions. Our typical fishing season is from March through October. Our peak season is from mid June to mid August. Please contact us in advance to book a trip, especially during the peak season and also during the winter months. Select from the menu at the left for details and current rates for all of our guided trips and services.

  Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Outfitter
   
We will be offering several fishing/lodging package deals during the 2010 season. Check out our Special Offers for details on these special promotional packages.
 

Planning Your Trip

Early season fishing can be very good before snow-melt and run-off. On the warm cloudy days of April (and sometimes as early as March), fish will show their noses as the first mayfly hatch of the season kicks in. These Blue-Winged Olives can provide anglers with some exciting dry fly fishing opportunities. Run-off normally begins around late April or so, and can last from four to six weeks. The rivers can be blown out during this time, depending on how much snow pack there is and how warm it gets in early spring. We don't float the Gunnison River during the heavy run-off, but there are walk/wade opportunities on the Taylor River and other smaller streams. We typically begin floating the Gunnison by around June 15th to the 25th, but we can float a lot earlier if we have a mild winter. We float the river until the flows drop in late September or early October.

Once the rivers settle down from spring run-off, fishing is awesome straight through summer and into fall. We also have a kokanee salmon run during the fall. (Kokanee are a land-locked form of sockeye salmon.) Catch & release fishing for kokanee is allowed on the Gunnison River and East River from August 1st through the end of October. The peak of the run will normally be around the middle of September.

The golden aspens and Rocky Mountain scenery, combined with some of the best fishing of the year, make fall an excellent choice for fishing in the Gunnison Valley. The rivers are easily waded and there are fewer anglers on the water. Fall is a great time to fish for brown trout as they prepare to spawn and become aggressive and territorial. Later on, while the browns are spawning, you can target large rainbows and cutbows feeding on their eggs.

The East River in Fall

The Taylor River C&R

Winter fishing this high in the Rockies can be challenging but also very rewarding. We snowshoe into rivers that continue to fish well during the winter months. It's a great time to take in some beautiful scenery and enjoy some solitude here in the mountains. We also fish the trophy trout section of the Taylor River (C&R) year round. The C&R is well known for big beautiful wild fish, many of which are over 10 pounds.

Throughout the year, anglers consistently catch big fat browns, rainbows and cutbows in the 8 to 12-pound range at the Taylor River C&R. During the winter months the crowds are gone, but the fish are still there.

Whether you're planning your fishing trip for spring, summer, fall, or winter, please call the fly shop ahead of time for the most current information. You can also check out the current fishing conditions, which are updated during the season.

For all guided trips:

  • Please call us to book your trip in advance. This is especially important during the peak season.

  • Full payment of the trip fee is required at the time a fishing trip is booked.

  • Clients who cancel a fishing trip up to 14 days prior to the trip date will receive a refund of their trip fee less a $30.00 cancellation fee. For cancellations made within 14 days of the trip date, clients will receive a refund of 50% of their trip fee.

  • Trip fees do not include fishing licenses, misc. tackle, groceries, taxes, and/or gratuities.

  • A Colorado fishing license is required for all anglers age 16 and over.

  • We do not allow pets on any guided trips.

  • Polarized sunglasses are recommended for all fishing trips.

  • Waders and boots, and an Orvis fly rod and reel can be provided for your fishing trips.

  • Flies are provided for all guided trips.

  • Private water is available for an extra fee of $70.00 per angler.

Colorado Fishing Licenses: Visitors may purchase a Colorado fishing license at Three Rivers Resort (in the general store). Proper ID (driver license or photo ID) and a social security number are required to process a Colorado fishing license. A fishing license cannot be issued without a social security number. The easiest and fastest way to process your license at the resort is to use your fishing (or hunting) license from last year (or most recent). Please bring this with you when you come to fish with us this season. You may also purchase your license online via the Colorado DOW web site (or by phone). During the peak season at our resort, there can be a line of customers waiting for fishing licenses. You may want to consider getting your fishing license ahead of time, especially during the summer months.

Responsibility and Liability: Fishing is an adventure sport that involves risk. We cannot be responsible for lost or damaged articles or personal injury. We are fully bonded insured and licensed but you participate at your own risk and must sign a waiver of liability. You may download the waiver and bring it with you for your trip.

 


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