Fly Fishing at Crested Butte, Colorado

Fly fishing is often described as an art.

Author Norman Maclean, in his classic fishing novel A River Runs Through It, has his minster character say, “there was no clear line between religion and fly fishing.”

So what is it, art or religion or sport? Ask any avid fly angler and you’ll probably get an answer of “it’s all three.”

Ernest Hemingway found his fishing canvas on the Big Wood River in Idaho. Maclean wrote his novel based on years of fishing in Montana. For the best fly angling in Colorado, head for the mountain community of Crested Butte. 

Crested Butte Colorado

This small town of 1,500 residents has streams and rivers and a lake that provides world-class trout fishing spring, summer and fall. The former coal-mining community has transitioned into a recreational area drawing bikers, hikers, fisherman and skiers from around the country. 

At an elevation of over 8.900 feet, the air is thin and fresh and invigorating. 

There are 29 hotels is Crested Butte, but they fill up fast during the prime fishing and 

skiing season. Book early.  

Crested Butte Colorado Fishing 

To be a good fly fisherman, you need to have the right equipment. That checklist of items includes a proper fly rod and reel, a net, an assortment of artificial flies and other accessories to help land the fish and remove the hook. 

For those anglers who need to outfit themselves when they arrive, there are number of sporting shops that carry full lines of fly equipment for sale or they can rent you everything you need.

Experienced fly anglers also tend to dress the part. An old saying around the fly community is that “a proper state of mind is the key to fly fishing.” In order words, looking like a true fly angler is important. Khaki pants and shirt, a multi-pocket fishing vest, a wicker creel strapped to your side, a net and a floppy hat sporting artificial flies are all part of the traditional look. 

Where to Fish

Whether you’re after Rainbow, Brown, Brook or Cutthroat trout, you’ll have no trouble finding then in the numerous rivers and streams in the area.  

If this is your first fishing trip to the Crested Butte area, you might do well to hire an experienced guide to show you the best fishing spots and how to fish them. There are a number of guide companies and individual fishing guides to choose from. 

Here are some of the best fishing spots in the Crested Butte area:

The Gunnison River

The East and Taylor Rivers join together in Almont and form the Upper Gunnison. A wide variety of trout can be found all along a 23-mile stretch of water. Throughout the summer, numerous fly hatching occur along the banks of the Gunnison River that attract a wide variety of good-sized trout. Mark this as a must-try area to fish.  

The Taylor River 

Two areas of this river, the 20 miles of the upper river and 20 miles of the lower river, provide excellent fishing. These two areas are separated by private property. The Taylor Reservoir and numerous side creeks feed water into the main stream. Both areas hold a wide variety and numerous supply of trout. 

The Lower Taylor cuts through a beautiful canyon and is known to be filled with some huge trout for those willing to make the journey and wait them out.