Embarking on a fly fishing trip in the serene landscapes of Colorado can be a highlight for both novice and experienced anglers.
The choice between a half-day or full-day guided adventure, and whether to float fish or walk/wade, hinges on personal preferences, experience, and what you wish to get out of the experience.
Let’s begin by distinguishing the differences between Walk/Wade trips and Float Fishing Trips.
What Is Walk/Wade Fly Fishing?
For many, walk/wade fishing offers an ideal introduction to the sport. And for the experienced angler, it often provides opportunities to test advanced techniques in a technical and beautiful setting.
Walk/wade fishing is simple: meet your guide, head to a river or creek, and immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature while standing in the river, all with the help of a fly fishing professional.
Unlike float fishing, walk/wade anglers can drift their flies through a zone multiple times with undivided attention and coaching from their guide. On a float fishing trip, anglers get only one shot at a zone before the river carries them downstream.
Walk/wade fishing suits beginners, families with children, or those mindful of their budget.
Pros
- Excellent for all skill levels, especially beginners.
- Extensive choices with hundreds of miles of trout streams near Crested Butte.
- More affordable than float fishing.
- Often a more tranquil, intimate experience.
- Longer season – available 12 months a year, with its peak during summer in Crested Butte.
Cons
- Limited range of water covered.
- Potential to spook fish.
- Requires good balance on slippery river beds (may be challenging for individuals with mobility issues).
What Is FLoat Fishing?
Alternatively, float fishing presents a different rhythm, with the Gunnison River’s current guiding your journey.
While it provides a unique perspective of the valley’s beauty, float fishing is generally more suited for those with some fly fishing experience due to the need for precise, timely casts.
Float fishing, also known as drift boat fishing, is neither better nor worse than walk/wade fishing but requires a heightened focus to bring fish to the net.
There are a few different locations where float anglers can launch from on the Gunnison River and have over 20 miles of water to drift through. Because the Gunnison River is the only commercially floatable fly fishing water, it can sometimes feel crowded.
Pros
- You can cover a lot of water quickly.
- A distinctive, scenic experience.
- It often involves simple casting and dead-drifting techniques.
- Suitable for those with mobility concerns who require a seat.
Cons
- Anglers typically only get one opportunity to cast per zone.
- Less beginner and kid-friendly.
- It can feel crowded at times.
- Shorter season (most often from late spring to late summer)
- Float fishing costs more than walk/wade fishing.
Half-Day vs Full-Day Fishing Trips
Many people who want to go on a guided fly fishing trip ask if a full-day or a half-day trip is best.
Our experience suggests that half-day trips, spanning about four hours, are optimal for most anglers.
This duration allows ample time to learn, enjoy the sport, and reel in some memories without the fatigue that often accompanies longer outings.
Full-day trips extend to nearly seven hours with a break, but many find the additional time surpasses their comfort threshold. When an angler gets tired, their technique can take a hit, making the experience more taxing than fun.
As such, we recommend half-day excursions for a concentrated, fulfilling fishing experience. This is particularly important to note for those new to the sport, accompanied by children, or looking for a cost-effective option.
If you desire more time on the water, consider booking consecutive half-day trips to stay refreshed and engaged.
When is the best time of Year For a Guided Fly Fishing Trip?
Fly fishing during the summer in Colorado will be the best overall time for your trip from the perspective of having the most opportunities to catch fish.
The days are long, and the fishing conditions can be excellent. Summer time in Colorado will also offer the most amount of river miles to fish.
With the beautiful weather, you will also experience more people from June through August. So keep in mind that you’ll be sharing water with people in the summer, depending on where you fish.
We guide out of Crested Butte, Colorado, where we have hundreds of miles of public water for guided fishing trips.
Whether you’re set on a guided trip in Crested Butte or simply want to learn more about our fisheries, we invite you to read our Seasonal Guide to Crested Butte Angling. In our guide we detail the best rivers to fish for each season as well as recommended tactics.
Other Considerations
Other than considering a walk/wade trip vs a float trip and a half-day vs a full-day, there are a few other items you should consider before booking a guided fishing trip.
Does Your Guide Come Recommended?
It’s important to ask around, and possibly read some reviews before hiring your guide. Not all of them are made equal, and it’s important you hire a good one!
A great guide will be an excellent listener, teacher, entertainer, and net person. Look for a guide with extensive experience and the willingness to go the extra mile to show you a good time.
What is Your Budget?
Guided fly fishing trips are expensive, and it’s important that you feel good about the money spent.
In an expensive resort/mountain community, you will always pay a premium for a fishing guide in comparison to places off the beaten path.
Consider shopping around and calling a few outfits to get a feel for prices before committing to one guide.
Have You Communicated Your Expectations?
A great guide is there to listen to you, and you should feel comfortable telling them your expectations. Some people hire a guide to learn a new skill; others are simply there to have fun with family and friends. Others are there to fish hard and do their best to catch big fish.
Whatever your expectations are, you should communicate them to the guide in advance to ensure you have the best experience possible.
Conclusion
Choosing your perfect guided fly fishing trip can feel like a daunting task, especially when there are so many options to choose from.
In general, we believe that 1/2 day walk/wade fly fishing trips are the best for most beginners and people with kids. If you are a seasoned angler, you may want to try your hand at float fishing.
Additionally, it’s important to consider things like whether your guide comes recommended and how much it will cost.
Contact us at info@slackwaterco.com for more information about guided fly fishing in Crested Butte.
Thanks for reading.