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Guided Fly Fishing Float Trips in Vail, Aspen & Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Guided float trips are our most popular experience at Colorado River Outfitters—and for good reason. Whether you’re picking up a fly rod for the first time or you’re an experienced angler searching for your next trophy trout, floating allows you to cover more water, access areas that are difficult to reach on foot, and encounter more fishing opportunities throughout the day. Your CRO guide handles the boat, constantly positioning you for the best water while providing as much or as little instruction as you need. With miles of beautiful Colorado river ahead of you, ever-changing scenery, and new fishing opportunities around every bend, a CRO float trip is one of the best ways to experience fly fishing in Colorado.
Why Choose A Float Trip?
A guided float trip gives you the opportunity to experience more of the river and spend more of your day fishing productive water. Instead of being limited to areas accessible by foot, you’ll travel miles of river while your CRO guide positions the boat for runs, riffles, banks, and other trout-holding water along the way. Float trips are comfortable, scenic, and incredibly versatile, making them an excellent choice for everyone from first-time fly anglers to experienced fishermen looking to maximize their opportunities on the water.
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Cover More Water — Fish miles of river and encounter constantly changing water throughout your trip.
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Access More Fishing Opportunities — Reach productive stretches, banks, and holding water that can be difficult or impossible to access on foot.
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Fish at Your Experience Level — Your guide can provide hands-on instruction for beginners or tailor techniques and strategy for experienced anglers.
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Relax & Enjoy the River — Let your guide handle the boat while you fish, take in the scenery, watch for wildlife, and experience Colorado from the water.
What Is A CRO Float Trip Like?
From the moment you meet your guide to the final cast of the day, a Colorado River Outfitters float trip is designed to be easy, personalized, and focused on giving you the best experience possible. Your guide takes care of the equipment, boat, flies, fishing strategy, and logistics while you focus on fishing and enjoying the river. No two days are exactly alike—your trip is built around current conditions, your experience level, and what you hope to get out of your day on the water.
1. Meet Your Guide & Head to the River
Your guide will meet you at the arranged location, get everyone acquainted, and travel with you or have you follow them to the river. Your fishing destination is selected based on current conditions, season, and the goals of your group.
2. Gear Up & Learn the Basics
At the launch, your guide will have rods, flies, and equipment ready for the day. First-time anglers receive hands-on instruction in casting, line management, recognizing strikes, and setting the hook, while experienced anglers can jump right into discussing techniques and strategy.
3. Launch & Start Fishing
Once on the water, the fishing begins. Your guide rows and positions the boat to put your flies into productive runs, riffles, banks, drop-offs, and other trout-holding water as you work your way downstream.
4. Fish Miles of Colorado River
One of the greatest advantages of a float trip is the constantly changing water. Throughout the day, you’ll cover miles of river, experience different types of habitat, take in incredible mountain scenery, and have new fishing opportunities around nearly every bend.
5. Learn Along the Way
Your guide is there for much more than rowing the boat. Ask questions, improve your casting, learn how to read the river, identify insects and hatches, understand fly selection, and discover why trout behave differently throughout the day.
6. Lunch & Riverside Break
On applicable full-day trips, we’ll stop along the river for lunch and a chance to relax, recharge, and enjoy the surroundings before getting back on the water.
7. Finish Strong & Head Back
Keep fishing all the way to the takeout before your guide loads the boat and equipment. From there, we’ll get you back to your vehicle or lodging with plenty of stories—and hopefully a few great fish photos—from your day on the river.
The highlight? Every float is different. One day might be spent watching trout rise to dry flies, another working hopper-dropper rigs tight to the banks, and another chasing an opportunity at a trophy brown trout. That unpredictability is part of what makes floating Colorado’s rivers such an incredible fly fishing experience.
Who Are Float Trips For?
First Time Fly Fishers
A float trip is one of the easiest ways to learn. Your guide handles the boat while providing hands-on instruction with casting, line management, setting the hook, and fighting fish.
Experienced Anglers
Cover more water, fish a variety of techniques, and access productive stretches that are difficult to reach on foot. Your guide can tailor the day around technical fishing, specific hatches, or hunting larger trout.
Families With Kids
Floating gives families a comfortable way to experience the river together without spending the day hiking or wading. Guides can adjust the pace and instruction to keep both kids and adults involved.
Couples & Friends
With two anglers per boat, float trips are perfect for sharing a day on the water while still getting plenty of individual fishing opportunities and guide attention.
Trophy Trout Hunters
Floating provides access to miles of habitat and allows your guide to efficiently target the banks, structure, deep runs, and other areas where Colorado’s larger trout live.
Colorado Vacationers
You don’t have to plan an entire fishing vacation to experience one of Colorado’s great rivers. A half-day float fits easily into a vacation itinerary, while 3/4- and full-day trips offer a more immersive day on the water.
How We Choose Where You’ll Fish
At Colorado River Outfitters, we don’t simply take every guest to the same stretch of river every day. Choosing where to fish is part of what you’re hiring a professional guide for. Our team is constantly monitoring river conditions, analyzing real-time data, watching hatches, and sharing firsthand fishing reports between guides. Before your trip, we use that collective local knowledge along with your experience level and goals to recommend the river and section that gives you the best opportunity for a safe, productive, and memorable day on the water.
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Real-Time River Data — We monitor flows, water temperatures, clarity, weather, and changing river conditions throughout our fishing area.
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Daily Guide Communication — Our guides stay in close contact, sharing what they’re seeing on the water, where fish are feeding, which hatches are active, and how different river sections are performing.
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Local Knowledge Across Multiple Rivers — Access to the Colorado River, Eagle River, Roaring Fork River, and surrounding fisheries gives us options when conditions change.
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Seasonal & Hatch Knowledge — River selection can change throughout the year based on runoff, insect activity, water temperatures, flows, and seasonal trout behavior.
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Your Goals Matter — A first-time angler, a family with young children, and an experienced fisherman hunting trophy trout may each benefit from a completely different river or section.
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Conditions Come First — Our goal isn’t to fish the most convenient location—it’s to recommend the water offering the best combination of fishing opportunity, safety, and overall experience that day.
Where We Float
Colorado River Outfitters offers guided float fishing trips on three of Western Colorado’s most iconic trout fisheries: the Colorado River, Eagle River, and Roaring Fork River. Each river offers a different experience, from the expansive stretches and trophy brown trout opportunities of the Colorado River to the productive freestone waters of the Eagle River through the Vail Valley and the renowned trout fishing of the Roaring Fork near Aspen and Glenwood Springs. Conditions, hatches, flows, and fishing opportunities change throughout the season, which is why our guides use their local knowledge to recommend the river and section best suited for your trip. Having access to multiple fisheries gives CRO the flexibility to follow the best conditions and put our guests on the right water at the right time.
Float Trip Pricing
Half Day Float
$625.00
Price Is Per Boat
1-2 Anglers
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4 Hours on the Water — Plenty of time to experience a productive stretch of river without committing your entire day.
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Best for Beginners & Families — A comfortable trip length for first-time anglers, kids, couples, and casual fishermen.
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Perfect for Vacation Schedules — Fish in the morning and still have plenty of time for other activities around Vail, Aspen, or Glenwood Springs.
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Big Experience in a Half Day — Cover miles of river, receive hands-on instruction, and enjoy plenty of fishing opportunities in just a few hours.
Price Is Per Boat
1-2 Anglers
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6 Hours on the Water — More time to explore productive river miles without committing to a full-day trip.
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Our Best Balance of Time & Value — An excellent middle ground for anglers who want more fishing than a half day while keeping part of their day open.
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More Water & More Opportunities — The additional time allows your guide to cover longer stretches of river and adapt as fishing conditions change.
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Great for All Experience Levels — Ideal for beginners ready for a little more time on the water and experienced anglers looking to maximize their fishing opportunities.
Price Is Per Boat
1-2 Anglers
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7–8 Hours on the Water — Spend a full day exploring miles of productive Colorado trout water.
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Maximum Fishing Opportunity — More time allows your guide to cover additional water, adapt to changing hatches and conditions, and explore a wider variety of fishing opportunities.
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Riverside Lunch Included — Take a break during the day to enjoy a provided lunch along the river before getting back to fishing.
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Best for the Complete Experience — Ideal for anglers who want to maximize their time on the water, experience more of the river, and make fly fishing the centerpiece of their day.
3/4 Day Float
$725.00
Full Day Float
$850.00
What's Provided & What To Bring
What's Provided
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Professional CRO Fly Fishing Guide — Experienced instruction and local river expertise throughout your trip.
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Raft or Drift Boat — The appropriate boat and all necessary boating equipment for the river being fished.
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Premium Fly Rods & Reels — Quality fishing equipment matched to the techniques and conditions.
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Flies — All flies needed throughout your trip, selected by your guide based on current hatches and conditions. We NEVER charge for flies.
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Leaders, Tippet & Terminal Tackle — Everything necessary to keep your rig fishing effectively throughout the day.
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Fishing Instruction — Casting, presentation, line management, reading water, setting the hook, fighting fish, and more.
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Life Jackets & Safety Equipment — Required river-safety equipment is provided for every float trip.
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Cold Water & Beverages — Refreshments to keep you comfortable and hydrated on the river.
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Riverside Lunch on Full-Day Trips — Lunch is included with full-day float trips.
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Transportation to & From the River — Pickup and drop-off can be arranged when needed for an additional $40.00 per vehicle.
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River & Trip Planning — Your guide selects the appropriate river and section based on current conditions, fishing reports, and your goals.
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Fish Handling & Photography Assistance — Your guide will help safely land, handle, photograph, and release your catch.
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A Trip Customized Around You — Techniques, instruction, pace, and fishing strategy are adjusted to your experience level and what you want from the day.
What To Bring
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Valid Colorado Fishing License — Anglers 16 and older should have their fishing license purchased before the trip.
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Polarized Sunglasses — Essential for eye protection and helpful for seeing fish, structure, and underwater features.
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Brimmed Hat — Provides protection from the sun and an additional layer of protection while casting.
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Sunscreen — Colorado’s high elevation and reflection off the water can mean significant sun exposure.
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Weather-Appropriate Clothing — Dress in comfortable layers that can be added or removed as temperatures change.
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Rain Jacket — Colorado mountain weather can change quickly, so a lightweight waterproof layer is always a good idea.
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Comfortable Footwear — Wear secure, comfortable shoes appropriate for getting in and out of the boat and walking around river access points.
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Warm Layer — Even summer mornings can be cool on the river, especially with early start times.
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Personal Medications — Bring any prescription medications, allergy medication, inhalers, or other personal necessities you may need.
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Personal Snacks — CRO provides applicable meals and beverages, but feel free to bring any favorite snacks or dietary-specific items.
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Camera or Phone — There will be plenty of opportunities for fish photos, scenery, wildlife, and memories from your day.
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A Great Attitude — Come ready to fish, learn, relax, and enjoy a day exploring some of Colorado’s most beautiful trout water.
Why Choose Colorado River Outfitters
A great float trip is about much more than simply putting a boat on the river. At Colorado River Outfitters, you’re hiring a team of experienced professional guides who live and breathe these fisheries. From choosing the right river and flies to positioning the boat, teaching new techniques, and adapting as conditions change, every detail of your trip is backed by local knowledge and years of experience. Whether your goal is catching your first trout, improving as an angler, or hunting the fish of a lifetime, we’ll build the day around you.
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150+ Years of Combined Guide Experience — Fish with a seasoned team that brings decades of professional guiding and river knowledge to every trip.
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Local Experts on Multiple Rivers — Our guides continually fish and monitor the Colorado, Eagle, Roaring Fork, and surrounding waters, allowing us to recommend the best available fishing instead of relying on one river.
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A Trip Built Around You — Beginners, families, experienced anglers, and trophy hunters all have different goals. Your guide adjusts the location, techniques, instruction, and pace accordingly.
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Professional From Start to Finish — Premium equipment, experienced boat handling, safety-focused guides, personalized instruction, and attention to the details allow you to simply show up and enjoy your day on the river.
What Our Float Trip Guest Are Saying
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Marvin C.
I had never in my life experienced any fly fishing. Did not have a clue how to begin to do this. However Matt Weldon changed all that today for me. He coached me along and treated me like a brother. Sincerely with all my heart I would recommend Colorado River Outfitters to anyone's family. It's not just a fishing trip. It's not just about catching fish. It was about a bond of Brotherhood. Couldn't have asked for a better experience.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Brad
Went out with Fletch for a half day float on the Roaring Fork. We're *sorta* experienced fly fishermen but this was our first float trip. Fletch was awesome to go with, my son & I had a blast. Caught cutbow, browns, & rainbows. Great care was taken to insure fish health. Highly recommended this group
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jay W.
We fished with guide Tim Macdow. Tim was well-versed on the river, current conditions, and where the fish were congregating. He also knew what flies the fish were eating and how best to present them. Tim was customer oriented and provided us excellent guidance on where to cast and how to retrieve the fish. We had a blue ribbon day. Bravo, Tim and CRO.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ben L.
Two years in a row, and I can say without hesitation that Colorado River Outfitters and Matt Weldon have exceeded every expectation.
If you’re looking for a guide who simply rows a boat, keep searching. If you’re looking for someone who reads a river like it’s telling him where the next trout is hiding, book with Matt.
From the first cast to the last, the day was nonstop excitement. Topwater eats all day long. Slurps. Smashes. Slams. Slaps. Pounces. Every drift felt like the next cast could explode, and more often than not… it did.
What impressed me most wasn’t just the number or quality of fish. It was watching Matt think differently. While other boats crowded the obvious water, he’d quietly slide into a forgotten seam, an overlooked pocket, or a subtle current break… and somehow there were fish waiting. You don’t spend time wondering if he knows the river. You spend the day wondering how he keeps finding fish where nobody else is looking.
I won’t give away the Fish Whisperer’s secrets, but I will say this: if you want a guide who works harder than anyone on the river and delivers an unforgettable experience, Colorado River Outfitters and Matt Weldon should be your first call.
I’ll be back for year three. Tight lines! 🎣
Frequently Asked Questions
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How many anglers can fish from one boat?
CRO float trips are designed for one or two anglers per boat. For larger groups, we can coordinate additional boats and guides so everyone can enjoy the river together. -
Can I request a specific CRO guide?
Absolutely. If you’ve fished with one of our guides before or have someone specific in mind, let us know when booking. We’ll do our best to accommodate guide requests based on availability. -
What happens if the weather is bad?
Colorado mountain weather can change quickly, and a little rain doesn’t necessarily mean poor fishing. Your guide will monitor weather and river conditions closely and make adjustments when necessary, with safety always taking priority. -
Can I bring my own fly fishing equipment?
Yes. While CRO provides everything needed for your float trip, you’re welcome to bring your favorite rods, reels, or other equipment. Your guide can help determine which gear is best suited for the day’s conditions. -
How far in advance should I book a float trip?
We recommend booking as early as possible during the busy summer season, especially if you have specific dates or a preferred guide. Last-minute openings do occur, so it’s always worth contacting us. -
What happens after I book my float trip?
As your trip approaches, CRO will evaluate current conditions and coordinate your start time, meeting location, guide, and fishing destination, so you know exactly where to go and what to expect.
