Guided Fly Fishing Trips In Vail, Beaver Creek, Aspen & Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Experience Colorado fly fishing with the professional guides at Colorado River Outfitters. From scenic float trips and hands-on walk-and-wade adventures to family outings, corporate groups and overnight trips, we create personalized experiences on some of Colorado’s most iconic trout waters. Whether it’s your first time holding a fly rod or you’re a seasoned angler searching for the fish of a lifetime, our experienced guides will build the day around you.
Which Colorado Fly Fishing Trip Is Right For You?
Float Trips
Our Most Popular Experience
A Float Trip Is Perfect If:
-
You want to cover more water and experience miles of river in a single trip.
-
You’re new to fly fishing and want your guide close by for hands-on instruction throughout the day.
-
You want a comfortable, relaxing experience without spending hours walking or wading through the river.
-
You’re looking for trophy trout opportunities and access to productive water that can be difficult to reach on foot.
-
You’re fishing with a friend, spouse, or family member and want to enjoy the experience together from the same boat.
-
You want the complete Colorado fly fishing experience, beautiful scenery, wildlife, great fishing, and a professional guide handling the boat and logistics.
Walk & Wade Trips
The Most Hands-On Way To Learn
A Walk & Wade Trip Is Perfect If:
-
You want a hands-on fly fishing experience where you can move through the river and explore productive water on foot.
-
You want to improve your skills with personalized instruction on casting, presentation, reading water, fly selection, and technique.
-
You enjoy a more active adventure and don't mind walking, wading, and covering different sections of river throughout the trip.
-
You want access to smaller or more technical waters that can't be effectively fished from a boat.
-
You prefer a slower, more focused approach with plenty of time to thoroughly fish individual runs, riffles, pools, and pockets.
-
You want to become a more independent angler by learning skills and techniques you can use when fishing Colorado's rivers on your own.
Still not sure which trip is right for you? Give us a call or text and we'll help you decide.
970-236-1937
Fly Fishing Experiences For Everyone
Family Fly Fishing
An Adventure The Entire Family Can Enjoy
Create lasting memories on the water with a Colorado River Outfitters family fly fishing trip. Choose from a scenic float trip or a hands-on walk-and-wade experience, with every outing customized around your family’s ages, experience levels, and goals. Our patient guides make learning fun, keep kids engaged, and take care of the details so your family can simply enjoy a great day together on the river.
Corporate & Group Trips
Take Your Team to the River
Trade the conference room for a day on the water with a customized Colorado River Outfitters group fly fishing experience. From corporate retreats and team-building outings to employee rewards, client entertainment, bachelor parties and large family groups, CRO can coordinate multiple guides and boats to accommodate groups of nearly any size. We handle the logistics so your group can relax, connect and experience an unforgettable day of Colorado fly fishing.
First Time Fly Anglers
No Experience Necessary
Never held a fly rod? You’re in the right place. Colorado River Outfitters welcomes first-time anglers of all ages and makes learning to fly fish simple, fun, and approachable. Our patient guides provide hands-on instruction throughout the trip, teaching everything from casting and fly selection to reading the water, setting the hook, and safely handling trout. We provide the equipment and expertise—you just show up ready to experience your first day of Colorado fly fishing.
What's Included With Your Guided Trip?
What We Provide
-
Professional Fly Fishing Guide — Personalized instruction and local river expertise.
-
Premium Rods & Reels — Quality fly fishing equipment provided for your trip.
-
Flies & Tackle — Flies, leaders, tippet and necessary terminal tackle included.
-
Raft or Drift Boat — All necessary boating equipment provided on guided float trips.
-
Safety Equipment — Life jackets and required river-safety equipment for float trips.
-
Waders & Boots — Available when needed for walk-and-wade trips or bad weather.
-
Cold Beverages — Water and refreshments provided during your day on the river.
-
Lunch on Full-Day Trips — A riverside lunch is included with full-day trips or can be added on to any trip.
-
Hands-On Instruction — Casting, presentation, fly selection, reading water and fish handling.
-
Photos Of Your Catch — Your guide will capture photos throughout the day of your catches, wildlife and your trip experience.
-
A Trip Built Around You — Your guide adjusts the day around your experience level, goals and current fishing conditions.
What You Provide
-
Valid Colorado Fishing License — Every angler 16 or older must have the appropriate fishing license.
-
Weather-Appropriate Clothing — Dress in layers and be prepared for changing Colorado mountain weather.
-
Rain Jacket — Afternoon showers can develop quickly, even on sunny days.
-
Polarized Sunglasses — Help protect your eyes and make it easier to see into the water.
-
Hat — A brimmed hat provides protection from both the sun and stray flies.
-
Sunscreen — Colorado’s high elevation means strong UV exposure throughout the day. Our guides also carry extra.
-
Comfortable Footwear — Wear sturdy, weather-appropriate shoes; your guide can advise you based on the trip.
-
Personal Medications — Bring any medications or other personal necessities you may need during the trip.
-
A Positive Attitude — Show up ready to learn, have fun, and enjoy a day on some of Colorado’s most beautiful rivers.
Where We Fish
From our home in the Vail Valley to the Front Range, Colorado River Outfitters provides access to an incredible variety of Colorado trout water. Guests staying in Vail, Beaver Creek, Aspen and Glenwood Springs have convenient access to the Eagle, Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers, while anglers traveling from Denver and Colorado Springs can also reach these fisheries or explore guided opportunities on the Arkansas River.
With access to multiple rivers and guides located throughout Colorado, we're able to recommend the destination that makes the most sense based on where you're staying, current fishing conditions, time of year and the experience you're looking for.
Why Fish With Colorado River Outfitters?
-
Experienced Professional Guides — Learn from seasoned guides who spend hundreds of days each year on the water.
-
150+ Years of Combined Guide Experience — A deep bench of knowledge across the CRO guide team.
-
Local River Expertise — Our guides know the Colorado, Eagle, Roaring Fork and surrounding fisheries intimately.
-
Trips Customized to You — Every trip is adjusted around your experience, goals, group and current conditions.
-
Beginner-Friendly Instruction — Never touched a fly rod? Our guides specialize in making fly fishing approachable and fun.
-
Experienced Anglers Welcome — Looking for technical fishing or trophy trout? We'll build the day around your objectives.
-
More Than Just Catching Fish — Beautiful scenery, wildlife, education and time spent on Colorado's rivers make the entire experience memorable.
-
We Handle the Details — From selecting the right river to providing equipment and planning around conditions, CRO makes your day on the water easy.
-
Family-Friendly Adventures — Patient guides make fishing engaging and memorable for kids and families.
-
Premium Equipment Included — Quality rods, reels, flies, tackle and necessary fishing equipment are provided.
-
Multiple Rivers & Destinations — Access to a variety of fisheries allows us to put you on the best water for current conditions.
-
Float & Walk-and-Wade Options — Choose the style of fishing that best fits your group and goals.
-
Teaching-Focused Guides — Learn casting, presentation, entomology, reading water, fly selection and why certain techniques work.
-
Fishery-First Approach — Responsible fish handling, conservation and protecting Colorado's wild trout fisheries are central to how we operate.
-
Safety Comes First — Professional river knowledge, quality equipment and experienced boat handling are fundamental to every trip.
-
Proven Local Reputation — CRO has built its reputation through exceptional guest experiences and consistently strong customer reviews.
What Our Guest Are Saying
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Patrick M.
I have floated many a river with many a guide and I can safely say that the team at Colorado River Outfitters is best in class. Matt and Brian are both experienced professionals that go out of there way to make sure you trip is as successful and enjoyable as possible. The fishing was outstanding and CRO made sure that my trip was not just successful but an absolute blast. I could not recommend a better group for the Roaring Fork, Colorado River or Eagle River. A special call out to Matt Weldon for not only great guiding, but great advice for additional wade spots near my residence so I could continue to enjoy my trip after the float.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Nicole B.
We had an amazing fly fishing experience! Our group of 9 beginners had such a great time, and our guides...Brian, Sam, and Mike were absolutely fantastic. They were patient, knowledgeable, and made sure everyone felt comfortable and had fun, regardless of experience level. They took the time to teach us the basics, kept things light and enjoyable, and helped make it a memorable day for our entire group. If you’re looking for a great fly fishing adventure, we highly recommend booking with them!
Frequently Asked Questions
-
How far in advance should I book my fly fishing trip? During Colorado’s busy summer fishing season, we recommend booking as early as possible to ensure the best selection of dates and guides. Last-minute availability is sometimes possible, so don’t hesitate to contact CRO even if your trip is approaching quickly.
-
What happens if the weather is bad? Colorado mountain weather can change quickly, and fishing often continues through light rain and changing conditions. Your guide will monitor weather and river conditions and make adjustments when necessary to provide a safe and enjoyable experience.
-
Can I request a specific CRO guide? Yes. If you’ve fished with a CRO guide before or have someone specific in mind, let us know when booking. We’ll do our best to accommodate guide requests based on availability.
-
How many anglers can fish with one guide? Group size depends on the type of trip you choose. Float trips generally accommodate one or two anglers per boat, while larger parties can be accommodated by coordinating multiple CRO guides and boats.
-
What time do guided fishing trips start? Start times vary throughout the season based on weather, water temperatures, river conditions, and fishing opportunities. CRO may recommend earlier or later starts when conditions warrant it so your trip takes place during the best and safest fishing window.
-
What happens after I book my trip? After booking, CRO will provide the information you need to prepare for your day on the water. As your trip approaches, we’ll determine the appropriate river, meeting location, start time, and other details based on current conditions and your group’s needs.
