ROCKY MOUNTAIN “PRIVATE WATERS” DEFINED

 

These “private waters” fisheries have several things in common:

  • First and foremost, a fishing opportunity that is exceptional and can only be enjoyed by those staying at that particular property – i.e., it’s private.

  • An upscale ambiance and cuisine, to notch guides and service.

  • An upscale price.

  • Better book very early as these spots sell out primarily with repeat clients.

THREE FORKS RANCH

 

The most upscale of them all, Three Forks Ranch, located in Northern Colorado near Steamboat Springs, is a relatively new private waters fishery.  This is a 200,000 acre working cattle ranch straddling the Wyoming/Colorado border.  There is sixteen miles of private stream fishing in addition to several ponds and lakes teeming with rainbow, brown, brook, and native Colorado River Cutthroat Trout.  First class accommodations, five-star dining and many other complimentary activities will round out your outdoor adventure to this pristine property.

 

Discriminating fly fishing traveler, Bob Friend, commented after his first stay, “I’ve never caught so many twenty-plus inch fish;” and regarding the overall operation - “on a scale of 1 to 10, this place rates at 11!”

 

 

ELKTROUT LODGE

 

Two hours drive west of Denver is a long time favorite of many fly fishing travelers, ElkTrout Lodge.  Elktrout has earned their reputation by providing carefully nurtured private waters to provide one of the best fishing experiences in North America — beautiful accommodations, elegant repasts and an experienced staff complete the operation.  Guests fish private stretches of the Colorado, Blue Rivers and Troublesome Creek. Many days, successive hatches mean you can fish dry flies all day long

 

PECOS RIVER RANCH

 

At the southern tip of the Rocky Mountains, a few hours north of Albuquerque, is the Pecos River Ranch owned by Val Kilmer.  Pecos River has a distinctly Southwest ambiance that makes it unique.  This property certainly has the potential to take its place among the “best in the West” as a private waters fishery.  However, we are taking a “wait and see” approach for now because soon after our exploratory visit in October of 2005, it was announced that the most productive part of the ranch is up for sale.  Most likely, the new owner will continue the tradition that was launched, but until that is clearly defined, we’re in a waiting mode. 

  

 

Click on the following links for additional information and/or client comments about this destination:

 

Colorado Rockies:

           Colorado Trip Report - Private Waters - PDF

           Three Forks Ranch, Colorado - Trip Reports

           White River Valley, Colorado - Private Waters

 

           Springtime in the Colorado Rockies

                      White River Valley

 

Rocky Mountain "Private Waters"

            The West - Some September & October Ideas  

            #41 newsletter

  

 

Don Muelrath

Fly Fishing Adventures

888-347-4896

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

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