97 MAIN STREET UNIT E102 EDWARDS, CO 81632 INFO@VAILVALLEYANGLERS.COM | 970-926-0900
HOURS OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK* SUMMER (MAY 1ST-SEPT 30) 7AM-6PM WINTER (OCTOBER 1-APRIL 30) 9AM-5PM *EXCLUDING CHRISTMAS DAY,NEW YEARS DAY, AND THANKSGIVING DAY
CONTACT VAIL VALLEY ANGLERS 97 MAIN STREET UNIT E102 EDWARDS, CO 81632 INFO@VAILVALLEYANGLERS.COM LOCAL: 1-970-926-0900 FAX: 1-970-926-0901 TOLL FREE: 1-877-926-0900
THE HISTROY
There has been a fly shop in Edwards in our current location since 1999. The original operation, Gorsuch Outfitters, was founded as a partnership between the Gorsuch Family, John and Marianne Cochran, and former partner Dave Bishop. Gorsuch Outfitters was a highly regarded leader in the fly fishing business arena and operated successfully from 1994-2006. In 2006, Gorsuch Outfitters was sold and renamed Alpine River Outfitters. In May of 2012, Alpine River Outfitters was sold to Jans Mountain Outfitters, an experienced operator of specialty retail shops based in Park City, Utah with a passion for fly fishing. Jans Mountain Outfitters is actively involved in fly fishing operations in Park City, as well as at The Bulkley River Lodge in Smithers, B.C. Vail Valley Anglers is managed by John Cochran and his team of expert fly fishermen. These experienced individuals have successfully operated guided fly fishing businesses in the Vail area for over 25 years. Vail Valley Anglers has rebuilt operations with the industry best in service, gear, clothing, and guides. We are so focused on providing the highest level of service that we provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all guided trips. We know that there are many options to choose from in the Vail area and hope that we will have the chance to earn your business and loyalty. Professionalism and experience are at the foundation of Vail Valley Anglers’ operation for many years to come. Please come by and visit with some of the familiar faces from the past as we move forward to an exciting future at the new Vail Valley Anglers, poised to become the premier fly fishing operation in the Vail area!
VVA TRIPS
WHAT’S INCLUDED Included in our regular guided fly fishing trips is a cooler with ice and drinks, all fly fishing gear including waders, boots, a high quality fly rod and reel as well as all terminal tackle like tippet, leaders, strike indicators and split shot. All full day trips also include lunch. In addition, we maintain a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all guided service as well as any product we sell. ** Guided trips do not include guide gratuity, a Colorado Fishing License, or flies.
RESERVATIONS We strongly encourage reservations but we can also accommodate the last minute guided trip in most cases. Our online reservation system is live and offers the convenience of being able to book when you have the time and are ready. Try booking your trip online and receive a confirmation immediately after you finish the process. When you return for another guided trip your information will be waiting for you in your profile and with a few clicks you can select your favorite guide and trip and you are done!
CANCELATION POLICY All guided trips made within 30 days are charged 100% of the trip cost at the time of booking. All trip reservations made outside of 30 days require a 50% deposit. Any cancellations made within 72 hours of departure time will be charged the 50% deposit. Same day cancellations will result in a 100% charge.
FLOAT TRIPS Float fishing from a drift boat or raft is a great way to access many remote miles of river efficiently. Many anglers who are less mobile prefer this option to wade fishing. Our safe, certified staff will guide you on one of the variety of sections of rivers we fish daily. Depending on the season you may be on the The Eagle River in the Spring or the Roaring Fork or Colorado Rivers throughout the year. Our permits cover the most river miles of any fishing service in Vail. These trips are available for a full day, half day, or overnight.
Half Day Float for 2 Full Day Float for 2 Full Day Carp Float for 1 Overnight Float Trip for 1 / Day
$ 395 $ 495 $ 600 $ 475
WADE TRIPS Wade fishing is the classic experience. Walk to a secluded location along the banks of a local river. Along the way you can dissect every pool, riffle and rock while your guide offers instruction and assistance. Wade fishing is the best trip for a high level of instruction. These trips are available for a full day or half day.
Half Day Wade, for 1 Half Day Wade, for 2 Half Day Wade, for 3 Full Day Wade, for 1 Full Day Wade, for 2 Full Day Wade, for 3 Hike and Fish, for 1 Hike and Fish, for 2
$ 250 $ 325 $ 425 $ 350 $ 425 $ 525 $ 475 $ 600
SPECIALTY TRIPS
HEADWATERS PACKAGE The Headwaters Package is the essence of destination fly fishing. This package is for the discriminating sportsman who appreciates attention to detail, fine dining, and world class service and equipment. Clients will be treated to upgraded transportation, the finest of handcrafted equipment, and a 5 star back country dining experience. Please inquire with the shop personel to learn more about the pinnacle of fly fishing services and experiences.
GROUPS/ WEDDINGS In addition to our daily offerings, we offer services for corporate groups, wedding parties, and special events. We have over 50 years of combined experience executing large group trips and have all inclusive pricing to meet the needs of our clients. If you are bringing a group to the Vail area and need an activity that is fun, inclusive, and gets you out into the fresh mountain air, consider a guided fly fishing trip as the activity of choice for all age groups.
PRIVATE WATERS Vail Valley Anglers has access to several private water stretches along the local rivers. Choose from sections on the larger rivers like the Eagle or Colorado or smaller rivers like Rock Creek or Sweetwater Creek. We manage our private areas for limited access to maintain the integrity of the experience. Additional fees apply per angler.
GYPSUM
DOTSERO
GYPSUM PONDS
N
W
E EAST VAIL
GOLF COURSE
S
VAIL
WEST VAIL
AVON
INTERMOUNTAIN
EAGLE VAIL
DOWD JUNCTION
THE SALOON
MINTURN BATTLE MOUNTAIN PASS
WOLCOTT CAMP GROUND
POST OFFICE
EAGLE
THE SHOP
EDWARDS
WHERE WE FISH Unique to the Vail area is a large variety of local rivers and creeks that allow us to match the expectations and needs of our clients. Over 12 different waterways as well as several area lakes present different angling opportunities for all levels of experience. The “Big Three� waters-- the Eagle, Colorado, and Roaring Fork-- are the core of our angling opportunities, and smaller rivers like the Piney, Gore Creek and Homestake Creek target smaller, more aggressive fish. If a hike to a high mountain lake is on the bucket list, we have that as well. Visit areas that invoke images of time gone by as you travel through historic mining towns, cross paths with areas once traveled by the Ute Indians, or fly fish near the base of the Gore Mountain Range
THE FLY SHOP Located on the banks of the Eagle River, Vail Valley Anglers is convenient to the resorts of Vail and Beaver Creek as well as the surrounding communities in the area. We are located in the 1st and Main building in the Riverwalk at Edwards. The shop is tastefully filled with the industry’s best fly fishing clothing, gear, flies, and accessories for the beginner and expert angler alike, with the expertise to help you choose what best suits your needs. We feature a full selection of gear and accessories online at vailvalleyanglers.com for easy access to all of the latest gear, clothing, and accessories for any fly fishing adventure.
ONLINE SHOP Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Phasellus accumsan turpis ac est dignissim posuere. Nam tristique ligula libero, ac tristique enim congue eu. Maecenas dictum vel ligula sed convallis. Nulla rutrum, orci non sodales hendrerit, neque diam tincidunt arcu, eget imperdiet arcu sem id arcu. Aenean scelerisque quis urna a pulvinar. In in felis a justo posuere porta. Nam at pharetra dui. Cras tempor egestas risus sit amet eleifend. Ut hendrerit, elit quis rutrum venenatis, nulla leo imperdiet tortor, non ultrices dolor quam ac ipsum. Ut vel ipsum molestie, porta nisl scelerisque, rhoncus tortor. Curabitur a pretium orci, et eleifend tellus. Aliquam ac libero eu nisi tincidunt vestibulum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut mattis laoreet metus, sit amet porttitor tortor porttitor vel. Maecenas sit amet porttitor leo. Integer porttitor felis id est vulputate maximus faucibus a sem. Sed dictum tellus ut urna consequat tempus. Aliquam erat volutpat. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Donec mattis dui et lorem interdum posuere. Aliquam ex nisl, varius et porttitor posuere, accumsan a sem. Vestibulum quam ipsum, euismod non aliquet quis, tincidunt sed odio. Sed eu ante sit amet ipsum sagittis auctor in a ligula. Aenean nulla turpis, pharetra eget rhoncus id, volutpat ut augue. Vivamus tincidunt quam at velit suscipit, eu semper eros facilisis. Mauris sit amet enim ligula. Ut id consectetur felis, eget ornare nibh. Sed et ornare dolor. Cras dignissim leo mauris. Mauris quis massa sem. FEATURING PRODUCT FROM:
FISHING LICENSE It is now extremely easy to purchase a Colorado fishing license! Whether you need a new license or are just renewing your old one, procuring your valid Colorado fishing license is a simple process. It’s easy to register for both an in-state Colorado fishing license as well as an out-of-state fishing license for non-Colorado residents. Through the Colorado Parks & Wildlife website, you can easily register for a wide variety of fishing licenses, ranging from a single-day license to a full annual license. To purchase a Colorado fishing license, visit www.co.wildlifelicense.com to travel to the Colorado Parks & Wildlife website to start registration! WHAT YOU’LL NEED Your name, residency, and some personal information License you wish to purchase; Single Day, Annual, Additional Day, Rod Stamps Verify your purchase and select your delivery method
BOOK YOUR TRIP ONLINE Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Phasellus accumsan turpis ac est dignissim posuere. Nam tristique ligula libero, ac tristique enim congue eu. Maecenas dictum vel ligula sed convallis. Nulla rutrum, orci non sodales hendrerit, neque diam tincidunt arcu, eget imperdiet arcu sem id arcu. Aenean scelerisque quis urna a pulvinar. In in felis a justo posuere porta. Nam at pharetra dui. Cras tempor egestas risus sit amet eleifend. Ut hendrerit, elit quis rutrum venenatis, nulla leo imperdiet tortor, non ultrices dolor quam ac ipsum. Ut vel ipsum molestie, porta nisl scelerisque, rhoncus tortor. Curabitur a pretium orci, et eleifend tellus. Aliquam ac libero eu nisi tincidunt vestibulum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut mattis laoreet metus, sit amet porttitor tortor porttitor vel. Maecenas sit amet porttitor leo.
FLIRT PARENTS: John and Marianne Cochran BREED: English Cocker Spaniel FAVORITE ACTIVITY: That would be a toss up between kick ball and murdering baby rabbits? BAD HABITS: Eating my food so fast that I never chew it. Ooops!
MURPHY PARENTS: Andy Leister BREED: Chocolate Lab FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Fishing! Skiing, playing fetch, playing with other dogs, swimming, running through snow. BAD HABITS: Eating things he’s not supposed to eat.
HATCH PARENTS: Brett Elkman BREED: English Cream Golden Retriever FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Wrestling or Sitting in the Front of the raft scouting for fish. BAD HABITS: Licking my pillow until it’s soaked.
GUNNSION PARENTS: The Henderson’s BREED: English Springer Spaniel FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Loves to flush birds and eat carrots. BAD HABITS: Hates loud wind gusts and magpies.
The staff and guides at Vail Valley Anglers are a collection of anglers, explorers, travelers and, above all experienced fly fishermen and women. Many have lived in the area the majority of their lives and others have come to be in this glorious place after years of searching the globe for fly fishing nirvana. Look below to find more information about the experienced and passionate team at Vail Valley Anglers. Better yet, book a day on one of our world-class rivers in the mountains surrounding the Vail Valley.
FLOAT GUIDE
WADE GUIDE
“Justin, thanks for three great days on the Eagle River! My first winter trip was outstanding! Thanks for all of your coaching and tips. We look forward to coming back for a float trip in the summer!” — Susan Whitehurst
JUSTIN CARR Hometown: Kalamazoo, MI - also lived in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Tennessee, and the last 14 years in Colorado.
Guide Experience: 3 years in the Vail area.
Fishing Experience: I was taught to fly fish at a young age by my father Scott, and have travelled across North America from Alaska to the Caribbean in search of fish on the fly over the past 20 years. Last season I fished throughout Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee, and Michigan.
Exotic Fishing: Just this past December, I caught my first Permit on fly in the Lower Florida Keys.
Hobbies: Snowboarding, Travel, and of course, fly fishing everything.
Favorite Thing About Guiding: I always bring a great attitude, sense of humor, and wealth of fishing knowledge to my guiding. I have a strong belief that simply teaching new skills to my clients will make them better fishermen or women, and my patience with beginners and experienced alike is unmatched. Being a young, energetic and intelligent guide, I am ready and willing for any fly fishing adventure at any time or place. My Favorite thing? Tough to narrow down, so I’ll just say simply the entire experience.
Many people do not realize that the fly fishing season never closes in Colorado. We have a fishing activity to offer 365 days a year. During the winter months we guide the open water stretches of the Eagle as well as the lower Colorado, Roaring Fork, and Frying Pan Rivers. Our saying is, “the fish have to eat every day� so lets go! Generally we offer half day trips during the off season until the weather permits for the full day sometime in late February.
ORGANIZATIONS WE SUPPORT Vail Valley Anglers acknowledges a healthy community is essential for a healthy business. We are also personally connected to, not only local, but national organizations, and support them in their efforts.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US 970.926.0900 | INFO@VAILVALLEYANGLERS.COM
WHERE DO WE GO FOR OUR FLY FISHING TRIP? We fish several rivers within an hour of our fly shop in Edwards, CO depending on where the fishing is best and what our clients prefer. We mainly fish on the Eagle River, Colorado River, Roaring Fork River, Gore Creek, some private ranches, and many nearby small creeks. WHAT SHOULD I BRING ON MY FLY FISHING TRIP? Everyone should always bring a camera, hat, sunglasses, and raingear. During cold weather please dress appropriately with layered clothing. DO YOU PROVIDE WADERS, BOOTS, FLY RODS, ETC.? Yes, all gear is provided including waders, boots, and fly rods. DO I TIP MY GUIDE? HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP? Tipping is very much appreciated. Twenty percent of the trip price is a standard gratuity. WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR FLIES? Our trip prices do not include flies and we use an a la carte system for flies. The flies that work are constantly changing and it is important to have the right flies each day. HOW MANY FISH AM I GOING TO CATCH ON MY TRIP? Catching fish is never guaranteed. The number of fish landed varies with conditions and angler ability. Our professional fly fishing guides do their best to put you on as many trout as possible on every trip. I’M A BEGINNER—IS THAT OKAY? We guide anglers of every ability and age level. Beginners are welcome! All of our guides are adept at teaching novices how to fly fish. ARE THERE ANY AGE RESTRICTIONS? There are no specific age restrictions. Every child is an individual case. Most kids are ready to learn between 8 and 10 years old. DO I NEED A FISHING LICENSE, WHERE DO I GET A LICENSE? Everyone age 16 and older is required to have a fishing license. One day, five day, and annual licenses are available at our fly shop or online. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FLOAT TRIPS AND WADE TRIPS? Float trips involve fishing from a drift boat or raft and offer access to miles of water unreachable by wade fishermen. Wade trips give anglers the time to thoroughly work the water at a relaxing pace. Both can be enjoyed by beginners or experts. WHY AND WHEN SHOULD I BOOK PRIVATE WATER? Private water ranches offer solitude and unpressured trout. In some cases, larger than average trout are available. Competition with other anglers is never a problem. WHAT MONTHS ARE THE BEST MONTHS FOR FLY FISHING? We fish every month of the year and the fishing can be great all year long. Fantastic dry fly fishing is found June through September. Autumn offers fall foliage, good fishing, and uncrowded rivers. Late winter through spring is a favorite season for spring break ski vacationers and is a sleeper secret for great fishing.
“THE SOLUTION TO ANY PROBLEM -- WORK, LOVE, MONEY, WHATEVER -- IS TO GO FISHING, AND THE WORSE THE PROBLEM, THE LONGER THE TRIP SHOULD BE.” -JOHN GIERACH