*Ski & Bow Rack is an equal opportunity employer and service provider operating under priority permits in the San Juan National Forest and Rio Grande National Forest.

Full Day Private (8hrs)

1 Angler – 500

2 Anglers – 600

3 Anglers – 700

Full Day Plus (8+ hrs)

1 Angler – 600

2 Anglers – 700

* All guided trips include water, snacks, and all gear (rods, reels, leaders, tippet, flies, waders, boots). Full day trips include lunch.

* 1-Day Colorado fishing license required for all locations except Snow Angel Ranch. Licenses can be purchased online or at our store.

* More than three anglers? Give us a ring and we can set something up!

How much does a guided fly-fishing trip cost?

The price varies depending on number of people fishing (1-3 people per guide), location (public water or private water), and duration (half-day, full-day, or full-day-plus). Our trips range from $350-$700 per guide (so if you bring 17 of your best friends with you, you’d first of all be a pretty popular person, and you’d also need 6 guides for a max price of $4100, which, when your friends saw the price and found out that you were paying for everyone, they’d probably be pretty thankful that they’re your friends).

Do I need to make a reservation for a guided fly-fishing trip?

Yes, we usually need at least 48-hour notice to get you on the water (though we have been known to be able to sneak people in same day, but that’s pretty rare. You should make a reservation.) If you make your reservation at least two-weeks out, you’ll most likely get the day you want (unless it’s the weekend of the 4th of July; those days book up quickly).

How do I make a reservation for a guided fly-fishing trip?

You can try to call our (generally) happy, friendly, front-desk staff to book a trip, but, honestly, using the impersonal (but efficient!) online booking experience will streamline everything. As much as I hate to recommend it, I recommend it. You can book online here.

Do I need a Colorado State Fishing License for my guided fly-fishing trip?

If you’re fishing on state water, then yes, you do. Most of our locations are on state water, so generally the answer is, “Why yes, my friend, you do need a Colorado State Fishing License to legally fish today.” Our only exception is the Snow Angel Ranch. So if you’re going to Snow Angel, then no, you don’t need a fishing license.

Where can I get a Colorado State Fishing License?

Well, you can make an impersonal, not-very-intuitive-and-unnecessarily-complex purchase online through Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) here. Or you can purchase one from our shop with one of our awesome, optimistic, smiling staff the day of your trip (or the day before, if you want to get it out of the way. Or the day before that. Or the day before…you get the picture). If you do purchase here in the shop, please be aware that we cannot accept a credit card as payment for state licenses. Cash or debit cards only. It’s not personal. It’s just business…with the state. Call them if you wish to complain.

How long are your guided fly-fishing trips?

Full-day trips are 8 hours on the water, with lunch provided. Half-day trips are…well…half of that. Minus lunch. Do math. The equation looks like this (8hr*H2O) + L=2(4hr*H2O) – L which can be reduced to Full=2(Half) for all the math teachers out there. And yes, of course it balances.

So, do I want a Half-Day or a Full-Day trip?

We generally recommend that first timers book a full-day trip if possible, because much of the first half of your day will be spent learning how to cast, mend, set the hook, etc. We don’t want you to have to leave the water just as you’re starting to get the hang of it! However, conditions and location can partially dictate this decision as well. Some of our more remote waters can only be accessed on a full day trip (check out our Full Day Plus trips if you’re feeling extra adventurous!). Conversely, during peak summer heat or drought conditions, many lower elevation streams are only fishable during the early morning hours, which restricts us to half-day trips. We will always do our best to accommodate your needs and your schedule, so don’t hesitate to ask!

What if I’ve never fly-fished before? Can I still take a guided fly-fishing trip?

Absolutely, you can. Our guides are also very competent instructors (which! as it turns out, they’re not quite the same thing, guiding and instructing) and can teach the sport very well. However, we also offer free fly-casting classes for an hour every Saturday between Memorial Day and Labor Day. And if you can schedule a guide trip after that free class, it will really benefit the experience of your guided trip (where we can focus on catching fish and not on how to keep your flies out of the trees, the bushes, your guide’s earlobes, etc.).

Do you provide the equipment for a guided fly-fishing trip?

We do provide everything that is necessary for the guided trip. Emphasis on necessary. Use of a rod, reel, line, flies, waders and boots comes with the guided fly-fishing trip at no extra cost. Pina Coladas and a hammock? Not so much. So if you don’t have your own equipment, don’t fret. We got your back. Or if you don’t want to risk checking your fly-rod with airline baggage, don’t worry. We still got your back.

Are there any…perks from booking a guided fly-fishing trip with you? You know. Nudge, nudge. Wink, wink.

We offer a one-time 20% discount on shop gear within 72 hours of your trip. It’s a great way to upgrade a few pieces of your gear (okay, okay, or the whole kit and kaboodle), or just to get that fancy lil doohickey the guide used out on the water that’s going to make your fishing life so much easier (there’s approximately 300,000 different kinds of those thingamajigs out there, so you’re bound to find one that’ll help).

What should I bring on my guided fly-fishing trip?

Start with a good attitude; that always helps (I mean generally even being in the heart of the San Juan mountains provides a significant beneficial lift to the ole’ mood, but if you show up like a tired, hangry, whiney two-year old who desperately needs a nap, your day isn’t likely to improve even if you catch the fish of a lifetime. You’ll have banged your shin on something solid when you were posing for the picture and then smacked your knuckles on…well you get my point). Besides that, you should bring sunscreen and lip balm (that sun is intense—like camping!), a water bottle (dehydration is a real, and nasty thing), any munchies you might require (to keep aforementioned hangriness at bay), a lightweight rain jacket/fleece/both (because you never know!), hat (not just for cool-factor), dress in layers (cool mornings and hot afternoons in the summer can require some significant wardrobe gymnastics), and any prescription medication you must take to keep yourself alive while on the trip (whiskey doesn’t count!).

What’s the difference between “public” water and “private” water?

Public water denotes state water open for fishing access to anyone. We operate under both National Forest and CPW permits to provide these options to our clients. Private water means that we have leased the right to fish from private property along/underneath state water from the landowners. This gives our clients exclusive access to water that would otherwise be unavailable (and illegal) to fish, but also requires an extra “rod fee” paid to the landowner. In general, you’ll find bigger, less-pressured, more-eager fish on private water. On public water, however, you can return to fish the same water again on your own, whenever you want, thoroughly equipped with the knowledge and experience you need to go out and have yourself a fabulous day without paying for a guided fly-fishing trip every time.

Where will I be going on my guided fly-fishing trip?

This will be determined by the guide according to a variety of factors including, but not limited to: choice of public/private water, weather, flow rates, water temps, accessibility, physical fitness of clients, vehicle limitations, bug activity, and coin tosses/rock-paper-scissors. (Which is to say, we probably won’t know until the day of.)

What sort of fish can I expect to catch on my guided fly-fishing trip?

Rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, and cutthroat trout, mostly (and maybe a random razorback sucker—which is actually an endangered, native species), but it totally depends on your location (and how far you want to hike from the car).

Do I get to keep the fish I catch on my guided fly-fishing trip?

Absolutely not. Full stop. These are catch and release trips only.

Do I have to do any hiking on my guided fly-fishing trip?

Yes, you will. These are wade trips, not float trips. We will be walking to, through, across, (hopefully not underneath) and up the river. Certain locations require more hiking than others and some are more difficult to access than others (but remember, the more work you put in to get to the water, usually the better the fishing is). If you’re willing to hike further up and further in, please let us know, as we have some very special fisheries that we can get to with a little more effort.

What if I have mobility/health issues?

First, please notify us. Please? We have several locations, both public and private, that offer easy river access for anyone with mobility concerns, a history of heart-attacks, or non-babysitable toddlers. But it would be good to keep in mind that, in general, we’re wading in the river to get to the fish, and that wading in the river is more difficult than, say, walking across a parking lot. Much more difficult. We do, however, have wading staves available for those who would like a third point of contact in the river. If you feel like you cannot get into moving water comfortably, may we recommend our still-water options at the Snow Angel ranch?

How do I get to my guided fly-fishing trip location?

Generally, the guide will meet you at the shop at some point before the trip, whether the afternoon/evening before or the morning/day of, to size you for waders and boots, make sure you have fishing licenses squared away, and to settle up for the cost of the trip (not to mention making sure you have all you need to keep your attitude from tanking, but I digress…) The shop, however, is usually a solid 30-45 minute drive from most fishing locations, and, as jogging to these locations would take most of the day, we recommend driving. In most cases, clients will follow the guide to the fishing location in their own vehicle—ideally an SUV or truck with decent clearance (a tank would probably do in a pinch) as some forest service roads aren’t maintained all that well. If you have any concerns about this, please communicate with your guide beforehand.

How old do I have to be to participate in a guided fly-fishing trip?

Well, we don’t have any hard and fast rules, but, in general, kids under 12 have a rough time learning to handle a fly-rod. Obviously, there are exceptions out there and we’re certainly willing to have a conversation with you (but we might want to see the kid cast before we say, “Yes! Little dude can rip it; this’ll be great!”). The heart of this is that we really want you to have a great experience for the money (and that our guides are and want to be fishing guides, not baby-sitters) and a whiney, distractable kid (or parent, for that matter) on the fishing struggle-bus doesn’t fit that definition for anyone involved.

Do I need to put down a deposit for my guided fly-fishing trip?

Sure do. Half up front. Remainder can be paid anytime before the trip begins.

Do I get a refund on my deposit if I have to cancel my guided fly-fishing trip?

Sure do. As long as you give us at least 48 hours notice prior to your trip. You’ll also get a refund on the deposit if we have to cancel your trip because of weather, guide emergency, etc. Or if you have an emergency within the 48 hour window, but still notify us, you’ll get it back. Really, the only way you don’t get your deposit back if you don’t take the trip is if you no-call, no-show. So don’t do that; it’s rude anyway.

How do I cancel my reservation of a guided fly-fishing trip?

Simply call the shop. 970-264-2370. E-mail’s maybe a little too…untrustworthy…to be reliable. Make sure you talk to someone in person. And just so you know, short, pop-up, afternoon rain showers are a common occurrence in the summer in the mountains (as are the forecasting of them), and not really a good reason to cancel a trip, as they rarely last longer than half an hour and usually improve the fishing anyway!

Will I be grouped with random people I don’t know on my guided fly-fishing trip?

Nope. Won’t happen. Your trip will only ever be just you, your group, and your guide.

Can I request a specific guide for my fly-fishing trip?

If there’s a particular guide you’d like to fish with, please let us know, and we’ll do our best to make it happen, capp’n! (But no guarantees…schedules can be fickle, snappy monsters.)

Ski & Bow Rack