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TELLURIDE OUTSIDE — FLYFISHING GUIDE SERVICE & SHOP

Telluride Outside

Fly Shop, Staff and Guides
Telluride Outside has been the region's premier guide service since 1984. Our fly shop, Telluride Angler, was founded in 1994. We carry the finest brands, including Scott, Sage, Ross, Abel, Simms, Cloudveil, Scientific Anglers and Ex Officio, but what truly distinguishes our company is quality staff and our commitment to service.

Our staff and guides have fly fished all over the world, but many of us learned to fly fish right here in Telluride. Our mission is to teach techniques, share experiences, and help our customers enjoy this wonderful sport.

Telluride Flyfishing

Fly Fishing Guide Service
The San Miguel, Dolores, Uncompahgre and Gunnison are among of the finest trout streams in the Rocky Mountains. Each offers unique flyfishing opportunities, from the San Miguel's freestone pocketwater to the glassy runs of the Lower Dolores. Lakes, ponds and alpine creeks offer even more choices. The quality of our flyfishing is matched only by the beauty of our surroundings. Telluride is an angler's paradise.

We began guiding the Telluride area in 1984 and have assembled a spectacular menu of public and private flyfishing water, including private leases on each river.

On wade-fishing trips, guests have an exceptional opportunity to receive hands-on instruction. Whether you're picking up a fly rod for the first time or have fly fished all your life, you'll come away a better angler.

San Miguel River
~ ½ day and full day trips flyfishing trips from Telluride
The San Miguel offers superb flyfishing just minutes from Telluride. Home to four species -- rainbows, cutthroat, brown trout and brook trout -- the San Miguel is one of the last undammed rivers in the Rocky Mountains. Classic pocketwater and abundant trout make the San Miguel a beginner-friendly river and a great choice for both half and full day trips.

Uncompahgre River
~ full day trips flyfishing trips from Telluride
Large trout may be caught using a variety of techniques on the Uncompahgre. This special river offers outstanding match-the-hatch dry fly fishing in summer and fall months and some of our best winter flyfishing from November-April. In every season, the Uncompahgre is one of our favorite trout streams.

Upper Dolores River
~ ½ day and full day flyfishing trips from Telluride
The Upper Dolores watershed is fed by a dozen cutthroat and brook trout streams descending from alpine basins. The Main Fork and West Fork offer more than 75 miles of trout water. Willing fish and magnificent scenery make the Dolores a Colorado flyfishing classic.

Lower Dolores River
~ full day flyfishing trips from Telluride
Below the McPhee Reservoir, the Dolores winds like a spring creek through a lush, low gradient valley. This is our most challenging dry fly water - a place for advanced anglers to test their skill and nerves.

Gunnison River
~ Full day flyfishing trips from Telluride, or 2-day/1-night trips lodging at Gunnison River Farms
Telluride Angler offers wade and float fishing trips on two sections of the Gunnison River through our friends at Black Canyon Anglers (CO#618). The mighty Gunnison is one of Colorado's legendary trout streams, famous for voracious browns and rainbows that can reach two feet in length. We wade the Gunnison from several trail access points in the Black Canyon, including the Chukar, Bobcat, Duncan and Ute trails, as well as the lower river from the Gunnison forks. 1-day float fishing trips are also available on the lower stretch, beginning at the forks and fishing six miles downstream to Gunnison River Farms.

Telluride Flyfishing

Telluride Flyfishing

Private Water Menu

Private water provides the opportunity to pursue trophy trout in unique solitude. Telluride Angler has exclusive guiding access to the San Miguel, Dolores and Uncompahgre rivers, plus terrific lake fishing at Gurley Reservoir and intimate small stream water on the grounds of Dunton Hot Springs. Please review our "Private Water Menu" for a complete list of exclusive locations.

Telluride flyfishing

Telluride flyfishing

Telluride flyfishing

Telluride flyfishing

Cascabel Club
~ ½ day and full day flyfishing trips available week days only, 2 anglers maximum
~ inquire about availability and private water fees
Crown jewel of the San Miguel, the fabulous Cascabel Club offers pristine flyfishing in the beautiful Norwood Canyon, just 40 minutes downstream from Telluride.

Lightenburger Ranch
~ full day flyfishing trips recommended from Telluride
What could be more luxurious than having four miles of the Dolores River all to yourself? Lightenburger Ranch, the "Line Camp" and our "Roaring Fork" leases provide the opportunity to flyfish for days without seeing another angler.

Dunton Hot Springs
~ full day flyfishing trips available April-October
Just west and south from Telluride, the West Fork of the Dolores River meanders through the historic mining camp at Dunton. Dunton Hot Springs has been restored as a low-profile but magnificently appointed resort with more than a half mile of private flyfishing water. The West Fork slows and braids across this broad dell. Beavers have deepened many of the channels, creating glassy pools where trout rise. Cutthroat, rainbows, brown trout and brook trout are all present. These are wild trout, and many have grown stout in their pristine habitat.

Here's the big news from Dunton: Dunton's owners have recently acquired 2 1/2 additional miles of exclusive private water, just downstream from the Dunton resort. This is the best trout water on the West Fork Dolores, featuring both winding mule shoe bends and forested canyon sections. Telluride Outside will begin guiding this special new water in late July this year. Lunch/soak packages as well as pure fishing packages will be offered, with meals catered by Dunton's fabulous kitchen. We expect this to become some of the best private water in Colorado. (see picture, below)

Rest and soak between fly fishing beats. If we can give the fish a break, we are welcome to join Dunton's acclaimed chef for a gourmet lunch and relax in their natural hot spring pools. Access to the resort is also available on special mountain bike and 4-WD tours. Please inquire for availability and rates.

"Jackson Hole," Uncompahgre River
~ full day flyfishing trips available 12 months a year, inquire for schedule and fees
Our favorite winter flyfishing water, "Jackson Hole" on the Uncompahgre River holds abundant fish right through the season. The river here is characterized by low gradient runs, pools and cut banks, perfect habitat for heavy trout.

Gurley Reservoir and Creek
~ full day flyfishing trips available daily May 15 - Nov. 15
~ inquire for trip schedule and private water rod fees

Big fish, anyone? "The Gurley" is among Colorado's richest lakes. Feeding on crayfish and abundant insect life, its trout grow to great size. In the lake, cruising fish explode on dry flies and streamers. We also flyfish Gurley's fabulous inlet creek.

To enhance the Gurley fishing experience, we've just purchased a brand new ClackCraft driftboat. Now, you can chase Gurley's huge trout while riding in the lap of luxury. The boat offers all kinds of fishing advantages. It rows quickly and quietly, allowing the guide to scoot to the lee corner of the lake and sneak up on big, rising fish. Comfortable seats and leg braces allow the angler to rest between fish and stand safely while casting. The boat is also equipped with an anchor, so your guide may station the boat to cast at specific fish or assist with technique. Book a float trip on Gurley this summer and find out why this is one of our best-kept secrets!

Pike Fishing Trips
Telluride FlyfishingHere's something new for those who think we won't give up our fishing secrets...pike (trophy pike, in some cases), in lakes 1 1/2 hours south from Telluride. We've recently acquired permits to fish 5 lakes in the Mancos-Dolores-Cortez area: Narraguinnep, Totten, Summit, Joe Moore and Puett. The lakes contain all kinds of interesting species, including trout, bass, perch and pike. As it turns out, some of the pike are pretty darn big and like to eat bunny streamers (guide Pat Sheehan with a 10-pounder). Guided trips are available all summer for guests who want to throw big flies on big rods (8-9 weights) for big fish.

Fly Casting Lessons
~ available daily by appointment
Telluride Angler offers customized personal fly casting instruction for anglers of every ability level. Whether you're picking up a fly rod for the first time or tuning up for your annual tarpon trip, expert casting instruction is invaluable.

Fly Fishing and Tying Schools
Telluride Angler hosts a variety of seasonal schools, ranging from "Learn to Fly Fish" to "Saltwater Fly Tying." Please inquire about our upcoming schedule.

Global Fly Fishing
Telluride Angler leads trips all over the world for our favorite gamefish: trout, bonefish, tarpon, permit, steelhead and more. Life is short. Please join us on an upcoming adventure.

Telluride winter flyfishingWinter Fly Fishing
Coming to ski? Bring your fly rod! Winter fly fishing in Telluride is one of the best-kept secrets in Colorado. Everyone needs a day off from the slopes, and you'll find excellent winter fly fishing on both the Uncompahgre and San Miguel Rivers. We have guides available every day during the winter, with quality public water and tremendous private water alternatives. Top quality rental equipment is available, so don't worry about packing for two sports. The San Miguel is normally excellent from late February through April, while the Uncompahgre fishes well in all of the winter months. We even offer a special 3/4 day trip for fishing the Uncompahgre during the short daylight months of December, January and February. You'll be pleasantly surprised. Winter is a beautiful season on our rivers.

The waters of Telluride have been described in two major fly fishing magazines:

"Telluride Trout" -- Fly Fisherman, Dec. 2002 by Kirk Deeter
"San Miguel River, CO, a Mountain Paradise" -- Southwest Fly Fishing, Fall 2002 by Jenny Johnstone

Both articles feature the Telluride Angler and are excellent tutorials on flyfishing the magnificent waters of the Telluride area. For free copies, just give us a call: 800-831-6230.

Telluride Outside
Phone: 800-831-6230
E-Mail: fun@tellurideoutside.com