Property Description

Fly fishermen will appreciate this rare and unique opportunity to become a lifetime member of The River Club at Buckhorn Ranch.  The membership allows access to a private stretch of the East River in Colorado for fly fishing only.  Located a few minutes from the famed town of Crested Butte, this stretch of the East River is open only to the members and provides fantastic fly fishing for trout in a premiere mountain setting.  The number of fly fisherman per day is limited so there is no over-crowding and plenty of room to enjoy the stream and not over-fish the trout (a member reservation system is used).  This portion of the river is super fly fisherman friendly, providing cover to stalk in on the trout, yet allowing space for back casts.  Various runs, riffles, bends, and pools give a variety of habitats for Rainbow and Brown Trout to feed and seek cover.  The main road leads right to the bank of the river, so access is very simple.  Nearby Crested Butte is a premiere summer and winter destination in Colorado, offering all the summer mountain activities, plus the fantastic skiing/snowboarding on Crested Butte Mountain Resort.  Various lodges, bed-and-breakfasts, and locally owned inns are great places to stay, and the nearby regional airport (35 minutes away) provides direct flights from Denver, Dallas, and Houston. 

FISHING

The River Club at Buckhorn Ranch segment of the upper East River flows through the meadows just East of Crested Butte. This clear coldwater fishery contains lots of rocky bars with bends, runs, and riffles to give the local Rainbow and Brown Trout a diversity of habitats to thrive. The banks are lined with vegetation and trees that help prevent erosion, while openings in the vegetation allow fly fisherman to stay concealed yet have room to back cast while stalking up on trout. The best fishing occurs from May through November.  Dry flies work well to match the hatching aquatic invertebrates, and the meadows produce lots of terrestrials that land in the water.  Open stretches of water allow fishermen to wade out and drift nymphs, or if they are wanting to target the largest fish, throw mouse patterns.  There are strategic habitat improvements that direct the thalweg into the banks and create deeper pools for trout to feed, while also providing cover.  In the fall season, egg patterns and streams tend to get bit.

MEMBERSHIP

• Private access to over 1 mile of the East River
• Limited number of fly fishing memberships (contact agent for more info.)
• Fly fishing only
• Catch and Release only
• Limited number of fly fishermen on the stream per day (reservation system in place)
• Fish need to be unhooked quickly and handled in the water
• Year-round access directly to stream bank
• Members may invite family or guests to fish (some limitations; contact agent)
• Membership can be sold
• Membership can be transferred at any time
• Members may enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the property (no grills allowed)
• *Contact agent for the Membership Benefits

CRESTED BUTTE

Crested Butte is a premier mountain destination in north-central Gunnison County, 28 miles north of Gunnison, Colorado. The Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport serves the valley and nearby Crested Butte with both commercial airline and general aviation flights. Summertime in the Crested Butte basin offers mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting and kayaking, four-wheeling, and disc golf.  There are festivals and parades throughout the year, with lots of shopping locations and fine dining restaurants (with plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy the mountain air).  Crested Butte is known as the wildflower capital of Colorado, and the area is very well known for its fall big game hunting in the nearby Gunnison National Forest.

The primary winter activity in Crested Butte is skiing or snowboarding at nearby Crested Butte Mountain Resort.  Backcountry skiing in the surrounding mountains is some of the best in Colorado. The mountain, Crested Butte, rises to 12,162 feet above sea level. The town of Crested Butte has a Nordic Center with an ice-skating rink and many miles of groomed cross-country skiing trails.

LODGING

Downtown Crested Butte offers your pick of relaxing bed & breakfasts, lodges, cabins, and locally owned inns. Staying in town has its perks, too, as you'll be close to most restaurants, shopping, and galleries.  You could also choose one of the local furnished vacation rentals to fit your needs.

DINING

Pick from a variety of foods from local farm to table fine dining restaurants, as well as international to all American cuisine. Craft brewed beer, award winning locally distilled rum, coffee beans freshly roasted in town, and organic juice smoothies of every variety. All of these are available within walking, biking, or a quick shuttle ride's distance in town. Almost every restaurant and bar are independently owned and operated.

LOCATION

• Crested Butte (10 minutes)
• Gunnison (35 minutes)
• Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (Direct flights from DIA, Dallas and Houston)
• Denver International Airport (4:45)
• Colorado Springs (3:40)