Crested Butte Activities Archives

21 05, 2023

Raft Guide Rookie

Jen2023-05-21T17:51:21+00:00Cabins, Crested Butte Activities, Rafting, Uncategorized|

If you read my last blog post about becoming a raft guide, you’re aware of the ease of entry to this career. Three Rivers Outfitting facilitates this, making it easy for rookies with no experience to be successful. My first year in 2015, my manager told me that I may not get steady work until the end of June. Then the bulk of the season was over by mid-August. He recommended having another job to supplement guiding, and the resort offered this in a variety of areas. I worked full time at the activities desk my first two summers. There, [...]

20 03, 2023

“Become a Raft Guide,” they said!
“Become a Raft Guide,” they said!

“Become a Raft Guide,” they said!

Jen2023-03-20T22:06:30+00:00Crested Butte Activities, Rafting|

"It’ll be fun," they said. And "they" were right about becoming a raft guide! After a winter of ski instructing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, I knew I needed to continue working outdoors. I heard great things about employment at Three Rivers Resort. My experience in becoming a professional raft guide was exciting, educational, and a touch terrifying. I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. Growing up on the great Pend Oreille River in the Pacific Northwest, I was comfortable around water but had never in my life experienced swift, whitewater. Raft Guide Training On day [...]

1 02, 2023

3 Ways Ice Fishing Helps Fly Fishers Understand Trout Behavior
3 Ways Ice Fishing Helps Fly Fishers Understand Trout Behavior

3 Ways Ice Fishing Helps Fly Fishers Understand Trout Behavior

Jen2023-01-17T20:18:37+00:00Crested Butte Activities, Fishing, Winter|

As we head into the winter season, many anglers are finished fishing until spring. In the meantime, they resort to fly tying, saltwater destinations, and daydreaming about rising trout. But for some anglers, the focus shifts to ice fishing to keep the passion alive during the long winter. Here are a few ways that ice fishing actually helps us as fly fishers for trout, especially as it pertains to understanding trout behavior. 1. Trout are Light-Sensitive We have all heard that trout react differently to varying light conditions. Chasing big browns with streamers at night comes to mind. When ice [...]

8 12, 2022

A Rustic Colorado Wedding
A Rustic Colorado Wedding

A Rustic Colorado Wedding

Jen2022-12-08T17:17:35+00:00Cabins, Colorado Wedding, Crested Butte Activities|

Here we are in grips of winter yet we’re thinking about weddings. It’s wedding planning season for next summer/fall. Three Rivers Resort is the perfect Colorado venue for that casual outdoor, rustic wedding. Compared to most of the venues in Crested Butte, we offer an affordable alternative if you are looking for a “DIY” event. The most popular option is the weekend package which includes both the Dance Hall (indoor, enclosed) and the Pavilion (outdoor, covered) from noon on Friday to noon on Sunday. This lengthy duration gives time for setup and decorating plus clean-up the day after instead of [...]

15 03, 2021

Premium Backcountry Fishing Trips
Premium Backcountry Fishing Trips

Premium Backcountry Fishing Trips

Jen2021-03-15T15:58:07+00:00Cabins, Crested Butte Activities, Fishing, Gunnison Activities, Uncategorized|

Willowfly Anglers is pleased to offer a new selection of Premium Walk/Wade Trips for the 2021 fishing season. These new wading options will complement the diverse array of public and private fishing locations where we already guide. The new locations are considered “backcountry streams”, and involve a longer drive time (1-2 hrs.) and some moderate hiking to get to the water (30 minutes on a level trail). Backcountry fishing offers solitude in these remote areas plus excellent dry fly fishing, beautiful scenery, and abundant wildlife. Opportunistic Trout We are extremely fortunate in the Upper Gunnison watershed to have access to [...]

9 04, 2020

Average Snowpack Equates to Excellent Fishing
Average Snowpack Equates to Excellent Fishing

Average Snowpack Equates to Excellent Fishing

webservices2020-05-26T16:43:28+00:00Cabins, Colorado Fall Activities, Crested Butte Activities, Fishing, Gunnison Activities|

If you like to fly fish in the Centennial State, you know what a difference river flows make in your fishing experience. During years with abundant snowpack, runoff can last longer than normal and create a shortened spring fishing season. During dry years, floating typically ends early leaving anglers wanting more. It’s the average snowpack years that really offer the best opportunity for fly fishers in Colorado. 2020 is shaping up to be an excellent average snowpack year, and that has me excited for the fishing season ahead. Spring Runoff Fishing Springtime fishing in an average year equates to [...]

8 01, 2020

Fly Fishing Colorado’s Tailwaters
Fly Fishing Colorado’s Tailwaters

Fly Fishing Colorado’s Tailwaters

webservices2020-05-20T17:07:10+00:00Crested Butte Activities, Fishing, Gunnison Activities, Winter|

Many of Colorado’s most famous trout streams have one thing in common: they are all tailwaters. So, what is a tailwater? A tailwater is any section of river immediately downstream of a hydraulic structure, such as a dam. There are several reasons why tailwaters, such as on the Taylor River, make for great trout fisheries. Consistent conditions, and easy access to big fish are the primary reasons. Understanding a bit more about tailwaters will increase your fishing confidence and help you find more success this season! Year-Round Fishing One of my favorite things about tailwater trout streams is that they [...]

13 09, 2019

Colorado Hunting: 5 Reasons to Stay in Almont
Colorado Hunting: 5 Reasons to Stay in Almont

Colorado Hunting: 5 Reasons to Stay in Almont

webservices2020-05-20T17:43:49+00:00Cabins, Colorado Hunting, Crested Butte Activities, Gunnison Activities|

As the Colorado hunting seasons begin, hunters from across the country flock to Gunnison County every fall in hopes of taking home big game from the big mountains! Staying at Three Rivers Resort in Almont allows hunters access to spectacular game units plus all of the lodging amenities necessary for the perfect hunting base camp. Game Management Units 54 and 55 These units are some of the most sought-after for Colorado hunting. Staying in Almont allows easy access to either unit. Hunting the remote areas surrounding Crested Butte, Gunnison, Taylor Park, Fossil Ridge and Ohio Creek is a dream. The [...]

19 08, 2019

Hopper-Double-Dropper Fishing in the Gunnison Valley
Hopper-Double-Dropper Fishing in the Gunnison Valley

Hopper-Double-Dropper Fishing in the Gunnison Valley

webservices2020-05-20T17:08:50+00:00Colorado Fall Activities, Crested Butte Activities, Fishing, Gunnison Activities|

During the summer and fall months, the western rivers experience a multitude of hatches which keep trout on the feed. In the Gunnison Valley, anglers try to match these hatches to fool trout. But oftentimes there is more than just one species of insect active in the water column. This is the time when the hopper-double-dropper rig can produce a lot of fish. As a guide, I frequently run the hopper-double-dropper rig to keep my clients on fish all day, without having to change flies often or adjust indicator depths. Below, I outline some reasons why the hopper dropper is [...]

27 06, 2019

Top 5 Summer Activities in Gunnison-Crested Butte
Top 5 Summer Activities in Gunnison-Crested Butte

Top 5 Summer Activities in Gunnison-Crested Butte

webservices2020-05-20T17:12:00+00:00Crested Butte Activities, Fishing, Gunnison Activities, Rafting, Road Trip with the Kids|

There are sure to be many "Top 5 Lists" out there but for summer activities in the Gunnison-Crested Butte valley, this list pretty much covers what summer is all about here. 1. Fly Fishing Fishing on Gunnison River With the Gunnison, Taylor, and East rivers plus many other streams and high-country lakes, our area has some of the best fishing in Colorado. Anglers have the chance to catch huge Taylor River "pigs" or float fish the beautiful Gunnison River. Willowfly Anglers at Three Rivers Resort offers full and half day walk wade and float trips where expert guides [...]