PRIVATE WATER ELK FORK

The ultimate in exclusive fishing! When you reserve a private ranch your party will have the entire ranch to yourselves and your guide. Whether you’re looking for intimate streams or trophy trout ponds and lakes, one of our private ranches will deliver the full experience. Elk Fork embodies all of our private water ideals. A beginner can go catch a trophy fish with the help of their guide or get their feet wet catching a high quantity of quality rainbows and browns on the ponds. More experienced anglers who enjoy the pursuit can head to the upper section of the West Branch of the Troublesome and up the East Fork of the river to find environments that provide a good pursuit, technical fishing, and high reward fish.

PETTEE RANCH ON 4 MILE CREEK

The Pettee Ranch includes One mile of Fourmile Creek at 9,700 feet elevation. Optimal stream flows range from 10 to 25 cfs but fishing can be good at higher flows if the water is clear.

Fourmile Creek is perfect small water fishing with a three-weight fly rod. Stream enhancements in 2010 greatly increased fish habitat and reduced bank erosion. Countless tight meanders, deep pockets and undercut banks harbor abundant browns in the 5 to 12 inch range, with a few browns up to 18 inches. This property has also been stocked with rainbows in the 12-18 inch range. A progression of aquatic hatches make for good dry fly-fishing after runoff, along with terrestrial insects that appear starting in July. Tight meander loops allow two anglers to leap frog while keeping track of what has already been fished. Due to its small size and large population of wild browns, anglers should stay low and carefully work every niche deeper than six inches. While the majority of fish are wild browns under 12 inches, their sheer numbers present stealthy anglers with the opportunity for non-stop action on dry flies.

Lower Fourmile Creek Ranch is located 3.5 miles south of Fairplay.

Rod Fees are $60 per person on top of the guide fee for either a half day or full day.