There’s always something happening at Vista Verde Ranch. Foals are born, new recipes are created, or the wranglers are playing tricks on each other. Come here to read the latest news!
With direct flights during the winter season from three Southern California airports right into the Steamboat airport, it was a logical choice for Parenting OC to feature Vista Verde in their latest issue. The article talks about winter vacations at Vista Verde, both for adults traveling without kids and families coming for a winter vacation with their kids. Read the article on page 53…..
The folks over at JetLinx Magazine did a round-up article about dude ranches, and included Vista Verde in their article. JetLinx is a private jet company, and they publish this magazine for their clients.
When the temperatures drop to single digits, and the snow is piled high, guests often ask us why our horses don’t wear blankets. It’s hard to believe, but actually it’s healthier for our horses to go au naturale. Horses have a natural rhythm that follows the seasons and allows them to live comfortably in winter weather. As the daylight hours get shorter in the fall, they start growing their winter coats. These coats are designed to spring up when it gets cold, which makes their coat work like the down coat you put on before you head out into the snow.
In addition to their warm coats, part of what helps horses keep warm is a simple calculation of calories in vs calories out. During the colder months, the average horse needs about 25% higher energy intake. Each day as we feed the horses in the winter, we consider the temperatures and the forecast for that night’s low temperature. Doing some simple math that takes into account our horses’ average weights, their overall condition, and the number in the herd, we know how much hay to put out for our furry friends, so they can keep eating to stay warm. Horses will actually produce heat as they eat, so we feed them enough so they can keep eating all night long.
All said, we pay close attention to our horses all winter long to make sure they stay happy, healthy, and comfortable. Staying committed to letting them live a more natural lifestyle helps reduce their stress and well as illness. The best part is to watch the horses follow the cycle of the weather out in their wintery pasture. When there is a big storm with snow and wind, they will all bunch up next to each other, turn their tails to the wind, and keep each other warm. On a super cold morning, they tend to stay very still. As the sun comes up and starts creating some heat on their backs, they tend to get a little frisky. And, when the afternoon sun is at its peak, it’s naptime, and you’ll often see half the herd sprawled out looking almost dead as they soak up the rays.
If you’d like to learn more, check out this article from Horse Illustrated Magazine and also one from TheHorse.com.
So, bring your coziest jacket when you come visit this winter, but rest assured knowing our horses are cozy and happy.
Bowls are all the rage, and being the kind of place that is always up to speed on the latest and greatest (note sarcasm) our chefs wanted to share their new favorite power breakfast with you!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup quinoa
2 cups coconut milk
1/4 tsp sea salt
Cook quinoa in simmering milk until tender, do not strain. Let cool and hold overnight for the creamiest texture.
Almond crumble:
2 cups sliced, blanched almonds
1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
1/4 cup egg white (about 2 whites)
Whisk maple syrup and egg white together until foamy. Toss almonds in mixture until coated. Bake in a 300 degree oven until toasty, stirring every 5 minutes. Watch carefully!! This will make enough for several bowls….but I make extra as it’s so easy to snack on.
Assembly:
1 or 2 ripe bananas, 1 Tbsp butter or olive oil
Toasted almond butter or nut butter of your choice
Almond Crumble
Cooked quinoa
Warm quinoa over low heat in a heavy sauce pot until hot. Can add more coconut milk or water to adjust texture as desired. Spoon cooked quinoa into serving bowls. In a hot non-stick or cast iron pan, saute bananas in thick slices until golden brown, about 1 minute. Divide between bowls. Spoon nut butter in the center and sprinkle with crumble. Serve immediately.
Every year we look for ways to freshen up our programs and add value for our guests. This year we have two activities we’re excited to add to our winter program. Following in the footsteps of the ever-popular Wild Yoga in the summer, where we ride horses out to an aspen grove for an all-levels yoga class, we are adding Snoga. Never fear, we are not going to try to make you all try to practice yoga out in the snow in freezing temps! Instead, Devyn will guide guests on snowshoes for a short hike in the snow out to the Homestead cabin, where a cozy fire and yoga mats will be ready to go for an all-levels yoga class. Following the class and a cup of tea, we’ll all bundle back up for the snowshoe hike home.
If you’re looking to get outside, but don’t want to exert much energy, give Ice Fishing a try this winter. Instead of closing the fly shop for the winter, Isaac has geared it up with all the equipment needed to head out onto a frozen lake for ice fishing with our guests. It’s a great way to see some beautiful winter scenery, and after a short walk on the ice out to a heated shelter, you can either drill your own fishing hole, or watch the pro do it. Then grab one of the comfortable chairs, pour yourself a hot cup of cocoa or coffee, and watch the fish come up to your line through an underwater camera.
The end of every season is a time of transition for our staff. Our seasonal crew members who will be returning the next season either head off to visit family or go explore the world. Other seasonal staff members move on to their next venture. And then we have the natural flow of ranch leaders who take their careers to the next stage. This fall we say goodbye to some amazing people, while we look forward to meeting the new crew in December. With a staff of 70, it’s hard to single out anyone, but those who have been with us for a while or have played critical roles come to mind. Natalie, Kylie, and Courtney have all worn many hats at the ranch over the past several seasons and always made the job fun. Natalie will be meeting up with Ben Yoder Henley in Minnesota, Courtney is heading back to school, and Kylie has booked herself a one-way ticket to New Zealand! Maggie has been Devyn’s right-hand in the office, and she was responsible for bringing Mat to the ranch as well. They head off to Florida where Maggie just accepted the career job she’s been working towards, and Mat will put his teaching degree to work. Emily ran the dining room with humor and a commitment to excellence, and she’s heading back to Texas where it doesn’t snow for 6 months at a time. Liz has helped care for the horses so well and is now taking what she learned at the ranch and will expand on that by being a vet tech in Steamboat. Roxy worked at the ranch 20 years ago, and when she was looking to make a major life change, she came back to the ranch to help her get that started. She provided so much more than just running housekeeping like the pro she is, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed that she’ll return to VVR after a stint in Uganda with the Peace Corps. Lastly, KP has made the tough decision to pursue his cowboy dreams and will be moving down the road to a cattle operation to be a cowman. We will sure miss his musical talent and amazing horsemanship skills. There are always so many goodbyes at the end of each season, but it’s our business model to get exceptional people to come to the ranch to learn to become better leaders so they can go off into the world and pay it forward. That is what makes the goodbyes happy ones instead of sad ones. We wish these folks, and the many others who have made VVR their home this year, all the best and look forward to hearing how they are becoming strong leaders in the world!
As folks around the country start thinking about planning their winter getaways, couples who are looking for somewhere to sneak away for a romantic vacation will find the hard work done for them in MSN’s article titled The 30 Top Romantic Winter Getaways. And looky there, journalist Holly Johnson included Vista Verde as one of her picks! We’re thrilled and couldn’t agree more that a winter vacation at Vista Verde makes for a wonderful romantic getaway option. A cozy cabin, bubbling hot tub, snow falling gently outside, sleigh rides, fun adventures, easy planning….we could go on and on, but instead you can just read the article!
In the fall, and during part of the winter season, when the ranch is an adult-only playground, we tend to get a lot of honeymooners. In fact, this week alone we have four couples who chose VVR for their honeymoon!
Although all our cabins provide a romantic setting, the most popular cabin for honeymooners is our smallest one– the Dome cabin. It has a wonderful story as it was built from the shells of two of the original cabins that were built on the ranch almost 70 years ago. The log shells from the two cabins were moved to the site of the Dome cabin and put together and then the interior drastically remodeled to create an incredibly cozy, yet spacious cabin with amazing views of the horses out in their winter pasture. With a private hot tub on the deck and a wood-burning stove in the living room, the opportunities for cozy moments of togetherness are abundant.
We find that couples who choose Vista Verde Ranch came to us because they wanted something different than the cliché beach honeymoon. They wanted some adventure, they wanted to be in the mountains, they wanted things to do together but also to not just be isolated for the whole time. What seems surprising, but we see over and over, is how much they enjoy mingling with the staff and other guests. There is abundant time to relax and have one-on-one time with the way the schedule of activities is set up, but these couples are looking for interaction with other people during meals and while on their adventures.
When not nestled up in their private cabin, honeymooners enjoy a diverse offering of activities. In the fall, couples can choose from guided adventures like horseback riding, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, cattle work, horsemanship clinics, and yoga. If they want to tone down the energy output, they can join a wine tasting, cooking class, or photography workshop. When the ranch is covered in a blanket of snow it is a perfect time for snuggling up in between adventures such as backcountry skiing, sleigh rides, tubing, snowmobiling, dogsledding, fat biking, and snowshoeing. Couples can even try Snoga (snowshoeing to a remote cabin for a yoga class), ice fishing on a frozen lake, or beer tasting with our chef. It’s probably no surprise that winter is the most popular time for honeymooners at the ranch.
The all-inclusive pricing of a Vista Verde stay makes planning and budgeting for their honeymoon easy. Lodging, meals, beer and wine, activities, guides, and equipment are all included. Transportation is provided to and from the Steamboat/Hayden airport as well.
So if you are planning your honeymoon, or know someone who wants to honeymoon in Colorado, we’d be honored to be your destination! We just love being able to provide couples a chance to relax, adventure, connect, and celebrate.
With the snow starting to fall in the highest peaks of Colorado, many parents are beginning to think about a winter vacation in Colorado. Families wanting to take a snow vacation, but unsure of navigating a big ski resort or unfamiliar weather are finding Vista Verde Ranch to be their perfect match. There are so many reasons that a vacation at Vista Verde Ranch in the winter is attractive. All-inclusive pricing makes planning and budgeting easy. A diverse offering of activities, both indoor and cozy as well as outdoor and adventurous, appeals to a family with broad interests. An engaging kids program gives parents the chance to spend some adult-time together as well as peace of mind that their kids are happy and safe, but the varied schedule still allows for plenty of family time. The size of the ranch means a guest’s needs don’t slip through the cracks, and the service is personal and friendly. Being a luxury ranch, the quality of accommodation, food, and service are top-notch. But, when it comes down to it, the main reason it’s an easy choice for families is it’s EASY! Book the trip, pack the cloths (with help of a packing list of course), and show up. The staff at Vista Verde take it all from there so guests can truly relax and enjoy each other’s company.
Family times for the winter season run during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, and then again starting on President’s Day weekend until the end of March. Definitely keep VVR in mind for a unique Spring Break vacation option! The sun is warming up a little more in March, and the snow starts to melt away, but it’s the perfect time for slushy spring skiing and being out in the snow without being bundled up!
If you’re looking to plan a winter vacation with your family, check out the many activities offered during the winter months as well as the cabin and Lodge room options. Or, because EASY is our theme here, just give us a call at 800-526-7433.
Although our guest ranch season is winding down, and we’re starting to think more about winter vacations than summer vacations, it’s not too soon to book your ranch vacation for the summer of 2019. With that in mind the folks at Iconic Magazine put together a list of the best luxury dude ranch vacation destinations with their article titled Channel Your Inner Cowboy At These Luxury Dude Ranches. We’re honored to be in such grand company! Read the article….
As we see the end of our summer season our thoughts turn towards winter. We have had some light snow on the higher peaks, which is a gorgeous contrast to the colorful aspens that have been filling up our valley the past several weeks. We’re at the tail end of the foliage season, but there is still some gorgeous color out there on the mountain sides.
This week is a week of celebration. We have four honeymoon couples, two couples celebrating anniversaries, a couple birthday celebrations and a graduation celebration as well. Ironic as I just came back from a marketing workshop in Denver last week where they mentioned that one of the top travel trends is celebration trips. Guess that’s true! What an honor to have so many people choosing Vista Verde as their place to celebrate these momentous life events!
With the changing of the seasons, we’re gearing up more and more for winter. Planning the schedules for our winter vacation guests, and mapping out orientation for our winter staff. We have some fun ideas planned for the winter that we’ll share in our next enewsletter, as well as the favorites that make coming to the ranch in the winter such a special experience.
As the aspens leaves let go and the snow begins to fall, we bundle up, light fires in the fireplace more frequently, and get ready for winter wonderland adventures!
‘Tis the season for planning winter honeymoons and romantic getaways, and the folks at Honeymoonalways.com must be thinking the same thing as they put together an article about Romantic Colorado Cabins Perfect for Honeymoons and included Vista Verde as an option for either a honeymoon or romantic getaway in Colorado. Cue the snow and read the article….
With last year’s lower than average snowpack and a serious lack of rain this summer we’ve been left with lower than average water levels and higher than average temps. For us anglers this has meant more challenging fishing conditions. The higher stream temperatures make the fish more stressed. This means not only are they eating less, but being caught and released can create just enough additional stress that they die. With that in mind we have been fishing a lot more of the smaller tributaries that feed in to the main river, where the water is much cooler due to it being closer to the snowmelt and springs that it originates from.
Smaller water usually means smaller fish which is something that a lot of people, myself previously included, aren’t exactly hoping for when they go fishing. Most people if given a choice would tell you they’d rather go try to catch bigger fish if there’s an option, and I’ve spent much of my time angling with the same mindset. Catch the most fish and the biggest fish you can has always been the goal. Not having the option to do that as often has made me so much more appreciative of the simple act of going fishing, and has helped me rediscover why I fish and what it means to give a guest a great experience on the river.
Now instead of judging my day in a number of fish caught, I’m judging my days in how few other people I see. The way they ate the fly and the colors of the fish have replaced the idea of catching a trophy fish of a certain size. As a result, crystal clear, remote mountain streams have replaced more crowded stretches of tinted water. Though my days have been filled with smaller brookies rather than large brown trout, I’ve started to enjoy my time fishing more than ever.
It’s great to get back to what fishing is all about, stepping into a piece of water and feeling the world melt away as I’m surrounded by wilderness. Enjoying the simple act of interacting with an ecosystem and becoming a part of it. Slowing down and taking the time to watch as the natural world unfolds before your eyes. And it’s been great to share that enjoyment with the guests I guide here at the ranch.
No matter what conditions we experience next year, you can find me on the most remote stretch of river I can find, enjoying the simple act of trying to convince a trout to eat a fly.
Flows: very low and clear
Hatches: Trico’s, BWO’s, Midges, October caddis, Terrestrials
Water temps: 50-60
Hot flies: Pheasant tail, Hares ear, Baetis, Flashback midge, RS2, stimulators, Pats rubber legs, Elk hair caddis, Parachute adams, Foam hoppers, san jaun worm, foamulators, parachute madam X, juju baetis, zebra midge,
Fishing has been good despite low flows and high temps. There are a good amount of whitefish around and some good trout mixed in with them. Lots of smaller streams have been fishing well.
Over at Mommyish.com they are rounding up the best all-inclusive family resorts in the US, and Vista Verde Ranch made the top of the list! Read the article….
Fishing report: August 19-26
Flows: very low and clear
Hatches: Caddis, mahogany duns, terrestrials, starting to see some BWO nymphs
Water temps: 50-60
Hot flies: Pheasant tail, Hares ear, Baetis, Flashback midge, RS2, stimulators, Pats rubber legs, Elk hair caddis, Parachute adams, Foam hoppers, san jaun worm, foamulators, parachute madam X
Fishing has been good despite low flows and high temps. There are a good amount of whitefish around and some good trout mixed in with them. Lots of smaller streams have been fishing well.
As this is my first season here at Vista Verde many of you may not know me yet, so I will start by introducing myself. My name is Andrew Behrend, and until just over two months ago I have lived most of my life in Michigan. I was born and raised in southeastern Michigan, in the metro Detroit area. If you haven’t spent any time in the state you may not know it, but Michigan is absolutely littered with fantastic fishing statewide. From trout fishing pristine rivers, to trolling at depths of 100ft or more in Lake Michigan for salmon, and much more in between, Michigan offers an incredibly diverse fishery. As far back as I can remember I have been exploring all that Michigan has to offer with a fishing rod in my hand. As I entered my teenage years I was introduced to fly fishing and have not looked back since. As some of you may know, it can become an addiction and no matter what you do, the desire cannot be satisfied.
In the spring of 2014 I took a leap of faith and decided to take my passion and attempt to turn it into a career. That spring I started working for Boyne Outfitters located in Boyne Falls in the northwestern part of the Lower Peninsula. That job only fueled the fire, and drove me to spend every waking second eating and breathing fly fishing. After a great four years guiding in Michigan I decided that it was time to expand my skills and knowledge by guiding elsewhere in the county, on waters that were completely foreign to me. So here I am now, two months into guiding for Vista Verde.
I knew that fishing the waters of northern Michigan would vary greatly from the mountain streams of northern Colorado, which is exactly why I moved. Wherever they are found, trout are trout, and generally behave the same. However the types of water that they are found in can vary greatly. The rivers that I was used to fishing in MI are a much lower gradient than the rivers here in the Steamboat area, as they are not flowing down out of mountains. This also means that on those rivers you do not have to deal with a significant spring runoff event as well. When it comes to river structure, the streams in northern MI are generally a sand or fine gravel bottom with a ton of wood structure. Common areas to target for fish are slower, deep bend pools and log jams. The high gradient mountain streams in CO have quite a different make up. Rather than the sand and fine gravel, these river bottoms are made up of medium to large size rocks and littered with large boulders throughout. The water is moving much quicker, and overall a bit shallower. Instead of looking for that big deep pool to target, you are looking for any piece of river that has deeper water than everything else around it. Any any large rock or boulder that creates a soft spot in the current is a perfect spot for a trout to sit, and wait for food to come floating by. Compared to MI, here in CO we are generally fishing more pocket water, which is an area within the river where a large rock or boulder disrupts the general flow of the water, with shorter drifts and casts.
When it comes to techniques used for catching these fish in CO, it is very similar to MI; however certain techniques are focused on more heavily in each place. From my experiences in MI, there is a heavy focus placed on dry fly fishing. I believe there are a multitude of factors that play into that. For one, there are incredible and very prolific mayfly hatches that occur for most of the summer season. There is usually a steady diet of bugs available on the rivers surface. It is true that the majority of a trout’s diet is consumed sub-surface, but the style and flow of the rivers in MI set themselves up nicely for presenting a dry fly to a fish. The amount of wood on the river bottoms in MI, makes it very difficult to fish nymph rigs. To be effective nymphing you generally need to fish your flies just off the bottom of the river. Nymphing is not impossible, but it becomes very difficult to do so when the river bottom is scattered with deadfall. Here in CO there is a big emphasis on nymphing. With the rivers bottoms being mostly rock, drifting a nymph rig just along the bottom of the river is very effective, since the fish seem to be sitting as deep as possible, in order to stay out of the fast current above. Getting a nymph rig right down to where these fish are sitting is often more effective than making them actively move to eat a fly. Now don’t get me wrong, I have still been dry fly fishing out here in CO as well. In my experience you just have to find the appropriate water on which to do it. It is hard for a fish to decide to eat a fly off of the surface in very fast moving water. But if you can find slower pockets and pools, you can still tempt them to the surface. I have found however, that you do not need to be quite as specific matching your flies to the natural bugs that are present. With the generally faster moving water, the fish do not seem to have as much time to decide if the fly is real or not, and must make a very quick decision. A good presentation is what really seems to be the key to catching fish.
When it comes to the type of trout that are being targeted, it is pretty much the same in both MI and CO with only a few differences. In MI the main focus was usually placed on fishing for brown trout. Brook trout are also very prevalent as well as resident rainbow trout. Here in CO browns, brookies, and rainbows are also present with the addition of cutthroat trout, and rocky mountain whitefish. So far there seems to be a heavy emphasis on rainbow trout here in CO, as they seem to be the most prevalent species in our area. As you move upstream on the Elk River and into its forks, the brook trout become most common, and can fill your day with tight lines and dry fly eats. I have not personally caught a large number of brown trout yet here in CO, but most of those that I have caught have been quality fish. Cutthroat trout are a nice surprise to here, as their numbers are not as great as they once were. Personally I have only caught one myself so far, and I was very elated to do so.
Like I mentioned earlier, when it comes down to it, trout fishing is trout fishing, wherever you may be. In order to be successful, you really have to be observant to the environment that you are in, and adjust to the changes you find in the river, and where trout are likely to be holding. It has been awesome to be in a new place, learning new waters, and continuing to build my skills as a guide and an angler. No matter where you are fishing, there is always something new to learn, or something that you can improve at. That is exactly why I decided to make the move here to Vista Verde and CO, and I have not been disappointed. The area itself is incredible and the fishing is amazing. Every day I’m learning more and more, and plan to continue to do so. If you ever find yourself complacent in your angling pursuits, and feel like you have figured it all out then you are truly not pushing yourself as an angler. Whether you are on your home waters, or somewhere completely foreign, there is always more to learn and something else to figure out. You just have to push yourself to be willing to do it.
The Denver Post looks into their own backyard with an article about 11 Colorado dude ranches where you can live out the ultimate Western experience. There are so many great dude ranches in Colorado, and we’re happy that Vista Verde was included as one of the options for a luxury ranch vacation. Read the article….
From the VVR fly shop, here’s the fishing report for July 31- August 6
Flows: very low and clear
Hatches: Caddis, Yellow sallies, tiny green stones, Golden stones
Water temps: 58-68
Hot flies: Pheasant tail, Hares ear, Baetis, Flashback midge, RS2, stimulators, Pats rubber legs, Elk hair caddis, Parachute adams, Foam hoppers, san jaun worm, foamulators, parachute madam X
Fishing has been good despite low flows and high temps. There are a good amount of whitefish around and some good trout mixed in with them. Lots of smaller streams have been fishing well.
Knowing that life sometimes gets the best of our guests, and that no one wins when there is a last-minute cancellation, we have teamed up with Red Sky Insurance to offer travel insurance for our guests at the time of booking. Now, some of you will choose to take a pass, but this plan is for those of you who want to play it safe and know that even if you have to cancel within days of your planned arrival, you will get your deposit refunded. It’s a win-win to work with this company to help our guests have peace of mind when planning their trips. So, if you have concerns of pending health issues, have an ailing family member whose condition might affect your travel plans, or are concerned about travel delays and weather affecting your trip, give Devyn a call at 800-526-7433 and she’ll walk you through the plan.
This has been a summer of awards and nominations. We recently learned that we were included in the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards for 2018. This award recognizes the comprehensive cellar wine list that Chef Chol has put together over the past several years, and it is a huge recognition. We were also nominated in the Best Family Resort category from the USA Reader’s Choice awards. This award includes daily voting until August 6, so if you get a chance we’d appreciate your vote!
Are you looking to come on a fishing trip to Colorado? Well, even if you’re not staying at the ranch, here are some tips from our guides on how the waters around Vista Verde are fishing.
Flows: low and clear
Hatches: Caddis, PMD’s, Flavs, yellow sallies, midges, hoppers
Water temps: 55-65
Hot flies: pheasant tail nymphs, baetis nymphs, flash back midge, hares ears, elk hair caddis, parachute adams, Hoppers, amys ant, stimulators, copper johns, foam terrestrials
Fishing has been good, the main stem of the elk, in addition to its forks have been fishing well.
Fishing report: July 1-8
Flows: Normal and very clear
Hatches: Caddis, Mahogany duns, Yellow sallies, tiny green stones, Golden stones, March browns
Water temps: 52-62
Hot flies: Pheasant tail, Hares ear, Baetis, Flashback midge, RS2, stimulators, Pats rubber legs, Elk hair caddis, Parachute adams, Foam hoppers,
Fishing is heating up here along with the temps. Flows are very normal and fish are being found throughout the river. Both nymphing deep in the bigger pools and a hopper dropper rig in the shallower water have been producing fish.
If you’re looking to purchase your first fly rod, you’ll likely be met with a question very early on; What weight rod do you want? Answering something like “ I don’t know, a light one”, might earn you a few laughs from the guy behind the counter, but it won’t get you very far. Fly rods, like golf clubs, have a plethora of different sizes or “weights” that are all meant to do different jobs. Unfortunately, there’s no one rod that does it all, and if you’re looking to pursue more than one type of fish, or fish in a large variety of ways, you may be looking at buying a few different rods. But let’s focus on your first rod.
Fly rods care classified in sizes ranging from 0 to 15. Smaller weight means a thinner, more delicate rod, while something like a 15 weight may feel more like a broomstick than a precision instrument. All of these rods are designed perfectly for different jobs, unfortunately there is no one weight that’s perfect for everything (this is how we can justify buying that 27th rod that we need to have.) We can however, often get away with using one weight for a variety of different jobs.
In addition to each rod’s weight, it also has a specific type of action. The action of a fly rod is essentially how noodly or stiff that certain size is. It is measured on a scale of slow to fast. A slow action rod will feel very noodly and will bend very deeply into the rod while casting. A fast action rod will feel very stiff and only bend closer to the tip. While both of these actions of the same weight will have the same strength, they each have pros and cons. A slower action rod will be less accurate casting but is often less likely to break and will be more forgiving when playing a fish. Faster action rods are more accurate, have better feel, and can be easier to cast for some, but they are more likely to break and don’t absorb as much of the shock when fighting a fish. Despite these differences, rod action is ultimately a personal preference; there’s not a right or wrong answer. So, Isaac, just tell me what rod to buy is likely what you’re thinking right now!
The first thing to ask yourself is what type of fish you plan to spend the most time going after. Rod weights 0-3 are great for pan fish or very small trout, fish weighing up to a pound or two. Weights between 4 and 6 are very versatile; they could work well for trout, bass, walleye, carp, and fish weighing from one to 6 pounds. Weights 7-10 are great for bigger or stronger fish, redfish, pike/musky, bonefish, permit, salmon, pretty much anything between 5 and 20 lbs. if you are looking to pursue a fish that could probably eat a small child or the annoying neighbor’s pet, you’ll be looking at 10 weights and above. Fish size is your primary factor in choosing your fly rod’s weight, however, what type of flies your casting is important as well.
Fly consideration is really the fine-tuning in selecting your first rod. A smaller rod is going to have a hard time throwing a bigger fly. A bigger rod is going to present a small fly about as gracefully as a fishing guide doing the two-step (excluding Miller). If you plan on fishing small flies (one inch or less) for trout and bass, a 5 weight will probably be your best bet. If you plan on fishing flies bigger than an inch, for primarily bass and maybe some trout, you’ll probably want a 6 weight.
Overall, I would suggest if you’re looking for a fly rod for trout, get a 9 foot, 5 weight, fast action rod. It will handle 90% of the trout fishing situations you encounter and will be terrific to learn on.
If you plan to primarily fly fish for bass, get a 9 foot, 6 weight, fast action rod.
If you’re looking for a more specialized fishing pursuit such as saltwater or very small freshwater fish, consult with a local fly shop for a local, expert opinion.
No matter what you are pursuing, don’t buy a high-end rod for your first, you’re likely to break it in your first few years, and its quality won’t be appreciated until you’re more experienced. The entry-level rods available today are incredible compared to what fly rods were only a decade ago, and they will more than serve your purpose.
Over at Family Traveler, they are busy sharing ideas for summer vacation for families as ’tis the season. It’s always fun to be surprised by an article that we are included in, and that was the case for this article about 11 Ranches for Families to Horse-Around at this Summer. Not only did they mention our summer dude ranch vacations, but they also gave a shout out to family vacations in the snow at Vista Verde. So many options for fun at the ranch! Read the article…..