Ute Trail River Ranch

 

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At nearly 9,000 feet above sea level, Ute Trail River Ranch sits in the Tarryall Mountains amidst soaring peaks, forested hillsides, rolling meadows and imposing rock outcroppings.  The Ranch is surrounded by the Pike National Forest and is contiguous to the Lost Creek Wilderness.

The Tarryall River ~ which begins high up on the Ten-Mile Range, flows down into South Park and through the Tarryall valley to its confluence with the South Platte River ~ meanders through Ute Trail River Ranch for approximately two miles.  This unique private river access provides first-rate fly fishing opportunities to guests of the Ranch.  The river twists and turns its way downstream cascading over beaver dams with rushing waters below, meandering over cobbled sections punctuated by riffles with pocket water, snaking through a small canyon with deep pools.

Ute Trail River Ranch was featured on "Fly Fishing America" in the 1995 season.  The Ranch has won accolades and acclaim for its carefully managed river habitat and variety of healthy, feisty fish.  On average, the rainbow and brown trout found here range in size from 10" - 16" and seldomly reach trophy-size.  Occasionally, anglers may catch a trout in the 18" - 22" size that likely has made its way downstream from the Tarryall Reservoir and neighboring ranch above, both of which stock larger fish.

Ute Trail River Ranch restricts fishing on its private water exclusively to Fly Fishing with fly rods and reels and we adhere strictly to Catch & Release practices.  Fishing licenses are required to fish on the Ranch and are sold here in our small fly & gift shop, the Tradin' Post.  We also carry locally hand-tied flies that are designed specifically for fishing on the Tarryall River and the surrounding regional waters.

Angling access is not included in your overnight lodging reservation and must be reserved separately.  Please call us at 719 . 748 . 3015 for details about river conditions, prices and availability. 

The Ranch splits its private water into two sections for anglers to reserve while guests of the Ranch. 

Option 1 is the "Cross Hill" section that starts at the footbridge and winds upstream for one mile to the Ranch's boundary fence.  This section is diverse and offers a little bit of everything: fast riffles below the beaver dams; deep pools behind the dams; deep, undercut banks; and, shallow water rolling over gravel bars.

Option 2 is the "Ute Creek" section that snakes its way downstream from the footbridge to the Ranch's lower boundary at the livestock bridge.  This section flows over cobbled stream punctuated by riffles with pocket water; deep pools dotted through a small canyon; and, another beaver dam with slower water above the dam and fast riffles below.

Canyon Outcropping on Ute Creek Section

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Spring snow on the Tarryall River
at Ute Trail River Ranch.

 
The angling experience can be greatly enhanced by hiring an expert who is familiar with fishing regional waters.  These experts offer tips and instruction on how to best approach different water as well as how to cast more effectively and which flies to use under various conditions.  If you are considering employing the services of an expert guide, you may wish to start by checking out the following list of guide shops all of whom frequent the waters of South Park.  You may link directly to a shop by clicking on their name below.
 

Colorado Trout Hunters

South Platte Outfitters

Angler's Covey

The Hatch Fly Shop

The Peak Fly Shop

Colorado Fishing Adventures


In addition to the private waters available at Ute Trail River Ranch,
 anglers have yet another opportunity for a great fishing experience
in this region through the South Park Fly Fishers program.
This program was created by the Park County Office of Economic Development & Tourism
 and GOCO (Great Outdoors Colorado)
to provide fishing access on private ranches in the Tarryall River Valley,
the middle fork of the South Platte River, the south fork of the South Platte River
and the headwaters for the Tarryall Creek.
Each ranch property allows day-use access to a limited
number of anglers for a small rod fee.
Detailed descriptions and reservation calendars may be found
Reservations are limited and must be made directly online.
Reservations must be made before midnight preceeding the day you'd like to fish.
You may call 719 . 748 . 1494 if you'd like more information about the program or
ask Jim & Deb for more details.