FISHING REPORT: GORE CREEK
OVERVIEW
Gore Creek flows from high in the Gore Range to the east of Vail. It originates at Gore Lake and flows to the confluence with the Eagle River at Dowd Junction just to the West of Vail. This is a small freestone stream with excellent sight fishing. Fishing is best from the golf course in East Vail down to the Gold Medal stretch in West Vail and the confluence with the Eagle River. However, fish can be caught along the entire length all the way up to the lake. There are some beautiful fishing areas along the upper river as you approach the lake above the "Grave Site" turn off. Gore Creek offers fly fishermen a legitimate shot at landing a Grand Slam of brookies, cutthroat, rainbows and brown trout and some surprisingly large fish reside in this fine trout stream.
Other Information
The fishing on Gore Creek is good every month of the year. Winter provides some of the best fishing of the year and a few powder runs on Vail Mountain followed by a couple hours of sight fishing is a popular activity. An angler on Gore Creek has the chance to land all four species of trout found in Colorado. We provide Guided Fishing Trips, even throughout the winter. Let us show you some tips to catching the trout that inhabit Gore Creek by hiring a guide for the day.
Reporter: Brett Elkman
Report Date: February 19, 2020
Current Conditions: We have a lot of snow on the ground but the river is looking good. Weather for the next few days is looking great so get out and fish. Some new parts of the river have opened up creating some nice ice-free zones to fish. The water is extremely clear and cold so long leaders and small tippets. Focus your efforts from the Lionshead area down through the confluence in West Vail for better results. The fish can be a bit spooky with such low clear water so make sure you work your way upriver and try to fish with a buoyant dry fly with weighted nymphs behind it to minimize splashy presentations.
Guide Tip: My favorite winter set up on the Gore is a size 14 Parawulff Adams with a size 18 Red Two-bit Hooker or a size 20 Skinny Nelson about two feet behind it. Feel free to add a worm, egg or unweighted midge emerger behind the weighted nymph to up your chances. Use either a dry fly or yarn indicator while nymphing.
Hatches:Midges of all shapes and colors!
Recommended Files:
NYMPHS: Barrs Emerger BWO 16-18, Classic RS2(Grey/Black) 18-22, Two-bit Hooker 18-20, Magic Fly 18-20, Zebra Midge(red, black) 16-22, Top Secret Midge 18-20, Poison Tung 18-20, Worms and Eggs in more natural colors
- DRIES: Parachute Adams 16-24, Hackle Stacker 18-22, Sprout midge 20-22, Griffith Gnat 18-20, Roy's Special Emerger 18-22 -
STREAMERS: Thin Mint, Baby Gonga, Sparkle Minnow, Baby natural and olive Sculpzilla