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: JP Modderno
Report Date: November 21, 2020
Current Conditions: The Gore is fishable but low and getting iced up on the edges. With snow in the forecast expect more ice. The fish are in the deeper pools. If you're not losing flies, you're not catching fish, get the flies in the holes. Presentation and stealth are everything on the Gore. Be sure to have a drag free drift and you'll have to cover some ground. Dry dropper is an excellent way to fish the Gore with a Para Wulff 12-14 to any bead headed nymph about 18 inches down. 6x Flouro is recommended with 9ft leaders. There are plenty of accessible spots between east Vail and west Vail and all locations offer something different. I like to fish a dry dropper rig with a tungsten beaded nymph down below but when they're on the dry, I'll fish one dry like a sz 18 Para Adams and pick the pockets apart.
SPAWN ALERT: Brown trout are pretty much done spawning but please be mindful of redds and try to avoid tromping on them. While there are no enforced closures on the Gore Creek, please be respectful of the fishery and don't fish in these areas to protect the future of this amazing resource.
KEEP EM WET: We tend to associate keeping fish wet with warm temps and that is good, however, the same goes for Keeping Em Wet in the freezing winter temps too. Trout are susceptible frostbite and their gills can freeze. With winter on the approach, remember to try to keep the fish wet, continue to limit photos and leave the fish in the water.
Hatches:Midges
Recommended Files:
NYMPHS: Barrs Emerger BWO 16-18, Two-bit Hooker 18-20, Zebra Midges, Poison Tung 18-20, Lint Bug 18-22, PT's 16-20, Prince Nymph 16-20, RS2 18-22, Perdigon 14-16
- DRIES: Parachute Adams 16-24, Hackle Stacker BWO 18-22, Sprout midge 20-22, Roy's Special Emerger 18-22 -
STREAMERS: Thin Mint, Baby Gonga, Baby natural and olive Sculpzilla