Coming from the East, you know you’re close to Vail when you crest Vail Pass on I-70. In your excitement to get on the river, you’ve probably overlooked the first tributary of Gore Creek in your commute. Black Gore Creek follows you down Interstate 70, where it meets Gore Creek in East Vail and gains size, though not much. Gore Creek is known for being a tight, technical creek with awesome sight-fishing through the Central Rockies marquee town, Vail. Gore Creek boasts Gold Medal notoriety and large fish, given its small stature. From the confluence of the Eagle at Dowd Junction and up, Gore Creek is a little over 18 miles and fishes well through its entirety. Look for fish in Vail proper at one of the many bridges in town, and get to the bank and target them! Gore Creek is gin clear when run-off is not taking place, and good drifts and light tippet can get you any of the major four species (brown, rainbow, brook, and cutthroat), but hopefully all four species, known as the grand slam. Gore Creek is in recovery, with the development of more housing in Vail and the loss of riverbank root structure due to heavily manicured lawns and housing development. Luckily, local non-profits and conservation groups have helped the beautiful tributary gain headway every year. As the macro-invertebrate population restores, the trout populations recover. These local groups identified the issues early, and local fishermen and environmentalists have taken action to help “Restore the Gore,” and the ramifications are already evident. As far as fishing is concerned, Gore Creek is a Summer dry fly fisherman’s paradise. Plan on covering a lot of ground and fishing in small parties, as some places are only good for a few casts. Gore Creek is known for small pools and rock structure, and not long gliding runs. This creek is best approached from a distance as fish can normally be spotted positioning themselves, eating nymphs, or surfacing to dries. You can also fish Gore Creek in the winter, which can be best as the trout see little pressure with most people focused on skiing. Being located in Vail, make sure you know where the public stretches are so you don’t end up fishing a place you are not allowed to be. Consult your local fly shop, Minturn Anglers, as they have the best local intel in town and know Gore Creek better than most shops in the Valley. You can fish in Vail, West Vail at the confluence of the Eagle River, and up above in East Vail. East Vail offers the most public access and unrivaled scenery. Big fish hold throughout, but spotting them is easiest in Vail or West Vail. Big fish will travel up Gore Creek from the Eagle River during spawning months, so it’s always worth making a stop at the confluence to see if you can intercept a hog or two before they start their pairing process. Please don’t target fish on spawning redds! For more information on Gore Creek, flies to use, and the best access spots for the time you plan to fish it, don’t hesitate to reach out to Minturn Anglers or to us for the latest fishing report and the best flies in the Vail Valley!
