FISHING
Welcome to the Flat Tops Wilderness and the headwaters of the White River, where we access remote trout streams and alpine lakes on horseback. Choose an itinerary below or call us to customize your own adventure.
Fly Fishing Expeditions
Whether you stay in one of our historic cabins at the main lodge, or strike off for a remote wilderness camp, you’ll have the opportunity to experience some of the best backcountry fly fishing in Colorado. The Flat Tops Wilderness Area encompasses 370 square miles of wild country. There’s more water to explore than you could possibly fish on a single trip.
Our main lodge sits 200 yards from the river’s edge. From there, anglers can explore a completely roadless river canyon that stretches for more than 20 miles. We use horses and mules to access these remote wilderness waters, but no horseback riding experience is necessary; our stock are gentle and well-trained, perfect for beginner riders. No fly fishing experience is necessary. Our guides are patient and excellent teachers. There is no better place to learn how to fly fish than on these unpressured waters that are teeming with trout.
The upper White River drainage is home to Colorado River cutthroat, brook trout, rainbows and cuttbow hybrids. Meanwhile, the top of the Flat Tops plateau is dotted with alpine lakes, containing cutthroat, brook trout and even lake trout.
Lodge-Based Fishing Trips
Experience remote wilderness fishing, with the comforts of a permanent base camp. Each day of the trip, you will saddle up and ride horseback out into the wilderness with your wrangler and guide(s). You’ll fish a scenic river that’s loaded with dry-fly crushing wild trout. At the end of each day, you’ll ride back to the lodge, where appetizers, a campfire, and a home-cooked dinner will be waiting.
Lodge-based adventures include accommodations in one of our historic log cabins, built by Ed Budge in the 1920s. A few improvements have been made since then, including simple half-baths with cold running water. Otherwise, the cabins look much the way they did almost 100 years ago. A community shower with hot water is a short walk from the cabins. While each cabin has a different layout and bed configuration, they are all equipped with comfortable mattresses, sheets, wool blankets and comforters.
In the mornings, come down to the main lodge for a hearty breakfast. Then saddle up and head off into the wilderness for a day of fishing. We provide a sack lunch for the journey. Upon your return to the lodge, relax on the deck with a glass of wine, play a game of cornhole, or return to your own cabin for some peace and quiet.
2-Day, 3-Night Lodge-Based Trip
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Perfect for a weekend getaway, this package gives you 2 full days of fishing and 3 nights in one of our cozy cabins.
Arrival Day: Arrive in the afternoon, get settled and take a walk down the river or just relax before dinner
Day 2-3: Two full days of fly fishing, accessed on horseback
Day 4: Depart after breakfast
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Fully-Guided: $1,900 Per Person
All rates are per-person based on double occupancy (2 person minimum per cabin*) and 2-on-1 guided fishing (2 anglers per guide). Private cabin and solo fishing upgrades are available at the following rates:
Private cabin upgrade: add $300 to the 3-night package price above.
Solo fishing upgrade: add $480 to the fully-guided package price above.
*Our cabins sleep 4-6 people and are great for families.
Package price includes: Three nights lodging, two full days of guided fishing, 3 meals daily plus post-fishing appetizers, horse and wrangler.
Does not include: alcohol, gratuities or transportation to and from the main lodge. Please let us know if transportation is required. Gratuities are customary, see FAQs below for details.
3-Day, 4-Night Lodge-Based Trip
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Our most popular package, this option gives you 4 nights in one of our cozy cabins and 3 full days of fishing, enough to explore upriver, downriver and maybe even an alpine lake.
Arrival Day: Arrive in the afternoon, get settled and take a walk down the river or just relax before dinner
Day 2-4: Three full days of fly fishing, accessed on horseback
Day 5: Depart after breakfast
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Fully-Guided: $2,750 Per Person
All rates are per-person based on double occupancy (2 person minimum per cabin*) and 2-on-1 guided fishing (2 anglers per guide). Private cabin and solo fishing upgrades are available at the following rates:
Private cabin upgrade: add $400 to the 4-night package price above.
Solo fishing upgrade: add $720 to the fully-guided package price above.
*Our cabins sleep 4-6 people and are great for families.
Package price includes: Four nights lodging, three full days of fishing, 3 meals daily and post-fishing appetizers, horse and wrangler.
Does not include: alcohol, gratuities or transportation to and from the main lodge. Please let us know if transportation is required. Gratuities are customary, see FAQs below for details.
4-Day, 5-Night Lodge-Based Trip
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Get the complete experience with 4 full days of fishing and 5 nights in one of our cozy cabins.
Arrival Day: Arrive in the afternoon, get settled and take a walk down the river or just relax before dinner
Day 2-5: Four full days of fly fishing, accessed on horseback
Day 6: Depart after breakfast
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Fully-Guided: $3,600 Per Person
All rates are per-person based on double occupancy (2 person minimum per cabin*) and 2-on-1 guided fishing (2 anglers per guide). Private cabin and solo fishing upgrades are available at the following rates:
Private cabin upgrade: add $500 to the 5-night package price above.
Solo fishing upgrade: add $960 to the fully-guided package price above.
*Our cabins sleep 4-6 people and are great for families.
Package price includes: Five nights lodging, four full days of fishing, 3 meals daily plus post-fishing appetizers, horse and wrangler.
Does not include: alcohol, gratuities or transportation to and from the main lodge. Please let us know if transportation is required. Gratuities are customary, see FAQs below for details.
Remote Wilderness Camps
If you’re the type that dreams of an even more remote adventure, consider packing out to one of our wilderness fishing camps. We will load your gear onto packhorses and mules, and then we will ride horseback to a remote camp, deep in the Wilderness Area. Our camps consist of spacious canvas tents with comfortable cots and sleeping pads. Bring your own sleeping bag and personal gear, and we supply the rest.
We have camps located on remote sections of wilderness river. We also have camps located near high alpine lakes. No matter which location you choose, your guide(s) and a camp cook will take care of you throughout the duration of your stay, guiding you to some incredible backcountry fishing and providing hearty meals and plenty of snacks.
Each day of the trip, you’ll wake up to a hot breakfast in the cook tent. Then you’ll set out on foot to go fishing for the day. In the evenings, your cook will prepare a hot dinner and you’ll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy your remote, wilderness surroundings. On the final day of the trip, our packers will arrive with the pack animals and saddle horses for the return trip back to the main lodge.
2-Day, 3-Night Wilderness Camp Trip
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Arrival Day: Arrive in the afternoon, get organized and relax before dinner. Spend the night in one of our cabins as our packers load your gear for departure the next morning.
Day 2: After a hearty breakfast at the lodge, we will load up and saddle up for the ride to your wilderness camp. After you’ve settled at camp, spend the rest of the day fishing before dinner.
Day 3: Full day of fly fishing
Day 4: Get up early and fish or just relax and drink coffee at camp before our packers arrive to load up the gear. Enjoy the horseback ride back to the main lodge. From there, you can load up your vehicle and depart for home.
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Fully-Guided: $1,900 Per Person
All rates are per-person based on double occupancy and 2-on-1 guided fishing (2 anglers per guide). All wilderness camp trips require a minimum of 2 people.
Includes: Three nights lodging (one at the main lodge and two at the wilderness camp), fully guided fishing and 3 meals daily.
Does not include: alcohol, gratuities or transportation to and from the main lodge. Please let us know if transportation is required. Gratuities are customary, see FAQs below for details.
3-Day, 4-Night Wilderness Camp Trip
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Arrival Day: Arrive in the afternoon, get organized and relax before dinner. Spend the night in one of our cabins as our packers load your gear for departure the next morning.
Day 2: After a hearty breakfast at the lodge, we will load up and saddle up for the ride to your wilderness camp. After you’ve settled at camp, spend the afternoon hours fishing or just relaxing before dinner.
Day 3-4: Two full days of fly fishing
Day 5: Get up early and fish or just relax and drink coffee at camp before our packers arrive to load up the gear. Enjoy the horseback ride back to the main lodge. From there, you can load up your vehicle and depart for home.
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Fully-Guided: $2,750 Per Person
All rates are per-person based on double occupancy and 2-on-1 guided fishing (2 anglers per guide). All wilderness camp trips require a minimum of 2 people.
Includes: Four nights lodging (one at the main lodge and three at the wilderness camp), fully guided fishing and 3 meals daily.
Does not include: alcohol, gratuities or transportation to and from the main lodge. Please let us know if transportation is required. Gratuities are customary, see FAQs below for details.
4-Day, 5-Night Wilderness Camp Trip
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Arrival Day: Arrive in the afternoon, get organized and relax before dinner. Spend the night in one of our cabins as our packers load your gear for departure the next morning.
Day 2: After a hearty breakfast at the lodge, we will load up and saddle up for the ride to your wilderness camp. After you’ve settled at camp, spend the afternoon hours fishing or just relaxing before dinner.
Day 3-5: Three full days of fly fishing
Day 6: Get up early and fish or just relax and drink coffee at camp before our packers arrive to load up the gear. Enjoy the horseback ride back to the main lodge. From there, you can load up your vehicle and depart for home.
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Fully-Guided: $3,600 Per Person
All rates are per-person based on double occupancy and 2-on-1 guided fishing (2 anglers per guide). All wilderness camp trips require a minimum of 2 people.
Includes: Five nights lodging (one at the main lodge and four at the wilderness camp), fully guided fishing and 3 meals daily.
Does not include: alcohol, gratuities or transportation to and from the main lodge. Please let us know if transportation is required. Gratuities are customary, see FAQs below for details.
Wilderness Fishing on Foot
Families with kids who are too young to ride, or those who would simply rather not get on a horse, we offer fully guided fly fishing trips on foot. While the minimum recommended age for horseback riding is 12, younger kiddos and adults alike can enjoy a hike along the river to some of our favorite nearby fishing spots. Our guides are excellent teachers, making this a great experience for anglers of any skill level, including first-timers. Kids 11 and under are eligible for discounted rates!
These adventures are based out of the main lodge, and include our classic, log cabin accommodations. In the mornings, come down to the main lodge for a hearty breakfast. Then, you and your fishing guide will hike a trail into the wilderness for a day of fishing. We provide a sack lunch for the journey. Upon your return to the lodge, you’ll be welcomed by appetizers and a home-cooked dinner. After dinner, gather around the campfire or play a game of cornhole on the deck as we share stories from the day.
1-Day, 2-Night Wilderness Fishing on Foot
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A Perfect weekend getaway for anyone who would like to try fly fishing in an idyllic setting, this package gives you a full day of guided fishing and 2 nights in one of our cozy cabins.
Arrival Day: Arrive in the afternoon, get settled and take a walk down the river or just relax before dinner
Day 2: One full day of guided fly fishing on foot
Day 4: Depart after breakfast
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Fully-Guided: $690 Per Person. Kids 11 and under are half price.
All rates are per-person based on double occupancy (2 person minimum per cabin*) and 2-on-1 guided fishing (2 anglers per guide). Private cabin and solo fishing upgrades are available at the following rates:
Single occupancy cabin: add $200 to the 2-night package price above.
1-on-1 guided fishing: add $250 to the package price above.
*Our cabins sleep 4-6 people and are great for families.
Package price includes: Two nights lodging, one full day of guided fishing on foot, 3 meals daily plus post-fishing appetizers.
Does not include: alcohol, gratuities or transportation to and from the main lodge. Please let us know if transportation is required. Gratuities are customary, see FAQs below for details.
2-Day, 3-Night Wilderness Fishing on Foot
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Hone your fly fishing skills with one of our expert guides, as this package gives you 2 full days of fishing and 3 nights in one of our cozy cabins.
Arrival Day: Arrive in the afternoon, get settled and take a walk down the river or just relax before dinner
Day 2-3: Two full days of guided fly fishing on foot
Day 4: Depart after breakfast
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Fully-Guided: $1,180 Per Person. Kids 11 and under are half price.
All rates are per-person based on double occupancy (2 person minimum per cabin*) and 2-on-1 guided fishing (2 anglers per guide). Private cabin and solo fishing upgrades are available at the following rates:
Single occupancy cabin: add $300 to the 3-night package price above.
1-on-1 guided fishing: add $500 to the package price above.
*Our cabins sleep 4-6 people and are great for families.
Package price includes: Three nights lodging, two full days of guided fishing on foot, 3 meals daily plus post-fishing appetizers.
Does not include: alcohol, gratuities or transportation to and from the main lodge. Please let us know if transportation is required. Gratuities are customary, see FAQs below for details.
3-day, 4-Night Wilderness Fishing on Foot
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Get the full experience, with 3 full days of guided fly fishing and 4 nights in one of our cozy cabins.
Arrival Day: Arrive in the afternoon, get settled and take a walk down the river or just relax before dinner
Day 2-4: Three full days of guided fly fishing on foot
Day 5: Depart after breakfast
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Fully-Guided: $1,670 Per Person. Kids 11 and under are half price.
All rates are per-person based on double occupancy (2 person minimum per cabin*) and 2-on-1 guided fishing (2 anglers per guide). Private cabin and solo fishing upgrades are available at the following rates:
Single occupancy cabin: add $400 to the 3-night package price above.
1-on-1 guided fishing: add $750 to the package price above.
*Our cabins sleep 4-6 people and are great for families.
Package price includes: Four nights lodging, three full days of guided fishing on foot, 3 meals daily plus post-fishing appetizers.
Does not include: alcohol, gratuities or transportation to and from the main lodge. Please let us know if transportation is required. Gratuities are customary, see FAQs below for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Access to Budge’s Wilderness Lodge is by high-clearance 4WD only. Standard pickups and stock SUVs with about 9” of clearance can make the trip, just take it slow. After September 1st or anytime snow is in the forecast, well-fitting tire chains with tensioners are required.
Most guests flying in to Colorado choose to rent an SUV to drive to the lodge. Whether you’re flying into Denver or Eagle, all major rental car companies offer high clearance pickups and SUVs.
If you not have a high-clearance vehicle or prefer not to drive to the lodge, we offer pick-up near Deep Lake, which is about 8 miles from the lodge for $400 round trip per vehicle (max 4 passengers). This requires driving on improved dirt roads for about 28 miles.
If you’d prefer to avoid dirt roads altogether, we offer pick-up at the Eagle County Regional Airport for $600, round trip per vehicle (max 4 passengers).
For detailed directions and other info, please see our Guest Information Page.
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A valid Colorado fishing license is required for all anglers ages 16 and up. This is not included in the cost of your trip. Youth under the age of 16 are not required to purchase a license. Fishing licenses can be purchased online from Colorado Parks and Wildlife or at any license vendor throughout the state.
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For a suggested packing list, what to expect and directions to the lodge, please see our Guest Information Page.
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We ask that all guests staying with us at the lodge practice catch and release fishing. This helps maintain the quality of the fishery for everyone. We also ask that guests staying in remote camps practice catch and release, returning cutthroat, rainbow, and lake trout immediately. If guests staying in wilderness camps wish to keep a fish or two to cook over the campfire, we ask that you only keep brook trout under 10” and in strict accordance with Colorado Parks & Wildlife bag and possession limits. Not only are brook trout the best eating fish in these waters, but high populations of small brookies compete with native cutthroat trout. Removing a limited number of smaller brook trout is the best way to help manage these waters while enjoying a wild-caught harvest.
FISH HANDLING TIPS
We ask our guests to use single barbless hooks only. Land fish using a net with a rubber basket to prevent injury.
Avoid beaching fish on rocks, sand or dirt. Hold the net in the water while carefully removing the hook with a set of forceps or needle-nose pliers. If you’d like to snap a picture, continue holding the net in the water until you’re ready. Then cradle the fish under the belly and lift it over the net. Never put your fingers in the gills of a trout. After you’ve taken a picture, lower the fish into the water and point it upstream. There’s no need to rock it back and forth, as a trout’s gills are designed for water to move one direction. Cradle the fish until it swims away under its own power.
Our native Colorado River Cutthroat trout are a treasure. Take a moment to admire their beauty and treat them with respect as you carefully release them. Thank you!
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The minimum recommended age for horseback riding is 12 years old, depending on the child and previous riding experience. However, we offer fully-guided wilderness fishing trips on foot for younger kids or those who would prefer not to ride a horse. Kids 11 and under are eligible for discounted rates. Please contact us for details.
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Tips are customary and certainly appreciated. We recommend tipping 20% of the cost of your trip. On fully guided trips, it’s customary to tip the guide 10% and divide the rest between wranglers, kitchen and lodge crew. On all other trips, the gratuity can be divided equally. Cash is preferred and we have envelopes available at the lodge.
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Owing to a brief season, remote location, the highest safety standards and industry leading service, our wilderness experiences are operationally cost-intensive. For that reason, our payment and cancellation policies are as follows:
Deposits & Payments:
A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to confirm all reservations. The balance is due 30 days prior to arrival and is non-refundable. All payments are non-refundable under any circumstances. If full payment is not received by the due date, you may forfeit your deposit and your space may be offered to our wait list.
Cancellations:
You may cancel your trip at any time, but all payments, deposits and fees paid to Budge’s are 100% non-refundable. No exceptions. If a fishing or horseback riding trip is cancelled with more than 60-days notice prior to the arrival date, the non-refundable deposit may be credited toward other guests or dates within 12 months of the date of the original reservation, subject to availability. For cancellations made less than 60 days prior to the arrival date, the exact reservation may be transferred to another guest, or the payments received will be forfeited. For these reasons, we strongly advise guests to purchase vacation cancellation insurance through your local provider. These are the standard operating policies of Budge’s and are subject to change without notice.
Let’s plan your adventure.
“Nothing better than having an entire river to myself, and then sharing a great meal with good people. It couldn’t have been a better trip. You have a really special place out there.”