Learn To Fly Fish
Join us for a Learn To Fly Fish weekend, where you’ll learn everything you need to know to fly fish on your own, while experiencing a wilderness horseback adventure.
Fly Fishing is an Adventure
We can’t think of a better way to learn how to fly fish, than on a wilderness adventure. In one weekend, you’ll come away with everything you need to know to fly fish on your own. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to ride horseback to some of Colorado’s most remote and unpressured waters, where we’ll practice your skills on wild trout.
This three-night adventure doesn’t require any fly fishing or horseback riding experience. You’ll stay in one of our historic log cabins, enjoy family-style meals at the lodge, and our fabulous instructors will guide you each step of the way - from basic terminology to successfully landing and releasing fish.
Upcoming Learn To Fly Fish Weekends:
July 28th - 31st, 2023
Custom Dates Available for Groups of 4 or More
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Our Learn To Fly Fish weekend gives you 3 nights in one of our cozy cabins, two and a half days of instruction (including one day on horseback in the wilderness).
Arrival Day: Arrive in the afternoon, get settled and we will begin with an introduction to fly fishing and basic terminology, while we enjoy appetizers followed by dinner
Day 2: After breakfast, we will spend a relaxing morning at the lodge, where we will cover things like equipment, rigging and knots, fly selection, fishing regulations and etiquette. After a break for lunch, we will head down to the river and spend the afternoon, working on casting, reading water, entomology, and landing and releasing fish. We will then enjoy appetizers and time to relax before dinner.
Day 3: After breakfast, we will saddle up for our adventure into the wilderness. We will ride to a remote stretch of river where our fishing guides will help you hone those new skills, as well as practice different types of casts, line management and mending. In the afternoon, we will ride back to the lodge to celebrate with appetizers, followed by dinner.
Day 4: Depart after breakfast.
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Learn To Fly Fish Weekend: $1,450 Per Person
Rate is per-person, based on double occupancy (2 person minimum per cabin). Single occupancy private cabin upgrades are available upon request.
Includes: Three nights lodging, two full days of fly fishing instruction (including one day on horseback), 3 meals daily plus afternoon appetizers, as well as fly rod, reel, flies and tackle.
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.
Contact us to learn more and to reserve your spot:
Frequently Asked Questions
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A valid Colorado fishing license is required for all guests ages 16 and older. This is not included in the cost of your trip. Licenses can be purchased on the Colorado Parks & Wildlife website in advance, or at most sporting goods retailers in Colorado. Licenses are not required for youth under the age of 16.
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On Learn To Fly Fish Weekends, we provide participants with rods, reels, flies and tackle.
All anglers are responsible for their own wading footwear and/or waders if desired. Please see our Packing List for wading recommendations.
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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.
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The minimum recommended age for horseback riding is 8-10 years old, depending on the child. For young explorers, we can arrange a guided fly fishing experience on foot from the main lodge. Kids 12 and under are also eligible for discounted rates on multi-day packages. Please contact us for details.
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Access to Budge’s Wilderness Lodge is by high-clearance 4WD only. Stock SUVs and pickups can make the trip, just take it slow.
If you not have a high-clearance vehicle or prefer not to drive to the lodge, we offer pick-up at a meeting point that is about 8 miles from the lodge for $400 round trip per vehicle. 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.
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Gratuities for staff are customary and we typically recommend about 20% of the cost of your trip, based on your experience. This is usually split between guide, wrangler(s), kitchen and housekeeping staff. You are welcome to tip these individuals separately, or you can leave a single amount and we can divide it among the crew.
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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.
Contact us to begin planning your Learn To Fly Fish weekend. In addition to the dates listed above, we’d be happy to help plan a custom trip for any family or group.