Description: Adams Lodge Outfitters has been in business for 50 years, and is a family-owned and operated wilderness outfitting business. They cater to the avid outdoors person interested in fishing the Flat Top Wilderness area of the White River National Forest. Adams Lodge Outfitters operates in all three of the Marvine Drainages of Game Management Unit 24. The Flat Tops exemplifies the ideals of wilderness: few tourists, few roads and even fewer distractions. Flat Tops Wilderness Area is dotted with natural glacier lakes and streams, many of which hold wild brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout. After saddling up, your one-day ride will wind through fir forests and mountain meadows, knee high with wild flowers. Well trained and steady horses are a blessing in this area. The club member has two options: the first option is to ride 45 minutes after which you will encounter Marvine Creek alongside the trail; there you can stop and fish the creek. Marvine Creek is small in size, perfect for a 7-foot, 3-weight rod. The creek is full of brook and the Colorado strain of cutthroat trout. One box of flies consisting of streamers, nymphs and dries is all you need. Three and a half miles of Marvine Creek is available to club members from this point. Your wrangler will have lunch for you and the ride will lead back to the trail head. The second option is to ride for 2 1/2 hours into Big Fish Lake, a 20-acre lake. At an elevation of 9400 feet it can be fished from shore although a float tube will give better access to the 18- to 20-inch brook trout. Bug life in this lake consists of callibaetis and midges; a simple Hare’s Ear, Zebra Midge, scuds and colorful leeches are all you need. A complete list of flies can be obtained from the Club. A 5-weight rod is the choice for casting sink-tip and full sinking lines. The season is short on the Flat Tops; Adams Lodge Outfitters begins booking trips about June 15 and the last date they book is September 15. A full list of items needed for the trip and a full list of flies can be obtained at the Club. Extended trips for our members can be scheduled with the outfitter. Horse pack trips can be successful only by careful planning, but with the list provided by the Club and the outfitter, this adventure can be memorable. The outfitter can provide fishing guides for both of the areas. A great pre-trip book to read is “Fly Fishing Guide to Colorado’s Flat Tops Wilderness” by Al Marlowe and Karen Christopherson. (Westwinds Press, Portland, Oregon)

Location:

Capacity: Minimum of 2 anglers Max of 6 anglers 3-7 day advanced notice required

To make a reservation call 303-421-6239 or 1-800-524-1814.

Rate Notes: Adults $200 Minors $175 Non anglers $150

Property Log Book Comments