Summer is officially here with warm sunny mornings and insects hatching on local creeks and rivers.  As trout begin looking upward in anticipation of a warm breakfast on the go, anglers around the Vail Valley region are monitoring the CFS (cubic feet per second) like hawks, with high water levels forcing fishermen to be creative and explore.

When in doubt, go for a hike.  Higher elevations streams tend to drop to fishable levels sooner than lower waters.  That's where the summer's stress free, happy go lucky trout will be hanging.  That's also where you will find the guides from Gore Creek Fly Fisherman, utilizing 3 and 2 fly searching rigs a la the John Barr "Hopper-Copper-Dropper."

Contact Gore Creek Fly Fisherman at any of the 4 locations in the Vail region for advice on when, where and the ever popular "which flies?"  Free casting clinics are offered every day at 10:30 am at all locations with sage advice from the Vail region's "fishiest" guides. GCFF also offers full and half day Walk and Wade trip to high alpine creeks, as well as float trips throughout the entire region.

* This post has been contributed by Captain Jeff Cooke, a former Vail Valley resident who serves as a guide for GCFF during the summer months. *