The Best Times to Fish at Budge’s in 2024

Our crew is enjoying the off-season, but it’s safe to say that we’re all looking forward to getting back to doing what we love. Our 2024 season will officially begin on June 28th!

The Best Time to Fish

One of the most frequently asked questions that we receive, is ‘What’s the best time to come fishing?’ Here’s how we usually explain the fly fishing season at Budge’s Wilderness Lodge…

The First Two Weeks - Big Fish, Big Water

The first week of the season, from opening day on June 28th through about the 4th of July, anglers can expect fast-moving water and more challenging conditions. Due to our location near the headwaters, we don’t see stained water or other adverse conditions like you would see during runoff at lower elevations. The water here, even that first week of the season will be crystal clear. However, the volume of water can be challenging, especially for beginner anglers. The tradeoff , is that we often see some of the biggest fish of the year during this time.

For experienced anglers who are interested in targeting big fish, the first couple weeks of the season can be a blast. This is a fun time to swing streamers on the river, as well as to throw big stonefly patterns on the surface with heavy droppers down below.

Big water and big fish during the first week of the season at Budge’s.

July Fishing - Dry Fly Heaven

By the second week of the season and as we approach mid-July, water levels are typically dropping very quickly down to normal levels. From this point on through the rest of the season, there is really no bad time to fish. July brings outstanding hatches of mayflies, caddis and small stoneflies. Bring plenty of Parachute Adams and your favorite caddis patterns. The dry fly fishing can be incredible.

July Dry Fly Fishing

August Fishing - Hopper Time

The arrival of August means grasshoppers. Throughout the month of August, the hopper fishing is outstanding, and seems to crescendo until the first hard freeze, usually sometime in September. Throughout August, we will continue to see plenty of mayflies and caddis, as well as yellow sallies and other small stoneflies.

Hopper Fishing Season in the Wilderness

September - Fall Colors and More Dry Flies

Even after a freeze or even a light snow in September, the fishing will remain hot all the way through the month. Of course the later into September we get, the more chance we have of snow and cold weather. But those willing to brave the weather are rewarded with spectacular fall colors. The changing aspens usually peak around the end of September and first week of October. We will usually take our last fishing trips of the season around that first weekend in October. Hopper fishing remains constant through most of September, while mayfly activity increases again with the arrival of cooler weather, bringing more great dry fly fishing.

September Fall Colors

2024 Availability

At the time we posted this update (end of January), there is still plenty of availability on the summer calendar for both lodge-based trips and remote wilderness camps. However, it pays to plan ahead so that you get your first choice in dates. Right now, at least one summer weekend is already completely sold out.

For the latest availability, please call or text us at 970-536-1341. Or you can send us an email at howdy@budgeslodge.com.

Lodge-Based Fishing Adventures

On our lodge-based fishing adventures, we ride out into the wilderness each day on horseback to fish remote Wilderness sections of the river. Each afternoon, we ride back to the lodge where appetizers and a hearty dinner await. Accommodations are in our historic log cabins. For those who would rather walk than ride a horse, we also offer lodge-based fishing trips on foot. These trips are great for kiddos who are too young to take a long ride.

Remote Wilderness Camps

On these adventures, we load up the gear onto packhorses and mules, and we ride to one of our camps along an even more remote stretch of wilderness river. You’ll be dropped off along with your guide(s) and a cook. From here, all fishing is done on foot. We enjoy the solitude of the wilderness from our spacious, canvas tents, where our crew will prepare hearty meals. Each day of the trip, you and your fishing guide will explore new sections of wilderness river.

Contact Us With Questions

If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to help you plan a memorable fly fishing adventure. Please call or text us at 970-536-1341. Or email us at howdy@budgeslodge.com. To learn more about our wilderness fly fishing adventures, please visit our Fishing Page.