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Wilderness Dry Fly Fishing on Remote Horseback Expeditions
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Orvis-Endorsed Fly-Fishing Expedition
Enjoy exceptional fly fishing on your expedition in Colorado with our endorsed partners at Budge’s Wilderness Lodge. This remote lodge sits on the banks of the upper White River, surrounded by designated wilderness on three sides. From the lodge, the river stretches into the Flat Tops Wilderness both upstream and downstream, where it’s accessible by foot and horseback only. Budge’s is the only outfitter on nearly 20 miles of this roadless river valley, as well as numerous small streams and high alpine lakes.
Anglers can choose a lodge-based trip, where you’ll stay in a historic log cabin. Or, you could strike off for a remote wilderness camp with canvas tents and campfire meals. Either way, you’ll have the opportunity to experience some of the best backcountry fly fishing in the west. The river is home to native Colorado River cutthroat, brook trout, rainbows, and cuttbows.
Horseback-accessed fly fishing is a unique experience and it’s the best way to explore this wild country. Our outstanding crew of guides and wranglers will see that you have a safe and enjoyable adventure. No horseback riding experience is necessary; our horses and mules are gentle and well-trained, perfect for beginner riders.
Orvis is pleased to offer our travel customers access to two valuable services: Global Rescue travel membership and IMG Signature Travel Insurance℠.
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Anglers staying at the main lodge enjoy accommodations in one of our historic log cabins. The original 1920s cabins have received a few updates over the years, including basic electricity and a simple half-bath with cold running water. A community shower with hot water is just a short walk from the cabins. We have seven guest cabins spaced throughout the lodge grounds. Each couple or group will have their own private cabin. Cabins can sleep anywhere from two to six people. Sheets, blankets, and comforters are provided on all cabin beds.
Anglers who visit one of our remote wilderness camps will enjoy staying in a spacious canvas wall tent with comfortable cots and pads. Bring your own sleeping bag and personal gear, and we provide the rest. Your group will be the only one in camp (minimum two anglers) and you’ll have miles of remote water to explore on foot. Next door to your private tent is our crew/cook tent, where our team will prepare great meals.
Whether you stay at the main lodge or a remote camp, you’ll enjoy a hot breakfast, a sack lunch for a day of fishing, and a home-cooked dinner.
On lodge-based trips, anglers will come down to the main lodge each morning for a hearty breakfast. After breakfast, we will gather up our fishing gear and a sack lunch. We load the gear onto a packhorse or mule, then saddle up and head off into the wilderness for a day of fishing. Late in the afternoon, we ride back to the lodge, where our crew will have appetizers waiting, followed by a home-cooked dinner. Relax on the deck with cold beverage, play a game of cornhole, or return to your own cabin for some peace and quiet. On your day of departure, enjoy one last hot breakfast before you head home.
Guests fishing out of one of our remote camps will spend their first night in a cabin at the main lodge. The next morning, we will load gear onto packhorses and ride to the wilderness camp. After being dropped off, fishing is done on foot. Our crew will serve hearty breakfasts and dinners at camp, plus a sack lunch to take with you each day of fishing. On the last day of a wilderness camp trip, our wranglers will arrive to load up the gear, we will ride back to the main lodge, and from there you’ll depart for home.
Budge’s Wilderness Lodge sits on the upper White River, a completely roadless river valley that’s accessible only by foot or horseback. The Flat Tops is the second-largest wilderness area in Colorado, encompassing more than 360 square miles of wild country, We are the only permitted outfitter on nearly 20 miles of wilderness river, smaller creeks, and several high alpine lakes.
Upstream from the lodge, we enjoy fishing expansive high alpine meadows, home to Colorado River cutthroat and brook trout. Downstream from the lodge, we enjoy fishing a scenic, rock-walled canyon that’s home to rainbow and cutthroat trout.
From our opening day on June 28 through early October, this wild river offers some of the best dry fly fishing anywhere in the west. We see prolific hatches of a variety of mayflies, stoneflies, and caddis. From late-July through September, the hopper fishing is a highlight. In addition to fishing pristine and unpressured wilderness waters, the horseback experience makes these adventures truly special.
Lodge-based trips and remote wilderness camps start at $1,900 for three nights and two days of guided fishing. Trips of up to seven nights are available. Contact us for custom packages, including combination of lodge-based and wilderness camp experiences.
All packages include meals, accommodations, and fully guided fishing with horseback access into the wilderness area. For guests who would rather not get on a horse, we offer guided wilderness fishing on foot from the lodge.
For details, pricing, and package options, please visit our website at budgeslodge.com/fly-fishing.
Getting to Budge's Wilderness Lodge requires a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle. Stock SUVs and pickups can handle this road; just take it slow and be careful. Many guests choose to bring their own vehicles and those flying in from out of state often rent a Jeep, Toyota 4Runner, or pickup.
For guests without a high-clearance vehicle or for those who’d prefer not to drive on the four-wheel-drive road, we offer pick-up and shuttle service. Please contact us for current rates and to schedule a pick-up.
Drive time is about five hours from Denver International Airport, or three hours from Vail/Eagle County Airport. It's a long, bumpy drive but it's all a part of the adventure! Budge's Wilderness Lodge is remote, and that's why we love it.