Dream of waking up early, only needing to walk a few steps to your favorite spot? A section of river to call your own is a dream that is hard to shake. And with the unique structure and flow of the water in Steamboat, some private water can be actively fished 300 days each year. For a town nestled in northwest Colorado, the opportunity to be able to fish year round is unbeatable.

There are a few different options when looking to own river property in Steamboat. One option is to look for a ranch or piece of land that backs-up to a section of river. This gives you the flexibility to live in many different places around Steamboat with a river or lake that has features that match your favorite aspects of fly-fishing. Perhaps you enjoy the solitude of living away from town, with access to a strong river that has a few wells that are perfect spots for trout to relax. If so living on the upper Elk might be a good place for you. Or maybe you are looking for an area with great access to river that is still close to town for your family to enjoy some of the other activities that Steamboat has to offer. Beginning your search on the Yampa could be good place for you to start.

Another option for living in a fishing paradise can become found living in one of Steamboat’s many ranching and fishing communities. This will often give you the chance to fish an expansive section of private waters that are only enjoyed by you and your neighbors. The three communities we would recommend are below -

Marabou – Located on one of the most beautiful sections of the Elk River, Marabou Ranch is a perfect retreat for you and your family. The river was designed by Steve Herter, designer of three of the four Colorado fishing lodges named in North America’s Greatest Fishing Lodges. Herter created a section known as the ‘Meandering Meadows’ which links a series of ponds with flowing water in effort to help the growth of healthy trout.

But while you are out enjoying a part of one of the best fishing places in Steamboat, your family can enjoy some of the other activities that can be found right in Marabou Ranch. Featuring 20+ miles of trails perfect for hiking, mountain biking, horse riding and cross country skiing, the Marabou lifestyle is an active one the family can enjoy together.

Helping you make the most of your time in Marabou you have access to the master guide program. Giving owners access to 6 different professional athletes, their goal is to help you learn and enjoy the sport as much as you can. For fly fishing the current master guide is Pat Stefanek, a long time Steamboat resident and founder and owner of the North Park Fishing Club in Walden, CO. Pat works to help you learn different fly fishing techniques and guide you around the waters in Marabou.

“The Marabou fishing operation includes some of the best and most extensive streams that I have fished in my 30 years of experience with Fly Fisherman magazine. The trout are wild and healthy, the hatches are abundant, the streams are restored and unpressured. The trout are relaxed and eager to take the fly. Equally important is the eco-friendly paradigm that drives this new development. In fact, the Marabou development overall is a prime example of the new environment-friendly lifestyle that most Americans are seeking.”
– John Randolph, Editor of Fly Fisherman Magazine

Click here for more pictures of the section of the Elk River that Runs through Marabou

Catamount Lake – With access to the tailwaters at the beginning of More Ranch, fishing at Catamount Lake includes access to both lake fishing and fishing a beautiful section of the Yampa river. Catamount allows you to fish pristine tailwaters in the morning and then get out and enjoy the lake or golf course with your family in the afternoon.

Ownership at Catamount also includes membership to the Catamount Lake and Golf Course. With one speedboat available for rental on the lake, as well as windsurfers, canoes and more, your family can have a great morning on the lake while you sneak away to fish. A short drive to Catamount golf course and only 10 minutes from downtown Steamboat, everyone is sure to look forward to family reunions at your home in Catamount every year,

More Ranch – With over 2 miles of private river, this unique ranch in northwest Colorado offers 300 + days of fly fishing every year. Living in the More Ranch gives you an unprecedented level of privacy. Only 8 home sites are available on this 514-acre ranch. The temperatures and high water quality encourages the rapid growth of insects allowing trout to flourish in this fishery that is great year-round.

Above we included a few GIS Maps with the individual property boarders marked with the light green lines. For a more clear view of the geographic features we have included screenshots of the areas described above as well. For more information, or a more detailed overview, feel free to give us a call. Check back, we will also be including videos of these sections of Elk River in Marabou, the Yampa in More Ranch of Catamount Lake so you can easily see areas and features that might give you an idea of where you would like to fish when you come to Steamboat.

For more information and details on specific parcels of land or more info on these rivers described above, please feel free to send me an email at Jon@TheSteamboatGroup.com or give me a call at 970.879.0879