Raised on the Roaring Fork
"I was lucky enough to grow up floating and fishing the rivers of the West. My dad had a 1987 Don Hill drift boat that he took my brother and me fishing in everywhere. We camped on the Green River in Utah, stayed at Cottonwood Camp on the Bighorn in Montana, and ran that thing down the Roaring Fork every way imaginable. Those early memories still stick with me, and I feel blessed to have grown up in a fishing family."
- Owner and Guide, Lincoln Neiley
Founded in 1998, Thunder River Outfitters is a testament to the decades our team has spent floating and wading in the area. The company is an homage to the mighty Roaring Fork River, which offers some of the finest flyfishing in North America.
The Ute Native Americans who lived along its banks knew it as Thunder River.
Today, Thunder River Outfitters is proud to guide these waters and treat the rivers with the respect and reverence they deserve. Our fishing practices are sustainable and have a low impact on the natural environment. Our guides are passionate about their work, and our clients enjoy the experience of learning about the remarkable ecosystem that creates the field for our beloved sport.
Our trips are suitable for anglers of all ages and experience levels. Our guides are knowledgeable, professional, and experienced. Most of all, they love what they do and look forward to hosting your experience in this unique corner of Colorado.
Rivers
Roaring Fork
Colorado’s best freestone (undammed) fishery — arguably the best in the country.
The headwaters flow from above 13,000 feet on Independence Pass. The river flows the length of the Roaring Fork Valley and into the Colorado River in Glenwood Springs.
The Roaring Fork is outstanding for wading and float fishing. We recommend floating the Roaring Fork, which allows fishing through stretches of private water.
The Fork provides incredible hatches and scenery with excellent fishing to match.
Colorado
Our state’s namesake river, the mighty Colorado, always delivers a stellar day for anglers.
Stretching 1,450 miles, it's the fifth longest river in the United States, spanning seven U.S. and two Mexican states. Its name means "colored reddish" in Spanish due to its heavy silt content. Starting in our backyard, it flows to the Grand Canyon and Lake Mead, then south into Mexico.
We guide float trips over various stretches from Glenwood Springs as far as Parachute.
The Colorado is known for big, tough fish.
Crystal
The Crystal River is a key reason that the float fishing on the lower Roaring Fork is as good as it is.
A tributary of the Roaring Fork, the Crystal River can be slightly overshadowed by the other rivers in the watershed. However, it is every bit as special in its unique way.
Historically, the Crystal Valley was a seasonal home and hunting ground of the Parianuche and Yampa bands of the Ute Native Americans.
It provides enough water into the Roaring Fork to navigate from drift boats below the town of Carbondale.
Frying Pan
The Frying Pan is a special place known for big trout and spectacular fly fishing.
With an elevation of a little over 6,500 feet, the Frying Pan begins near Mt. Massive. It flows west through the White River National Forest, eventually ending at its mouth in Basalt, where it joins the Roaring Fork River.
It is the only tailwater (dam release) in our watershed.
The Pan is only suitable for wade trips and is famous for its dry fly fishing for shrimp-fed monster trout.