Everyone loves a good map — particularly one that points the way to success on a favorite fishing river. So when Bill Perry applied his two decades of guiding experience to creating maps bearing a wealth of detail, anglers came running.
He started first with the Eagle River, the center of operations when he opened the Fly Fishing Outfitter Shop in Avon in 1992 and sold it 15 years later. The lineup since has spread to nearly every major river in Colorado.
When he showed it off at the Fly Tackle Dealer Show in Denver last month, interest poured in from more than 20 states.
It’s what one might expect from a design that includes all the twists and turns of a trout stream, a detail of its insect life, a distinction between public and private lands, takeouts for floating and notations of camping areas.
All this is delivered in a format dividing each river in segments of detail that allows the angler to choose the area of interest.
“A river like the Eagle that is about 50 miles long might be laid out in 8-mile segments,” Perry said.
“Each page has a split-ring format so you can arrange it any way you want.”
Dan Bryant, another Vail Valley regular whose connection with Perry dates to his work as general manager of the fly shop, does the actual map design.
To ensure vivid detail, the firm chose a software option from National Geographic.
Each map costs $4.98 and may be purchased at fly shops or online at , or call 970-343-2941.
