Guided

Float Fishing Trips

Float Fishing in Southwest Colorado

GUIDED RIVER FLOAT FISHING

The Lower Gunnison River through the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area offers over 22 miles of secluded access to world-class gold medal & wild trout water – ideal for float fishing (including the legendary 14-mile wilderness section through the spectacular inner canyon). Often referred to as Black Canyon, a near inaccessible section within Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, the Lower Gunnison River is best accessed by float fishing via professionally guided drift boats or inflatable raft trips through the Gunnison Gorge NCA.

Guided-River-Float-Fishing

All-Inclusive
All tackle and rental equipment are included free of charge and provided by the industry’s top manufacturers. (Rod/Reel, Wader/Boot, Flies, Tackle and Transportation.) We accommodate your travel needs, with optional float fishing trip departure meeting locations in Montrose and Delta. Float fishing trips include riverside Charcuterie Lunch (locally smoked meat, cheese, crackers, olives, nuts, fruit, cookie) and beverages. We also provide all gear necessary for your overnight experience. Including camping gear, cookware, tents, sleeping bags/pads, tables/chairs, drybags, meals and provisions.

Advantages
Fishing from a boat reduces the chance of getting tangled in vegetation along the shore and reduces the potential hazards of walking the river while providing comfortable access to miles of river only a boat can reach. Your guide/oarsman can position the boat to allow longer fly drifts and give the ability to move upstream to remain in the most productive sections. Float fishing boats accommodate up to two anglers per craft and are the perfect progression after experiencing a walk-wade fishing trip.

Drift Boats
RIGS drift boat and overnight drift boat trips include +2 miles of exclusive private water access at Angell Canyon Ranch, with no additional rod fee for private. We exclusively use the finest drift boats in the industry from Boulder Boat Works, allowing our guides to quietly slide their way through skinny sections of river where other boats cannot.  Comfortable seating, secure casting platforms, padded high-back seating, dry storage for personal items and easy access to store multiple rods are all advantages to a comfortable day on the river.

3-DAY DELUXE GUNNISON GORGE
Our premiere float fishing trip through the remote limited-entry wilderness section of the Gunnison Gorge NCA.  Due to the technical nature of this section, we utilize more forgiving inflatable rafts to navigate technical rapids within the inner gorge and carry our overnight equipment. We call this trip DELUXE for a reason, as we set the standard for comfort and professionalism in the Gunnison Gorge. Our all-inclusive Deluxe Format provides a more intimate experience, with smaller client group sizes, additional amenities and services, and a dedicated gear boat that allows for lighter rafts and more timely departures. With these upgrades, you’ll spend more time exploring the pools, runs and scenic beauty offered on this trip of a lifetime.

Timing
All Guided float fish trips are located within one hour of Ridgway Colorado. Due to limited availability and demand, its highly recommended to book all float fishing trips well in advance.

Have additional questions? Check out our FAQ page.

The River

Gunnison Gorge

The serene beauty of Colorado’s Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area (BLM) wilderness while float fishing from an inflatable raft with elevated swivel seating, is the ultimate angling experience. Trout well over 18 inches are not uncommon on “The Gunny”. With incredible aquatic insect hatches and idyllic riparian habitat, it’s no wonder the Gunnison Gorge float fishing trip makes the list of the world’s “50 Places to Fly Fish Before You Die!” by Chris Santella. Explore our Gunnison Gorge page to find out more about the trip and watch our Gunnison Gorge Three Day Deluxe Trip Video.

Lower Gunnison

The Lower Gunnison River’s Full Day and Overnight Drift Boat Trips offer miles of secluded access to Gold Medal Waters including over two miles of an exclusive private walk wade section of productive waters. Private Water Gold Medal Waters included – Angell Canyon Ranch (across from Pleasure Park & Gunnison Forks) within the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area is included in the price of your trip! This secluded historic ranch rests on a spectacularly scenic bend of the world- famous Gunnison River.

Float-able and fish-able most of the year we will see several insect hatches throughout. While Summer and Fall are the time of the dry fly, early Spring offers great nymphing that can carry on through all the seasons. Fishing this section from a drift boat gives our clients access to areas you cannot reach strictly wading. Looking for multiple days on the Lower Gunnison? Overnight Drift Boat Trips are available as well.

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River Fly Fishing