HIGH COUNTRY
SW COLORADO HIGH COUNTRY FLY FISHING
Countless tributaries to the Uncompahgre River & Cimarron River region offer endless high country fly fishing opportunities for Cutthroat, Brook & Rainbow trout. Get deeper into the beautiful alpine backcountry with our Full Day Trips.
With a full day trip in SW Colorado’s alpine high country, we get further back into the mountains, including locations like Big Cimarron River & the Forks of the Cimarron and Silver Jack Reservoir, and other exclusive remote hidden gems of the Uncompahgre National Forest alpine fisheries. These full-day trip locations offer rare opportunities for solitude, native fish, and expansive access to those capable of hiking into remote primitive locations, but also include easy beginner and kid-friendly locales as well. If you’re looking for a real Colorado high country fly fishing experience with incredible alpine scenery, it doesn’t get better than our Full Day high-country guided fly fishing trips.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Think About Your Goals
Why Choose a High Country Fly Fishing Experience? Whether you want to expand your fly fishing skills or get way from the crowds, a high country fly fishing trip gives you the best of both worlds. When booking, communicate with our reservation team and let them know any physical limitations and what you’d like to focus on during your trip. Want to have fun and relax with family and friends on a fly fishing adventure? Explore remote alpine rivers to get as far away from the crowds as possible? Perfect your cast or fly presentation? As we say, “it’s your trip”, so be sure to convey your goals and objectives in advance to maximize the experience.
Timing
Full Day High Country fly fishing trips are located within 1 hour of our Fly Shop, primarily accessed by forest service dirt roads. The High Country is most productive from July through September, but weather can allow for start times as early as June and run as late as the end of October. Speak to our reservations staff to find out current conditions and the best time to fish in the Cimarron High Country region.
We know our High Country Rivers and Streams
As the longest permitted outfitter on the Cimarron River, Big Cimarron & Cimarron Forks, and other unique locations within Uncompahgre National Forest, we pride ourselves on sharing backcountry leave-no-trace practices with our guests when visiting these beautiful alpine resources, we are lucky to call our backyard. As local and professional guides, our understanding of these remote fisheries is unequalled. Ask us how to “connect the dots” to include your high country fly fishing trip as part of your journey when heading to nearby destinations like Lake City, Gunnison, Montrose, Ouray or Silverton, Colorado.
Accessibility
Our access to multiple alpine fly fishing locations is centrally located between Ridgway, Ouray, and Silverton, an easy drive from our shop, with vast, remote angler access, covering countless miles of creeks and streams. Hiking and wading in the rivers are necessary, so let our staff know if lite hiking is your limit. Please be sure to acclimate to our higher elevations to ensure comfort and safety. What is wet wading? Think wading boot, neoprene sock and quick dry pants. You will get wet but stay cooler during summer temperatures.
WHAT WE PROVIDE
All-Inclusive + Lunch
We provide rod/reel and waders/boots or wade socks/boots (conditions dependent). All Full Day tours include a riverside Charcuterie Lunch (locally sourced meat, cheese, crackers, olives, nuts, fruit, and cookie) and filtered water. Our guides provide access to their arsenal of hand-selected tools of the trade, including site-specific flies, nets, leader/tippet, nipper/forceps, flotant, indicators, and more. However, if you prefer to bring any of your gear, please do! Your guide is happy to help you get to know it better.
Low Client-to-Guide Ratio
For your benefit, we exclusively offer a low client-to-guide ratio of two clients per professional guide, so everyone receives hands-on attention and personalized service to help read the waters, form good habits, and understand local fishery behaviors. All guests receive private instruction with a professional fly fishing guide, with no mixed parties. Our high country fly fishing trip is perfect for beginners and anglers looking to explore new waters.
Transportation
Full Day Trips routinely meet and depart from our Fly Shop in Ridgway, with a thorough check-in process to ensure you are prepared. From there, your guide provides round-trip transportation to your fishing location as part of the experience, or you are welcome to follow the guide to the resource in your vehicle if you prefer.
Custom Meeting & Pick-Up Locations
Let RIGS bring the experience to you! Camping in the High Country? Save drive time and get on the water faster with RIGS optional meeting or pick-up locations close to our full-day High-Country fly-fishing options.
*PLEASE NOTE:
In order to legally fish in the State of Colorado, anyone 16 years or older must possess a valid Colorado State Fishing License. The cost of the fishing license is not included in trip prices. Licenses can be purchased for periods of one day or more. We encourage you to purchase Fishing & Hunting Licenses Online prior to your trip.