SW Colorado's Finest Fly Shop, Fly Fishing & Gunnison Gorge Float Fishing since 2001

970-626-4460
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Doug Freemann – Fly Fishing Guide

June 30, 2022 By hpatterson

Doug was born and raised in the Philadelphia area, where we picked up fly fishing at a young age. Cutting his teeth on Pennsylvania’s technical spring creeks, he quickly fell in love with the sport. He was then introduced to the competitive fly-fishing world, where he spent five years on the U.S. Youth Fly Fishing Team. During this time, he was fortunate to fish in multiple World Youth Fly Fishing Championships, culminating his tenure as the team captain. This experience also afforded him the chance to learn from some of the nation’s leading fly anglers. During his college years Doug guided on Wyoming’s North Platte River as well as Colorado’s Front Range. When asked about his guiding style, he adapts to the experience level of each client in an easy going and relaxed manner. Striving to help clients find success at any level from exploring the nuts and bolts of angling technique, to refining advanced skills.  With a deep passion for sharing the pursuits he enjoys the most with others, he is well equipped to show you a fantastic day on the water!

Filed Under: RIGS Guides

Jacob Ramirez – Fly Fishing Guide

June 15, 2021 By hpatterson

Jacob grew up fishing a variety of waters in Texas hill country rivers and the coast. He began his fly fishing journey at the age of 15, quickly going from a casual way to spend the weekend with family and friends, to a true pursuit of passion for each new river and each new fish. A move to Colorado in 2016 expanded that pursuit and chasing trout became second nature. The goal to become a guide soon evolved. With a contagious fun-loving personality and a love for teaching others the art of fly fishing, Western Slope Colorado became the perfect backdrop for his new home. “In this beautiful landscape of Sw Colorado, I will always make sure we are having a good time, learn something new about fly fishing with the goal of catching those beautiful Colorado trout”.

Filed Under: RIGS Guides

Alex Albers – Fly Fishing Guide / Gunnison Gorge

June 15, 2021 By hpatterson

Alex grew up in Southern Minnesota, a warm water fishing mecca. He spent his summer days on local ponds with his brother, digging up worms and fishing all day till dark. Family camping and fishing trips to Northern Minnesota led to a life of outdoor pursuits and skiing led to an interest in moving to Colorado to attend Western State University in Gunnison, CO in the fall of 2004. The whitewater bug quickly grabbed hold of Alex through raft guiding but oar frames opened up the West and several iconic fly fishing rivers When injury sidelined him from skateboarding and mountain biking he picked up a fly rod and found something that would change his life and push him in a new direction. After 6 years working the Upper Gunnison, he wanted to stretch his horizons and pursue the lower section of the Gunnison River where it disappears into the Black Canyon and Gunnison Gorge. His eagerness to help new fly fisherman and experienced anglers pursue a trip of a lifetime is what fulfills his passions. He’ll be sure you’re well taken care of, teaching trout tactics and getting lots of chances at catching some of the Gunnison River’s finest trout.

Filed Under: RIGS Guides

Ethan Scott – Fly Fishing Guide / Gunnison Gorge

June 14, 2021 By hpatterson

A native of Swampscott, Massachusetts, near Boston, Ethan first began his love of fly fishing on small creeks and rivers in New Hampshire with family. The Pemigewasset River, catching brookies on a fly rod, created the mystique and his current obsession with fly fishing to trout. As a young adult, Ethan spent every moment studying each aspect of fly fishing. Soon a fascination about the American west developed. The Rocky Mountains captured his imagination with powerful rivers and their monster trout inhabitants. He was sold! In his early 20’s he moved out west to finish his college degree in outdoor education. After I graduated, leaving Colorado was not an option, instead, he wanted to continue chasing trout with a fly rod in the Rocky Mountains by making it a day-to-day part of his life. From leading raft trips with RIGS, to float fishing, and fly fishing – guiding was obviously next. The best way to describe Ethan’s passion for fly fishing is in his own words. “I jump at the opportunity to spend a day on the water with the prospect of sharing my knowledge of the sport that I have come to love. I welcome all to spend a day on the water with me! Does not matter your age or experience level with fly fishing. Just love the opportunity to share my passion for fly fishing with others!”

Filed Under: RIGS Guides

Chris Hull – Fly Fishing Guide / Fly Shop

May 15, 2021 By hpatterson

Chris was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, where he grew up spin fishing all over the state with his family. After college in Durango, he fell in love with the world of fly fishing – exploring everything from Czech nymphing to Tenkara. Now a full-time fly fisherman and guide, Chris began his guiding career in Boulder and Rocky Mountain National Park before coming to RIGS. His favorite day on the water includes a small freestone river, no crowds, lots of trout, peace, and quiet, and then to the vise to tie flies for the next day. With a strong focus on customer service, Chris likes to get all of his clients excited to fly fish in the hopes to create more advocates that help protect our trout and river resources, or as he puts them…” his co-workers and his office”.

Filed Under: RIGS Guides

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RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service

1075 Sherman St, Unit 101,
Ridgway,Colorado 81432

970.626.4460
[email protected]
RIGS is an Orvis Endorsed Fly-Fishing outfiter!

Colorado Outfitter #2169 - Outfitting Southwest Colorado Since 2001

RIGS Fly Shop, Guide Service & White Water River Rafting is an "equal opportunity service provider" and is a permittee of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. All or part of this operation is conducted on Public Lands under special permit from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Colorado State Parks & U.S. Forest Service. RIGS certified professional guides provide quality outdoor experiences and believe in conducting each trip in an educational, safe, and fun manner.

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