UNCOMPAHGRE
FULL DAY GUIDED FLY FISHING - UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER
Experience Uncompahgre River’s premier tailwater trout fishery Pa-Co-Chu-Puk at Ridgway State Park.
The Uncompahgre River is an unparalleled, year-round fishery with its best waters located 10 minutes from our fly shop. Our local waters on the Uncompahgre offer anglers excellent dry fly hatches, technical tailwater nymphing and excellent visitor amenities, including wonderful Ridgway State Park and the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground and its catch and release fly fishing access. The Uncompahgre River can challenge any angler but reward with selective fish, measured by pound, not an inch. Year-round fly fishing, with great winter fly fishing opportunities, the Uncompahgre Valley’s extensive habitat rehabilitated sections of trout waters, have resulted in prime habitat for rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout nestled in great holding water with deep runs, large pools, and plentiful aquatic insect life – fit for healthy trout.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Think About Your Goals
What do you want out of your full-day walk wade Uncompahgre River guided fly fishing trip? When booking, communicate with our reservation team and let them know what you’d like to focus on. Relax with friends and experience fly fishing? Have concerns about low mobility river access? Work on improving more advanced sight fishing tactics and challenge your big fish skills? As we say, “it’s your trip”, so be sure to convey your Uncompahgre River goals in advance to maximize your guided fly fishing experience.
Timing
The Uncompahgre is a year-round tailwater fishery with consistent, clear water release, rarely inundated by muddied waters. As daytime temps warm, spring conditions offer increased flows, more active trout and early hatches. Summer and fall months bring prime-time fly hatches and the river’s best diversity in fishing quality. Winter focuses on sight fishing and nymphing the reduced flow tailwater with stealthy tactics. Our guided walk wade fly fishing trips are available year-round but be sure to discuss with our staff the best times of year to go for each location.
We Pioneered Uncompahgre River Guided Fly Fishing
With 20-plus years of outfitter experience and the first-ever permit for guided fly fishing on the Uncompahgre River, RIGS has set the standard for quality in Western Colorado and the Uncompahgre River valley. Our Fly Shop offers a deeply curated fly selection plus gear and tackle suited for our waters. Let our fly fishing guides share firsthand local knowledge of this dynamic and ever-evolving quality trout fishery.
Accessibility
Located just 10 minutes from our Fly Shop in Ridgway, the PaCoChuPuk area was designed to accommodate people of all mobility levels. It offers both challenging technical fishing and perfect holes for those who prefer to fish from the banks. Whether you are a veteran angler or a novice, the Uncompahgre River has miles of multiple river access points both above and below the Ridgway reservoir. Ask us how to help with travel plans to include a Uncompahgre River trip as part of a regional stop when visiting the nearby cities and towns of Grand Junction, Montrose, Telluride, Silverton or Delta, Colorado.
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, 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!
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.
Transportation
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! Coming from Grand Junction, Gunnison, Montrose, or camping close nearby? Save drive time and get on the water faster with RIGS optional Meeting or Pick Up locations.
*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.
