Trip #BCA1

Lower Gunnison River

This Orvis Endorsed fly fishing lodge is the  largest and most experienced outfitter in the Black Canyon on the lower Gunnison River.

The Gunnison Gorge is one of the top fly fishing trips in the lower 48, and features spectacular scenery, interesting geology, sightings of varied wildlife, and most importantly, excellent fly fishing for rainbow and brown trout. Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s surveys show that the Gunnison River holds more fish per mile than any other river in the state at more than 10,000 fish per mile!

Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s surveys show that the Gunnison River holds more fish per mile than any other river in the state at more than 10,000 fish per mile!

• May-October Mayflies
• June-July Stoneflies
• July-October Caddis
• August-October Streamers (prime time)
• Guides:  This outfitter maintains the most experienced guide staff on the river, with over 200 years of combined experience. They look forward to showing you a first class fishing experience from beginning to end.

Trophy Brown and Rainbow Trout Fishery

The main prize on the “Gunny” are the trophy rainbows that can measure over 20”, and this amazing stretch of river also has a healthy brown trout population. This is one of the only floats to offer both fantastic fishing and exciting whitewater in the same trip. Multi-day trips down the lower Gunnison River are slower paced and offer ample time spent out of the boat fishing from foot.

You’ll start and end your trip at the lodge.

All trips begin and end at this unique riverside fishing lodge located on a working peach orchard. The facility is set up to comfortably feed, house and entertain guests before and after their adventures. An on site fly shop carries flies, licenses and other fishing supplies. A stocked trout pond on the property, offers casting practice and the chance to catch a really big fish. Guests are also invited to fish three miles of private water on the Gunnison River.

The fishing float season extends from mid May through the beginning of October.

Early season: The early stone fly fishing can be excellent in the Gunnison Gorge! During June and into July the Gunnison River gets large hatches of Salmon flies along with other stoneflies. If fishing to large rainbow and brown trout with a size 2 dry fly sounds fun to you this is the time and place to do it!

Summer: Through summer a variety of techniques are used to fish the Gunnison, your guide will know what is working best to put you on the fish. Nymphing, dry fly fishing, and throwing streamers can all be done in a single day on the “Gunny”.

Late Summer and Fall: If you are into throwing streamers to large aggressive brown trout August through October is prime time! In addition to streamer fishing the lower stretch of the canyon is conducive to fishing large foam hoppers along the grassy cut banks to entice the big browns that lurk below!

This is one of the only floats to offer both fantastic fly fishing and exciting whitewater in the same trip.