In late summer and early fall, the Lower Gunnison River between Delta and Whitewater flows at a lazy pace—perfect for a beginner canoe trip. We usually drive up river from Delta, set up camp along the river, then put in at the Gunnison River Pleasure Park at the confluence of the North Fork and float all day down to the Orchard take-out or a couple miles down river of the diversion dam bypassing Orchard and getting a couple more lazy evening miles in before taking out in a corn field leased by the Pleasure Park. The Gunnison River (Gunnison Gorge, Lower Gunnison and Dominguez-Escalante Canyon) are managed by the Bureau of Land Management out of Montrose, CO. Boating Permit Required: NO; Permit Details: No fee of any kind is required to float the river, but you do need to buy a pass to use the BLM managed and private access sites. Tom and Jeremy from Gunnison River Expeditions (GRE). Gunnison River Pro is Western Colorado's source for equipment rental and all logistical support involved in floating the Gunnison River! However, the shoulder season can be some of the best fishing with fewer people on the water. Refocusing some efforts on the Slate River Working Group will take place this winter and spring before the 2021 floating season begins. All rivers in the Gunnison Watershed flow into the Gunnison River, which is a tributary of the Colorado River. We cannot say enough good things about GRE or Jacob, we highly recommend using them for any of your Gunnison River expeditions! From put-in to take-out, float trips are a high action adventure. She was great company and we had the best experience. f rapids so we knew what to expect. River Manager:U.S Bureau of Land Management – Uncompahgre Field Office Let our guides take you on an epic adventure floating the famed upper Gunnison River. Print from the Printer Friendly version when visiting us. Long riffles spill into deep pools with undercut banks, where nice plump rainbows and browns lurk. River Manager:U.S Bureau of Land Management – Uncompahgre Field Office. Colorado law allows for our floats to navigate through private water sections by floating through without touching the river bottom. Please contact the river manager (above) for information on shuttles. Easygoing section of the Gunnison River that floats through meadows and ranches between the more popular sections of the Gunnison Gorge and Dominguez-Escalante Canyon. This Gunnison River fly fishing float trip is world famous for its prolific German Brown and Rainbow trout population with more fish per mile than any other Colorado river. June, July, and August regularly fill up early because of the popularity of those months. We offer trips on the Gunnison Gorge section, just upstream! The Colorado Department of Wildlife routinely conducts fish surveys revealing the highest concentration of fish (8,779 fish / mile in 2008) on the Gunnison in the state. All Guided float fish trips are located within one hour of Ridgway Colorado. Our private lease on the Gunnison River allows for Dragonfly Angler guides to stop and set up a wonderful lunch spread on all full day float trips. The river’s narrow corridor creates intermediate whitewater rapids, class II-III rapids, through the 2800 foot high walls of Gorge and continue for 14 miles of the Gunnison River Gorge. Float fish on the Gunnison River with AEI Outfitter. Half and full day trips available. It’s located about a mile from downtown Gunnison on Highway 50. Whether it's a casual day on the lower river or a multi-day float through the legendary Gunnison Gorge, we've got you covered! There is approximately 20 miles of floatable water. Float Fishing Float fishing takes place on the Gunnison River between the town of Almont, CO and Blue Mesa reservoir, and it is a wonderful way to enjoy a day on the water. Gunnison River Float Trips. Trophy Trout Fishing on the Gunnison River. Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Cottonwood stands in the area hold Great Blue Heron rookeries and the area is an April breeding ground for Canada Geese. Whether it's a casual day on the lower river or a multi-day float through the legendary Gunnison Gorge, we've got you covered! A tapered 9-foot leader, with tippet size 3X to 6X to … Also loved how funny all the guides were. Take a guided float fishing trip down the Gunnison River with experienced guides. seen my sister laugh in a long time! Our float fishing experiences are on the renowned Gunnison River. Dragonfly Anglers' guides are experienced oarsman. Meaning no motorized vehicles are allowed. Gunnison River Guides float trips are the best way to have a great day on the river . Several outfitters offer guided raft trips on the Gunnison Gorge section of the river. This section does provide a great trip for young kids and fisherman. Black Canyon of the Gunnison Rockies A float through the steep walled Gunnison Gorge is recognized as one of the top fly-fishing trips in the lower 48. At times, the river ruffles up into Class I or II … The 4-wheel drive into Chukar Trail takes about an hour and 20 minutes, where you will reach the trailhead. The Gunnison River is formed in Almont at the confluence of the East River and the Taylor River. Choose a full-day or 1/2 Day float trip and enjoy a spectacular fly fishing adventure with one of our experienced and professional fly fishing guides. 1 extra hour and some extra scenery as you float down the Gunnion River. It’s mainly used by kayakers, but it can be fun to tube once the water levels are lower, which is usually later in the summer. The section of the Gunnison River between Almont and the town of Gunnison is a mellow section ideal for visitors of all ages. Float Fishing with RIGS gives access to a unique section of the Gunnison River Float fishing offers our clients access to miles of secluded water teeming with fish. Its narrow river corridor creates exciting class III whitewater action on a river that has been included in the National Park System in 2003. Unlike the trip in 1900, this trip was conducted in mid-August to take advantage of summer heat, while the river level might still be very low. Ask your outfitter about options for rafting this section. Here below the headwaters, the river grows in size as it rolls down through the ranch on its way to Blue Mesa Reservoir. Our custom fishing craft ensure your comfort and productivity. Our on-site fly shop Black Canyon Anglers is recognized as the largest and most experienced outfitter operating in the Black Canyon and offers the only fishing lodge on the Gunnison River. The Gunnison River is a sportsman’s and whitewater paddler’s paradise. This trip starts at 9:00 or 1:30 at our Gunnison Office. It was the most I’ve seen my sister laugh in a long time! From there the Gunnison River gives us one of the best fisheries in the state, as well as the largest tributary to the Colorado River. Over a month ago I planned a river trip with Jackson and Chris so we could check out a new section of the lower Gunnison River starting at Confluence Park in Delta to the takeout at Escalante Canyon. Average Gradient: 9.5′ per mile, Gunnison Forks to Austin: 7.0 miles This river is not for the faint-hearted. Beginner to advanced anglers will appreciate the large casting decks, swivel seats, and lean bars that our boats have to offer. The river flows through beautiful slick rock canyon country interspersed with small ranches and fruit orchards. Outfitter: Gunnison River Expeditions Pool drop rapids range from class II to class IV. The clear, cold waters of the Gunnison have been designated a Gold Medal Trout Fishery. It was built for canoeing, kayaking and rafting. Best way to do this? Float Fishing Trips. Anyone have experience with floating the Gunnison solo? One of Colorado’s special experiences is a multi-day float trip through the Gunnison River Gorge during early summer, throwing Golden Stone and Salmonfly imitations along the bank from an inflatable raft. I am assuming I would use a single person pontoon? Fly fish private water that is only accessible by boat. Terry joins up with Black Canyon Anglers for a float trip on the Gunnison River in the Black Canyon. BBB Rating: A+ Website. The Gunnison River is renown for rainbow and brown trout fly fishing, and often produces Trophy Trout —measuring 20 plus inches. Permit Details: No fee of any kind is required to float the river, but you do need to buy a pass to use the BLM managed and private access sites. The river’s narrow corridor creates intermediate whitewater rapids, class II-III rapids, through the 2800 foot high walls of Gorge and continue for 14 … Floating the Gunnison River has never been easier! Float trip on the Gunnison River in Gunnison, CO. Photo: Mark Anderson. Elevation: 5092′ to 4826′ The river grows in size as it flows down through the Gunnison Valley and into Blue Mesa Reservoir. It was built for canoeing, kayaking and rafting. … Sections Included: Portion of Lower Gunnison The ideal way to see the Gunnison Gorge is from the inside! The Gunnison River’s malachite green waters have been awarded “Gold Medal” status for rainbow, brown, cutthroat and cuttbow trout fishing. notice and a minimum of 4 people. Available 7 nights a week with a 24 hr. Float Fishing the Gunnison River. In this weeks episode of the American Angler Pat Traynor and his guide start a two day float trip down the Black Canyon fly fishing for big trout. Recommended Trips on the Lower Gunnison River: Trip Name: Half & Full Day GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — A pair of medical professionals rafting the Gunnison River in western Colorado found and transported an injured hiker to safety. Last updated: August 1, 2012. Hotchkiss, Colorado 1 contribution. Many of her bills pertained to the Colorado River District. The Upper Gunnison River (Almont, Colorado to Blue Mesa Reservoir) is one of the best trout fishing streams in Colorado, most of which is only accessible by boat. I spent several days researching various rafting options and after speaking w/your team was sold. Floating the Rivers Around Gunnison. Children should be at least 3 years old for a float … Float fishing “The Gunny Gorge,” a National Conservation Area just downstream of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, is our signature trip and one of the top fly fishing trips in the Lower 48. Gunnison Fish & Raft offers guided Float Fishing& Walk-Wadetours on the world famous, Gold Medal Waters, of the Upper Gunnison River. GUNNISON RIVER GORGE : 1 DAY FLOAT FISHING TRIP “THE BABY GRAND” The Gunnison River is a sportsman’s and paddler’s paradise, a hidden jewel, off the beaten path, tucked deep in … Helpful. click here for a complete list of trips that we offer. Date of experience: July 2020. Float fishing is the only way to access several prime holding areas in the canyon. Floating the Gunnison River is the fishing adventure of a lifetime in some of the most remote, spectacular scenery in the West. Whitewater Rafting Difficulty – As it nearly spans half of the state, the Gunnison River has whitewater sections for every level of rafter. Difficulty: Class I-II (What does this mean?) In addition to fast paced whitewater action, the river is also very popular for mild floating and fishing trips. Contact … His guides work very hard, often running 2 or 3 overnight trips a week down the Gorge in We were not disappointed-the trip is spectacular and our guide Sean was informative, lively professional and entertaining. Here are the most popular sections of the Gunnison River for whitewater rafting: Gunnison Town Run. So it's only natural that many of our 1/2 Day and Full Day Trips launch here at the Fly Shop, or further down river. From there the Gunnison River gives us one of the best fisheries in the state, as well as the largest tributary to the Colorado River. Information regarding this section on this website is strictly informational. Learn More: www.gunnisonriverexpeditions.com ~ 970.874.8184. Ask your outfitter about options for rafting this section. The river flows the entire spectrum of Class I – V rapids. The Gunnison River, between the towns of Delta and Grand Junction, offers a very scenic and gentle float. The latest counts show 7,000 fish per mile! Austin to Delta: 7.0 miles We at Gunnison Fish and Raft have been guiding float and walk wade trips in the Gunnison / Crested Butte area since 1979. The Gunnison River is renown for its large 20” plus Rainbow Trout and healthy population of Brown Trout. Some anglers may prefer to use a sinking tip line for the streamers, especially when fishing for the salmon. Gunnison River Expeditions will provide the transportation to Chukar Trail. This stretch also offers some of the river’s best caddis and Blue-winged Olive hatches.