Instructed by a "Senior Guide"
This 2 hour course is designed to provide the novice or experienced anglers with the essential skills to advance their fly fishing technique.
Beginner:
We begin with hour of classroom introduction to equipment and casting. The second hour is spent on the Uncompahgre River, practicing what we've learned and allowing our Professional Guides to encourage our newly acquired skills.
Advanced to Expert:
This 2 hour clinic will specifically focus on "On the Water Techniques." You will spend two hours with the instructor learning the necessary techniques associated with catching trout; streamers, line mending, reading the water, advanced nymphing and casting techniques.
Class availablility is on a walk-in; first come, first served basis. Class size is limited to 5. Age restrictions may apply. Students are responsible for the following items: Rod & Reel, Waders & Boots - these items can be rented from RIGS, Fishing License, hat, sunscreen, water bottle, rain jacket and transportation.
Year-Round, Tailwaters
Walk and wade the Uncompahgre River and its tributaries in Ridgway State Park, (just 10 minutes from the shop!) Southern Colorado's newest tail water fishery below Ridgway Reservoir, offers anglers a chance to discover an unparalleled fishing experience year-round. Extensive rehabilitation has resulted in prime habitat for Rainbow, Brown and Cutthroat trout with catch and release waters revealing deep runs and large pools. Whether you are a veteran or novice, our certified professional guides will provide you with a quality angling experience. This stretch of river lies within Ridgway State Park. A park pass is required on all vehicles.
PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE TAXES AND FEES
Exclusive Private Waters
The crown jewel of still water fishing!
Spring Valley Ranch is the crown jewel of the Uncompahgre Valley. This historical sixty-one acre ranch is pocketed with numerous spring fed ponds and a private spring creek which meanders through this beautiful setting. With two National Conservation Awards for habitat restoration and enhancement, Spring Valley is a haven for gigantic trout. With our exclusive access, we are able to guarantee you an unsurpassed fishing experience.
PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE TAXES & FEES
A $50 per-person fee applies to all 1/2 Day Private Water Trips
A unique arrow in the RIGS quiver of private waters on the Uncompahgre River. This section is located between the Town of Ridgway and Ridgway Reservoir and is often overlooked, but offers exception angling opportunities.
Typically, this offering produces great results in the fall and early winter as large brown trout move into this section to spawn. Before the fall run, these large browns spend the year in Ridgway reservoir where they grow as large as 20 lbs.
Premier Float-Fishing
The ideal way to see the Gunnison Gorge and Black Canyon - from the inside! A true wilderness experience, this 14 mile river section combines incredible wildlife and scenery, with class III-IV whitewater through one of the most spectacular canyons in Colorado. Join us on a hike to the put-in from the canyon rim, 800 feet above the Gunnison River. From there, enjoy the pool-drop rapids below the Black Canyon National Park as we float the river through the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness. The "Gold Medal Waters" of the Gunnison Gorge are famous for its world-class Rainbow and Brown trout fishing, insect hatches, geology, and wildlife, but sees moderate use because of its remote location, and challenging access.
Deluxe Float n' Fish Multi-Day
The Deluxe Trip format is designed with one thing in mind, you - the client. Due to excellent customer feedback and our desire to provide the most comprehensive high end product available, we are pleased to anounce the lastest additions to the Gunnison Gorge Deluxe format including:
Our Deluxe trip also provides a more intimate experience with smaller client group sizes, additional amenities and services, and a dedecated gear boat allows for lighter rafts and inturn you to spend more time exploring the pools and runs of the Gunnison River Gorge. Our gear boat goes ahead to set-up camp and prepare for our arrival! Both you and your guide can now focus on fishing as there is no rush to set up camp, why not chase big fish all day?
Join us for the ideal way to see the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Gorge- from the inside! a true wilderness experience, this 14 mile river section combines wildlife and scenery with class 111-1V whitewater through one of the most spectacular canyons in North America. We drive from the RIGS fly shop in Ridgway to the trail head at the canyon rim. From there, we hike the 1.1 mile trail to the river. After gearing up and reviewing trip considerations, we start floating and fishing the pools and runs of the Gunnison Gorge.
The "Gold Medal Waters" of the Gunnison Gorge are famous for it's world class Rainbow and Brown trout fishing. This fishery comands serious respect as the CDOW conducts population census on a annual basis. There are 8,700 catchable fish per mile and over 200 fish per mile over 18", add 425 lbs per sample acre and you have something special. World renowned for the "Stone Fly Hatch", the Gunny also plays host to many "other" fine insect hatches making for a true bug factory. While the Gunnison River sees moderate use, the Gorge, because of it's remote location and chalenging access recieves the least angling presure of all the floatable sections.
This unique desert environment also plays host to a diverse array of wildlife including Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer, Elk and although seldom seen many preditors inhabit the canyon as well as a wide variety of birds of prey inluding Golden Eagles and Osprey. If you can take your eye off the fly for a moment, you'll witness breath taking geology as some of the oldest rock in North America is exsposed making for stunning scenery. Don't forget your camera as you join us for a unforgetable experience.
Standard Float n' Fish Muti-Day
Join us for the ideal way to see the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Gorge - from the inside! A true wilderness experience, this 14 mile river section combines wildlife and scenery with class III-IV whitewater through one of the most spectacular canyons in Colorado.
The RIGS Standard Trip is very popular with our customers, we might just as well call it the deluxe because it truely rivals anything else out there (Look @ "The 2009 Deluxe trip" for upgrades and format differences). On the Standard trip we combine two clients and a guide per boat and divide the gear up accordingly as there is no deadicated gear boat. The client group size is limited to 8 persons per launch (6 on the Deluxe format).
The "Gold Medal Waters" of the Gunnison Gorge are famous for its world-class Rainbow and Brown trout fishing. This fishery comands serious respect as there are 8700 catchable fish per mile and over 200 fish per mile over 18 inches, add 425 lbs per sample acre and you have something special. World Renowned for the "Stone Fly Hatch", the Gorge also plays host to many "other" fine insect hatches making for a true bug factory. While the Gunnison River sees moderate use, the Gorge, because of its remote location and challenging access recieves the least angling presure of all the floatable sections.
This unique desert environment also plays host to a diverse array of wildlife including Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer, Elk although seldom seen many prediators inhabit the Canyon as well as a wide variety of birds of prey including Golden Eagles and Osprey. If you can take your eye of the fly for a moment, you'll also get witnessing breathtaking geology as some of the oldest rock in North America is exposed making for stunning scenery. Don't forget your camera as you come join us for a unforgetable experience.
High Alpine Trout Fishing
High alpine fishing at its best! With their headwaters protected in the Big Blue Wilderness, the three different forks of the Cimarron River offer endless fishing for rainbow, cutthroat and brook trout in the heart of the San Juan Mountains.
"You'll be amazed by the diversity of landscape, from alpine tundra to majestic spires, pinnacles and castles blocking the sun to dark, green forests carpeting steep mountains. And water, water everywhere."
Walk and wade the Uncompahgre River and its Tributaries in Ridgway State Park. Southern Colorado's newest tail water fishery below Ridgway Reservoir, offers anglers a chance to discover an unparalleled fishing experience year-round. Extensive rehabilitation has resulted in prime habitat for Rainbow, Brown, and Cut-throat trout with catch and release waters revealing deep runs and large pools. Whether you are a veteran or novice, our certified professional guides will provide you with a quality angling experience.
This stretch of river lies within Ridgway State Park. A park pass is required on all vehicles.
Remote Tailwaters
RIGS newest section of permitted water and a traditional Guides favorite, the lower sections of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River offers low pressure and a spectacular setting. Early Season Stonefly nymph fishing is exceptional, with a myriad of potential for additional late afternoon hatches. This section, from Red Bridge down river, turns into a classic granite canyon similar to the lower Gunnison River. Aggressive Brown and Rainbow Trout dominate over 5 miles of easily accessible water and opportunities for solitude are great.
Fall - Winter Favorite
A major tributary to the Gunnison River, the lower Cimarron harbors mostly Rainbow trout in late fall as fish seeking spawning habitat move up the confluence of the Cimarron and Gunnison River. This section is typically fished in conjunction with the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, or Upper Cimarron River, on our full-day trips.
Spring Valley Ranch is the crown jewel of Colorado's Uncompahgre Valley. This historical and private sixty-one acre ranch is pocketed with numerous spring fed ponds and a private spring creek which meanders through this beautiful setting. With two National Conservation Awards for habitat restoration and enhancement, Spring Valley is a haven for gigantic trout. With our exclusive access, we are able to guarantee you an unsurpassed fishing experience.
A $75 fee applies to all Full Day Private Water Trips
Fish n' Camp
RIGS newest section of permitted water and a traditional Guides favorite, the lower sections of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River offers low pressure and a spectacular setting. Early Season Stonefly nymph fishing is exceptional, with a myriad of potential for additional late afternoon hatches. This section, from Red Bridge down river, turns into a classic granite canyon similar to the lower Gunnison River. Aggressive Brown and Rainbow Trout dominate over 5 miles of easily accessible water and opportunities for solitude are great. We provide all the camping gear, food and entertainment for this trip back in time, when fly fishing was a true back country experience!
Wilderness Fish n' Camp
Backcountry Anglers Multi-Day
A combination trip of two of our most popular resources equals "the best of the best" in high alpine fishing access and remote camping opportunities. Spend three full days fishing a diversity of waters in the heart of the Uncompahgre Wilderness. This trip includes a loop tour of both the Cimarron River and its tributaries as well the choice sections of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. We provide all the camping gear, food and entertainment for this trip back in time, when fly fishing was a true back county experience!
The lower section of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River offers low pressure and a spectacular setting. Early Season Stonefly nymph fishing is exceptional, with a myriad of potential for additional late afternoon hatches. This section, from Red Bridge down river, turns into a classic granite canyon similar to the lower Gunnison River. Aggressive Brown and Rainbow Trout dominate over 5 miles of easily accessible water and opportunities for solitude are great.
With their headwaters protected in the Big Blue Wilderness, the three different forks of the Cimarron River offer endless fishing for rainbow, cutthroat and brook trout in the heart of the San Juan Mountains.
Co-instructed by: Bruegeman & Whiting
This clinic is designed for graduates from our 101 and Women's Clinic (prerequisite) and will specifically focus on "On the Water Techniques." Spend the day with Instructors learning the necessary techniques associated with catching trout! We begin at the shop for a brief orientation and then head to the water for instruction in casting technique, line mending, reading the water and entomology.
Register early as class size is limited. Age restrictions may apply. Students are responsible for the following items: Rod & Reel, Waders & Boots - these items can be rented from RIGS, Fishing License, hat, sunscreen, water bottle, rain jacket (available at RIGS) notebook & pen, snack or lunch and transportation.
