This past summer we floated the Gunnison Gorge, a famed stretch of the Gunnison River in Western Colorado. The river winds through steep canyon walls, best accessible by boat and full of trout. For this trip there is no team better than the crew at RIGS Fly Shop. They’ve built their operation on offering premium multi-day wilderness trips. After fishing and floating the river we knew this trip was something special. We partnered with RIGS to offer a trip down the Gunnison Gorge and an exclusive gear package for one lucky reader. Follow along as the team from RIGS takes us through this incredible fishery.
Flylords: What makes the Gunnison Gorge such a special fishery in your eyes?
RIGS: The Gunnison Gorge is a deep canyon guarded by countless miles of inaccessible wilderness seldom visited by anglers. This allows for wild reproduction of hard-fighting trout, not to mention the deep biodiversity of the canyon, plentiful hatches and terrestrial life, reliable flows, and cool water temps. In other words its a trout fishermans paradise.
Flylords: What’s the story behind how RIGS started guiding in the Gunnison Gorge?
RIGS: We had the perfect location in Ridgway, prior fly-fishing guiding experience, and technical whitewater experience (imperative) to train staff and cultivate new ideas for offering the best trip possible. When the opportunity to purchase an outfitter arose, we were well-positioned for the journey. I had already cut my teeth 10 years before starting RIGS as a guide, with experience outfitting multi-day wilderness trips and a degree in recreation management, so when the opportunity came up, it was a logical progression and a calculated risk.
Flylords: What sets RIGS’ approach apart from other guide services running this section?
RIGS: Our approach is based on a foundation of sound guide training, a high-quality guest experience focused on maximizing fishing time on the water, and old-school customer service. This fly fishing “trip of a lifetime” is deserving of the title, and while we can’t always control conditions, we strive to craft a well-tuned wilderness adventure.
Flylords: What kind of prep goes into making the experience seamless for your guests?
RIGS: At RIGS we never cut corners. We are constantly reinvesting in redundancies for our program to ensure safety and a smooth flow. Due to the remote wilderness nature and technical whitewater on this section, it’s essential to create systems we can rely on and constantly strive to improve and build upon the experience year to year. It’s an incredible amount of work and logistics to pull off a trip of this nature, and to have it noticed by our guests and exceed their expectations is a true honor.
Flylords: What are some of the most common reactions guests have after their first float?
RIGS: Our guest consistently have their expectications blown away. Visiting a world-class gold medal trout fishery is one thing, but having it situated in such a dramatically beautiful and remote setting, while getting spoiled with fantastic meals and creature comforts, forces guests to reflect on the rapture of pristine beauty and the silence of this pristine canyon.
Flylords: Any favorite flies you’re willing to share that work well in the Gorge?
RIGS: All top secret, of course, and requires a visit to our fly shop to show off the curated selection of just the right fly patterns to make your Gunnison Gorge visit a success! But seriously folks—don’t miss the opportunity (too many great flies to speak of!)
Flyords: How would you describe the Gorge to someone who’s never been there?
RIGS: Awe-inspiring—like a warm blanket you want to cuddle into and never leave! Although it is rugged and unforgiving in nature, traveling the river by raft through the serene pool drop bends feels like a new adventure, and angling and exploration await around every corner. If you stare at your fly the whole time and never look up to take it all in, you’re truly missing the magic of this world-class destination.
Flylords: RIGS has been involved in conservation efforts with Trout Unlimited. Can you share more about that?
RIGS: Supporting a collective voice like Trout Unlimited (TU) to speak out for the protection and enhancement of trout fisheries at a higher level is an essential responsibility of all fly anglers. Conservation, protection, and enhancement in our region come in many forms, and over the last 25 years, RIGS has supported Trout Unlimited and other like-minded conservation groups in countless ways (F3T host, giveaways, donations, local fundraisers, etc.). However, we rely most on TU to be an advocate for the preservation of local resources and to fight the good fight as a powerful, collective voice at the legislative level.
Fllyords: What does responsible guiding mean to RIGS, and how do you teach that to your team?
RIGS: We hold this one dear, and it is something we take very personally in our training and the character we look for in what makes a good guide great. Stewardship of these resources we are so fortunate enough to be a part of is our primary duty as a team, and responsible guiding is at the forefront of that. We want our guests to walk away from an experience less wrapped up in how many/how big a fish they caught, and more of a sense of what is so special about time on the water and the quality of what they learned.
Flylords: What excites you most about teaming up for this Gunny Gorge Giveaway?
RIGS: We want to provide an opportunity for folks to experience this fantastic location as an early kick-off in celebration of RIGS’ 25th Anniversary in 2026. Fly anglers are a small community, and partnering with solid brands to share the stoke of fly fishing is a great way for us to come together to celebrate our collective passion for the sport through the eyes of some lucky winners! The Gunny Gorge Giveway is just the beginning of our celebration of 25 Years in business and sharing memories through the lens of fly fishing! Join our mailing list to get involved with more giveaway opportunities in celebration!
Enter the Gunny Gorge Giveaway for your chance to expereince this gold medal trout water and win an exclusive prize package.
