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Montrose, Colorado
IN THE SUMMER OF
1934, a USGS topographer named
Robert O. Davis led an expedition into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison
to make a detailed map of the area for the National Park Service. In
his
party was the Reverend Mark T. Warner, who wrote that Davis “...was
quite
proficient in camp culinary art. Ordinarily I do a great deal of this
sort
of work in camp, but on this trip I was charged with the responsibility
of providing trout each day for the camp menu.
“However,” he continued, “I would have accomplished
more as a cook, for as a trout fisherman I proved almost a total
failure,
catching just one trout throughout the canyon trip. The others who
fished
met with the same results. We had nothing by way of bait or lure in
which
the trout were interested.”
Fortunately the river’s fishing history didn’t end with Mark Warner. Today the Gunnison is known not only as the second largest in Colorado, but for having more fish per mile than any other river in the state.
An abundance of brown trout—and in the faster water, rainbow—have made the 29-mile stretch from the Black Canyon National Park to the North Fork confluence a Colorado Gold Medal Fishery; what was once Colorado’s best kept fishing secret has become one of its most coveted fishing destinations. Individual anglers certainly try their luck on the Gunnison throughout the year, with varying degrees of success. But no matter how experienced you may be, the benefits that come from aknowledgeable local guide are invaluable. Commercial trips are run only from May through October, with a very limited number of permits issued.
Both the Ridgway Independent Guide Service (RIGS) and Scenic Mesa Ranch provide excursions down the Gunnison, offering everything from a single day wade to a three-day deluxe float trip. Just getting to the river is an adventure in itself; the Chukar put-in is at the end of a seven-mile four-wheel-drive road, followed by a 1.1-mile winding trail that cannot be used by anything other than pack animals or humans on foot.
RIGS guide
and co-founder Tim Patterson enjoys
the challenge this spectacular and remote river presents. “A lot of it
has to do with the way the boats are laid out,” says Tim. By changing
the
way they pack rafts (as well as the horses that negotiate the trail to
the water), they are able to bring quite a bit of “civilization” with
them.
“We bake apple pies right there on the river,”
he says, smiling broadly.
Upon reaching the Gunnison, here flowing slowly and purposefully through a deep channel, one might be lulled into the sense that the trip will be a peaceful float to the well-named Gunnison Pleasure Park at the take-out. But between the pool drops and riffles are Class II, III, and sometimes IV rapids, guaranteeing an exciting time regardless of how good the fishing might be.
While enjoyable, fortunately such diversions are largely unnecessary in the Gunnison Gorge. When asked how big the fish grow in this sensational river, Scenic Mesa Ranch Recreation Manager, Alan DeGrange, demurred, “It’s a trick question,” he laughed. But he would go far enough to allow that the fishing is excellent. “The Gunnison is an active aquatic insect stream. We recommend a 9-foot, 5- or 6-weight rod.”
Probably the biggest impediment to fishing in the Gunnison is the scenery. In addition to the dramatic cliff faces that from time to time run straight down to the green water, the wildlife viewing possibilities are inspiring. Eagles, peregrine falcon, bighorn sheep, mule deer, and even the odd mountain lion have been spotted from the river. And in the early summer, if you happen to float the river during the legendary Stone Fly hatch, the days are comfortably warm and the nights just cool enough.
The Ridgway Independent Guide service is located at 565 Sherman in Ridgway, and can be reached at (970) 626-4460 or on the web at www.fishrigs.com. Scenic Mesa Ranch is near Hotchkiss at 7183 Scenic Mesa Road, (970) 872-3078 and www.scenicmesa.com.
Photo Captions:
1. Photo courtesy RIGS.
2. Photo courtesy Scenic Mesa Ranch.
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