HOTCHKISS FISHING FIELD GUIDE
Canyon Runs and Wild Trout: Two Days Floating and Fly-Fishing the Gunnison Gorge
A guided two-day, 14-mile float through the Gunnison Gorge with world-class trout fishing, canyon scenery, and guided services from Gunnison River Expeditions.
Canyon Runs and Wild Trout: Two Days Floating and Fly-Fishing the Gunnison Gorge.
Fly fishing in the Gunnison Gorge is renowned for large wild rainbow and brown trout, dramatic Precambrian canyon walls and a mix of whitewater and calm pools; Gunnison River Expeditions runs two-day float trips that combine expert guiding with a 14-mile river float and prolific fishing in one of the nation’s top trout fisheries.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Big Wild Trout in a Gold-Medal Fishery
The Gunnison Gorge is prized for large wild rainbow and brown trout and is considered one of the most productive fisheries in the United States, making the float as much about casting as it is about river travel.
Ancient Rock and River Rapids
The float threads dramatic Precambrian rock formations—some of the oldest exposed rock on Earth—while offering stretches of exciting rapids and broad canyon views that frame every cast.
Frequent Wildlife Sightings
Expect to spot native Colorado wildlife from the river: bighorn sheep on the cliffs, river otters and mule deer along the banks, eagles on thermals and wild chukar on the slopes.
What the day feels like
What Two Days on the Gunnison Feels Like
The trip begins before dawn at Pleasure Park and shifts quickly from a 4WD approach and a moderate descent to Chukar Beach into a day spent perched in rafts, casting into runs and pockets while guides read water and manage the boat; horses bring gear into the canyon ahead of time, and over two days you float roughly 14 miles of mixed water, fishing prime runs and scanning canyon walls for wildlife.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits — and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
You are responsible for purchasing a Colorado fishing license before the trip; a license is required for anyone 16 and older and cannot be purchased at Pleasure Park (buy online or by phone).
An additional gear boat can be booked for more space and to reduce guide camp duties; gear-boat pricing and availability vary by season and demand.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Do I need a Colorado fishing license for this trip?
Yes. You must purchase a Colorado fishing license before the trip; anyone 16 or older needs a license. Pleasure Park does not sell licenses—purchase online or by phone.
How do I reserve a trip and is a deposit required?
Advanced reservations are required and a deposit is needed to confirm fishing trips in the Gunnison Gorge; contact the operator online or call the provided phone number for booking.
What ages are allowed on the trip?
Trips accept participants age 9 and older; confirm any specific age requirements or youth policies with the operator when booking.
What is the maximum group size?
Per BLM regulations the operator is allowed a maximum of 12 people per day on a single launch date (this limit includes clients and guides); individual trip capacity may be limited—confirm when booking.
Can I book an extra boat for more space or gear?
Yes. Booking an additional gear boat is optional; some anglers use it for more room or to free guides from camp duties—note that in high-demand periods pricing may reflect peak demand.
What time and where do trips begin?
The adventure begins at Pleasure Park at 6:00 AM with a 4-wheel drive ride to the Chukar Trail trailhead before hiking into the canyon to launch.