HOTCHKISS FISHING FIELD GUIDE
Three Days on the Gunnison Gorge: Float, Fish, and Read the Precambrian Walls
A three-day, 14-mile guided float fishing trip from Gunnison River Expeditions that pairs world-class rainbow and brown trout fishing with whitewater and ancient canyon scenery.
Three Days on the Gunnison Gorge: Float, Fish, and Read the Precambrian Walls.
Fly fish for large wild rainbow and brown trout in the Gunnison Gorge, a Gold Medal trout fishery framed by Precambrian rock formations and punctuated by whitewater rapids and regular wildlife sightings.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
World-class trout in a renowned Gold Medal river
The Gunnison Gorge is celebrated among fly anglers for its productive waters, where guides focus on large wild rainbow and brown trout—the primary draw of this three-day float.
A 14-mile float through whitewater and canyon
The trip covers a 14-mile float that combines thrilling rapids with long, fishable runs—an outing that balances adrenaline with angling.
Precambrian walls and native wildlife
Beyond the fishing and rapids, expect to share the canyon with bighorn sheep, river otters, mule deer, eagles and chukar beneath some of the oldest exposed rock on Earth.
What the day feels like
What the three days feel like
Begin before dawn and descend into a narrow, ancient canyon to set a raft for a 14-mile float that alternates pulse-quickening rapids and long, fishable pools—guided by experienced staff who specialize in float fishing this Gold Medal fishery.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits—and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is a three-day guided trip covering a 14-mile float; advance booking is required to secure dates.
Pack personal angling gear as appropriate; guides provide river equipment staged at Chukar Beach. Operators use horses to pack heavier river equipment into the canyon ahead of launch.
Advanced reservations and a deposit are required to confirm trips; book online or call the operator to reserve a spot.
Meet at Pleasure Park at 6:00 AM for the 4‑wheel‑drive transfer to the trailhead; arrive prepared for an early departure.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the trip?
The guided itinerary is three days in length.
How many miles do we float?
The trip includes a 14-mile float segment through the Gunnison Gorge.
Where and when do we meet?
Clients meet at Pleasure Park at 6:00 AM for the transfer to the Chukar Trail trailhead.
Is there a minimum age or group-size limit?
The operator sets a minimum age of 9 and advertises groups up to 8 people; additionally, BLM regulations allow a maximum of 12 people per day on a single launch (clients plus guides).
Do I need to reserve in advance?
Yes—advanced reservations and a deposit are required to confirm fishing trips in the Gunnison Gorge.
Are one-day fishing trips offered in June?
One-day fishing trips are excluded in June due to overnight trip popularity.