A short 11-mile drive down the canyon road from Taylor River Lodge, the East River meets the Taylor River to form the headwaters of the historic Gunnison, Colorado’s second largest river. And so begins our river’s amazing 164-mile journey through the Gunnison Valley. It cuts through to the Blue Mesa Reservoir, then the famous Black Canyon, and ultimately to Grand Junction where it joins the Colorado River. 

 

The Upper Gunnison River is pristine trout water, providing access to 26 miles of river from the headwaters in Almont to Blue Mesa Reservoir. With Eleven, you can float different stretches over multiple days with seasoned local guides in our custom-built drift boats. This is undoubtedly western trout fishing at its best.

• Season: June through September
• Best suited for adults and older teens. Previous fly fishing experience is a plus.

• 7–8 hour float trip with a private guide
  • 1 or 2 anglers per boat
• Lunch, snacks and drinks
• All gear, including rods/reels, waders and boots, tackle and flies
• Round trip transportation from the lodge to the river
• Happy hour casting clinic on Taylor River Lodge’s pond

Our premium angling products are offered at an additional cost per angler, per day and can be added to your nightly rate for individual days that you would like to fish.

If you are interested in one of our premium lodging and fishing packages for the duration of your stay, please contact us. 

All fishing packages must be booked in advance and are subject to availability. These angling products are only available to guests at Taylor River Lodge.

From early season nymph and streamer fishing to peak dry fly fishing during summer, you’ll enjoy chasing big rainbows and browns as you float through the heart of the beautiful Gunnison Valley. Our Eleven Angling guides are dialed into every feature of the river, as well as the insect hatches and related techniques. The best fishing of the season kicks off once the river settles after runoff, typically during mid to late June. With good flows, float trips are excellent all summer long and into fall.

Day 1: Welcome

• Afternoon arrival at Taylor River Lodge
• Welcome by Eleven staff and tour of the property
• Enjoy a drink and snack and settle into your accommodations
• Casting clinic/tune-up on the Taylor River Lodge pond (if needed or requested)
• Cocktails and chef-prepared dinner in the lodge

 

Day 2: Full-Day Fly Fishing Float

• Chef-prepared breakfast
• Start/launch time is usually 8–9 am, depending on time of the season and conditions
• Shuttle leaves the lodge about 30 minutes prior to meeting the guides at the put-in
• Float the Gunnison River from Almont down, with lunch on the river
• Après and Happy hour back at the lodge prior to your chef-prepared dinner

 

Day 3: Full-day Float Fishing

• Chef-prepared breakfast
• Shuttle to the river to meet your guides at the put-in
• Float the Gunnison River through the town stretch, with lunch on the river
• Relax back at the lodge with a soak in the pool or hot tub and swap stories from the river

 

Day 4 (optional): Full-day Fly Fishing Float 

• Chef-prepared breakfast
• Shuttle to the river to the meet your guides at the put-in
• Float the lower section of the Gunnison River or repeat a previous stretch, with lunch on the river
• Happy hour back at the lodge

Blue sky, emerald green pine trees and granite cliffs frame all of your adventures at Taylor River Lodge. The property is a private, eight-cabin retreat open from late May through mid-October. The off-the-grid location deep in Colorado’s Taylor Canyon is the perfect setting for friends, families and corporate groups to unplug and reconnect. Fishing is at the heart of the experience, with a trout pond and a mile stretch of semi-private river steps from the cabins, and the Gunnison River minutes away for float trips. The surrounding mountains offer rugged single track and scenic hiking trails, and the on-site, rock climbing wall, archery and hatchet throwing area will make you nostalgic for your Scout days. After a day outdoors, steam and soak in the Bathhouse or cozy up in the main lodge with a good book. Evenings take on a campfire vibe with stargazing around the communal fire pit.