Fishing at Three Rivers Resort

Fly Fishing

WILLOWFLY ANGLERS AT THREE RIVERS RESORT

Operating for over 30 years, we offer experienced fly fishing guides, excellent private water options, and a full service fly shop. We are the only Orvis Endorsed Outfitter in the Upper Gunnison Valley. The Orvis distinction means that we are held to the high standards of the Orvis Company and we offer a full line of their products. Our trip offerings include Walk/Wade, Float, Private Water, and Educational Clinics.

How was your guided trip with us? 
ORVIS REVIEWS – Read One, Leave One!

Float Trips

To ensure the very best experience on your guided trip, we ask that you contact us directly to book. Call 970-641-1303 or 1-888-761-FISH (3473). OR contact us via email at: [email protected].
# People    | 1/2 Day Trip  | Full Day Trip     
 1 or 2 |  $500 |  $600
Trips include all guide, flies, rod/reel and waders (if needed) and lunch on full day trips. Gratuity, license and other food/tackle purchases are additional.

Walk / Wade Trips

To ensure the very best experience on your guided trip, we ask that you contact us directly to book. Call 970-641-1303 or 1-888-761-FISH (3473). OR contact us via email at: [email protected].
# People   | 1/2 Day Trip   | Full Day Trip   
1 | $350 | $425
2 | $425 | $500
3 | $550 | $625

Trips include all guide, flies, rod/reel and waders (if needed) and lunch on full day trips. Gratuity, license and other food/tackle purchases are additional.

Premium Walk / Wade Trips

To ensure the very best experience on your guided trip, we ask that you contact us directly to book. Call 970-641-1303 or 1-888-761-FISH (3473). OR contact us via email at:[email protected].
# People   | 1/2 Day Trip   | Full Day Trip
1 | $425 | $500
2 | $500 | $575
3 | $625 | $700

Trips include all guide, flies, rod/reel and waders (if needed) and lunch on full day trips. Gratuity, license and other food/tackle purchases are additional.

• Taylor River “Catch and Release” Section (year-round). This is a world-renowned trophy fishery with very limited USFS permits. Fishing here can be extremely technical, but the reward can be the fish of a lifetime. Due to the difficult nature of this fishery previous fly fishing experience is required. Availability of this trip depends on USFS permit usage.

• Backcountry Stream Locations (July/August). These select backcountry locations are known for beautiful scenery, wildlife sightings, and eager trout often willing to eat dry flies during the summer months. Wet wading is typical at these locations, so bring a dry change of clothes for the drive home. Due to the more remote nature of these rivers, an earlier meet time, and a longer drive time is required (1-2 hrs. each way). Hiking is also required (must be able to walk at least 30 minutes on a level trail). Full day trips only.

Private Lease Walk / Wade Trips

To ensure the very best experience on your guided trip, we ask that you contact us directly to book. Call 970-641-1303 or 1-888-761-FISH (3473). OR contact us via email at:[email protected].
# People   | Full Day Trip
1  | $500
2  | $655
3  | $860

Trips include all guide, flies, rod/reel and waders (if needed) and lunch on full day trips. Gratuity, license and other food/tackle purchases are additional.

Willowfly Anglers offers walk/wade fly fishing trips (full-day only) on our private leases. We have a variety of properties available for us to guide on. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, excellent fishing, and the solitude that fishing private water provides. You can fish as much as two miles of river and have it all to yourself for the entire day. Private water trips are based on availability and should be booked in advance.

Trampe’s – Gunnison River:   The Trampe ranch on the Gunnison River is just a few miles south of our fly shop. Here below the headwaters, the river grows in size as it rolls down through the ranch on its way to Blue Mesa Reservoir. Long riffles form productive runs. This property is generally wade fished at flows below 500 cfs for ease of wading. We also use this property as a put-in and take-out for our float trips.

Veltri’s – East River:  The Veltri ranch is located north of our fly shop, behind Mount Crested Butte. The scenery is breath-taking, especially during July at the peak of the wildflower season. In early fall, the golden leaves of the aspens are your backdrop. This wild trout fishery provides for a remote fly fishing experience, and an opportunity to view some of Colorado’s finest Rocky Mountain scenery. Generally we fish this stretch from June through August, and some years into September depending on conditions.

East River Anglers Club:  The East River Anglers Club (ERA) water is just a mile north of our fly shop. We guide the ERA on weekdays only. This section of the East River holds a high density of wild brown trout and some beautiful wild rainbows. Only guides who are ERA club members have access to guide this property, so book early! We typically fish this property from April through August. Some years we can fish into September depending on conditions.

Cebolla Creek:  Our lease on Cebolla Creek is near Powderhorn, Colorado (about 1 hr. from Almont). This is a beautiful small river which provides an easy wading experience and a high density of wild brown trout. Cebolla boasts very healthy aquatic insect life and hatches can create excellent dry fly fishing. We generally fish Cebolla from May through August. Typically flows are too low to fish here in September and later. We give this lease a minimum of 2 rest days before and after fishing dates so book early!

FOR ALL GUIDED TRIPS:

• Please call us to book your trip in advance. This is especially important during the peak season (June through September). We guide all year round.
• 50% deposit is due at the time of booking.
• Clients who cancel a fishing trip up to 14 days prior to the trip date will receive a refund of their deposit, less a cancellation fee of 10% of the total trip cost. For cancellations made within 14 days of the trip date, clients may forfeit deposit.
• Trip fees do not include fishing licenses, any additional tackle and associated taxes, and/or gratuities. Tipping is optional, and it is certainly appreciated by our guides. For tipping in general, our guides typically get anywhere from 20% to 30% of the base trip fee (and sometimes more). Clients should tip whatever they feel comfortable with, and they should base it on their overall experience.
• A Colorado fishing license is required for all anglers age 16 and over. We sell licenses in our shop but for the quickest service, we recommend purchasing yours in advance from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website. To purchase a license, you will need a driver’s license/ID card, social security number and proof of residency (if needed). For the fastest service in our shop have your previous Colorado blue license handy with the CID # so we do not need to re-enter all of your information.
• We do not allow pets on any guided trips.
• Polarized sunglasses are recommended for all fishing trips.

Responsibility and Liability: Fishing is an adventure sport that involves risk. We cannot be responsible for lost or damaged articles or personal injury. We are fully bonded insured and licensed but you participate at your own risk and must sign a waiver of liability for each trip, even if you have multiple trips in a row. Once we enter your reservation, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to an electronic waiver to complete prior to your arrival.

Three Rivers Outfitting is a member of the Colorado River Outfitting Association and America outdoors. Colorado Outfitting License #389-Colorado River License #D0092. All or part of this operation is conducted on public lands under special permit from the USFS, BLM &NPS. Three Rivers Outfitting is an Equal Opportunity Service Provider.

Spin Fishing

• Please call us to book your trip in advance. This is especially important during the peak season (June through September). We guide all year round.
• A 50% deposit is required at time of booking.
• Clients who cancel a fishing trip up to 14 days prior to the trip date will receive a refund of their trip fee less a cancellation fee of 10% of the total trip cost. For cancellations made within 14 days of the trip date, clients may forfeit their deposit.
• Trip fees do not include fishing licenses, any additional tackle and associated taxes, and/or gratuities. Tipping is optional, and it is certainly appreciated by our guides. For tipping in general, our guides typically get anywhere from 20% to 30% of the base trip fee (and sometimes more). Clients should tip whatever they feel comfortable with, and they should base it on their overall experience.
• A Colorado fishing license is required for all anglers age 16 and over. We sell licenses in our shop but for the quickest service, we recommend purchasing yours in advance from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website. To purchase a license, you will need a driver’s license/ID card, social security number and proof of residency (if needed). For the fastest service in our shop have your previous Colorado blue license handy with the CID # so we do not need to re-enter all of your information.
• We do not allow pets on any guided trips.
• Polarized sunglasses are recommended for all fishing trips.

Fly Shop

FLY SHOP AT THREE RIVERS RESORT

The fly shop at Three Rivers Resort is a full-service fly shop and Orvis authorized dealer. We carry a variety of products, including new lines of fly rods and reels, fly lines, waders, and more. We are well stocked with tackle and accessories, and have a selection of fishing shirts, hats, and sunglasses. For those who prefer spin fishing, we also offer a small selection of lures and other tackle.

Willowfly Anglers is the perfect place for anglers to start their day. Stock up on the essentials – leader, tippet, and flies – before you head to the river. We stock a wide range of quality flies and have patterns for all the hatches during the season. You can walk out of our shop and be on the river in minutes. We are a short walk to the Taylor River and also the headwaters of the Gunnison River.

Check in at the fly shop any time during the day or evening to get the latest reports on hatches and river conditions. Book a guided fishing trip with our guide service, Willowfly Anglers, or let us help you plan your day on the water. We carry books and maps of the area and have extensive knowledge of our rivers. When our fly shop employees aren’t working, they’re fishing, so they are an excellent resource. We also rent fishing gear, including fly rods/reels, spin rods/reels and waders/boots. Our rental inventory is used for our guided trips first, and once the trips are all out (usually by 9:30 AM), we can rent the remaining gear. Please check with the fly shop for pricing and availability.

During our main fishing season (April through October), the fly shop is open six to seven days a week. The hours vary and we stay open longer as the season progresses. During the peak summer months, the fly shop is open from 7 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week. Our resort is open year round, so visitors and customers have access to the fly shop during the winter months as well.

Fishing Guides

Willowfly provides the most professional and experienced guides in the Upper Gunnison Valley. Read about them in our customer reviews: ORVIS REVIEWS

Interested in becoming a Professional Fly Fishing Guide? Enroll in our Fly Fishing Guide School.

Eric Grand

Eric grew up fishing, hunting and skiing in Ashland Wisconsin on the south shore of Lake Superior. He moved to the Gunnison Valley in the fall of 1999 and quickly fell in love with the area and all of the incredible outdoor recreational opportunities, particularly the incredible year round fly fishing. Eric soon found himself spending time floating the river and fishing as much as possible. He began guiding professionally in the summer of 2003 and has been guiding full time since. Eric truly believes “it’s always a good day to go fishing.”

Dave Pinkerton
For 40 years, Dave has been fishing Colorado waters—the last decade as a guide at Willowfly Anglers. He’s a retired high school teacher who finds great joy in helping folks experience fly-fishing success. Beginners and experts alike benefit from his knowledge, patience, and easy going instruction. His “keep it simple” fishing approach helps young and old gain confidence, catch wild trout, and make lasting memories. He guides wade-walk trips on the many exceptional waters in Gunnison Valley.

Patrick Blackdale
Patrick is a Colorado Native who has been guiding since 2010.  Patrick is also the Assistant Outfitting Manager at Three Rivers, so you can often find him in the fly shop where he is happy to help you prepare for a day on the water. He guides float trips and walk/wade trips, and loves spending a day on the water with his wonderful clients. Patrick also has access to guide the East River Anglers Club (ERA). When he’s not guiding or in the fly shop he loves to travel, fish, and spend time with family. He lives in Almont, CO year-round.

Evan Hammans
Evan has been on the water almost every day since he first started fly fishing at age eight. Evan grew up fishing rivers in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico, chasing trout, bass and carp on the fly. Everyone in Evan’s family, even Gramma, has the fly fishing fever, and it is fitting that he began guiding trips. Evan grew up fishing with guides across Colorado and New Mexico, helping him learn the ins and outs of fly fishing. He began his fishing career with the High Desert Angler in Santa Fe New Mexico, at age 15, and started guiding at age 16. His knowledge and passion for fly fishing grew greater with every season on the water. Evan now attends Western State Colorado University, pursuing a degree in Biology, and started guiding for Willowfly Anglers in 2017. His passion for the Gunnison valley extends beyond fly fishing as he leads the Gunnison Sockeyes Conservation and Fly fishing club at Western State, donating community service hours to trash pick-up projects, and volunteering through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Apart from school and work, Evan spends most of his time floating and fishing the Gunnison valley, enjoying all of the great fishing that the area has to offer. Evan’s favorite part about guiding, is creating valuable memories for his clients, and sharing the excitement that fly fishing offers every day. You can find Evan in the fly shop, or on the water almost any day!

Skyler Reinecke
Skyler was born in Mount Vernon WA, but his parents moved back to the Gunnison Valley in 1993 where his love of fishing, floating and outdoor recreation was shaped. He and his brother found his dad’s old bamboo fly rod in the garage around the age of 13 and has been fly fishing ever since. After spending time in Washington at a fly shop and Alaska guiding float trips, he completed the Willowfly Anglers Fly Fishing Guide School in 2018 and has been guiding for Willowfly Anglers since. Growing up on the Gunnison River and surrounding water he has an in-depth knowledge of both the rivers and history of Gunnison. Always eager and enthusiastic to teach, Skyler’s favorite part of guiding is watching an angler put their new skills into practice to create and nurture a lifetime passion. When not on the water he enjoys mountain biking, rafting, hunting and skiing.

 

Will Coates

Will grew up in Oklahoma chasing bass, but quickly became addicted to trout on the fly rod in Fort Collins during college. He has guiding experience at a remote lodge in Alaska and joined Willowfly staff in 2020. Will guides float trips and walk/wade trips for all experience levels and is always excited to get on the water with anyone. Specializing in euro/tightline and streamer fishing, Will always has a new technique or fly to show you. You can find Will stalking the banks of one of the many lakes and rivers around Almont or behind the vise tying flies.

Cam Chioffi

Cam was born in Fort Collins Colorado, but his family promptly moved to Massachusetts where he was raised outside the city of Boston. At the age of 14, he attended his first US Youth Fly Fishing Team Clinic in State College, PA where mentors like George Daniels, Joe Humpreys, and Lance Wilt taught him the techniques that take trout more effectively in rivers than any other method. Since then Cam has become the most decorated youth angler the international competitive fly fishing circuit has seen. He began his guiding career in 2015 guiding float trips on the phenomenal rivers nestled in the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts. Cam Guides walk/wade trips for Willowfly Anglers in the spring and fall seasons. It is Cam’s mission to share his passion and knowledge for the sport, promote stewardship for our natural resources, and bring a fresh perspective to the sport of fly fishing.