Guided River Trips:
Float-Fishing
Walk-Wade
Wade-Float Combo
Fly-fishing from the vantage of a raft or drift boat is an unforgettable experience. Long, effortless drifts, unfettered access to all the productive water, a better view of the fish, and, of course, the pure enjoyment of boating, combine to reward our guests with more than just trout. With 85% of our float-fishing business coming from repeat customers, some of whom join us as often as four times a season, float-fishing with ArkAnglers has become a Colorado tradition.
Our float trips typically depart from our Arkansas River Fly Shop in Salida, though we also offer trips from our ArkAnglers Fly Shop in Buena Vista. The upstream trips are best enjoyed from May-September where the Salida-based trips are available from March through October. Float trips are optimal for guests who already have some basic fly-fishing skills – total beginners may do better by beginning with a wade trip.
Half-Day Float Trip
This is an excellent trip for people who want to try float-fishing or have a schedule to keep. From Salida, we run this trip through the pasture country upstream of town or into Bighorn Sheep Canyon downstream of town. From Buena Vista, we float from Johnson’s Village to Ruby Mountain. Trips meet at either fly shop in-season at 8:00 am or 1:30 pm.
1 Angler $225, 2 Anglers $250.
Full Day Float Trip
Fish where the shore-based angler can only dream about as we float through areas with difficult access or private property. The full-day trip includes time to stop and wade, enjoy a riverside lunch, and experience the full range of feeding patterns during the day. Our Buena Vista trips include either Wildhorse or Browns Canyon and our Salida trips are run in Bighorn Sheep Canyon. Trips meet at either fly shop at 8:00 am.
1 Angler $315, 2 Anglers $375.
Summer Half-day Evening Float
This is a great way to experience late-day fishing action while avoiding recreational rafting and other daytime crowds on and around the river during the height of the summer season. Departure is from our Salida shop only, and meets at 3:00 p.m. Call us at (719)539-3474 for available trip dates.
1 Angler $225, 2 Anglers $250.
Guided Walk-Wade Trips
ArkAnglers has the most experienced fly-fishing guides on the Arkansas River and private access to two miles of the river’s best water. Improve your technique and presentation, learn tactics for wild brown trout, or simply enjoy the serenity and solitude of fishing our water. Trips from our Salida shop are normally conducted on our two miles of private water located near Wellsville. The trips from our Buena Vista shop are conducted on public water in the Wildhorse Canyon area or upstream in the high meadows of Hayden Flats. Trips from Buena Vista are available from April-October and trips from Salida are available year-round.
Half-Day Walk-Wade Trip
Half-day trips are an excellent way for a novice to learn the basics and get a real taste of fly-fishing. Our guides enjoy introducing beginners to the sport and we have all necessary equipment available for rent at both shops. More experienced anglers will enjoy the access to our private water while learning techniques for fishing the Arkansas. Half-day trips meet at either fly-shop in-season at 8:00 am. and 1:00 pm.
1 Angler $175, 2 Anglers $225.
Full-Day Walk-Wade Trip
Full-day trips are the best start a fly-fishing novice can get! For beginners, the morning instruction focuses on rigging your equipment and knot tying, fly-casting and fishing techniques, and learning to read the water. After lunch (included), the afternoon is spent fishing our private water with your guide. More experienced anglers will enjoy the full day of fishing this multi-faceted water while gaining plenty of new insight into technique from our guides. Trips meet at either fly shop at 8:00 am.
1 Angler $275, 2 Anglers $335.
Never-Ever Wade Package
Do you want to try flyfishing without worrying about all the equipment and arrangements? Our popular Never-Ever Package trip includes everything you need to get a taste of this exciting sport. We provide all the equipment and flies. You will matched up with one of our excellent teaching guides for your first flyfishing adventure. The Half-day trips meet at either fly-shop in-season at 8:00 am and 1:00 pm; Full-day trips meet at 8:00 am.
Half-day: 1 Angler $195, 2 Anglers $260Full-day: 1 Angler $295, 2 Anglers $370.
Wade-Float Packages
Two-Day Combination
There is simply no better way to experience all the Arkansas River has to offer than through one of our combination trips. Enjoy an afternoon of guided wade fishing and a full-day float trip the following day. Day One is an intensive instructional situation that will give you a great foundation for all of the water and fish you will encounter on Day Two. We are glad to help you arrange motel or bed and breakfast accommodations for your stay. Trips meet at either office at 1:00 pm.on Day One and at 8:00 am. on Day Two.
1 Angler $440, 2 Anglers $550.
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