Six Fishing Events & Angler Vacation Deals Add to Lure of Gunnison County, Colorado

GUNNISON-CRESTED BUTTE, COLORADO (April 3, 2012) - With hundreds of miles of scenic waterways and approximately 3 million new fish released each year from the state's Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery, Gunnison County is an excellent choice for a fishing vacation.

Blue Mesa Lake, Taylor Reservoir and Gunnison, East, Taylor and Crystal Rivers are among the many exceptional habitats for kokanee salmon, northern pike, mountain whitefish and brown, rainbow, cutthroat, brook and Mackinaw trout.  In fact, the county holds state records for brown, rainbow and lake trout and kokanee salmon.  There also is a plethora of fishing events in summer and fall and great deals on fishing packages.

Gary Giudice, a contributor to www.ESPNOutdoors.com, and his fishing buddy Ed Weber scoured Colorado-which they deem the best trout state-searching for the best trout streams in 2010.  "The Gunnison [River], perhaps better known as ‘The Gunny,' is, in our humble opinion, the best overall freestone trout river in America. Bountiful bugs and trout, beautiful scenery and happy people are the river's values," Giudice says.  "The town of Gunnison may very well be the center of the trout-fishing universe. Everyone and everything seems to focus on the trout fishing. The fly shops are great and the river outfitters are the best we've encountered."

The pair also recommended Spring Creek east of Crested Butte, the East River near Almont and Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery. To view a list of fishing outfitters and shops in Gunnison, Almont and Crested Butte, visit www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com.

FISHING EVENTS
Gunnison Kiwanis Club Blue Mesa Lake Fishing Tournament, May 5 - 6 
The Gunnison Kiwanis Club has earned a stellar reputation for its Blue Mesa Lake Fishing Tournament, which quickly sells out the 120 team spots available.  Teams of two will start at Elk Creek Marina and all species of fish taken from Blue Mesa Lake and are at least 12 inches in size may be entered into the competition except suckers, lake trout (Mackinaw), perch and northern pike.  The entry fee is $125 per team.  For information and a registration form, visit www.GunnisonChamber.com.

Weekend Warriors Outdoors & Gunnison Chamber Fishing Tournament, May 19 - 20
There are now two chances to compete on Blue Mesa Lake in May with the second annual Weekend Warrior Outdoors and Gunnison Chamber Fishing Tournament on May 19 - 20.  A total of 120 spots are available for teams of two (or teams of three including a youth under age 16) fishing for rainbow and brown trout (no kokanee salmon, perch or pike will be accepted).  Four fish can be submitted for competition per day.  The cost is $120 per team, with proceeds benefiting the Gunnison Chamber of Commerce.  For information and a registration form, visit www.GunnisonChamber.com.

Kids Fishing & Outdoor Sports Derby, May 26
As part of the Gunnison Growler Weekend over Memorial Day, the City of Gunnison is hosting a Kids Fishing & Outdoor Sports Derby on May 26, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., at Jorgensen Park.  Kids up and there also will be an archery range, 22 shooting trailer, educational booths and lunch available, all for free!  For information call the Parks and Recreation Department at (970) 641-8060. 

12th Annual Taylor Park Marina Fishing Derby, June 9
Cash prizes will be presented for longest northern pike, largest pike by weight, most pike caught, and largest trout caught in the Taylor Park Reservoir.  Registration begins at 6 a.m., with eligible fishing times between 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.  Registration for the kids' division is free (non-cash prizes).  Everyone receives a door prize.  For information about the derby and the entry fee, contact Taylor Park Marina at (970) 641-2922 (in season) or (303) 908-7160 or visit www.taylorparkmarina.com. 

11th Annual Caddis Cup Fly-Fishing Tournament, July 19 - 20 
Catch the biggest flopper or tell the biggest whopper during the Crested Butte Land Trust Caddis Cup fly-fishing tournament.  Participants are invited to an opening barbecue on July 19 at Cement Creek Ranch, where guides are matched with competitors to plot strategy.  The next morning, each pair heads into the wilds for catch-and-release fly-fishing adventures in the valley's most prized (and secret) fishing holes.  At day's end, everyone gathers for prizes, tall fish tales and a cocktail party, all on behalf of land conservation.  The event entry fee is $600.  Registration can be taken by phone at 970.349.1206 or email at events@cblandtrust.org.

22nd Annual Superfly Fishing Tournament, Sept. 7 - 8
The Gunnison Angling Society, founded in 1969 and a local chapter of Trout Unlimited, is hosting its 22nd annual Superfly fishing tournament on Sept. 7 - 8.  The tournament will be a classic two-fly contest, meaning each two-person team has to choose the two flies they will be fishing with for the duration of the tournament to catch as many inches of trout as possible.  A reception will be held in Almont on Friday night to discuss rules, meet guides and draw locations for the next morning and afternoon.  One section of private water and one public section will be fished in two competitive sessions on Saturday, concluding with a banquet and awards ceremony that evening in Almont.  All ages and skill levels are encouraged to participate.  The registration fee for each team is $500. 

For more information, visit www.gunnisontu.org.  Anyone is welcome to attend Trout Unlimited meetings at Almont Resort.  Check the website for a meeting schedule. 

GREAT FISHING TRIPS & SAVINGS
Surrounded by the Gunnison National Forest and situated at the confluence of three of Colorado's best fishing rivers, Three Rivers Resort in Almont is the perfect getaway for fly-fishing school suitable for anglers of all ability levels.  Participants work one-on-one with instructor guides from the on-site, Orvis-endorsed outfitting service Willowfly Anglers to learn casting techniques, essential knots, stream entomology, equipment selection, reading water and more.  A basic package starts at $392 per person (based on two people) and includes two nights' lodging in a modern riverfront cabin, one full day of professional fly-fishing instruction, all fishing equipment and lunch.  This package is available from March 1 - May 24, 2012. 

Spring fishing before the runoff is one of the best times of the year to cast a line, and Willowfly Anglers guides will show you the best techniques and places to go. For just $285 per person, enjoy two nights' lodging at Three Rivers Resort in a premium two-bedroom cabin on the Taylor River with private hot tub plus a two person all-day walk/wade fly fishing trip. This fishing trip includes professional guide, equipment and lunch and is offered until May 24, 2012.

Lodging taxes and fishing licenses are not included in either package, and customized options are available.  Packages must be reserved in advance. Call (888) 761-FISH for the details or visit www.willowflyanglers.com or www.3riversresort.com.

Visitor Information & Personalized Vacation Packages
To request visitor information or to book other personalized vacation packages, visit www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com or call (800) 814-8893.  Also find the Tourism Association on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gcbta or follow us on www.twitter.com/gcbta. 

During summer and fall, air access to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport is provided by United Airlines.

About Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado
Gunnison-Crested Butte is nestled among almost two million acres of pristine wilderness in southwest Colorado.  Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing.  Gunnison-Crested Butte is also a haven for outdoor summer activities.  In the warmer months, visitors can choose from recreational activities such as hiking, climbing, mountain biking, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding.  Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, unique shops and stimulating cultural opportunities, and have a wide range of lodging options - from rustic inns to guest cabins and bed-and-breakfasts to full-service resort hotels. 

Gunnison, county seat and a real western town, is home to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, Gunnison Whitewater Park, Gunnison Valley Observatory, Pioneer Museum and Western State College, which offers bachelor's and master's degrees in liberal arts and sciences and pre-professional fields.  Both Crested Butte and Gunnison have thriving historic central business districts packed with shopping and dining opportunities. 

Recognized as the "Official Wildflower Capital of Colorado" by the Colorado Legislature and one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" in 2008, Crested Butte is 28 miles from Gunnison and the site of rich mining, ranching and skiing heritage and home to the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame.  Only three miles up the road is the resort village of Mt. Crested Butte, home to the ski area, an active base area, the area's conference center, and outstanding hiking and biking trails. 

Marble is located in the Upper Crystal River Valley along the Elk Mountains and is the gateway to nearby Crystal, home to one of the most photographed mill sites in the country. Marble has seven sites on the National Register of Historic Places and is the location of the Yule Marble Quarry.

In Gunnison County, visitors will find the Curecanti National Recreation Area, where dinosaur fossils were recently discovered; the Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado's largest body of water and home to the largest kokanee salmon fishery in the United States; and The Black Canyon of the Gunnison, one of our country's newest national parks.  Gunnison County includes the quaint and historic towns of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup, Marble, Powderhorn, Almont and Crystal, plus the better-known communities of Gunnison, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.  Gunnison County is part of the West Elk Loop and Silver Thread Scenic & Historic Byways.

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Photo by Three Rivers Resort

For a Word version of this press release, click on the link below.

Contact:                        Beth Buehler                                                 

                                    Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association                 

                                    (970) 349-1168, (970) 901-6970 cell or bethbuehler@qwestoffice.net