I am a recent subscriber, but I have to say, from one fly fisherman to another I truly appreciate your videos. You have a great talent for not only fly fishing but capturing what most fly fishermen truly enjoy about the experience. Thank you!!
Am addicted to your channel. A lot of fly fishing channels out there have the excellent cinematography and production you do, but unlike them, you shou us how, and most importantly WHERE we commonors can try and catch great Fish. I actually learn something from your vids, rather than just look at pretty scenery while someone els catches fish. Thank you
Absolutely one of THE best fly fishing videos on YT! Great production, video quality, action captures, music...everything in this video was perfect. GREAT host as well. You are very talented at fly fishing. Keep rocking these videos out.
That rainbow at 9:00 is amazing! There are TONS more like that in the Blue River in Silverthorne. It's a very popular stretch of water, but the trout there are HUGE
I took one of those today and broke my 3wt trout spey at the cork. Oddly enough it got me to switch for swinging soft hackles on my scandi line to switching to my 4wt with a Skagit and a bushy streamer that got me my only fish of the day. 16" brown crushed it literally the second it splashed down on the opposite bank after a 60' cack handed double spey.
Brand new fly fisherman here, and this is the first video I’ve ever watched on the sport and I’m absolutely hooked! Thank you so much for sharing your talent and love for the sport.
Your the freaking man!! Great video! What an adventure! Hard hike, injury’s, and big fish make for a great story. Keep up the good work. Your my favorite to watch! Much love from Missouri!
@@FLYALLSZN Yes! And cant forget the scenery! I’ve had a hard year like many other people have had and I haven’t been able to fish much. Your videos keep my passion alive and remind me I will be fishing again soon!
My Dad loved Gunnison, it was our family vacation every year. The owners of the Gunnison Motel kept a stocked piece of back water for guests , it was a blast.
The Gunnison flowing through the Black Canyon has always been on my bucket list. Happy I stumbled upon your video Mike. Absolutely enjoyed! Beautiful GMO Bow! Cheers!
Man! I’ve came back and watched this video at least 4 times man… love it… best video on TH-cam hands down… and holy cow you’ve been producing some cinematic masterpieces recently! Love it brotha keep it up… and the leaf cutter kills… tight lines bud
Just stumbled across this video years later, but my best friend and I did this hike in the summer of 21. Needless to say, it almost killed us!! At the time I had never even trout fished, but I vividly remember seeing trout in the water while we were by the river. Skip forward 3 years, I have a newfound love for fly fishing, and I just want to thank you for this amazing video. What a trip down memory lane, and although I may never get to do the hike again (or be in shape enough to lol) I'm glad I got to witness the other beauties that canyon held.
Haha my pops would have said the same thing.. been fly fishing the Colorado front range for 15+ years as well sir 👍🎣 got my first master angler brown last year on a size #14 blue wing olive.. 22 inches 😅
Also to add the very best steelhead fishing ever is in New Zealand but very expensive. I got free air fair with the Air Force, sadly I can not fly fish anymore unless I can drive to the stream and not much walking. Was in a bombing in Iraq and it is just to painful to walk anymore
Just took a trip to Southwest Colorado, scouted the Black Canyon at Gunnison in hopes of replicating this adventure soon. What an amazing place, thanks for sharing!
Used to fish Blue Mesa and many of the streams in Colorado. I was around when the Whirling disease decimated the fish at 11 mile and Spinney in the 90's. I'm so glad to hear of the great recovery. You made my day watching you fish. In California now, but I sure hope to return for some fishing in Colorado. Have a great day.
Nice Rainbows Mike! Great video! Waiting for this one for a while. The Gunnison is my favorite river. I'm glad you were able to fish it! Love what you do! Keep it up!
Great video of the Black Canyon and the Gunnison. I'm lucky enough to live in Montrose and there is some great trout fishing all around this area. Keep up the awesome videos. I'm starting to go through all of them. Tight lines.
Dude, great video.... it brought back so many memories for me. Mine is a long rocky road to and from the river. But I'm back at it and loving life again. Your footage, with the awesome music and your narrating, totally stoked me up in a very awesome calm nostalgic kind of way. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us all. Simply great. Good luck going forward and never ever lose sight of the power of the moving water. And of the healing effects for the soul. Fish on.
That was an awesome video, well done! I'm 78 so thats way beyond what I can do but just the same it was great to see how well you handled that hike and the fishing, sorry about your knee hope it heals up and I can't wait to watch your other videos. Take care!
Tremendous trout in a very special river. The Gunnison gorge is a very difficult place to wade fish. You made it look easy scrambling around all those rocks and boulders. The best way to fish the Gunni is to float fish. We can recommend Rigs fly shop out of Ridgeway. They offer a tremendous three day float trip. A trip of a lifetime type excursion Well done. Mike Speer
@@FLYALLSZN DIY is possible, but.... The Gunni Gorge is a very technical river to float. It has the steepest gradient drop of any river in Colorado. There are a dozen class 3 rapids and 3 very dangerous 4+ runs which require precise entries and challenging moves to reach exit points. If you miss the entries you are fucked with a pinned boat and likely flipping. You can scout these but still dangerous. I highly recommending doing a guided trip first to see how the guides navigate the technical rapids. We did a DIY float after doing a guided trip and was fine. Still nearly flipped going through the "Squeeze" after missing one critical oar stroke. Very technical for sure. Keep the videos coming! Mike
Another outstanding Finadventure vid Mike! Thanks for taking me along because my knees would never have made that hike back up out of the canyon that afternoon! Your work keeps getting better and better. Can't wait for the next one!
Wow Mike!!! You are savage bro! Way to send it big and hard. So glad you were rewarded with such a special day. Thanks for all you do. You are a true inspiration. Cheers 🍻
Thanks for another awesome fly fishing adventure. You are in monster shape! To do that trip in one day just fly fishing would be strenuous for a lot of folks, especially me at 58. But to also haul the cameras, tri-pod and video gear is amazing. Plus you only had a Coors, orange and Cliff bar for lunch. Whatever you are doing to be in shape is definitely working. I'm jealous.
Thank you so much Keith! Being 25 is certainly advantageous.. but I train hard to be able to do stuff like this! I wanna be fully prepared for any fishy adventure, be it physically or mentally! (Especially one of this caliber) It can be a lot of work at times so believe me when I say that I really appreciate you saying that!! Your support seriously means the world!
super video! i just floated this in august unfortunately right after the big rain and huge flood event aug 1st. last day was a lot of carnage and way to muddy to fish
Great video. My friends and I are planning a road trip this summer and Black Canyon is a stop for us. We'll be spending a few days there on our trip. Hoping to hook into some beauties
Thanks for the video. I have fished there several times it is amazing . My uncle had a farm right there in your video when I was about 14 . Yes loved it with deer ,elk hunting motor cycle riding , All had to done after work or season was was over with farming .
This is one of the most entertaining fishing videos I've seen thank you so much the storytelling was great it didn't get boring and I really appreciate your good attitude through the whole time it was fun to watch and I watched it all the way through
Just did this route with my wife and 7yo son. Although it was tough, it was well worth it and rewarded me and my son with our biggest trout ever. Thanks for this video man! Watched it before goin and came back to thank you for the information you made public. The ranger said my son was the youngest that he knows of to ever complete the warner route, we saw multiple big horn and other abundance of wildlife and caught so many fish. Definitely a trip of a lifetime! Edit: the tips of my toes still hate me! 😂 if you know you know
Upstream of the Blue Mesa reservoir the Gunnison river offers some of the best fly fishing I've ever experienced in my life. I lived there for almost 5 years and drifted flies on almost every inch of it. The Taylor and east river are great fisheries too.
Dude you caught a couple what I like to call BBT’s! Big beautiful trout! Congratulations! Your channel has quickly become my favorite fly fishing channel. I love watching your adventures and it motivates me even more to get out there!
In my top 5 places I’ve ever fished. Was lucky enough to do a 3 day float and camp down that river. It was amazing. Hitting that river during salmon fly hatch was priceless. I love the Taylor river also. Mega monsters at the spillway. A little different then the driftless area lol. Tight lines forever bro
Just found you w this vid which caught my attn cuz Gunnison is on my list since I learned of the whirling recovery from a FFFT vid. Yours - Great adventure, great, great fish, great fall and you kept the rod up and fish on! Great vid esp solo! Impressive. I’ll b checking out more.
Incredible. I lived in Montrose for a year and only got to fish the gunnison a couple times. I’m too beat up and old to hike into the canyon anymore. This almost brought a tear to my eye. I was there in 2001 2002. When the trout were suffering. Special place. I’m back in Alaska. My home state. Biggest bow I’ve caught it 28 1/2”. 20” girth on the Kenai river. About 12-14 lbs
My dad fished the black canyon he said it was one of the best fishing experiences. It was nice to dedicate a beer to the Mondo fish. Cause that's my real name. Much respect.
Great video, Mike! Check out Ridgway state Park. You probably drove past it on your way to Montrose. The have HUGE browns in that protected tailwater section. I think you and your viewers would love it!
Great content , I’ve been fortunate enough to fish the Gunnison on a couple of occasions. My days of hiking in and out our done but really enjoyed your adventure.
@@FLYALLSZN Haha! I'm not convinced there HAS to be a struggle, but the rewards are certainly sweeter when there is! Love your attitude though dude! Best of luck to you as you continue to live your best life! Tight lines!
Next time you are In that area of Colorado you should fish the Taylor river just below the spring creek reservoir Near Almont. Was up there a few weeks ago and caught a lot of fish pushing the 18 inch range and a few 22+ inch browns!
Dang I can't believe you hiked in and out of that solo in one day. You nuts! Impressive stuff man. I've been to Gunnison county before but only in the winter. Can't wait to go sometime in the summer for fishing as I've heard, and now seen, how great it can be
@@FLYALLSZN Hi thanks for replying. My favourite Scottish trout fishing is to trek into the wilderness areas and find the small lochs with larger brown trout...but I think NZ would be higher up your bucket list?
When we lived in CO we fished the Gunnison quite a bit from the 70s to mid 90s hiked several routes down and most of the time camped on the river . No doubt its a MF getting in and out no matter which route you take , most of the time we would never see another person . Living in Montana now I’ve learned to bring a spare reel for my 6wt single handed rod with a Skagit setup for swinging works unbelievably good and I’m sure would work great there . Thanks for the video. Happy trails
Sub'd baby! Damn dude, that was fun to watch! Epic fighting skills! Way to play those 2 big ol' bows into the net. Just short of swimming down the river with them, reminded me of "A River Runs Through It" when Pitt catches that big one after swimming after it through the run as he's fighting it to the net. Well Done! Epic!
Absolutely fantastic video! Lovely fishing skills! Terrific scenery! I will keep watching you! Much love from Pakistan!!! What is the song name please at 4:40? Peace and love
Thank you so much Leon! I am so stoked you dig this vid! Pakistan has some pretty sweet trout fishing right? Song: Songs for a Mockingbird by Gabriel Kelley!
Well Young Man, you have a new subscriber! This video was enjoyable and I felt every excitement you had playing the Bigger Fish! Well Done and I am sorry about your camera! This Canyon, this river, these beautiful trophies you film are here not because of "Fishing Gods" as you call them, but because of the blessings of God! I can't help to notice when I am alone in a canyon focusing on my bugs and listening to the River, when I am alone, I am not alone! I know I am at peace with my creator! An Awesome adventure Mike and look forward to viewing more! Keep up the good work and hope your knee healed OK!
The ethics around catch and release can be a bit gray lets just say... If I am going to utilize the resource it is only right to make sure it is handled with care.
@@FLYALLSZN haha I’ll take a buddy along. I’m from the mountains in WNC, but they ain’t mountains like these. I gotta get used to this kind of terrain before I’m going solo adventuring like this.
I caught a big rainbow about that size in the resevoir upstream from the Black Canyon on a crankbait while trolling in a boat. Crazy fish down there for sure.
Great stuff indeed , funny that Montrose is mentioned here as it is at the top of hour list to actually move there . It will take a lifetime to fly fish all that’s available in the neighborhood.
I live a little south near Durango and say this all the time. With 2-3 hours is a lifetime of fishing. A fly fishing paradise really. Lucky I ended up here!
Those were some awesome 'bows. I've found that the black and copper combination is pretty effective, no matter what sort of fly you're tying. Especially on rainbows and steelhead.
I am a recent subscriber, but I have to say, from one fly fisherman to another I truly appreciate your videos. You have a great talent for not only fly fishing but capturing what most fly fishermen truly enjoy about the experience. Thank you!!
Thank you so much!! I just want to capture that memory as best as I can!
Am addicted to your channel. A lot of fly fishing channels out there have the excellent cinematography and production you do, but unlike them, you shou us how, and most importantly WHERE we commonors can try and catch great Fish. I actually learn something from your vids, rather than just look at pretty scenery while someone els catches fish. Thank you
The walled garden of the fly fishing world sure seems silly to me! I am so glad you like the vids! Seriously the support means the world!
Absolutely one of THE best fly fishing videos on YT! Great production, video quality, action captures, music...everything in this video was perfect. GREAT host as well. You are very talented at fly fishing. Keep rocking these videos out.
Best fishing in this lifetime, grew up in Colorado, the gunni, and Blacks Canyon was one of my favorite with beautiful colored rainbows.
It’s absolutely amazing down there!
Great video! Brought back memories of my trips to the Gunny as a kid.
The give and take nature of this section of the Gunny will be burned in my memory for many years!
The GOAT
Milliken dropping comments! Big compliment
dude ,you got ben milliken watching you..ben, my favorite you tuber and fisherman ,,ever..
That rainbow at 9:00 is amazing! There are TONS more like that in the Blue River in Silverthorne. It's a very popular stretch of water, but the trout there are HUGE
What an epic day! That tumble you took at 17:30 was classic. That happens to most of us without a bruiser on the other end of the line. Nice recovery!
I fell so hard! It really got me good haha
I took one of those today and broke my 3wt trout spey at the cork. Oddly enough it got me to switch for swinging soft hackles on my scandi line to switching to my 4wt with a Skagit and a bushy streamer that got me my only fish of the day. 16" brown crushed it literally the second it splashed down on the opposite bank after a 60' cack handed double spey.
Have camped out on the north rim. Thanks for showing me what it looks like down on the river.
You bet!
Awesome! Really cool vid. After I slam a nice trout got to have that victory soda.
Thank you so much Greg!
Amazing!! The sceneries are incredible, the place is wild and the trouts are huge! you can't ask for more.
Could not agree more! It is the perfect adventure
I have spent over a year and a half of my life directly in the bottom of this canyon fishing . Thanks for taking me back .
Brand new fly fisherman here, and this is the first video I’ve ever watched on the sport and I’m absolutely hooked! Thank you so much for sharing your talent and love for the sport.
Love to hear it! It’s an amazing thing to get into!
That bit of history on the gmo bows is truly amazing what an incredible program you'd never hear of the likes of that here in the UK
They did a great job bringing them back!
Your best footage yet! Two epic "River Runs Through It" battles with those GMO bows.
It really was! It is so funny because for the longest time I thought that fight scene was all Hollywood and no reality! I was clearly wrong!
Your the freaking man!! Great video! What an adventure! Hard hike, injury’s, and big fish make for a great story. Keep up the good work. Your my favorite to watch! Much love from Missouri!
Thank you so much Jeffery! See that’s what I love to hear! Because it’s so much more than the fish you catch. It’s all the things surrounding it!
@@FLYALLSZN Yes! And cant forget the scenery!
I’ve had a hard year like many other people have had and I haven’t been able to fish much. Your videos keep my passion alive and remind me I will be fishing again soon!
My Dad loved Gunnison, it was our family vacation every year. The owners of the Gunnison Motel kept a stocked piece of back water for guests , it was a blast.
That would be an amazing vacation!
Wow, some great fish Mike. Thanks for bringing me along. Great vid.
Thank you so much!!
The Gunnison flowing through the Black Canyon has always been on my bucket list. Happy I stumbled upon your video Mike. Absolutely enjoyed! Beautiful GMO Bow! Cheers!
I would highly recommend! It’s was probably my best trip of the summer
One of my favorite videos. Your storytelling has me locked in! Seeing you slay fish is nice too 😃 Cheers
Thank you so much!!
Incredible fly fishing trip Awesome video Incredible Fish so proud of you
Man! I’ve came back and watched this video at least 4 times man… love it… best video on TH-cam hands down… and holy cow you’ve been producing some cinematic masterpieces recently! Love it brotha keep it up… and the leaf cutter kills… tight lines bud
Also, I’m hitting this spot in early june, do you think salmonflies will be hatching around then?
All the books I read say that May/June should be when they start hatching
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the support. The leaf cutter is a phenomenal rod!
Incredible video! Thanks for all your hard work.
Thank you! So glad you liked it!
GMO BOWS! Learned something new today! I thought that fish was going to take you all the way back to Montrose haha
Well it almost did.... It was such an insane fight!
Just stumbled across this video years later, but my best friend and I did this hike in the summer of 21. Needless to say, it almost killed us!! At the time I had never even trout fished, but I vividly remember seeing trout in the water while we were by the river. Skip forward 3 years, I have a newfound love for fly fishing, and I just want to thank you for this amazing video. What a trip down memory lane, and although I may never get to do the hike again (or be in shape enough to lol) I'm glad I got to witness the other beauties that canyon held.
Hell yeah man! Love to hear that, thanks for sharing
I have fly fished from 12 to 18 while growing up in Colorado and still do 45 years later. After you fell I am proud to say you kept the tip up. 😀
Thank you Arlin!
Haha my pops would have said the same thing.. been fly fishing the Colorado front range for 15+ years as well sir 👍🎣 got my first master angler brown last year on a size #14 blue wing olive.. 22 inches 😅
@@Shinuchiha_99 Me I always loved the Elk hair caddis fly. Joined the Air Force in 78 and fished in Alaska, Montana and Idaho and love it.
Also to add the very best steelhead fishing ever is in New Zealand but very expensive. I got free air fair with the Air Force, sadly I can not fly fish anymore unless I can drive to the stream and not much walking. Was in a bombing in Iraq and it is just to painful to walk anymore
epic! The fishing, the commentary, the history. Well done!!
Thank you so much! It was an epic trip
Just took a trip to Southwest Colorado, scouted the Black Canyon at Gunnison in hopes of replicating this adventure soon. What an amazing place, thanks for sharing!
Loved the Rocky Mountain goats footage and fishing was well done. Thanks so much.
They scared the crap out of me! What is not shown is me falling on my butt two seconds before they ran past me haha
Those are actually bighorn sheep, BTW.
@@timherrera363 thx. Senior moment. not checking before posting my bad
Incredible trip, filming, fishing! Best one yet!
Thank you so much!
Dude what an awesome video. It’s nice to see that you’re down to earth about everything
Thank you so much Tristan!
Used to fish Blue Mesa and many of the streams in Colorado. I was around when the Whirling disease decimated the fish at 11 mile and Spinney in the 90's. I'm so glad to hear of the great recovery.
You made my day watching you fish.
In California now, but I sure hope to return for some fishing in Colorado.
Have a great day.
That is awesome to hear Greg! I am so glad you enjoyed the video!
Nice Rainbows Mike! Great video! Waiting for this one for a while. The Gunnison is my favorite river. I'm glad you were able to fish it! Love what you do! Keep it up!
Thank you so much!! It might be mine too!
Great video of the Black Canyon and the Gunnison. I'm lucky enough to live in Montrose and there is some great trout fishing all around this area. Keep up the awesome videos. I'm starting to go through all of them. Tight lines.
Thank you so much!! That really means a lot!!
Dude, great video.... it brought back so many memories for me. Mine is a long rocky road to and from the river. But I'm back at it and loving life again. Your footage, with the awesome music and your narrating, totally stoked me up in a very awesome calm nostalgic kind of way. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us all. Simply great. Good luck going forward and never ever lose sight of the power of the moving water. And of the healing effects for the soul. Fish on.
Thank you so much! This was an incredible memory and I feel so lucky I was able to capture it all on video!
Dude you were like Paul Maclean on the Blackfoot out there!!! Stoked for you. Feels SO GOOD to get those in the net. Cheers to many more! 🤙🏾
I never ever thought that scene could be real… I was proven wrong.. TWICE.. I am happy to stand corrected haha
The Pat's Rubber Legs is the truth East or West when the time is right. Great bow catch!
Couldn’t agree more!
That was an awesome video, well done! I'm 78 so thats way beyond what I can do but just the same it was great to see how well you handled that hike and the fishing, sorry about your knee hope it heals up and I can't wait to watch your other videos. Take care!
Thank you!! So glad you enjoyed the trip!
Tremendous trout in a very special river. The Gunnison gorge is a very difficult place to wade fish. You made it look easy scrambling around all those rocks and boulders. The best way to fish the Gunni is to float fish. We can recommend Rigs fly shop out of Ridgeway. They offer a tremendous three day float trip. A trip of a lifetime type excursion
Well done.
Mike Speer
Thank you so much! The DIY wade trip definitely makes things a big more interesting! Really appreciate the support
@@FLYALLSZN DIY is possible, but.... The Gunni Gorge is a very technical river to float. It has the steepest gradient drop of any river in Colorado. There are a dozen class 3 rapids and 3 very dangerous 4+ runs which require precise entries and challenging moves to reach exit points. If you miss the entries you are fucked with a pinned boat and likely flipping. You can scout these but still dangerous. I highly recommending doing a guided trip first to see how the guides navigate the technical rapids. We did a DIY float after doing a guided trip and was fine. Still nearly flipped going through the "Squeeze" after missing one critical oar stroke. Very technical for sure. Keep the videos coming!
Mike
Hiking is good for the soul, flyfishing is icing on the cake. Taking a fall well it's part of the game just have to go slow. Nice job.
Amen! Thank you!
Some of my best fishing on the Gunni, Blacks Canyon.. rocks
It's an amazing place!
What an couple of epic battles. Great content.
Thank you so much!
Gratz man, well done! Great footage, commentary, editing! Thank you so much for your time!
Thank you so much Phillip!
Fantastic...Wish I would have known about the BC of the Gunnison when I was your age! Don't think I could hike it now. Maybe a float in my future.
It’s a beast!! A float would probably be a killer way to see the canyon in its entirety!
Never watched one of your videos. Thought I was going to click off early. Great presentation. Im sure its a great channel.
What a score of a day! That looked like a gnarly canyon to crawl down into, seems fair you did so well. Good work!
It was insane nick! 10/10 experience! Memories to last for sure haha
That was a SLAB at 09:30 ... well done sir.
Thank you Gary! I was just happy to see it swim back strong!
Another outstanding Finadventure vid Mike! Thanks for taking me along because my knees would never have made that hike back up out of the canyon that afternoon! Your work keeps getting better and better. Can't wait for the next one!
Thank you so much!! It That canyon is one tough cookie... I barely made it out in one day haha
Wow Mike!!! You are savage bro! Way to send it big and hard. So glad you were rewarded with such a special day. Thanks for all you do. You are a true inspiration.
Cheers 🍻
Thank you so much Justin! It was one of the more memorable days I've ever had! So glad I was able to capture up that memory
Sweeeet, love ur videos man! Keep going!
Thank you so much!!
Thanks for another awesome fly fishing adventure. You are in monster shape! To do that trip in one day just fly fishing would be strenuous for a lot of folks, especially me at 58. But to also haul the cameras, tri-pod and video gear is amazing. Plus you only had a Coors, orange and Cliff bar for lunch. Whatever you are doing to be in shape is definitely working. I'm jealous.
Thank you so much Keith! Being 25 is certainly advantageous.. but I train hard to be able to do stuff like this! I wanna be fully prepared for any fishy adventure, be it physically or mentally! (Especially one of this caliber) It can be a lot of work at times so believe me when I say that I really appreciate you saying that!! Your support seriously means the world!
super video! i just floated this in august unfortunately right after the big rain and huge flood event aug 1st. last day was a lot of carnage and way to muddy to fish
Thank you so much! That’s wild I bet that canyon get sketchy af
Great video. My friends and I are planning a road trip this summer and Black Canyon is a stop for us. We'll be spending a few days there on our trip. Hoping to hook into some beauties
That’s awesome Daniel! If you do be extremely safe down there! That’s canyon is nasty
@@FLYALLSZN 10-4, Will do!
Thanks for the video. I have fished there several times it is amazing . My uncle had a farm right there in your video when I was about 14 . Yes loved it with deer ,elk hunting motor cycle riding , All had to done after work or season was was over with farming .
This is one of the most entertaining fishing videos I've seen thank you so much the storytelling was great it didn't get boring and I really appreciate your good attitude through the whole time it was fun to watch and I watched it all the way through
Thank you so much Aaron! That really means a lot!
Just did this route with my wife and 7yo son. Although it was tough, it was well worth it and rewarded me and my son with our biggest trout ever. Thanks for this video man! Watched it before goin and came back to thank you for the information you made public. The ranger said my son was the youngest that he knows of to ever complete the warner route, we saw multiple big horn and other abundance of wildlife and caught so many fish. Definitely a trip of a lifetime!
Edit: the tips of my toes still hate me! 😂 if you know you know
WOW! That is intense! Good on your son!
Upstream of the Blue Mesa reservoir the Gunnison river offers some of the best fly fishing I've ever experienced in my life. I lived there for almost 5 years and drifted flies on almost every inch of it. The Taylor and east river are great fisheries too.
Thanks for the info! I’ll have to add it to my bucket list!
Wow couple of epic fights with some beautys 🤙😁
They were amazing!
Dude you caught a couple what I like to call BBT’s! Big beautiful trout! Congratulations! Your channel has quickly become my favorite fly fishing channel. I love watching your adventures and it motivates me even more to get out there!
Hell yeah! I am so glad to hear that! It is all about just getting out there and giving it a cheeky send haha
What a fish! We really enjoyed your video.
Thank you so much!!
Great video Lad . Breathtaking river . That was some battle, 👏👏well done for getting the net under ! Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪 Atb Tony 👌👌
That was one crazy fight!
In my top 5 places I’ve ever fished. Was lucky enough to do a 3 day float and camp down that river. It was amazing. Hitting that river during salmon fly hatch was priceless. I love the Taylor river also. Mega monsters at the spillway. A little different then the driftless area lol. Tight lines forever bro
Very very different than the Driftless haha
Nice! About a 3 hour drive from me. I can't wait top get up there this summer for a few days.
Just found you w this vid which caught my attn cuz Gunnison is on my list since I learned of the whirling recovery from a FFFT vid. Yours - Great adventure, great, great fish, great fall and you kept the rod up and fish on! Great vid esp solo! Impressive. I’ll b checking out more.
Thank you so much! It was such an amazing adventure!
I’ve climbed that dark ditch a couple of times but I have always regretted not bringing my rod. Thanks for the inspiration!
You have to bring your rod next time!
Incredible. I lived in Montrose for a year and only got to fish the gunnison a couple times. I’m too beat up and old to hike into the canyon anymore. This almost brought a tear to my eye. I was there in 2001 2002. When the trout were suffering. Special place. I’m back in Alaska. My home state. Biggest bow I’ve caught it 28 1/2”. 20” girth on the Kenai river. About 12-14 lbs
I love that place. It's my backyard. So epic
It’s unbelievable! The size of fish is crazy
My dad fished the black canyon he said it was one of the best fishing experiences. It was nice to dedicate a beer to the Mondo fish. Cause that's my real name. Much respect.
Mike, you're a glutton for punishment! Taking on a canyon like that for a day is impressive.
Congrats on a fantastic day!💪
What can I say? haha I work hard to play hard!
A buddy and I hiked this same route a couple of summers ago. BRUTAL. But gorgeous. Wish I had been a fly angler back then!
BRUTAL is right hahaha bring a fly rod next time you won’t regret it!
Super sick video bro. Great job on those fish!
Thank you!
Great video, Mike! Check out Ridgway state Park. You probably drove past it on your way to Montrose. The have HUGE browns in that protected tailwater section. I think you and your viewers would love it!
Thank you so much! I will add it to the list!
Great content , I’ve been fortunate enough to fish the Gunnison on a couple of occasions. My days of hiking in and out our done but really enjoyed your adventure.
Thank you so much! It’s an incredible place
Just subscribed. Great video, great energy man! Hiking in, fishing all day, then hiking back out in one day is legendary. Cheers!
Thank you so much JC! It is everything I love about a day on the water! There has to be a certain level of struggle to make it all worth it!
@@FLYALLSZN Haha! I'm not convinced there HAS to be a struggle, but the rewards are certainly sweeter when there is! Love your attitude though dude! Best of luck to you as you continue to live your best life! Tight lines!
@@bobdobbs6022 Tight lines to you too!
Next time you are In that area of Colorado you should fish the Taylor river just below the spring creek reservoir Near Almont. Was up there a few weeks ago and caught a lot of fish pushing the 18 inch range and a few 22+ inch browns!
I have heard great things about the Taylor! Thank you for the heads up!
Dang I can't believe you hiked in and out of that solo in one day. You nuts! Impressive stuff man. I've been to Gunnison county before but only in the winter. Can't wait to go sometime in the summer for fishing as I've heard, and now seen, how great it can be
I am a bit of a nut, but that is why I do what I do! You for sure should! Its incredible!
That was a nice fish!!!!
Two of my biggest rainbows ever!
Leisenring Lift! It's such a wonderful way to get a strike. Beautiful fish!
It felt like I lifted up on a freight train! It was incredible!
Epic day trip. We don't have canyons in Scotland but if there were I would do for the experience you had.
Scotland is on my bucket list! Different fishing but it seems amazing
@@FLYALLSZN Hi thanks for replying. My favourite Scottish trout fishing is to trek into the wilderness areas and find the small lochs with larger brown trout...but I think NZ would be higher up your bucket list?
So impressed with your work, consistently educational, interesting, fun and inspiring ... keep up the great adventures!
Thank you so much!!
Dude you have some of the best videos out there hands down. You should sell those adjustable hoppers🙏🙏👍👍
Thank you so much!! I would if I had the time! I am just so limited with everything else going on.
Very cool! I also recently tried to make this style of video where |I film myself. Learned a lot from this vid!
Thank you so much!
When we lived in CO we fished the Gunnison quite a bit from the 70s to mid 90s hiked several routes down and most of the time camped on the river . No doubt its a MF getting in and out no matter which route you take , most of the time we would never see another person . Living in Montana now I’ve learned to bring a spare reel for my 6wt single handed rod with a Skagit setup for swinging works unbelievably good and I’m sure would work great there . Thanks for the video.
Happy trails
That is a fantastic idea! I might have to add that into my future kit! So glad you enjoyed the video!
Sub'd baby! Damn dude, that was fun to watch! Epic fighting skills! Way to play those 2 big ol' bows into the net. Just short of swimming down the river with them, reminded me of "A River Runs Through It" when Pitt catches that big one after swimming after it through the run as he's fighting it to the net. Well Done! Epic!
epic trip man! A definite fly fishing trip on my list for sure! great video!
Thank you so much!
Beautiful camera work. Looks like a real workout.
It was a grind well worth it Don! Made it out in one piece so I can’t complain
Nice work man! Im outside the park about to head in. Great vid, got me stoked.
Thank you so much!!
Absolutely fantastic video! Lovely fishing skills! Terrific scenery! I will keep watching you! Much love from Pakistan!!!
What is the song name please at 4:40?
Peace and love
Thank you so much Leon! I am so stoked you dig this vid! Pakistan has some pretty sweet trout fishing right?
Song: Songs for a Mockingbird by Gabriel Kelley!
@@FLYALLSZN yes, this is correct some lovely fishing spots here in the mountains.
I am a sturgeon farmer i keep 3 meter long fishes.
Incredible video..
Thank you!!
Will be hitting me up some Colorado fishing this summer. Thanks for the inspiration man.
You bet James!
Well Young Man, you have a new subscriber! This video was enjoyable and I felt every excitement you had playing the Bigger Fish! Well Done and I am sorry about your camera! This Canyon, this river, these beautiful trophies you film are here not because of "Fishing Gods" as you call them, but because of the blessings of God! I can't help to notice when I am alone in a canyon focusing on my bugs and listening to the River, when I am alone, I am not alone! I know I am at peace with my creator! An Awesome adventure Mike and look forward to viewing more! Keep up the good work and hope your knee healed OK!
Thank you so much! Happy you enjoyed this adventure!
Epic adventure! Look forward to the next one 🙏🏼🐟
Thank you so much! It was epic
Don’t know where you learned your fish reviving skills but bravo👏. It’s rare to see someone as concerned to the survival of the fish.
The ethics around catch and release can be a bit gray lets just say... If I am going to utilize the resource it is only right to make sure it is handled with care.
What a beautiful piece of water! Just moved to Denver and I think I’ll be making the trip out for this stretch some time soon!
That’s awesome Parker! If you do be really prepared it’s rugged country!
@@FLYALLSZN haha I’ll take a buddy along. I’m from the mountains in WNC, but they ain’t mountains like these. I gotta get used to this kind of terrain before I’m going solo adventuring like this.
Man! That's some beautiful country. I need to make it out there one day.
It’s one hell of a journey! I highly recommend it!
I caught a big rainbow about that size in the resevoir upstream from the Black Canyon on a crankbait while trolling in a boat. Crazy fish down there for sure.
Caught my pb bow on the swing like you got yours on. It was about 22 ish inches.
Gotta let that puppy swing!! That is a tank bow!
Great stuff indeed , funny that Montrose is mentioned here as it is at the top of hour list to actually move there . It will take a lifetime to fly fish all that’s available in the neighborhood.
I live a little south near Durango and say this all the time. With 2-3 hours is a lifetime of fishing. A fly fishing paradise really. Lucky I ended up here!
Thank you so much! I hear its a great place!
Those were some awesome 'bows. I've found that the black and copper combination is pretty effective, no matter what sort of fly you're tying. Especially on rainbows and steelhead.
The contrast seems to do great!
l am stuck in a wheel chair, thank you so much....... come back to Colorado. Great video,,
Dude 2 really nice solid Bows. Great job. Please put a tape measure on them to give us a way to compare our Driftless PB's. Drive safely home.
I really should carry a tape! Tbh I really dont mind the size of the fish haha I just know theyre big boys