The River Less Traveled
Follow the Leader
Cool off from the heat of summer with some rafting, paddling, or stand up paddle boarding on the headwaters of the Arkansas River. This unique area boasts breathtaking views of the Collegiate Peaks and 21,586 acres of pristine beauty protected by Browns Canyon National Monument.
Shop All PaddleRig Up, Put-In, Set Out
The beginning of our water excursion took place with our put-in spot at Fisherman’s Bridge just above Brown’s Canyon. Some would argue this area is home to the best Class III - IV run in the state, so we were itching to check it out for ourselves.
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“The Arkansas river had stunning views, technical lines, and unparalleled good times.” - Chelsea
Chelsea McGowan
@chels_mcgowan
Backcountry Employee: Associate Buyer-Paddle & Surf
A Maine native who moved to the West to explore bigger mountains. An avid skier, mountain biker, and overall outdoor enthusiast with a passion for water sports.
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 125lbs
Chelsea’s Kit
Patagonia Sunshade Hoodie – size S
Prana Silvana Board Short – size S
KEEN Whisper – size 7.5
Hannah Kertesz
@hannahkertesz
Registered nurse living out of a van by a river. First river trip was a five-day, self-support in a raft with her parents down the San Juan in Southern Utah. She was four months old and has been exploring the world via rivers ever since.
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 125lbs
Hannah’s Kit
Carve Design Lake Sunshirt – size S
Patagonia Baggies – size S
Acadia Polarized Sunglasses
Marvelous Water. Majestic Views.
Brown’s Canyon National Monument towers above the vibrant upper Arkansas River valley and is pure perfection for white water rafting. Some rapid highlights you shouldn’t miss are Canyon Doors, Zoom Flume, and Seidel’s Suckhole, which contrary to its name doesn’t suck at all.
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“I love the challenges you overcome, and the simplicity of knowing you'll float on.” - Hannah
Whitewater Kayaking
From the Top
For Jeremiah, just rafting down Brown’s was not quite enough of a challenge, so he decided to hop on his SUP for part of the days. Hitting Zoom Flume while balancing on a paddle board is no joke, and as he can attest, “sometimes a bit too intimate”.
If this sounds appealing, here’s what you need to know to select a board and get started with stand-up paddleboarding: How to Choose a Stand Up Paddle Board
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“Whitewater SUP is such an intimate way to experience the river. You can feel every wave, eddy, and current through your feet, up your body, and back down into your paddle.” - Jeremiah
Jeremiah Williamson
@jeremiahwill1
US Men’s Raft Team, Raft Guide, Hala SUP Rep.
Moved to Vail, CO to ski every day. Turns out there’s a whole other season to fall in love with. Constantly texting friends/teammates, “Wanna paddle?”
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 175lbs
Jeremiah’s Kit
Basin And Range Green River Pullover Hoodie – size L
Howler Brothers Sayulita Water Short – size 32
Columbia Bora Bora Booney II – one size
SUP
Mike Tavares
@rivershred
Professional paddler with a specialty in whitewater SUP. Currently residing in Salt Lake City & travelling by van all across the country.
Height: 6'
Weight: 175lbs
Mike’s Kit
Columbia PFG Zero Rules Long-Sleeve – size L
Patagonia Wavefarer 19in Board Short – size 32
Astral Green Jacket – size L/XL
The Perfect Spot
It’s pretty hard to go wrong when picking your pull off to set up for the night. BLM gives you the freedom to pitch your tent in some of the most beautiful spots away from the crowds, just like we had this night on our trip. We tied up the boats, pitched our tents, and enjoyed fajitas riverside.
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“River trips enable me to connect to public lands and rivers that I cherish in their raw state. They also allow us to share that experience with others and stoke the fire for the next adventure.” - Mike
Seize the Daylight
As the sun went down, we set up camp next to the river. The backdrop of some of the highest mountains in the Rockies did not disappoint as we climbed up a nearby ridge to watch the sun sink behind them.
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“There's no better way to get to truly know someone than on an overnight rafting trip. Some trips bring out the best in us, others the worst, but there's always an unforgettable story to go with each one. I'm just here for more of those memories.” - Jeremiah
Essentials
The Royal Treatment
The Royal Gorge, one of the deepest canyons in Colorado, hosts the Class IV rapid called Sledgehammer. If you’re looking for a challenge during high flow, run the center for an adrenaline rush that’ll last the entire day.
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“I love experiencing the raw power of the wild places that we love so much, connections with other paddlers on the water, and the solitude that our public lands provide.” - Mike
Paddle Clothing
Pack It In
On a trip like this, it’s essential that you don’t forget the essentials. From helmets and life jackets to tie-down straps and dry bags, it’s the little things that make a trip on the river go smoothly.
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“The moment your boat hits the river, all that matters is the water ahead.” - Jeremiah
Women's River Apparel
Pack It Out
Brown’s Canyon is one of our newer, unspoiled National Monuments, so don’t be that guy/gal who ruins it for others. Leave it how you found it. Don’t litter. Leave only footprints. Take only memories. All that good stuff.
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“The river leaves me feeling refreshed and renewed for the next adventure.” - Mike
Men's River Apparel
The Arkansas River is home to 80 miles of public access to brag-worthy brown and rainbow trout. Considered a fly-fisherman’s mecca, your odds of snagging one “this big” during your travels from Brown’s Canyon to the Royal Gorge are pretty good. Just keep an eye out beneath the shade of the brush on the banks.
Shop All Fly FishIt’s a Beautiful Morning
We packed up our gear and set out on a quiet and peaceful morning. Hopes were high considering we were about to cast into a gold-medal river known for its world-class wild trout fishing.
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Alyssa Forrest
@forresthruthetrees
Fresh air-loving Field Ambassador
Height: 5'3"
Weight: 130lbs
Alyssa's Kit
Patagonia Tropic Comfort Crew – size M
Simms G3 Guide Stockingfoot – size M
Fishpond Thunderhead Submersible Lumbar Pack
Wading
Nick Bush
Backcountry Employee: Buyer – Hardgoods. Camping, fishing, loving everyday.
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 175lbs
Nick's Kit
Top: Sun Stretch Long-Sleeve Shirt – size L
Waders: Simms G3 Guide Stockingfoot Wader – size M
Rising Flat Bill SnapBack Hat
Cast Away
The larger browns are known for feasting on the massive caddis hatches beneath the shade of the brush, so we made our way to the banks to test our luck. The Arkansas is known for its massive population numbers of browns and has recently been stocked with rainbows.
For other casting techniques and tips for choosing the best gear for your upcoming adventures, check out: Fly Fishing 101
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“Fishing is a vehicle for getting outside and exploring new places. I enjoy the whole journey. Both the excitement of catching fish and the good times with friends along the way.” - Nick
Rods
The Reel Deal
The most celebrated jump off points are Salida and Buena Vista. These areas offer year-round outfitting and accommodations. Prime access points include Brown’s Canyon, Big Bend, Bighorn Sheep Canyon, Salida East, and Rincon.
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"Fly-fishing is just fun, it's blissful for me, to put it simply. But, it’s also a constant learning process.” - Jean
Reels & Spools
Views for Days, and Nights
After a day out on the water, we set up camp right on the river for easy access to the next day’s fishing spot. The incredible night sky was the perfect backdrop for falling asleep to the sounds of summer.
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Wade Softly
Fishing dry flies and small nymphs is best with a 9-foot 5-wt fly rod with a floating line. A 9-foot 6-wt with a sink tip fly line for larger nymphs and streamers will make things a bit easier. Match up a tapered 9-foot leader with tippet size 3X to 6X to match your flies.
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