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Royal Gorge Bridge
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Royal Gorge Rafting
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Providing the finest experience on the Arkansas River.

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See spectacular views from a jet powered helicopter.

Moutainview Campground & Cafe
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American Adventure Expeditions
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Experience scenery, wildlife, & excitement on Colorado's most popular river!

Outdoor Recreation

by Grant Adkisson

Hunting, fishing & wildlife viewing in Fremont County

Fremont County has a Rich Heritage of Hunting & Fishing. Long known as a gateway into the Rockies, Highway 50 divides Cañon City as it runs West through the towering rock walls of the Arkansas River Canyon. This beautiful canyon has been dubbed "Bighorn Canyon", and it's well named with a thriving population of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, the state animal of Colorado.

These majestic animals can often be seen on both sides of the river from convenient pull over spots throughout the canyon, and to keep the sheep from overgrazing the arid sides of the mountains, the Colorado Division of Wildlife supports a hunting season in the early fall for a modest number of both rams and ewes.

Legendary Fishing. The abundant game population isn't the only thing that brings sportsmen to the Cañon City area. The trout fishing in this area is legendary and attracts anglers from across the United States on a year round basis. The Arkansas River is the focus of many of fisherman. The Brown Trout population in this river is second to none and makes up the vast majority of most catches, although Rainbows and even an occasional Cutthroat will be caught in some parts of the river.

Large fish can be caught, as evidenced by a Colorado Division of Wildlife fish count where a fish over 8 pounds was caught within the city limits of Cañon City, and released to wait for some skilled (or lucky) angler. However, the majority of the fish caught are probably in the 12 to 16 inch range and there is an enormous population of them!

A number of sections of the Arkansas are fishable only by fly or artificial lures. Fly fishers are one of the most devoted groups on the river, year 'round, but especially around the first week of May when one of the most intense Caddis hatches in all of the United States happens between Cañon City and Salida. Blue Winged Olives, Stoneflies, and Pale Morning Duns, and their respective nymphs are some of the other "bugs" active on the Arkansas. Savvy fly fishermen know that some of the best dry fly fishing happens from mid summer through the fall with Grasshopper imitations. When a bead head nymph is attached to the big yellow or brown flies, the "hopper dropper" combination can be especially deadly. The fly patterns for these favorites and dozens of others can be found, along with valuable advice at local angler shops, like the Royal Gorge Anglers on Highway 50 in the middle of Cañon City.

Fly fishing certainly isn't the only method of attracting trout on the Arkansas but I believe this form of fishing, along with the dedicated Zero Limit, catch and release fishermen that ply it, can take at least some of the credit for the great "comeback" in trout numbers on this historic water. It is certainly easier to release these wonderful finned resources to be caught another day with the barbless hook of a fly.

This great river isn't the only place to fish in the region. Numerous creeks, such as Grape Creek, Texas Creek, Four Mile Creek, and others contain good numbers of small but beautiful and hard fighting Brook, Brown, Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout.

Area lakes and reservoirs hold some of the largest trout in Royal Gorge Country, and not only trout but Northern Pike, Bass, Panfish, etc. are found in Reservoirs such as Eleven Mile, Spinney, Brush Hollow, and Pueblo Reservoir.

To anyone who has driven the beautiful Arkansas River Canyon it is obvious that fisherman aren't the only outdoorsmen to enjoy it's river. Rafts and Kayaks of every size and color float the river from Spring through Summer and in all my many hours on the river, the two groups work well around each other and mutually support the others choice of river recreation. As a matter of fact, not only do some of the anglers fish from rafts, some enjoy a thrilling ride through the rapids from Texas Creek to Parkdale and even through the Gorge, especially when the river flow may be too great for good fishing. Check with Dvorak Expeditions for a guided fishing trip down the Arkansas.

Big Game in Royal Gorge Country. Bighorn sheep are one of seven species of big game animals hunted and viewed in the Royal Gorge area. Other species include Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, Black Bear, Mountain Lion, Pronghorn Antelope, and a recent new comer, the Whitetail Deer. The Big Game hunting seasons start in August and some continue after the first of the new year. Information can be found: www.wildlife.state.co.us or 303-297-1192.

Hunting seasons include Archery, muzzle loading rifle, and five different rifle seasons. For 2007, the Archery season begins on August 25 and continues for 30 days. The muzzle loading deer and elk season for '07 begins on September 8 through the 16th. The first rifle season, for elk only, is October 13-17, followed by three combination elk and deer seasons starting respectively on October 20, November 3 and November 14th. Several of these seasons require licenses that must me applied for by early April, however in many areas of the state bull elk can be hunted during the second and third seasons with an unlimited "over the counter" license. This liberal licensing reflect the fact that Colorado's elk herds are the largest they have been in well over 100 years!

Pronghorn antelope archery season usually starts around the middle of August and continues for over a month. The rifle pronghorn season begins approximately the first Saturday in October and requires application in April. Black Bear can be hunted the month of September.

In addition to Big Game the Royal Gorge region has excellent Dove, Blue Quail, waterfowl, and cottontail rabbit hunting. Spring and Fall hunting for the Merriam Wild Turkey is often very successful. For the many successful hunters, this area has several good taxidermists to preserve the memories of the hunt for years to come. There are also guides throughout the area. Traders of the Bighorn (www.tradersbighorn.com), located next to the Dinosaur Muesem, is a great place to find more information about Fremont County wildlife.

Whatever your choice of outdoor recreation, Royal Gorge Country can provide exhilarating activities and lifelong memories, especially when combined with a trip to the Bridge and Park or a trip over Skyline Drive!