FLY FISHING
Experience a weekend of faith renewal, fellowship and fishing! Hearty meals, worship, and camaraderie around the campfire will be woven into the weekend so all can come away renewed spiritually, mentally and physically.
The Arkansas River is only minutes from Rainbow Trail and offers world class fly fishing. Ark Anglers, a local guiding company, will give a presentation on current river conditions at the beginning of the weekend.
Fishermen from novice to expert are encouraged to come for this fabulous weekend. Rental equipment and professional guide services are available.
Check out the photos from past Fly Fishing Retreats.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
RETREAT DATES
September 18th-21st, 2025
A TYPICAL SCHEDULE
Thursday
4:30pm Check-In Begins
6:30pm Dinner
7:00pm Introduction To The Arkansas, Ark Anglers
8:30pm Evening Eucharist
9:15pm Fellowship and Setting Up Fishing Gear
Friday and Saturday
7:15am Cereal Bar
8:00am Morning Prayer
9:00am Morning Sessions – Casting Lessons or Reading The River
10:15am Brunch and Pack Lunches
11:00am Head To The River to Fish
7:30pm Return to RTLC
8:00pm Late Dinner
9:00pm Evening Worship
9:45pm Fly Tying and Fellowship
Sunday
8:00am Morning Prayer
8:45 am Casting Competition (for great prizes)
9:45am Brunch
10:30am Fishing on the Arkansas and Head For Home
REGISTRATION
Registration Deadline: September 6, 2025 Registration is now open!
RETREAT FEES – 2025
Program (includes activities, onsite classes, food, lodging) – $275
Guided 1/2 Day Fly Fishing, Wade Trip (optional) – $325/1 person $390/2 person $490/3 person
Guided Full Day Fly Fishing, Wade Trip (optional) – $440/1 person $510/2 person $655/3 person
Guided 1/2 Day Fly Fishing, Float Trip (optional) – $485/1 person $540/2 person
Guided 1Full Day Fly Fishing, Float Trip (optional) – $630/1 person $685/2 person
All trips do not include Gratuity. Thank you!
Equipment Rentals
Boots & Waders – $30 first day; $15 each day after that**
Rod & Reel (includes boots and waders) – $60 first day; $30 each day after that**
Starter tool kit – available for purchase at retreat
Fly Kit – available for purchase at retreat
** additional sizing information will be requested prior to the retreat; basic tools & supplies, flies not included
Meet the Pastoral Team
This year’s fishing retreat will be led by two pastors; veterans of many years in the parish, and many hours on the stream. In the 1980s and 1990s it wasn’t uncommon to see them together, attending Grand Canyon Synod Assemblies or fishing Arizona (or Colorado or New Mexico) waters. They have spent the past few decades living in different states, but have maintained their friendship, as well as their love for Christ and for fly fishing. They are excited to have Rainbow Trail make this gathering possible, and are looking forward to this weekend of spiritual renewal and back country recreation.
Roger Thompson
Ordained in 1981, Roger served congregations in Arizona and California. Following several attempts at retirement, he RE-retired from Ordained Ministry on April 30, 2016, after 35 years of service in the ALC and ELCA. He and his wife, Cheryl, are living the snowbird life between homes in Mesa and Pinetop, Arizona. They have two grown children, Alissa and Trajan, and two granddaughters, Marlee and Rylind, both approaching 14 years of age, and Carter who is almost 4. Cheryl is a retired Senior Claims Analyst with 38 years for Allstate Insurance, who loves spending time with her family.
Roger has been fly fishing for about three decades, learning to tie his own flies, and even building a rod. He will be helping to lead worship and Bible Study. Roger is a recovering alcoholic, with 30 years of sobriety, and available to share an AA meeting with interested participants.
Dave Risendal
Dave pastored congregations in Arizona and Colorado since his ordination in 1984, and is now enjoying the view from the pew. He has also served as a developer and leader of this Men’s Retreat since its inception in 2006. It continues to be one of the highlights of his year. Dave is married to Betsy, a research professor at the University of Colorado School of Public Health. They have two sons (both veterans of this fly fishing retreat): Brady works for Beyond View, a San Fransisco based company, creating, 3D interactive imaging for professional and industrial facilities. Landon recently received his Paramedic Certificate and is currently looking for a hospital-based position, with the long term goal of becoming a firefighter/paramedic.
Dave showed up in Arizona with his grandfather’s 20-year-old fiberglass fly rod in 1984. Assuming he had all the equipment he needed, he figured he should learn to fly fish. Some of his pastoral colleagues (including Rodger) introduced him to the fine art, and a few decades (and a few thousand dollars) later, fly fishing is one of his favorite pastimes. Dave will be helping to lead worship and Bible study, and offering workshops on setting up equipment, reading trout streams, and fly casting.
Guided Fly Fishing Trips & Equipment Rental
1/2 Day and Full Day Float and Wade trips are available through ArkAnglers Fly Fishing Shop in Salida, Colorado. ArkAnglers’ Guides are incredible teachers and guided trips are a great way to improve your skills and see lots of new water. You can reserve your trip when you register online, or add it to the weekend with a convenient online registration form right up to the week before the retreat. All trips are based upon availability.
Equipment rental is also available through ArkAnglers. You can select this option during registration, or with the online reservation. Height, weight, and shoe size are required to ensure that equipment will fit properly.
QUESTIONS?
Email Delta at delta@rainbowtrail.org, or call our Cañon City office at (719)276-5233!
