Great Fishing, Great People, and a Weekend That Delivered

Spring Risers 4 Rett (April 23–26 in Almont) felt like one of those weekends where everything just came together. Not because conditions were perfect—they weren’t—but because the people showed up in all the best ways.

Terrific Weekend of Fishing Given Challenges with Low Water

Low water made things a little tougher than usual, but nobody seemed to mind. If anything, it made the fishing more engaging.

This year brought together 29 teams of eager anglers—ranging from rookies to seasoned anglers—and that mix made for a fun dynamic all weekend. Plenty of learning, a little friendly competition, a little skill and a lot of luck, and just enough bragging rights to go around.

By the end of the weekend:

1,214 fish were landed
Five fish hit the 20-inch mark
A littlest fish measuring 4"
And plenty of stories were earned the hard way

It wasn’t easy fishing—but it was good fishing. The kind you remember.

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The Part That Matters Most

What really makes this event, year after year, is the community. It’s equal parts fishing trip, reunion, and shared purpose.

Between time on the water, meals, and evenings together, there was a lot of catching up, a lot of laughing, and a real sense of why everyone keeps coming back.

And it didn’t hurt that everything was dialed in:

Fantastic food and drinks all weekend
Great music from Shawn Nelson and Kory Montgomery
A setting in Almont that’s hard to beat
2 Days of professionally and personally guided fishing
Hugs and laughs and purpose that carried you home

Moments That Stick With You

There were a few moments that slowed things down in a good way.

Ben Tinsley’s remarks, as life as a Rett Dad, brought everyone back to the why behind the weekend—honest, personal, and grounding.

The handmade trophies from Jon Volek were another highlight. uniquely Handmade, with heart and care.

And then there was the auction.

A Lively Auction (In the Best Way)

Brett Barker kept things moving with just the right amount of energy—fun, fast, and easy to get caught up in.

There was a great mix of auction items—hunting trips, fishing trips, cool fishing gear, World Cup Tickets, an amazing retreat to Three Forks Ranch, and a few one-of-a-kind pieces that got people’s attention. One of those being Brett’s own hand-forged hatchets, which drew plenty of interest and ultimately sold for $1,000.

The standout, though, was Gunnison Valley's own legacy, Gene Hart’s, hand-tied flies—beautifully crafted and clearly appreciated by the crowd. $11,600 raised on those Gene's flies alone - thank you Gene!

Another highlight was the BOGO (Buy One, Give One) Minky Couture luxury throw blankets, which genuinely flew. For every blanket purchased, another was donated to a Rett family—simple idea, real impact, and they sold like hot cakes.

That mix of energy and generosity is what makes this part of the weekend so fun—and so meaningful.

A Quick Look Around

The weekend also marked a bit of a transition, with Dave Shaw stepping away from his role as Director after four years and Scott Henley stepping in moving forward. It was nice to take a moment to recognize what’s been built—and where it’s headed.

Wrapping It Up

All in, Spring 2026 had a little bit of everything:

Challenging but rewarding fishing
Time with people you don’t see often enough
A lot of heart and generosity
And a few moments that remind you why this event exists

If you were there, you get it. If you weren’t, hopefully we’ll see you next time.

Looking Ahead

We’re already looking forward to the Fall Risers 4 Rett Event, September 24–27, back in Almont.

Same place. Special community. Another chance to do something we love while helping someone else.

Spring 2026 RMRA Risers 4 Rett Recap