Lees Ferry Anglers Acquaires Historic Cliff Dwellers Lodge


MARBLE CANYON, ARIZ. - Lees Ferry Anglers Guides and Fly Shop has acquired the historic Cliff Dwellers Lodge and will move some five miles west of its current location on Highway 89A on June 1. Purchase price of the 30-acre lodge, 21-room motel, restaurant-bar, gas station and store was in excess of $1 million. "We will now be able to handle guide services, fishing and lodging accommodations with one phone call. In addition to the 21 motel rooms, we can also offer families and groups of anglers a separate adjacent fully air-conditioned house. This is now a lodge owned by fly-fishers, catering to fly-fishers," said Lees Ferry Anglers spokesman Terry Gunn. Lees Ferry Anglers was established in 1989 by Terry and Wendy Gunn and Russell Sullivan. Jeff English was named a partner later. They fish the Colorado River in the 15.5 miles between Lake Powell and the upper end of Grand Canyon. The retail fly-fishing shop and guide service currently employs 14 full-time guides and 7 fly shop personnel and will absorb the 10 current lodge employees. Lees Ferry Anglers provides guides with covered, heated (in winter) jet boats; and jet boat rentals in addition to a full-service fly-fishing shop. Cliff Dwellers Lodge was founded in the early 1950s beneath the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument. Twelve of the motel rooms were constructed in 1991. The adjacent freestanding house and all the motel rooms will be refurbished with new mattresses, televisions and "fisher-friendly" furniture. Cliff Dwellers Lodge has long been a stop-over for individuals and groups rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, hikers, rock climbers, photographers and bird watchers. The lodge is the closest facility for viewing California condors. The new Lees Ferry Anglers and Cliff Dwellers Lodge is some eight miles from the Colorado River bridge at Milepost 547, No. Highway 89A, Marble Canyon, AZ 86036. For information and reservations, phone 800-962-9755, (800-433-2543 after June 1); fax 520-355-2271 or e-mail: anglers@leesferry.com