YOUR AD HERE »

Gasners move outfitter business to Hot Sulphur Springs, officially end Grand Lake newspaper

Rocky Mountain Outfitters owner Jim Gasner (right) chats with customers at the counter of the new Bait Shop Grill in Hot Sulpur Springs Wednesday afternoon.
Lance Maggart / Sky-Hi News

For the past eight years, Jim and Julie Gasner have owned and operated their own High Country fishing guide service from the streets of Grand Lake, but that changed this spring when the couple picked up shop and moved to their new location on Highway 40 in Hot Sulphur Springs.

Their guide business, Rocky Mountain Outfitters, is now operating from 512 West Byers Ave. in Hot Sulphur Springs, in the space most recently occupied by Mama B’s Kitchen. The recent move, which took place in early April, also entailed the opening of a restaurant in the new space called The Bait Shop Grill.

“We moved to Hot Sulphur because most of our fishing trips are on William’s Fork (Reservoir),” Jim Gasner said. “We don’t have permits to get on Lake Granby or Shadow Mountain. We can guide on Grand Lake but it is just getting so populated.”



Gasner said that vast majority of Rocky Mountain Outfitters guided fishing trips over the past two years have been on William’s Fork. The guide service also has access to a private stretch of the Colorado River west of Parshall where they take clients as well. Gasner noted that the decision to shift their operations to Hot Sulphur “just made sense” from a business perspective.

The Gasners have added a slight shift in their business model. Clients of Rocky Mountain Outfitters will now be treated to a free breakfast or lunch hot from the kitchen of The Bait Shop Grill. The Grill will serve the general public as well and is open seven days a week.



“We both grew up in restaurants. We said we would never open a restaurant, but here we are,” Julie Gasner said with a chuckle. “The clients we book have been excited about it.”

The Grill as well as Rocky Mountain Outfitter’s actual bait and equipment shop is open from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Anglers can purchase or rent rods and reels, ice fishing gear and snowshoes among other items needed to wet their line.

Customers will also be able to purchase fishing licenses up until 9 p.m. and will find a nice selection of lures made by the Gasners themselves. The Bait Shop Grill offers an assortment of classic diner fair including burgers, sandwiches, fish and chips, chili and salads. Their breakfast menu features traditional breakfast specials such as bacon and eggs, omelets, biscuits and gravy and breakfast burritos.

While the Gasners have moved their business operations to Hot Sulphur Springs, the couple still resides in the community of Grand Lake. The Gasners also previously owned and operated The Boardwalk newspaper, which served Grand Lake, but recently ended its publication.

“It is no longer printing,” Julie Gasner said. “It was fun while it lasted. I had a good time.”


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

The Sky-Hi News strives to deliver powerful stories that spark emotion and focus on the place we live.

Over the past year, contributions from readers like you helped to fund some of our most important reporting, including coverage of the East Troublesome Fire.

If you value local journalism, consider making a contribution to our newsroom in support of the work we do.