Upper Gunnison River | CO Fly Fishing Reports & Conditions

Willowfly Anglers's Tip of the Week

The Gunnison River is seeing early runoff flows from 1000 CFS - 1500 CSF depending on the stretch. With the large increase in flows, the river is now very colored up. This means it is time to start sizing up your leader and tippet, moving it to a 2x - 4x. Stonefly, Caddis, Blue Wing Olive, Anilids and egg patterns have been the name of the game. With less visibility, the trout are more keen to taking attractor patterns and larger flies. With forecasted temperatures in Crested Butte in the high 50's this next week, expect another bump in flows. If you are to wade fish the Gunnison, take caution on the time of day you are out, as flows will begin to rise in the late afternoon, and peak in the early morning each day. Floating will be the best way to cover water and target moving fish as runoff begins. Have fun, respect and enjoy this amazing fishery!

Willowfly Anglers's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name:	Colors:	Size(s):
Quasimodo Pheasant Tail	Natural	12-20
RS2	Grey	18-22
Hot Head Euro Pheasant Tail	Natural	14-20
Tunghead Soft Hackle Hare's Ear	Olive	12-22
Mercury RS2	Grey	18-22
Pat's Rubberlegs	Brown	8-12
Vernille San Juan Worm	Pink	14
Tunghead Pheasant Tail Jig	Natural	14-18
Egan's Frenchie	Natural	14-18
Two Bit Hooker	Red	14-18

Willowfly Anglers's Recommended Gear

Best Leader:

Super Strong Plus Leaders
Best Tippet:

SuperStrong Plus Tippet in 30- and 100-meter spools
Best Fly Fishing Rod:

5-Weight 9' Fly Rod
Best Floating Fly Line:

WF Trout Fly Line
Best Sinking Fly Line:

Bank Shot Sink Tip Fly Line

Description: About Upper Gunnison River

The Gunnison River begins at Almont, Colorado, where the Taylor River and East River merge to form its headwaters. The river grows in size as it flows down through the Gunnison Valley and into Blue Mesa Reservoir. This is the first of several dams as the Gunnison continues its flow through the Black Canyon and eventually into the Colorado River. Our section of the Gunnison River, the upper Gunnison, is from the headwaters in Almont to Blue Mesa Reservoir. The East River is a freestone river which drains out of Emerald Lake, which is located at 10,500 feet in the Rockies near Crested Butte. So the upper Gunnison is impacted by both snow-melt and the controlled releases from Taylor Reservoir. The Gunnison is best fished from a boat in the early season during high water. There are also plenty of public access points for wading the river during summer and fall. The Gunnison River contains a very high density of trout, including browns, rainbows, and cutthroat. There are long riffles and runs, and deep pools which hold large trout. There are good hatches of stoneflies, caddis, and mayflies during the season. The peak season is from mid June to late September, and fall fishing can be spectacular on the Gunnison. The fall kokanee salmon run brings hard-fighting kokanee salmon up the Gunnison River from Blue Mesa as they run to the Roaring Judy fish hatchery on the East River. There is a catch-and-release season for kokanee from August 1 to October 31. Big trout will follow the salmon up to feed on their eggs. A 9-foot 5-weight fly rod is a good all purpose choice for the Gunnison River. A 6-weight rod can also be used for heavier nymph rigs and/or for streamers.

Upper Gunnison River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Temp:

Water Temp:

Willowfly Anglers's Tip of the Week

Directions open in app

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

5-Day Outlook as of 4/24/24

Techniques & Tips as of 4/24/24

Local Species Available April through October

Willowfly Anglers's Recommended Fly Patterns

Quasimodo Pheasant Tail

Willowfly Anglers's Recommended Gear

Best Leader:

Best Tippet:

Best Fly Fishing Rod:

Best Floating Fly Line:

Best Sinking Fly Line:

Description: About Upper Gunnison River

Nearest Airport:

Hatches:

Best Time to Fish:

Best Stretch:

Best Access: