Fishing Season: April through October

Upper Gunnison River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Temperature 48°

Temp:

48°

Water Temp:

36

Willowfly Anglers's Tip of the Week

The Gunnison River is seeing early runoff flows from 1000 CFS - 2000 CSF depending on the weather and the stretch. We had a cold front move in this last weekend, slowing down the pace of runoff. 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. Last week peaked at 2000 CFS, and came back down to around 1000 CFS over the weekend. This creates a great opportunity to target fish that have distributed through the river system, away from their winter holding areas. 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. Have fun, respect and enjoy this amazing fishery!

Directions open in app

Map of Upper Gunnison River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Willowfly Anglers
RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service

5-Day Outlook as of 4/30/24

Warm weather is in the forecast. Expect higher flows and runoff conditions. If wading, be cognizant of the time of day you are on the water, as flows will increase in the late afternoon and peak early morning each day.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/30/24

Nymphing, Streamers

Local Species Available April through October

  • Fish Icon

    Trout

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

Quasimodo Pheasant Tail

This little dropper has all the bells and whistles of the best nymph flies.

2.49

Item #69AP

Buy Now

Willowfly Anglers's Recommended Gear

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.

Nearest Airport:

Gunnison-Crested Butte Airport

Hatches:

Baetis, Midges, Caddis

Best Time to Fish:

11am - 4pm

Best Stretch:

Almont to Blue Mesa.

Best Access:

Curecanti Recreation Area