Fishing Season: Year-round

Lower Gunnison River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

47

RIGS Fly Shops & Guide Service's Tip of the Week

Fishing has been fantastic with higher-than-normal flows for this time of year. We’re still seeing some Yellow Sallies, Caddis, and Golden Stones emerging throughout the day. Dry fly fishing has been excellent, with fish looking up and willing to eat close to the bank and in the faster runs. As the flows settle, fish have been gradually moving up onto the shelves and returning to their normal feeding lanes. The North Fork has finally receded to a crossable level. Parking on the Pleasure Park side and crossing to fish upstream is now the go-to strategy. Look for fish sitting near the bank, eating dries with longer casts where possible. Hopper activity has begun, and fish are searching for larger bugs. However, consider dropping a Caddis pupa or Mayfly emerger off the back for added success.

Directions open in app

Map of Lower Gunnison River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service

5-Day Outlook as of 7/23/24

Water has come up through the canyon but with that more clear water has made the fishing pick up. There is some weather in the forecast for this coming week but this should get the bugs fired up and turn the fishing on.

Techniques & Tips as of 7/23/24

Dry dropper or nymphing has been the most successful. Black and dark colored streamers have also moved some fish if your looking to cover some water.

Local Species Available Year-round

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    Rainbow Trout

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    Brown Trout

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    Roundtail Chub

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    and Flannelmouth Sucker

RIGS Fly Shops & Guide Service's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Stimulator N/A
Yellow Sally N/A
Tunghead Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail N/A
Tunghead Pheasant Tail Jig N/A
Yum Yum Emerger N/A
Gee's Supafly Stone Dry N/A

Stimulator

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Item #0928

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RIGS Fly Shops & Guide Service's Recommended Gear

Description: About Lower Gunnison River

Pleasure Park: This stretch of the Gunnison starts at the confluence of the Smith Fork, four miles above Pleasure Park, and ends at the Highway 65 bridge about 12 miles below Pleasure Park. Not as dramatic as the East Portal or Gunnison Gorge, this section of the river twists its way through sandstone cliffs and a beautiful desert landscape.

Nearest Airport:

Montrose and Grand Junction

Best Time to Fish:

All Day

Best Stretch:

Both up and Down stream of pleasure park fish very well but in the spring or after a big storm the North Fork of the Gunnison causes the down stream section to blow out.

Best Access:

Pleasure park or South River Road