Fishing Season: April through October

Upper Gunnison River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

60

Willowfly Anglers's Tip of the Week

The Gunnison River is now at 534 CFS here in Almont; 496 CFS in Gunnison; and 427 CFS at Riverway. Flows will continue to fluctuate daily, as we are completely out of runoff here in the valley. We will have spikes throughout the season as storms roll in. The next week is forecasted to have Rain!! We are seeing Bugs and Rising fish! The dry fly fishing has been phenomenal; we are seeing Caddis, PMD's and Tricos. Hopper dropper fishing has been the most productive in the morning and early afternoon. Pizza Delivery, Chubby Chernobyl's, Amy's Ant, and Phat AZZ Hopper have been our go-to indicator flies. As far as droppers are concerned, pick out your favorite caddis pupa, perdigons, and hare's ear style patterns! The hatch has been starting around 10:00-11:00; have a good selection of Caddis, PMD, and Trico Patterns at the ready. Missing Link's, Royal Stimulators, Outrigger Caddis, Para-Wulff, Film Critics, and Bionic Ant's are some must have's for your next trip on the Gunnison. Streamer fishing has been heating up; Baby Gonga's, Sculpzillas, and Double Fuego's have been the most productive. Don't be afraid to size down if you are not having success with articulated flies. Mayer's Mini Leach Jig, and Wooly Buggers will entice almost any trout! As always - have fun, be courteous to other anglers, and enjoy this incredible 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 7/10/25

Caddis, Trico's, PMD's; Hopper Dropper

Techniques & Tips as of 7/10/25

Hopper Dropper, Single Dry

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):
Tunghead Hare's Ear Flashback Natural 12-18
Prince Nymph Peacock 8-16
Travis Hi-Vis Green Drake Para Emerger Green 10-12
Hairwing Western Green Drake Green 10-12
HDA Varient Natural 12-16
20 Incher Peacock 8-12
Cone Head Marabou Muddler Natural 10
Elk Wing Caddis Natural 16-22
Blowtoarch Black 10-14
Two Bit Hooker Red 16-18

Tunghead Hare's Ear Flashback

This Hare's Ear fly has it all and big trout love it.

2.99

Item #956P

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:

Caddis, PMD, Trico, Golden Stonefly

Best Time to Fish:

11am - 4pm

Best Stretch:

Almont to Shady Island River Park

Best Access:

Curecanti National Recreation Area