Upper Gunnison River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Willowfly Anglers's Tip of the Week

The Gunnison River is hovering around 1400 CFS - 1500 CFS here at Almont. In the city of Gunnison, it is hovering between 1300 CFS - 1100 CFS, and at Riverway from 1500 CFS - 1200 CFS. The entire stretch from Almont to Blue Mesa is floatable and has been fishing fantastic (keep your eyes open down river for strainers and low bridges!). We are seeing a downward trend in the flows over the last week with small pulses from the consistent rain, but the river is running fast with improving visibility as the day progresses. We are seeing Bugs and Rising fish! The Caddis hatch on the lower Gunnison (CR 32 to Wilson's Landing) has been enormous with enough caddis on the water to look like oil slicks! We were throwing size 14 Caddis and having some success, but seeing more production on the nymphs such as the Gold Ribbed Hares ear, HDA variant, RS2, Pats Rubber legs, and the squirmy worm. Fishing the slower pockets deep should produce some good fish! The Golden Stones are starting to make an appearance as well!!! The Town Stretch (Shady Island to Whitewater Park) is also seeing a strong caddis hatch in the morning to mid day with some Yellow Sally mixed in. While it's not full dry fly season, we are seeing fish rise to caddis patterns as well as a few eats on the Chubby Chernobyl, but the majority of takes are still sub surface on patterns such as the Two Tone Squirmy Worm, Rubber Legs, Two Bit Hooker, HDA Variant, RS2 and Psyco Mayfly patterns. Also strongly recommend having streamers on hand as the streamer bite throughout the day has been productive. Recommended streamers would be the Sculpzilla, Double Gonga, Double Fuego, Agent Scully in yellow, olive, black. The Upper Gunnison (Confluence to Shady Island) has been fishing good with solid nymph fishing from the boat! Patters that we have been throwing include Beaded Pheasant Tails, HDA Variant, Gold Ribbed Hares Ear, Squirmy worm and smaller midge/baetis patterns like the RS2 and Flashback Pheasant Tail. Grab the Streamer box!! The streamer bite has been hitting that sweet spot; Double Gongas, Sculpzilla in olive, black, and yellow have been working well. We are also starting to see the Caddis hatch moving up the river in the afternoon with a few rising fish along the banks. Keep looking for the slower water to hold fish as we are still in runoff but pools, slack water and the drops off of riffles are holding fish. As the water continues to fluctuate and drop (we are thinking we are on the tail end of Runoff) expect fish to start dispersing throughout the river and looking up for dry flies as we keep moving into summer! As always, have fun, respect and enjoy this amazing fishery! Tight Lines! -Willowfly Anglers

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