Fishing Season: April through October

Upper Gunnison River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

40

Willowfly Anglers's Tip of the Week

The Gunnison River is OPEN to floating from Almont all the way to Blue Mesa! Still be diligent on checking the flows daily, as the river can still bump up past where it is safe to float YOUR BOAT on the upper reaches of the Gunnison. Every raft / drift boat has different clearances; be safe and know your limits. THE GUNNISON IS FISHING HOT right now! We are seeing Golden Stoneflies, Green Drakes, PMD's and Caddis throughout the system. Hopper dropper and indicator rigs have been the most productive in the morning, fishing Pat's Rubberlegs, 20 Incher Stonefly, Hare's Ear, Frenchi, Squirmy Worms, and Chubby Chernobyl's. Mid-day, we are starting to see caddis and drakes; primarily on the lower reaches (closer to Blue Mesa), and start to run single and double dry flies. A few patterns to find success are Colorado Green Drake, Sprout's Green Drake, Extended Body Foam Drake, Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, and the Missing Link Caddis. Streamers have also been productive, keeping close to the banks.

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 7/19/24

BUGS are in the forecast!! Be prepared for some of the best dry fly fishing of the season with Green Drakes, Caddis, and Golden Stonefly's hatching every day.

Techniques & Tips as of 7/19/24

Hopper Dropper, Nymphing, 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):
Larson's Legend Golden Stone Dry Natural 12-20
Hairwing Western Green Drake 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

Larson's Legend Golden Stone Dry

An excellent foam stonefly pattern that rides perfectly in the riffles.

2.99

Item #7R4P

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:

Green Drakes, Caddis, Golden Stonefly, PMD

Best Time to Fish:

11am - 4pm

Best Stretch:

Almont to Blue Mesa.

Best Access:

Curecanti Recreation Area