Fishing Reports and River Flows

The fishing reports and river flows are updated on a regular basis during the season (April through October). Weather and fishing conditions can change rapidly this high in the Rockies, so be sure to check for the latest updates or give us a call before planning your trip to the area. The latest flows and specific hatches for our rivers are listed below. Visit USGS on the web for real-time river flow data for Colorado and Gunnison County.

Doug had a really fun day on our private lease on Cebolla Creek with Willowfly Anglers Guide, John Bocchino. He had great dry fly action and even saw a moose!

Click here for the USGS real-time stream flows for the rivers below.

Taylor River Catch & Release (C&R - below the dam):
Small midges, nymphs, and Mysis Shrimp. Midges and BWOs are hatching, and fish will feed in the film and on the surface.
Flies: general midge patterns 18-24, Mysis Shrimp 18-22, Jujubee Midge 20-22, Dennis Miller's D-Midge 18-20, Brassie 20-22, Black Beauty 20-24, KF Flasher 20-22, Red Disco Midge 18-22, Barr's BWO Emergers 18-20, Juju Baetis 18-20. Small adult midge patterns, Griffiths Gnats, adult BWO patterns, and RS2s for dry fly action (18 -20).

Taylor River:
Midges, caddis, and BWOs have been hatching throughout Taylor Canyon.
Flies: Various small midge patterns and mayfly nymphs can be used behind an egg or stonefly nymph. Size 18 to 22 midges in black, red, olive, or brown can be trailed behind a size 14 to 18 egg (roe, cheese, or peach color) or size 6 to 8 stonefly nymph (Pat's Rubber Leg Stonefly Nymph, 20-Incher). Mayfly nymphs  can be used as well. Try micro mayflies, Juju Baetis, and Barr BWO Emergers (18-20). Streamers are also working. You can fish a variety of sizes (4-10) and colors (black, white, olive, brown, natural). Try a Sculpzilla, Muddy Buddy, and Wooly Bugger patterns. For dry fly fishing, try adult midge patterns and BWOs (18-20), and caddis (14-18).

For more information, check out the Taylor River report on Orvis.com

East River:
The East River will drop and clear over the next two weeks. You can find fish in the pools and eddies on the section of river near the Roaring Judy Hatchery. Look for midges, caddis, and BWOs to hatch late morning and early afternoon.
Flies: Various small midge patterns and small mayfly nymphs can be used in tandem with an egg or stonefly nymph. Size 16 to 20 midges in black, red, olive, or brown can be trailed behind a size 14 to 16 egg (roe, cheese, or peach color) or size 6 to 8 stonefly nymph (Pat's Rubber Leg Stonefly Nymph, 20-Incher). Baetis nymphs, like micro mayflies, Pheasant Tails, or black Copper Johns (size 18-20) are also working. Small adult midge patterns and Griffiths Gnats, or a size 20 RS2 with an upright wing or adult BWO pattern or caddis, can be used for dry fly action. Streamers are also working well, especially when the water is off-color. Fish a variety of sizes (4-10) and colors (black, white, olive, brown, natural). Good patterns include Sculpzilla, Muddy Buddy, and Western Coachman.

Gunnison River:
Midges, caddis, and BWOs are hatching, and the stoneflies, PMDs, and Green Drakes will be hatching soon on the lower river. We have early reports of the main hatches already.
Flies: Various small midge patterns and mayfly nymphs can be trailed behind an egg pattern or stonefly nymph. Size 18 to 22 midges in any color (black and red are good), and Baetis nymphs in size 18 to 20 are working well. Try Barr's BWO Emergers, black Copper Johns, or micro mayflies. Good stonefly nymphs include Pat's Rubber Leg Stonefly Nymph and 20-Incher patterns, size 6 to 8. Orange scud patterns size 14 -16 are also working well. Small adult midge patterns, caddis, and BWOs can be used for dry fly action during the hatch if you see rising fish. When the big stoneflies and mayflies hatch, fish adult stonefly patterns like the Rogue Foam Golden Stone (size 8), PMD patterns (size 14-16), and Green Drake emergers and adults (size 10-12). Streamers can also be effective, especially if the water is stained. You can fish a variety of sizes (4-10) and colors (black, white, olive, brown, natural) for streamers. Try a Sculpzilla, Muddy Buddy, and Western Coachman.

For more information, check out the Gunnison River report on Orvis.com

Kokanee Salmon Run (August 1 - October 31):
Kokanee are a land-locked form of sockeye salmon. Each April, 2-inch kokanee fry are released from Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery into the East River. Their overnight journey takes them down the East to the Gunnison River and onto Blue Mesa Reservoir, where they typically spend two or three years. In late August, the salmon begin their trek back to the hatchery and the run usually lasts through October. Division of Wildlife personnel spawn the salmon at the hatchery, taking 3,000,000 to 10,000,000 eggs per year. Catch & release fishing for kokanee is allowed on the Gunnison River and East River from August 1st through October 31st. The run normally peaks around mid September.