Fishing Reports and River Flows

The fishing reports and river flows are updated on a regular basis during the season (March through November). 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 Gunnison County.

When the rivers are in run-off, it can be a great time to fish small streams for brookies, browns, and cutthroat.

7/2/2009

Taylor River Catch & Release (C&R - below the dam):
Release/Flow: 552 cfs
Small midges, mysis, and nymphs, including: midges 18-24, mysis shrimp 18-22, RS2s 18-22, Barr BWO emergers 18-22, and Pheasant Tails 18-24.

Taylor River:
Flow: 752 cfs at Almont
Stonefly nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, and streamers. Mayfly nymphs trailed behind larger stonefly nymphs. Streamers and Western Coachman wet flies. Some dry fly action with caddis (dark colors, 12-18), golden stones (8), and PMDs (16).

East River:
Flow: 899 cfs at Almont (some run-off, still high)
Stonefly nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, and streamers. Mayfly nymphs trailed behind larger stonefly nymphs. Streamers and Western Coachman wet flies. Some dry fly action with caddis (dark colors, 12-18), golden stones (8), and PMDs (16).

Gunnison River:
Flow: 1,740 cfs through town (good for floating, still high for wading)
Stonefly nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, and streamers. Mayfly nymphs trailed behind larger stonefly nymphs. Streamers in black, olive or white (4-8). Some dry fly action with golden stones (8), PMDs (16), Green Drakes (10-12), and caddis (dark colors, 12-18).

Kokanee Salmon Run (August 1 - October 31):
Kokanee are a land-locked form of sockeye salmon. The run to the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery is the only all natural run in Colorado that goes to a hatchery. Each April, 2-inch kokanee fry are released from Roaring Judy 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 summers. 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.