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.

Zach caught this nice 22-inch cutbow on the East River in September with Willowfly Anglers Guide, John Bocchino.

October 30, 2011 (final report for the season)

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. Look for BWOs and midges to hatch in the afternoons.
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, Pheasant Tail 20-22, RS2 18-20, JuJu Baetis 20, BWO 18-22.

Taylor River:
Look for BWOs and midges to hatch throughout Taylor Canyon.
Flies: 20-Incher 6-12, Pat's Rubber Leg Stonefly 6, Pheasant Tails 16-18, Copper John 16-18, Barr BWO Emerger 18-22, RS2 18-20, Micro Mayfly 18-20, Jujubee Midge 20-22, Zebra Midge 20-22, Muddy Buddy 6, Sculpzilla 4, egg patterns (roe) 14-18, BWO 18-22.

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

East River:
Look for some BWOs and midges to hatch mainly in the afternoons.
Flies: Pheasant Tails 16-20, Copper John 16-18, JuJu Baetis 20, Micro Mayfly 18-20, Barr BWO Emerger 18-22, RS2 18-20, Muddy Buddy 6, Sculpzilla 4, egg patterns (roe) 14-18, BWO 18-22.

Gunnison River:
Some BWOs and midges are hatchingin the afternoons.
Flies: Pheasant Tails 16-20, Copper John 16-18, Micro Mayfly 18-20, JuJu Baetis 20, Barr BWO Emerger 18-22, RS2 18-20, Zebra Midge 20-22, Muddy Buddy 6, Sculpzilla 4, egg patterns (roe) 14-18, BWO 18-22.

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.