Fishing Reports and River Flows

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

Willowfly Anglers guide, Eric Grand, with a nice Taylor River rainbow. The C&R section of the Taylor River offers excellent year-round fishing for trophy trout.

For the week of 3/14/2010

The days are getting longer and warmer, and the fishing has turned on. It's a great time to squeeze some fly fishing in with your ski vacation. Give us a call for current conditions and details on fly fishing opportunities in the area.

Taylor River Catch & Release (C&R - below the dam):
Release/Flow: 101 cfs
Small midges, mysis shrimp, and egg patterns, including: midges 18-24, mysis shrimp 18-22, Jujubees 20-22, Brassies 20-22, and Black Beauties 20-24. Watch for redds and spawning rainbows.

Taylor River:
Flow: 140 cfs at Almont (estimate of upper section)
Small mayfly nymphs (18-22) and midges (20-22) trailed behind larger stonefly nymphs (6-10) or egg patterns (14).

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

East River:
Flow: 75 cfs at Almont (estimate of section below the hatchery)
Small mayfly nymphs (18-22) and midges (20-22) trailed behind larger stonefly nymphs (6-10) or egg patterns (14).

Gunnison River:
Flow: 300 cfs through town (estimate)
The ice is starting to break up and there is open water in the Almont area. Try small mayfly nymphs (18-22) and midges (20-22) trailed behind larger stonefly nymphs (6-10) or egg patterns (14).

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.