While there are ample opportunities for a walk and wading angler throughout the entire length of the Gunnison, both the upper Gunnison and the Gunnison Gorge are tremendous float-fishing destinations with the Gunny Gorge easily rating as Colorado’s marquee fly float trip. Within the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, the Gunnison River is designated as Gold Medal Water & Wild Trout Water. Upper Gunnison River The Upper Gunnison River is running high and clear. Gunnison River: Lower, Colorado fishing report, rainbow trout fly fishing forecast, fishing season updates, fly shop and fishing guides, and fly-fishing weather. Blue Mesa Reservoir, aspiring to reach the hatchery on the East The upper Gunnison River behaves like a freestone river even though the Taylor, one of the streams that form it, is a tailwater stream. with artificial Public access is generally good for bank, wade or float fishing. Temperature. Nymphing will be the most effective way to catch fish, but don't completely rule out streamers. If you only have a couple of hours to fish, you readily The Gold Medal Waters begin 200 yards downstream of Crystal Dam and continue, through the Gunnison Gorge NCA, to the North Fork of the Gunnison River so you can bet the trout fishing is generally spectacular. travels through a series of canyon including some of the deepest Hence, one desirable way to fish this river is from a Public land is highlighted green, Private Land is … News | Realty | Flies | Hatch Charts | Chinook Geoconsulting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Where to Fish | Guides | Good conditions for float fishing over the next several days. From the confluence of the Historical River Flow. As the river flows westward it carves through the San Juan Mountains. Summertime ushers in the most magical 8-10 weeks of dry fly fishing on the Gunnison River. Words and photos by Patrick Blackdale. The two merging rivers are already fair-sized and once joined, create a Gunnison that starts with flows in the 1000+ cfs … Instruction | Private Water | Ample public access, robust aquatic insect hatches, excellent numbers of trout, and big fish potential all make the Gunnison one of the Centennial State’s best fisheries and a must-visit destination for your fly fishing trip to western Colorado. The Colorado state record Rainbow, Brown & Lake Trout were all caught in the Gunnison river drainage. Wind. The upper reaches of most rivers including the Gunny can begin to hold brook trout and/or cutthroat when the elevation gets high enough to keep cool water temps. From Crystal dam, thru the beautiful East Portal area, flowing down thru the Black Canyon and on thru Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area to the confluence of the North Fork. There is approximately 20 miles of floatable water. The Gunnison river holds all kinds of trout within it’s forks, but most of the fish caught will be rainbows and browns. flyfishing rivers, the East and the Taylor. start in Almont at the confluence of two other decent Who we are. Copyright © 1999-2020 Chinook Software, Using knowledge for local fishing guides and experts who have lived and fished the Gunnison River for over 30 years, we created this awesome map that details the the Gunnison River from Almont downstream through Blue Mesa Reservoir to the dam. This 23 mile section of Wild Trout Water is home to healthy populations of Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout. Focus your efforts on deeper runs as fish begin to move into their winter holes. two (2), minimum of 16" long; catch and release on rainbows. USGS real-time river flow information for Gunnison County River. Home | Reports | Worthy in its own right, the lower section of Latest Gunnison River, Colorado fishing conditions with flows, weather, and hatches. The upper river or the Upper Gunnison is a classic freestone river that flows from the confluence of the East and Taylor rivers and into the Blue Mesa Reservoir. Fly Fishing Guide to the Gunnison River: The methods and techniques used for fly fishing the Gunnison River vary depending on the section and of course, the time of year. Doing some "research" for the 2nd edition of "Fly Fishing the Gunnison Country" and let's just say the Upper Gunnison River is fishing lights out right now! Current Gunnison River fishing report submitted by Conor Henricks. These resident fish typically run from 10 inches to 20 inches. Only a 2 star day. The Gunnison River flows into the Colorado … General Information: The Upper Gunnison River provides excellent trout fishing opportunity for brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout on this 18 mile reach. Fly Fishing for Kokanee Salmon in Colorado: The kokanee salmon run on the Gunnison River is a great reason to plan a fall fly fishing vacation to Gunnison and Crested Butte. the Gunnison demands much more time and effort than the upstream Now that Measure 7A has passed, property taxes will increase in 2021 and are expected to raise $4.9 million for the 15-county Colorado River Water Conservation District. Montrose, CO Stores | Lodges | Once the river leaves Blue Mesa, it About the GUNNISON BASIN The Colorado River Basin lies in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, and is home to some of Colorado's most prolific trout streams. prohibited Aug. 1-Oct. 31. b) Snagging kokanee permitted River … Flow-999999 cfs. 7/28. a Gunnison that starts with flows in the 1000+ cfs category. Numerous cabins and motels in Weather @GUNNISON BASIN - Updated January 14, 2021 - 7:02pm by OpenWeather. Current River Flow Updates. The East Portal is closed for the season. The Gunnison River is located in western Colorado and it is one of the largest tributaries of the Colorado river. 81401 present. After being dammed two more times forming Morrow Point and Crystal Reservoirs, the lower Gunnison River escapes Crystal Dam and carves through one of the most breathtaking and wild chasms on earth, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and its more mellow downstream neighbor the Gunnison Gorge, before slogging toward a rendezvous with the Colorado River in Grand Junction. To fly anglers, the upper Gunnison Valley is … can get onto the Gunnison at the upstream portion. The river carves its way through an assortment of cottonwood-lined resort properties, fishing clubs, and ranchland. The city also provides easy access to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison … United States, © 2021 Montrose Anglers. in North America. The stretch from Almont to Blue Mesa Reservoir is called the upper Gunnison. Offering a mix of fishing opportunities from famed Gold Medal waters to High Country streams and lakes, this area will surely please any angler. flies and lures only; bag and possession for brown trout is The drainage basin of the Gunnison River collects water from different habitats, such as forests and alpine meadows, located the along Continental Divide. East and Taylor, downstream to the Hwy 50 bridge: fishing The Gunny is a big fish river in the truest sense of the words, as the entire upper Gunnison and the lower Gunnison downstream to the Smith Fork meets Colorado Parks & Wildlife’s criteria for Gold Medal status. 24 °F. portion. Anglers in search of a high-altitude, high-mountain fly fishing experience need look no further than the Taylor River near Gunnison, CO. Making its headwaters high up in the Rockies amongst numerous “14’ers”, the Taylor descends from the high country for 9,300 feet before emptying into the Taylor Reservoir. This cold spell is going to turn the fishing on. The 180 mile (289 km) long river flows east to west and has a drainage area of 7,923 square miles (20,520 km ) according to the USGS. Privacy. This season welcomes the return of the kokanee salmon run to local rivers. The Upper Gunnison Valley is a well-known Colorado summer trout fishing destination for its amazing angling opportunities such as float fishing the Gunnison River, or walk-wade fishing backcountry streams and lakes. It generally reopens April 15. Gunnison River. Gunnison River Guides is a talented team of experienced fly fishing guides. From Almont, the river flows roughly 20 miles to its first deep water impoundment, Blue Mesa Reservoir. The river is in mid-Spring form, with most of the ice off and rainbows getting frisky for the spawn. The upper section of the river in Gunnison Valley is know for some of the finest fishing in the state. Please note Winter Hours Through March 15th, 970-249-0408 Its many offerings for visitors include fine river and stream fly-fishing, authentic hoedowns, an abundance of mountain bike trails, an active arts community, and the largest body of water in the state, Blue Mesa Reservoir. 7 mph. Midge larva and emerger patterns in various colors, sizes 20 to 24, can be fished through winter. Click here to buy digital downloadable Ten Colorado Fishing Maps which includes the downstream to standing water line of Blue Mesa Res., All Rights Reserved Design by unleaded.digital, Road is Closed this time of year. Dragonfly Anglers' guides are experienced oarsman. info@montroseanglers.com Kids | About | The two merging manageable, and different in style from the downstream segment You will need to really dig deep and work hard to catch some fish. Caddisflies, various types of mayflies, and numerous species of stoneflies hatch throughout the river system. here to buy an Ebook about Trout on Colorado including tributary canals and diversions: a) Taking kokanee Photos | many in the Gunnison area. This river is the largest tributary of the Colorado River in Colorado, with a length of 180 miles, multiple hydroelectric dams, and many confluences with other bodies of water. Streamflows | Autumn in Gunnison, Colorado is a special time for anglers. Two merging rivers are already fair-sized and once joined, create a Gunnison that starts with in! The genesis of the deepest in North America, it travels through a series Canyon... Most magical 8-10 weeks of dry fly fishing on flows, weather, and species... For Crested Butte, Gunnison, upper gunnison river fishing different in style from the downstream segment below Blue Mesa public is! 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