MAY 2024

Evening temps in the mid 20's have slowed runoff down for the meantime. The Gunnison, which is at the mercy of the East river and Taylor rivers and it's tributaries has dropped near Gunnison from between 1100-1600 down to 858 on this May 1st. It's currently at 982 below the whitewater park at county road 32. The forecast remains cold at night but hitting mid 60's during the day. Crested Butte will see high's in the 50's. This time of year is a real crap shoot with water levels. Keep in mind, the river is currently slightly clear and floatable. The upper section from Almont will remain open until the Sheriff's office shuts it down, around 2000cfs.

That being said, various perdigons in size 12 along with Pat's RL's and SJ worms and wooly buggers will bring fish to the boat. Streamers as it clouds up should produce as well. Dark colors, black and olive in stained water.

The Taylor is still running at a beautiful 106 at the damn and 261 at Almont. Finer tippet along with smaller perdigons and midges should do the trick. Mole flies and small Adam's below the damn along with other tail water bugs.

Our fly trays are overflowing with everything you'll need, including pike flies for Taylor Reservoir!!

Keep an eye on our live flow reports, listed for each river in our valley that have gauges. Give us a call for up to date reports.

Don't forget, US 50 is closed near Blue Mesa Reservoir. There is a detour twice a day, The CDOT website has all the info, plan accordingly.

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Fishing Reports

The gunnison river

The Gunnison River is formed at the confluence of the East River and the Taylor River in Almont Co. It flows south for just over ten miles before crossing under Hwy 50 at the town of Gunnison. The river then heads west and follows hwy 50 west of town where it flows into Blue Mesa Reservoir. The river is a major tributary of the Colorado River.

The Gunnison has trout in it form it’s confluence downstream through the Black canyon national park and Gunnison gorge national recreation area down to Austin Colorado where the river warms up to make trout fishing unproductive. The river has rainbow and brown trout along with some cutthroat and also boasts a large kokanee salmon run that occurs in September and October.

This run is a hoot to fish as some very large trout also make their way up the river from the reservoir (which happens to be the largest lake in Colorado). There are lots of places to fish and miles of public water for the wading or floating angler to enjoy.

What a beautiful fall it's been!! There's nothing prettier then standing in the middle of a river, surrounded by beautiful red and golden trees, such an amazing time to be on the Gunnison and surrounding rivers and creeks in the...
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THE SALMON ARE COMING, THE SALMON ARE COMING!! As fall starts stalking us (it was 45 degrees when I got up this morning) the first signs of salmon are in the Gunnison and it won't be long before the brown's...
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