November Taylor River / Gunnison River Fishing Report
Shop / Guided Trip Update:
Free Fly Tying Night is back every Thursday 6-9pm it was a ton of fun last winter. Bring your own vise and materials - fly tying night isn’t a class, it’s an open format time and place to get together with the local fly tying community.
We are now carrying an awesome selection of Metz hackle come check out the largest fly tying selection in the Gunnison Valley.
Shop Hours- For Winter
Monday-Saturday 9-6:30
Sunday 9-5:00
We're getting new stuff and new brands in all the time. Flies are stocked, the tying material selection is growing, and we now have a large selection of Metz Feathers available online or in store.
Creeks:
The higher elevation creeks are going to have their moments as we transition into winter but for the most part we are done fishing the smaller water for the year and even expect to see ice in the morning on Cochetopa, Spring Creek, and the Slate River. With how rough of shape Tomichi Creek was in all summer it is fishing surprisingly well during the day just make sure to leave all the spawning browns alone.
Taylor River: 50 CFS
Lower Taylor: Euro Nymphing the lower Taylor this time of year can be the most effective way to fish it.
Flies: sz 14-16 walt's worm, duracells, guides choice hares ear / sz 18-20 black/silver perdigon and olive spanish bullets. Dry Flies: griffiths gnat, mole flies, and sz 20 baetis cripples.
Catch and Release: Nymphing will likely be more productive but dry fly fishing at the Taylor Catch and Release can be rewarding. Either technique will require light tippet and long leaders. While dry fly fishing I prefer the SA absolute trout presentation 14ft 5x as the long leader also helps you get a perfect drag free drift.
Flies: griffiths gnat, mole fly 20-22, mayhem Midge, crystal wing rs2, foam back baetis, Bling Midge.
Keep yo ass away from spawning Redds.
Gunnison River: 350 CFS
Kokanee are in the river in catchable numbers.
With all the recent rain the wade fishing for trout has been great on warm weather days and should remain that way until we start icing up.
Kokanee Salmon Flies: slush eggs, yarn eggs, beads, squirmie worms, san juan worms, fast water prince and fast water pheasant tail.
Flies: olive spanish bullet, frenchies, soft hackle pheasant tails, pats rubber legs, duracells, and zebra midges.
Dry Flies: griffiths gnat, midge cluster patterns and sz 22 baetis patterns.
This late in the season with colder water temps i downsize my streamer patterns and jigged euro style streamers can be very effective in the fall.
Streamers: mini olive dungeon, mini black dungeon, orange karnopps space invader, and micro peanut envy.
Blue Mesa Reservoir: 98 ft below full
Toxic Algae Blooms Present don't let your dog go swimming in water you have not inspected
Cyanotoxins are currently present in the Iola Basin. Until further notice, the park recommends that no person or pet swims in, or drinks from, reservoir waters in the Iola Basin. Cyanotoxins may be present in the Cebolla and Sapinero Basins. Use caution when fishing, boating, or recreating in Blue Mesa Reservoir.
At the shop we are excited and gearing up for an awesome ice fishing season on blue mesa call the shop if you’d like like to try an ice fishing trip out.
Boat Ramps for the reservoir are closed due to low water levels however you can get an ANS inspection at Elk Creek and shore launch your motorized craft from the beach.
Don't overlook fly fishing Blue Mesa. Leeches, chironomids, and worm patterns fished under a sensitive strike indicator can be a riot and produce some impressive trout and yellow perch.
Throwing Crayfish and Baitfish patterns around rocky structure can be a good way to target larger brown trout and rainbow trout.
This fall should be great for catching browns and lake trout on the fly rod.