Taylor River Fishing Report / Gunnison River Fishing Report
Shop / Guided Trip Update:
We are officially a Cortland Dealer and have a great selection of the Cortland Guide Series Rods and Guide Series Kits. Just brought in an awesome selection of Fulling Mill tying material.
Shop Hours-
Monday-Saturday 8-6:30
Sunday 8-5:00
We're getting new stuff and new brands in all the time. Flies are stocked, the tying material selection is growing, and we officially have Cortland and Fulling Mill Tying Material.
Fisheries to leave alone due to low flows:
Slate River, Cement Creek, East River up by Crested Butte, Cochetopa Creek and Tomichi Creek. if you want to fish up by Crested Butte your best bet may be to find a lake to fish or go fish the Gunnison or Taylor river.
Taylor River: 70 CFS
Lower Taylor: Low water and sporadic hatches. The first few miles can fish great this time of year but most of your fish are going to come on nymph rigs or heavier dry dropper rigs fishing faster water. Euro Nymphing the lower Taylor this time of year can be the most effective way to fish it. if you are looking to dry fly fish your best bet is to focus on the stretches upstream of Lodgepole Campground.
Flies: sz 14-16 walt's worm, duracells, guides choice hares ear / sz 16-20 perdigons, spanish bullets, black/chartreuse frenchie. Dry Flies missing link or cornfed caddis, BWO parachute and cripples 18-20, Spinners 16-22
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: mole fly 20-22, mayhem Midge, crystal wing rs2, foam back baetis, Bling Midge.
Keep yo ass away from spawning Redds as the brown trout up there are starting to spawn.
Gunnison River: 132 CFS
Kokanee are in the river in low numbers but the run should get better as we move further into September.
Very low flow floating is no longer an option but the wade fishing for trout has been fantastic and should only get better as we continue to have cooler weather and hopefully some precipitation. Whitewater Park to standing water at Blue Mesa Reservoir is under a Voluntary Closure from noon to midnight everyday per CPW.
Kokanee Salmon Flies: slush eggs, yarn eggs, beads, squirmie worms, san juan worms, fast water prince and fast water pheasant tail.
Flies: frenchies, black pearl perdigons, espresso midge, cdc pheasant tail, and rs2's.
Dry Flies: trico patterns 18-24, missing link caddis and pearl caddis 14-18
Hatches have become sporadic so nymphing or streamer fishing is the game.
Streamers: mini gonga olive and rust, barely legal rainbow, craw orange mini dungeons, black and olive sculpzillas.
East Portal: 250 CFS
It would fish so good but you can't fish it due to the Road Closure caused by a flash flood back in July the east portal road is closed until further notice.
Blue Mesa Reservoir: 98 ft below full
Toxic Algae Blooms Present don't let your dog go swimming in Iola Basin.
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.
Boat Ramps for the reservoir are closed 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.