Begining at the confluence of the North Fork of the Gunnison there are two sections. The North Fork to Smith Fork which goes up into the NCA, and the lower section, the confluence down to Austin.
February 10, 2026
The Gorge - Flows have been consistent and sitting at 355 cfs. Water clarity is super clear through the gorge and fish are feeding in the deeper slower water. Fishing a deep nymph rig along the edges of the runs & in the slow deep tailouts has been the most effective technique through out the day.
Pleasure Park up the Gorge - Same nymphing game as the Gorge. Fish have been looking up a bit more on this stretch for midge adults. The fish eating on the surface are spooky and will only eat on a well presented drift. Rely on a long leader (12-14ft) using 6x to get the best presentation and your best shot at a fish.
Pleasure Park Down Lower Gunnison - The Lower Gunnison stretch has been fishing well. The north fork has increased in flows resulting in a slight tint below the confluence and down the first mile or so. Nymphing is the name of the game but there has also been some consistent midge hatching. Working your shelfs and deep runs will produce most of your fish. Leading your nymph rig with a worm or leech has shown to be effective. Fishing streamers with a slow presentation has been finding fish. The smaller Dungeons in your classic colorways (Black, Olive, & White) are always a good player this time of the year.
Rubberlegs #8-10, Sparkle Emerger #14-18, San Juan Worms #10, Perdigons #14-16, Frenchies #14-18, Peanut Envy, Sex Dungeon, and Mini Sex Dungeon, Raninbow Baby Gonga, Swim Coach
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Fly Rod: For fishing the Gunnison River, a 9' 5wt or 6wt fly rod is an excellent choice, offering the perfect balance of power and sensitivity for a variety of conditions. A rod with a fast action provides the versatility to handle everything such as dry fly presentations and nymphing techniques, making it ideal for the river’s diverse waters. The extra length helps with mending, reach, and accuracy, ensuring effective casts in the Gunnison’s challenging currents.
Fly Reel: On the Gunnison River, a fly reel with a smooth, reliable drag system is essential to handle the hard-fighting rainbow and brown trout. A reel with a large arbor will ensure quick line retrieval, helping you stay connected with fast-moving trout and making it easier to manage long runs. Durability and a powerful drag system are key to handling the challenges of this dynamic river.
Fly Line: A quality fly line is essential for trout fishing on the Gunnison River, offering versatility for both dry fly and nymphing techniques. A larger taper fly line allows for turning over larger dry-dropper and nymph rigs, providing better control and presentation. It reduces drag and enhances accuracy, helping anglers adapt to fast currents and maximize success in challenging conditions.
The genesis of the famed Gunnison River is in Almont where the East and Taylor Rivers merge. Lazily snaking through cottonwood-lined ranchland for 20 miles, the upper "Gunny" is dammed to form Blue Mesa Reservoir, the Centennial State's largest body of water. 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.
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. Wild brown trout and a mix of wild and stocked rainbow trout, along with a few cutbows (mainly in the upper river), inhabit the Gunnison River. 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. 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.
