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 14, 2025
The Gorge - Flows have stablized between 550-600cfs through the canyon. This is a great winter flow, fishing a nymph rig in the slower water and alongside the runs has been the most consistent. Fishing this water with a multi fly nymph rig with worms, eggs, and leechs as your point fly/attractor has produced some really nice fish. Baetis and midges deep have been the main source of food. Think sizes 18-22 for midges and baetis in your natural colors: brown, black, cream, and olive. Come by the shop and load up on all your fishing needs and check out our wide selection of flies!
Pleasure Park up the Gorge - Same as above. Focus your efforts on the deeper water using a nymph rig with smaller caddis, mayfly, and midge nymphs. Using a perdigon as your weight and as an attractor has beeen finding fish consistently. Leading your rig with a egg or worm has also beeen finding fish.
Pleasure Park Down Lower Gunnison - Nymphing the deeper runs and riffles have been producing solid fish. Fishing midge and baetis jig nymphs have been the most productive bugs for us. Streamers are a solid choice especially on warmer overcast days. Look for fish to begin keying in on adult midges in the afterenoons. These fish are very selective and spooky, make sure to get a nice presentation and good down stream drift. Think 5x and 6x and lots of weight to keep your flies in the zone.
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.
