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.
April 15, 2025
The Gorge - Flows have dropped and are sitting around 450 cfs through the canyon. This is a great flow as we head into spring fishing. BWOs have begun hatching and becoming the key food source. In the mornings fish are keying in on baetis nymphs in the riffles. We have been fishing a long nymph rig in the riffles and seams using a small jig perdigon and a baetis pattern in sizes #16-22. Natural colors bugs in brown, black, cream, and olive have been solid! In the afternoon once water temps rise we have started to see some solid dry fly action. Fish are keying in on adult BWOs in sizes #18-20.
Pleasure Park up the Gorge - Same as above. Continue fishing nymph rigs in the riffle water earlier in the day. The dry fly bite on this stretch has been red-hot!
Pleasure Park Down Lower Gunnison - Flows on the North Fork have increased and this stretch has officially blown out. This stretch most likely will not clear up until end of May/ early June.
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.
