Report By Gareth York
Fishing conditions in the area are changing & improving daily, use the links below to check stream flows as they may have dropped considerably since this report was published, or call the shop at (970)-349-1228 for the most up to date conditions.
Overview
Despite this cold snap we’re in for the next few days, it’s starting to look like springtime out on the river! Temperatures are expected to be in the high 40’s in Crested Butte and mid 50’s in Gunnison by the end of this week. The warmer weather has the fish and the bugs moving. Fish are still podded up in the slower deeper holes and soft riffles. As the temperatures begin to rise and the snow starts melting, we begin to think about runoff in May/June. Snowpack in the Gunnison basin is at 101% of the median, meaning we should have average flows this year. Looks like float season beginning in mid to late June is a go!
Shop News- Spring is here and we are getting shipments in. At the end of March through May we are getting more flies and more gear to get you ready for the 2024 fishing season.
Gunnison River Conditions
- Flows are steadily climbing into the 330 CFS range
- Almont to Lake City Bridge is now open water!
- Nymphing and Streamers are still the ticket this time of year.
Flies for the Gunnison
Streamers
- Mini-Dungeon- Black, Olive, and White
- Sculpin patterns- Black, Olive, and White
- Galloup’s Peanut Envy- Tan, and Olive
Nymphs
- Eggs- Size 12-16
- San Juan Worm- Brown and Pink
- Rainbow Warrior- Size, 14-18
- Perdigon- Olive, Purple- Size 14-18
- Flashback Pheasant Tail- Size 14-18
- Top Secret Midge- Size 18-20
- Pats Rubber Legs- Size 8-12
- RS2- Grey and Black- Size 18-22
Taylor River Conditions
- Flows are steady at 103 CFS
- The C&R is open and fishing as always
- Most parking areas should be open, a few may still be snowed in
- Look for BWO’s to start popping off as the weather warms up
Flies for the Taylor
Nymphs
- Mysis Shrimp- Size 14-18
- Flashback Pheasant Tail- Size 16-22
- Zebra Midge- Black, Purple, and Olive- Size, 18-24
- Top Secret Midge- Size 18-22
- Radiation Baetis- Size 18-22
- RS2- Grey, Olive, and Black- Size 18-22
Dries
- Parachute Adams- Size 16-20
- Mother Shucker- Size 18-22
- Split Flag Quigley BWO- Size 18-22
Streamers
- Sculpin patterns- black, olive, and white
- Wooly bugger- black, olive, and tan
East River Conditions
- Flows have been hovering around 100 CFS
- Only place to access is at Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery
- Low flows means find deeper water
Flies for the East River
Nymphs
- Duracell- Size 14-18
- Flashback Pheasant Tail- Size 16-22
- San Juan Worm- Brown and Pink
- Zebra Midge- Black, Purple, and Olive- Size, 18-24
- Jig head Frenchie- Size 14-18
- RS2- Grey, Olive, and Black- Size 18-22
Dries
- Parachute Adams- Size 16-20
- Mother Shucker- Size 18-22
- Split Flag Quigley BWO- Size 18-22
Streamers
- Sculpin patterns- black, olive, and white
- Thin Mint- Size 6-10
Creeks and Small Streams
- Mostly covered in ice, best conditions on rivers listed above
Blue Mesa Conditions
- Ice from Iola to Elk Creek
- Open water from Bay of Chickens to the Dam with a few pockets of thin ice spread throughout
- Use caution as you ice fish! Warm and windy conditions can hurt the integrity of the ice.
Springtime is a great time to get out on the water! We have guides available for walk-wade and float trips now. Click here to read more, or give us a call at (970)-349-1228 to book a trip!
