Month: May 2024

Report by DFA guide Gareth York

Overview

Runoff is here! Flows vary day by day depending on the snowmelt. Fishing after colder days and colder nights will typically produce clearer water. Whether the temps are warm, and the water is dirty, or it clears up after a cooler day, the fish still have to eat! High and dirty water means big attractor patterns and aggressive eats Fish softer currents and around structure that gives fish a break from the fast current.

Snowpack in the Gunnison basin is at 122% 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- Stop in and say hi to our new shop employees, Macey, Owen and Zach! We’re stoked to have them here this summer!

Colorado Snowpack Data

Colorado Streamflow Current Conditions

Gunnison River Conditions

· Flows are ranging from 1400-2000 CFS Gunnison River Flows

· Nymphing and Streamer fishing are your best bet in the dirty water

· Wading and floating are both decent options at these flows.

· Work individual holes hard with a nymph or streamer then move on

· Fish bright and flashy flies when dealing with dirty water

Flies for the Gunnison

Streamers

· MFC Galloup’s Micro Dungeon- Black, Yellow, Olive

· 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- Pink, Red, and Purple

· Spanish Bullet- Size 14-18

· Perdigon- Size 14-18

· Pats Rubber Legs- Size 8-12

· Blowtorch- Size 12-16

Dries

· Parachute Adams- Size 16-20

· Purple Haze- Size 18-20

· BWO patterns- Size 18-22

· Elk Hair Caddis- Size 14-18

Taylor River Conditions

· Flows are just jumped to 257 CFS out of the dam Taylor River Flows

· Wading and floating are both good options at these flows

· Nymphing deeper holes and around structure is your best bet

· Look for baetis and midges hatching in the afternoon

Flies for the Taylor

Nymphs

· Eggs-Size 12-16

· 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

· Sprout Midge- Size 18-22

· BWO patterns- Size 18-22

Streamers

· MFC Galloup’s Micro Dungeon- Black, Yellow, Olive

· Sculpin patterns- black, olive, and white

· Wooly bugger- black, olive, and tan

East River Conditions

· Flows have been fluctuating around 800-1300 CFS at Almont East River Flows

· Best place to access is at Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery

· Fish calmer water and structure that gives the fish a break in the current

Flies for the East River

Nymphs

· San Juan Worm- Brown and Pink

· Jig head Frenchie- Size 14-18

· Rainbow Warrior- Size 14-18

· Blowtorch- Size 12-16

Dries

· Parachute Adams- Size 16-20

· Mother Shucker- Size 18-22

· BWO patterns- Size 18-22

· Elk Hair Caddis- Size 14-18

Streamers

· Sculpin patterns- black, olive, and white

· Thin Mint- Size 6-10

Creeks and Small Streams

· Summer creek season is here!

· Each creek varies based on flows and water clarity this time of year.

· Dirty water means attractor patterns and calm water that gives them a break from the current

· In clear water fish dries and nymphs in the deeper holes

Blue Mesa Conditions

· The Lake is open and fishing well!

· Good luck getting around middle bridge.

Springtime is a great time to get out on the water! We have guides available for walk-wade and float trips now. Give us a call at (970)-349-1228 to book a trip!

Report By Gareth York

Overview

Runoff has started. The flows are rising, and the water is getting dirty but don’t fret. The fish still have to eat. The highs in Gunnison are around the mid-60s, and in Crested Butte the highs are in the mid-50s. This means the water will continue to rise. High and dirty-ish water means big attractor patterns and aggressive eats. Fish softer currents and around structure that gives fish a break from the fast current. If you’d rather avoid the higher water all together, head to the Taylor.

Snowpack in the Gunnison basin is at 94% 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. Colorado Snowpack Data available here.

Gunnison River Conditions

· Flows are ranging from 600-900 CFS Gunnison River Flows

· Nymphing and Streamer fishing are your best bet in the dirty water

· Wading and floating are both good options at these flows.

· Work individual holes hard with a nymph or streamer then move on

Flies for the Gunnison

Streamers

· MFC Galloup’s Micro Dungeon- Black, Yellow, Olive

· 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

· Spanish Bullet- Size 14-18

· Perdigon- Size 14-18

· Black Beauty- Size 16-20

· Pats Rubber Legs- Size 8-12

· RS2- Grey, Olive, and Black- Size 18-22

Dries

· Parachute Adams- Size 16-20

· Purple Haze- Size 18-20

· BWO patterns- Size 18-22

Taylor River Conditions

· Flows are steady at 103 CFS Taylor River Flows

· Wading is the only option at these flows

· Nymphing deeper holes and around structure is your best bet

· Look for BWO’s and midges hatching in the afternoon

Flies for the Taylor

Nymphs

· Eggs-Size 12-16

· 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

· Sprout Midge- size 18-22

· BWO patterns- Size 18-22

Streamers

· MFC Galloup’s Micro Dungeon- Black, Yellow, Olive

· Sculpin patterns- black, olive, and white

· Wooly bugger- black, olive, and tan

East River Conditions

· Flows have been fluctuating around 300-450 CFS East River Flows

· Best place to access is at Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery

· Fish calmer water and structure that gives the fish a break in the current

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

· Rainbow Warrior- size 14-18

· RS2- Grey, Olive, and Black- Size 18-22

Dries

· Parachute Adams- Size 16-20

· Mother Shucker- Size 18-22

· BWO patterns- Size 18-22

Streamers

· Sculpin patterns- black, olive, and white

· Thin Mint- Size 6-10

Creeks and Small Streams

· They are starting to thaw

· Lower elevation creeks are open!

· Higher elevation creeks are partially thawed depending on how high up you go

· The fish are going to be sitting in the deep holes

Blue Mesa Conditions

· The Lake Fork boat ramp is open but good luck getting there! Check out The Gunnison Times for the latest info about the US 50 Bridge Closure.

· The Sapinero, Cebolla, and Iola basins are all open water!

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!