Archives: Fishing Reports

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!

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

It’s still cold, but the valley is warming up! Temperature swinging from teens in the morning up to the low 40s in the afternoon. So be ready for a fun afternoon bite as the water heats up. There is no reason to be out early, wait till late morning to get out. Find fish still in their winter holes (slower deeper water), and in soft riffles.

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Gunnison River Conditions

• Flows are sitting between 205 to 220cfs
• Wading is the only option at these flows.
• Almont to Wilsons landing is open. All ice below Wilsons.
• Nymphing and Streamers are the ticket this time of year.

Flies

Streamers

• Mini-Dungeon- black, olive, and white
• Sculpin patterns- black, olive, and white
• Goldie- White

Nymphs

• Rainbow Warrior- Size, 14-18
• San Juan Worm- Brown and Pink
• Zebra Midge- Black, Purple, and Olive- Size, 18-20
• Perdigon- Olive, Purple- Size 14-18
• Flashback Pheasant Tail- Size 14-18

Taylor River Conditions

• Flows are steady at 103 cfs
• The C&R is open and fishing as always
• Access below 5-mile bridge is your best bet
• Deep snow makes it hard to access a lot of the river above 5-mile bridge
• Look for BWO’s to start popping off as the weather warms up into spring

Flies

Nymphs

• Mysis Shrimp- Size 14-18
• Flashback Pheasant Tail- Size 16-22
• Zebra Midge- Black, Purple, and Olive- Size, 18-24
• RS2- Grey 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 52 cfs
• Only place to access is at Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery
• Low flows means find deeper water

Flies

Nymphs

• Flashback Pheasant Tail- Size 16-22
• Perdigon- Olive, Purple- Size 14-18
• San Juan Worm- Brown and Pink
• Zebra Midge- Black, Purple, and Olive- Size, 18-24
• RS2- Grey 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

Creeks and Small Streams

• Mostly covered in ice

Blue Mesa Conditions

· Ice from Iola to Elk Creek

• Open water from Bay of Chickens to the Dam
• A few pockets of thin ice spread throughout
• Use caution as you ice fish!
• Warm windy conditions can hurt the integrity of the ice

July Fly Fishing Is On In Crested Butte! 

This is the report you’ve been waiting for and the one we’ve been yearning to write since last summer. We’re thankful to have gotten through a long and cold spring, and the fishing is pretty damn good right now. 

Summary: 

All primary watersheds near Gunnison and Crested Butte are fishing well. Each stream requires unique tactics, so do your research and contact a pro if you need further beta. 

On bigger water at higher elevations (Taylor and East Rivers), fish are on the move and can be found in many areas of the river. Because flows are still high, your best chances of hooking into one will be in the softest and slowest water. On the Gunnison River, water temps have allowed trout’s metabolism to reach its prime stage. The best way to fish on the Gunnison right now is via a float trip, although some areas still offer excellent wading opportunities. 

Stream flows and water temps are fantastic on many smaller trout streams near Crested Butte, including some at higher elevations (Coal, Brush, Cement), and dry fly fishing is heating up. 

Let’s dig into the specifics of how anglers can be most successful.

Taylor River Fishing Report:

• Fish are in all types of water and all water columns. Caddis hatches have fish looking up during the late morning/early afternoon. Stay alert for the ones feeding in the top 12-16 inches of water. If you visibly spot them, consider using an emerger pattern. 
• If the dry fly/emerger fishing isn’t happening, fish a nymph rig, making short casts (under 15 feet). Heavy jig patterns are our preference to target fish feeding on the bottom. Remember: Short and precise casts are crucial on the Taylor River. No Brad Pitt shadow casting!
• Wading can be challenging in spots, but with the help of a fly fishing guide, they can help you remain safe and focused on the task at hand – netting trout!
• Best flies for the Taylor River: Elk Hair Caddis (olive, brown – 14-18), Rubber Leg Stimulator (yellow, 14-16), Spanish Bullet (olive, quill 16- 18), BWO Comparadun (16-18), Soft-Hackle Pheasant Tail (14-16).
• Check the flows here

East River Fishing Report:

• Flows are on the way down, and wade fishing opportunities will get better by the day, but still be super cautious when wading on the East.
• Dry-dropper is the best approach on the East for most of the day. However, we’ve begun experiencing nice caddis and golden stonefly hatches in the afternoon/early evening.
• Flows have dropped substantially in the past several days, with water temps reaching the low 50s by the afternoon. We expect fish to begin focusing on more realistic patterns in the coming weeks as water clarity improves and temps continue rising. 
• Consider using soft hackle jig patterns for your droppers, to help trap some air in a nymph. CDC or other soft hackle materials help trap air near the nymph’s body and help your fly appear larger to a trout. 
• Roaring Judy offers excellent wade fly fishing opportunities for families to fish on the ponds if stream flows are too high for your group.
• Other public access points to the East River are beginning to fish well closer to Crested Butte. Please stop by our shop for more information on the best fly fishing on the East River. 
• Best Flies for the East River: Psycho Price (12-16), Bead head Rubberlegs (8-12), Elk Hair Caddis (olive, brown 16-18), Bead head Pheasant Tail (14-16), Soft hackle jig patterns (12-14). 
• Check the flows here

Gunnison River Fishing Report:

• The most effective way to fish the Gunnison is by floating it. Flows have dropped enough that floating is now possible on all sections from Almont to Blue Mesa, and the fishing is on fire. We still have some availability for float trips throughout July, so give us a shout if you want to go!
• The dry fly fishing is pretty damn good.. We’re seeing Green Drakes on the lower sections just above the reservoir, as well as PMDs, yellow sallies, and golden stones. Throughout the rest of the day, fish dry-dropper rigs about 3′ in length, using a Chubby Chernobyl or other big foam dry and a size 12-16 Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail or a size 14-16 Spanish Bullet in Brown or Olive.
• Contact Dragonfly for beta on wading opportunities on the Gunnison River. It’s still tricky to cross side channels down by the Mesa, so be careful out there.
• Best Flies for the Gunnison: KGB (killer green bug) Green Drake (10-12), Rubber Leg Stimi (yellow, 14-16), Parachute Adams (10-14) Hares Ears (14-16), Pheasant Tails (14-16), Pat’s Rubber Legs (brown/black, 6-10)
• Check the flows here

Small Stream Fishing Report:

• Dry-dropper fishing is most effective. The MFC Micro Chubby is one of our favorite dries for dry-dropper rigs on small creeks and beaver ponds. Stimulators of all colors in sizes 12-16 are another go to. Keep your droppers on the smaller side (16-18).
• Single and double dry-fly action can also be particularly productive, especially where wild Brook Trout are found.
• Many small streams haven’t been fishable until now, so most trout likely haven’t seen an artificial fly yet in 2023. Now is the time to avoid taking angling too seriously and get out for some of the best small stream fly fishing you’ll ever experience. 
• Best flies for small streams: Micro Chubbies (14-16), Stimulators (12-16), Parachute Adams (14-18), Elk Hair Caddis (12-18), Comparadun Emerger (16-18), Barr Mayfly Emergers (16-18), Frenchie (16-18)

Thanks for reading,

Team Dragonfly.

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Dragonfly Anglers is a premier Colorado fly shop based out of beautiful Crested Butte. We specialize in guide services and retail sales of fly rods, reels, tackle, and Crested Butte-themed merchandise. We are an authorized dealer of Scott Fly Rods, Ross Reels, and other foremost fly fishing brands. 

Stop by our shop today to visit with a local fly fishing expert.

Fishing conditions in the area are changing & improving daily, use the links below to check streamflows 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.

We’re confident that the Gunnison River Basin is currently experiencing peak flows, meaning the best time for fishing near Crested Butte is rapidly approaching.

During a year when we experience an average snow-pack, peak flows generally begin to decline in mid-June, making late June and early July perfect for fly fishing. We believe we are about 3 weeks behind that schedule this year, and the year’s best fly fishing near Crested Butte will begin sometime in early July. 

The valley’s primary watersheds, discussed below, have experienced a bump in flows, followed by a dramatic drop in flows over the past seven days, resulting in complex fishing conditions. 

Trout are feeding, but the challenge lies in naturally presenting an artificial fly through deep, fast, and off-color water.

This fishing report shows that most of our primary trout streams are not producing exceptional fishing results. Thus, we’ve offered great alternatives for better fly fishing during peak runoff. 

East River Fishing Report

The East has been bumpin’ with flows north of 1,200 cfs for several days. These flows are too aggressive for most anglers to fly fish successfully. We advise waiting to fish on the East River until flows have dropped to around 1,000 cfs or lower, likely in early July. 

We advise casting from dry land with precise drifts through soft water near the banks if you’re inclined to fish the East before optimal flows arrive. One of the best ways to get these drifts is via a contact-nymphing method (aka Euro Nymphing). 

Dragonfly Anglers employs several contact-nymphing experts, including long-time local and Dragonfly Guide, Jim Garrison. Please call or stop by our Crested Butte fly shop to learn more about a guided fly fishing trip with one of our professionals.

There is no streamflow gauge for the East River near the ghost town of Gothic. However, we put our eyes on it this week and can attest that it is not ready for angling. 

Alternatives to Fishing on the East River: The Roaring Judy Ponds are great for fly fishing near Crested Butte and the East River. The ponds contain numerous stocked trout and are a family-friendly fly fishing destination during high streamflow years. 

We recommend gently floating a size 12-16 elk hair caddis across the surface toward feeding trout. A light caddis or mayfly emerger pattern can be dropped 12-15 inches below the dry fly to help entice a fish feeding subsurface.

Taylor River Fishing Report

Below the dam, water has dependably been released at approximately 475 cfs since May 24^th. Due to the Taylor’s several tributaries between the dam and its confluence with the East River, flows near Almont have bounced between 900 and 1,100 since the beginning of June.

Because of these high steam flows, fly fishing on the Taylor River is substantially not recommended unless you’re fishing at the C&R.

Alternatives to Fishing on the Taylor River in the Canyon: The Catch & Release (C&R) section of the Taylor is fishing well, with trout feeding on rubberlegs, midges, worms, Mysis, and the occasional streamer pattern. 

Be patient, be mindful of others, and bring your technical fly fishing skills when fishing on the C&R.

For a more relaxed and less crowded angling experience, we recommend fly fishing on Willow Creek, about 3 miles above the Taylor Reservoir Dam. 

Worms, perdigons, and smaller soft hackle nymphs have been the most productive. The water clarity in Willow is high, resulting in fish being easily spooked. Use stealthy approaches, always cast upstream, and provide yourself cover from the fish by casting from areas with turbulent water between you and the zone trout are feeding in. 

Gunnison River Fishing Report

Anglers can now find productive fly fishing on the Gunnison River by targeting the slowest seams coming off eddies. An indication of where trout are feeding are bubble lines where they feel they have cover from predators. 

Find the foam, then find the fish.

Larger patterns and attractors remain the best fly choice on the Gunnison. Rubberlegs, worms, and size 12-14 soft-hackle jig patterns are the best way to capture a fish’s attention. We recommend nymphing the fishiest areas with plenty of weight and long tippets to get your flies deep. 

If you are fishing with flies that don’t have enough weight, try using a drop shot technique. Stop by Dragonfly Anglers to chat with an experienced guide to learn how to use drop shot in your system. 

*** NOTE: The Upper Gunnison from Almont to the whitewater park in town is still too high to float. Visit our last fishing report for more information on the dangers of floating this section when stream flows are too high. ***

As peak flows progress over the coming days (and maybe weeks), we advise anglers to review the current streamflow reports from the USGS here before launching your boat for a float trip. 

We expect conditions on the lower Gunnison (currently floatable) to change daily as air temperatures climb and snow continues to melt. We have been offering guided float trips on the Lower Gunnison for the past few weeks, and we expect conditions to improve daily as flows decrease. 

Please call us at 970-349-1228 for more detailed information on fishing the Gunnison River. 

Alternatives to Fishing on the Gunnison River: Small, lower-elevation creeks have begun to hit their stride, with more favorable fishing conditions and trout eagerly taking artificial flies. In most instances, a hopper-dropper setup allows anglers to target fish feeding subsurface, on the surface, or both. 

We recommend a size 10-16 Chubby as the dry fly and a mayfly or caddis imitation for the dropper in sizes 14-18. Soft-hackle jig patterns are a versatile and popular fly for this type of fishing. 

If the water is muddy or off-color, we recommend sizing up on your fly choice and using black, dark brown, or purple-colored imitations. 

Since the small trout streams remain fuller than in an average year, the use of heavier flies or weight is crucial to get nymphs in front of a fish. 

A few of the smaller creeks near Crested Butte include:

• Spring Creek
• Willow Creek
• Tomichi Creek

If you are unfamiliar with these waters, we advise anglers to hire a guide to show you the public access points and the best sections of the river for angling. 

You can contact us at 970-349-1228 or stop by the shop located at 307 Elk Ave in downtown Crested Butte for more information on guided fly fishing trips near Crested Butte and Gunnison.

Thanks for reading,

Team Dragonfly

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Dragonfly Anglers is a premier Colorado fly shop based out of beautiful Crested Butte. We specialize in guide services and retail sales of fly rods, reels, tackle, and Crested Butte-themed merchandise. We are an authorized dealer of Scott Fly Rods, Ross Reels, and other foremost fly fishing brands. 

Stop by our shop today to visit with a local fly fishing expert. 

Reporter: Dan Jones

It’s runoff season in the Elk Mountains of Colorado. Freestone rivers are running fast, many streams are off-color, and it’s time to choose wisely when deciding when and where to fish.

Gunnison River Fishing Report

The Gunnison River is the beneficiary of the Taylor River and the East River, which meet in Almont, Colorado. The Taylor, which is a dam-released river below Taylor Reservoir, holds (somewhat) steady stream flows, even during runoff. The East River, however, is a freestone river, and its flows are purely dependent on natural snow melt. The Gunnison has other tributaries near town, such as Ohio Creek and Tomichi Creek, contributing to this bountiful watershed. 

The Gunnison has been bouncing between 1800 and 2500 for about a week, with its dips coming in the late evenings and during prolonged stretches of cooler temperatures. Flows over 1,800 with off-color water make the Gunnison River challenging to fish. 

When the water is high and dirty, bugs are tricky for fish to spot, making it difficult to present your fly to a trout. Therefore, we recommend oversizing nymph choices by a size or two and targeting the slowest-moving water near banks or eddies for the best chances. 

Darker-colored nymphs (black and brown) and ones with brighter attractor colors often perform better in off-color water because it provides some contrast and flash for the fish to see. 

Dead-drifting black streamers with delicate twitches and slow retrieves can also be productive when the color of the water is less transparent and moving swiftly. 

Heading into June, we expect day and night air temps to rise, contributing to an even more ferocious runoff. Flows north of 3,000 cfs (or more) will soon be expected on the Gunnison River. The river looks very different than it did this time last year. If you’re not familiar with the Gunnison at these levels, don’t plan to float.

Taylor River Fishing Report

Due to the Taylor being a dam-released river below Taylor Reservoir, its flows are more consistent the further up the river you go until you reach the dam. As you can see in the Taylor at Almont streamflow graph, flows are increasing and are more variable due to tributaries such as Spring Creek, Lottis Creek, and Cold Spring between Almont and the dam.

At the C&R, fishing has been steady, as always. However, another flow increase is scheduled this week, which will once again change how fish behave. Midges, Mysis shrimp, and, recently, BWOs are all on the table for hungry trout. 

The C&R trout buffet has begun expanding its menu!

This tailwater fishery will contain more transparent water than the freestone rivers but will also be more hazardous to wade as flows skyrocket. We advise anglers to fish cautiously with a friend and choose softer water to wade in. 

Or, if in doubt, fish from the bank during the bulk of the runoff. 

When fly fishing the Taylor River, we recommend BWO, Hares Ear, Stonefly, and egg patterns in sizes 14, 16, and 18. Trailing a size 20 tailwater midge behind larger flies such as a black beauty, RS2, or zebra midge can also be productive to catch a weary trout.

Casts should be concise and aimed towards pocket water where fish likely hold.

It’s spawning season for rainbows. Keep an eye out for redds, don’t step on them, and leave spawning fish alone!

Gunnison County Fishing Report

The remainder of Gunnison County is also in full runoff mode, and fishing conditions vary from river to river and often from week to week. Before driving an hour+ to remote lower-elevation streams, call us at 970-349-1228 for the most updated beta on fishing conditions. 

The East River has been flowing above 1,200 for about a week, which is typically too high to effectively fly fish. It’s worth noting the East River is expected to continue becoming more violent for the next several weeks. Consequently, we recommend punting on any East River fly fishing until its flows come down.

In some of the smaller tributaries of the East River and the Taylor, anglers can find medium-dark water and favorable wade-able conditions. Throwing small caddis dries with a light dropper in soft water can be enough to initiate an explosive take by a hungry trout.

Stream flows on creeks south of Blue Mesa Reservoir are more mellow than in the higher elevations near Crested Butte. We advise seeking clear to medium-dark water for the best chances to catch fish. 

Large stonefly patterns such as size 8-10 Rubberlegs, 12-14 Copper Johns, 14-16 pheasant tails, eggs, and worms are now the best go-to flies. 

Have fun, stay safe, and thanks for reading.

Team Dragonfly

Gunnison & Crested Butte Fly Fishing Report

April is here, the runoff has begun, and fishing conditions are variable as ever. 

Early spring is one of our favorite times to fly fish near Crested Butte and one of the most challenging times to find consistency from day to day. 

We like to call this lack of consistency the April Scaries. 

Regardless, angling is lovely due to the peaceful, uncrowded nature of being on the river. The East, the Taylor, and the Gunnison Rivers are now open for business. Further, many of the massive snow banks from the past winter are becoming less hazardous to negotiate.

And on the Gunnison town section and the lower section above Blue Mesa, some folks have begun float fishing — YES!

Nevertheless, fishing conditions are changing drastically from day to day and from week to week. 

Early April started with a bang after Crested Butte Mountain Resort closed. The sun was shining, some ice was melting, and we were finding fish in all of the predictable early-spring locations: deep runs, feeding on eggs, midges, BWOs, and the occasional brown or purple jig pattern. 

Then things changed, and they changed fast. 

Temperatures were in the 50s for several days during the second week of April, melting much of the low-altitude snow in the valley floors. On some rivers, flows bumped up by 3x-4x what they were in previous days. 

The Gunnison River in Gunnison was flowing at 250 cfs on April 10^th, and by April 14^th, it was flowing at 750 cfs. And dam-released flows from the Taylor River have more than doubled in the past few days, going from 88 cfs to 200 cfs. 

To top it all off, we woke up to a fresh coating of 7 inches of snow on the mid-elevation mountains on April 15^th. WOW!

These dramatic shifts in weather and river flows are part of what we expect during spring in Crested Butte and Gunnison and can predictably make trout’s feeding habits less predictable. 

During the last half of April and early May, we advise anglers to follow these general guidelines to put the most trout in the net:

1. Seek out water where flows have been the most consistent during the previous 2-3 days. This will allow trout to adapt to their version of the ‘April Scaries’ and begin actively feeding in a more predictable pattern again.
2. Baetis nymphs, eggs, and the occasional stonefly patterns are all on the menu for hungry trout over the next 2-4 weeks. Fish them deep and use weight as necessary. 
3. Dead-drift streamers near the bank of rivers that are blown out or have a chocolate milk appearance. When trout can’t easily detect small bugs in a drift, they may become more opportunistic and take a larger meal, such as a sculpin pattern streamer. 
4. Dress the part and be prepared for quick changes in the weather. For more information on what we recommend to wear when fly fishing, check out this article. 

For more Colorado Fly Fishing Reports from Crested Butte and the Gunnison Area, check out our fishing reports page here. 

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Fly fishing in Colorado is one of the most memorable experiences you can do with your family or friends. At Dragonfly Anglers, we employ premier Colorado fly fishing guides who can help you make memories that last a lifetime.

For more information on how to book a guide for the best fishing in Colorado, contact us at rod@dragonflyanglers.com, or (970)-348-1228

The East River is still substantially locked up in ice. Thus, this update will primarily be a Taylor River and Gunnison River Fishing Report. 

We’re not out of winter yet, but indications of spring are here! With these signs, better fly fishing opportunities have presented themselves in the Crested Butte area. It’s this time of year when we’re reminded why some of the best fly fishing in Colorado is in our own backyard. 

We’re excited, to say the least!

Before we get to the fishing, let’s talk about what this winter has provided and how it will set up the rivers for angling in 2023. 

We are currently sitting at 149% of the median snowpack in the East-Taylor river basin and around 130% of the median snowpack for the majority of western Colorado. Snowpack generally peaks in mid-April before the runoff begins. These snowpack measurements tell us, should we get consistent (or just some) snow over the next month, we can make relatively strong estimates that our rivers will be full and healthy this summer.

Ok, so let’s talk trout.

Colorado fly fishing is often overlooked in early spring or the waning weeks of winter. Fortunately, it’s one of our favorite times to target trout in the area. Most tourists are still focused on skiing, but fly fishing is one of the best things to do in Crested Butte this time of year. 

In the last week, we’ve experienced temps in the high 30s and low 40s for several days, which melted some significant portions of ice previously covering the Taylor and Gunnison rivers. As expected, trout are still in their winter patterns and continue to be concentrated in the deepest holes and runs paired with the slowest-moving water. 

Because of the warmer temps, the Gunnison and Taylor Rivers now have opportunities for fishing that haven’t existed for months. 

We urge anglers to approach late winter fishing with the following approach:

• Dress extremely warm, with several insulated layers, even on these spring-like days. 
• Identify the slowest, deepest sections of open water. 
• Dead drift your flies patiently and accurately in only the best zones. 

Trout fishing in the winter is different from the rest of the year because most fish are concentrated in one area, making it easier to identify where to target them. However, it is more challenging because trout are less willing to move far to find a decent meal. This means drifts must be precise, and your flies will often require weight to get them deep.

For tips on how to cast your flies to a winter trout, or further advice on how to dress for winter fly fishing, stop by our shop at 307 Elk Avenue, downtown Crested Butte. Or call us at 970-349-1228 for inquiries on a guided fly fishing trip on the Taylor or Gunnison Rivers. 

Looking ahead, we are hopeful for more above-freezing temperatures for the remaining days of March into early April. By May, we’ll be excited to get into the Gunnison Gorge for canyon fly fishing goodness! 

Stay tuned for our next Gunnison Valley Fly Fishing Report. 

Thanks for reading,

Team Dragonfly

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Our favorite rig this time of year:

• 9-foot, 5-weight Scott G-Series from Scott Fly Rods
• Ross Reels 4/5 Colorado Reel paired with an Airflo Superflo Ridge 2.0 Tactical Taper fly line
• 9-foot 5x tapered Leader of your choice
• San Juan Worm above an RS2, weighted appropriately to get your flies deep. 

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About Dragonfly Anglers

Since 1983, Dragonfly Anglers has been a premier fly fishing resource in Crested Butte and the Gunnison valley. We employ world-class Colorado fly fishing guides and have a wealth of knowledge on how you can experience your dream fly fishing vacation. 

Our fly shop carries only the best angling gear from Scott Fly Rods, Ross Reels, Fishpond, Patagonia, and more! For information and tips on the best fishing in Colorado, contact us at rod@dragonflyanglers.com

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