Crested Butte Fly Fishing Report: Heating Up
A 13” brown trout was brought to the net using heavy jig patterns, plenty of drop-shot, and precise drifting through a deep run on the East River on June 29, 2023.
Fly Fishing Near Crested Butte is Heating Up!
We’ve turned the corner from peak flows throughout the Gunnison Valley, and the fly fishing stars are about to align. Warming water temperatures, decreasing stream flows, and long days indicate the most productive angling season is here!
In prior fishing reports, I’ve talked a lot about the “why” of why conditions are the way they are. In this report, I want to bypass much of the “why” and dig right into what’s working and where to fish.
Let’s get to it!
East River Fishing Report
The East is still experiencing high flows (around 1,120 cfs as of this morning), but water temps have risen, helping trout’s metabolism bump up. As of 8:30 AM on June 29th, water temps are Roaring Judy were 49 degrees.
When temps are sustained between 50 and 60 degrees, trout will be on the move, found in all sorts of water types, and eager to take your fly. We can expect water temperatures to be lower in the morning and raise throughout the day as air temps increase.
Further, warmer waters result in more prolific hatches and fish spreading throughout the river’s channels. Caddis hatches have now arrived on the lower East River and are migrating up through the valley daily.
Be on the lookout for dry fly opportunities with trout rising for caddis!
Expect to catch smaller fish in the areas near the banks and larger fish in the deeper runs. Large trout (especially browns) often retain the prime lies and bully smaller/inferior fish into less ideal water. As such, we advise anglers to cast toward varying water types to test where the fish are holding.
By next week, we expect trout to be found in more locations in the river, including in fast and slow water.
For the shallows (under 18” deep), we recommend fishing with a dropper 24-30” below a chubby or light indicator. Heavier flies, such as tungsten bead jig patterns, will help get your flies in front of trout quickly.
For deeper runs, go long and go heavy. Tungsten bead jig patterns are still recommended, with the occasional use of drop shot to ensure your bugs easily cut through the fast currents.
Water remains off-color, meaning we still must present larger attractor patterns and flashier imitations. Large prince nymphs (size 12-14), perdigons, and soft hackle caddis nymphs on a jig hook are preferred for getting bugs down.
We recommend a tight-line contact method for the deepest holes on a Euro rod or a small indicator/bobber on a 9-foot, 5-weight fast action rod with the nymphs dropped 5-7 FEET.
Our favorite rod for turning over heavy nymph rigs is the 9-foot, 5-weight Centric from Scott Fly Rods. Find out more about this fly rod here. If windy, a stiff 6-weight rod will provide the backbone to roll cast long nymph rigs into deep runs.
REMINDER: If you are inexperienced with wading, have children with you, or are a new fly angler, we recommend hiring a guide to help you succeed and remain safe on the river. Flows on the East are still high enough to quickly sweep adults and children off their feet. Contact Jones Guides here for more information on a guided fly fishing trip near Crested Butte.
Gunnison River Fishing Report
Dragonfly Angler’s shop owner, Rod Cesario, works a larger trout to the net on the Gunnison River on Sunday, June 25, 2023. Rod is using a Centric 9-foot 4-weight rod from Scott Fly Rods.
This rod is strong enough to deliver flies at a distance and delicate enough to present flies to wary trout. As you can see, a 4-weight rod will bend deep into its butt section when hooking up with a medium to large fish.
Much of what is working on the East River is also working on the Gunnison. The main differences are (A) the Gunnison is a much larger, wider river and (B) water temps on the Gunnison will be 3-5 degrees warmer (on average) than the East. This is especially true the further you travel from the Gunnison’s headwaters in Almont.
What’s working on the Gunnison:
Fishing all seams, all runs, all features. Trout have spread across all of the Gunnison River and are no longer holding only near the banks. No water feature is off-limits for trout!
Larger attractor patterns and heavy nymphs to get your flies down deep. If the water becomes clearer, we advise anglers to size down on nymphs and rely more on drop-shot than bead-heads to get their flies deep.
Rubber legs (size 8-12), Duracels (Size 14-16), and Attractor Perdigons (Size 14-16) remain particularly productive. Jig patterns with CDC also help trap air in the fly and give it an appetizing appearance.
Short and long casts are acceptable, so long as mends are top-notch and drifts are drag-free. We catch most fish with short casts due to our ability to keep flies in the water and out of hazards. Check out our article here for tips on how to make fewer mistakes when fly fishing.
The banks along the Gunnison are occasionally the prime lies for larger trout, so don’t be surprised to find large fish close to land. Sneak up on the banks quietly and always cast from downstream of holding fish.
What is NOT work on the Gunnison:
Wading into deep water. Just don’t do it, as it’s too hazardous. Book a float trip if you need to get your flies to the other side of the stream.
Realistic-looking patterns without weight. Currents are fast, and weight is required for a solid presentation.
When the winds pick up, casting and achieving good drifts become challenging. Fly fish in the mornings for the best overall conditions and less of a chance of encount
Check out our hatch chart here for more help when attempting to match the hatch.
** The Upper Gunnison is still running fast, but the time for boats to safely float under the bridges on the Upper Gunnison is rapidly approaching. We advise waiting until the flows are around 2,000 cfs or less before float fishing on the Upper Gunnison without a guide. If in doubt, call a local fly shop such as Dragonfly Anglers to get the scoop on the changes in the river and fishing conditions we’re experiencing daily. **
Taylor River Fishing Report
The Taylor River is an entirely different beast, with sustained temperatures less than the Gunnison and East Rivers, crystal clear water, and challenging wading.
Fish can now be found on the Taylor in deep pockets and gentle riffles, occasionally looking up for a meal.
Because air temps have been warm for the past ten days (in the 70s), and stream flows have been consistently high, trout in the Taylor have locked in on some predictable feeding patterns.
However, it’s best to note that fishing on the Taylor is still extraordinarily technical.
Smaller fish can be found looking up when the hatches are going off. They can be caught on medium-sized attractor dries such as a crystal stimulator (size 12-14) as well as mayfly and caddis emerger patterns such as a Partridge Soft Hackle (size 16-18) or a Birds Nest (size 14-18).
Drop the emerger pattern 10-14 inches below a buoyant dry fly for some fun (and often explosive) emerger takes. If you feel the emerger is drifting too low, apply a light coating of floatant to the fly.
When fishing with an emerger dropped a short distance below a dry fly, we recommend watching for the fish to eat the emerger rather than for the dry fly to submerge. If you see a fish come up from the depths and flash, it’s a sign the fish has taken the emerger, and it’s time for you to set the hook.
The best locations on the Taylor are the ones with visibly softer water. Find a pull-off in the canyon and scout the river from the road before committing to fishing a zone. As with all other major trout streams near Crested Butte, the Taylor is also flowing fast with plenty of power to be dangerous.
Please wade with a friend and fish cautiously.
Small Stream Fly Fishing Report
Cochetopa Creek is an excellent small stream for fly fishing with families. Water temps and stream flows are currently ideal on smaller creeks at lower elevations.
Small trout streams near Gunnison are now fishing very well. The best conditions are in rivers at lower elevations with water temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees.
Small streams at higher elevations, such as Cement Creek, Brush Creek, and Coal Creek, still have too much water to experience consistently productive fly fishing. However, we expect these conditions to change daily, so please contact us at trout@jonesguides.com for the best places to fly fish.
If you are fishing a small stream near Crested Butte, strip, swing, or dead-drift small/medium-sized bead-head streamers near the bank for the best success. We like bead-head leeches or size 8 or smaller thin-mints for an excellent small stream streamer pattern.
Otherwise, dead-drift heavier bead heads in the deep holes near the banks for your best chances at a wild trout.
Thanks for reading.
Dan
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If you’d like to book a guided trip during the peak fly fishing season, please contact me at daniel@jonesguides.com or 970-219-6388.
July in Crested Butte will offer some memorable and productive fly fishing throughout the area, with plenty of rivers and streams to choose from.
During high-water years, we advise hiring a guide to help you find the best and safest places to fly fish. Jones Guides offers full-service guided fishing trips with safety, fun, education, and relaxation as the top priorities.
Contact Jones Guides today for a memorable angling experience!