Have we peaked, or is high water yet to come?

This article is an update on the Crested Butte and Gunnison fly fishing conditions as of June 11, 2023.

PSA: Before we get into the fishing report, it would behoove us all to quickly discuss the dangers of the river.

In short, now is not the time to be pushing it. Rivers across Colorado are extremely full and are running fast. Unfortunately, we’ve lost two people this year floating on stretches of water that are typically quite safe. Both were wearing PFD’s.

REPEAT: Now is not the time to take chances.

To avoid dangerous situations, fish on still water, on creeks that are easily wadable, or, even better, with an experienced guide who has the training to keep you safe and alive.

Ok, let’s talk fishing.

From mid-May through May 31, the Gunnison River in Gunnison held strong flows north of 3,000 cfs for several weeks. And then June arrived, and the flows dropped to 2,300 with a string of colder days.  

Over the past week, day and nighttime temps have increased, and stream flows skyrocketed once again.

Based on a review of the snow-water equivalent remaining in the north valley, our estimates tell us peak flows still haven’t arrived on the Gunnison River but are not far away. After the peak, fishing conditions should improve almost daily until we reach flows in the low 1,000’s at which fly fishing will become outstanding.

We should know more in the coming week or two!

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There have been favorable reports for float fishing on the lower section of the Gunnison River above Blue Mesa reservoir from Neversink to Wilson’s, with sizeable fish regularly feeding.

Murky-water flies, such as worms and rubber legs, work best, allowing the trout to find the fly more easily. We advise avoiding fishing with realistic-looking imitations until water clarity improves in a few weeks.

During high flows, trout stack up near the banks, often within only a few feet of land. Casts must be made from downstream and not in the water (if wading) to avoid spooking them.

Reminder: DO NOT attempt to float the upper section of the Gunnison near Almont until flows near the Town of Gunnison have dropped below 2,000, allowing boaters to pass under bridges safely. Ideal flows for float fishing on the upper section will be when flows drop even further, below 1,500 cfs.

When in doubt, call a local fly shop for beta or choose a slower river or still water option.

The Taylor River experienced a flow increase from the dam below Taylor Reservoir on May 26 from 250 to 450 and has held those flows for the past two weeks.

The Taylor River is a relatively narrow stream in places, making this steam flow increase substantial for much of the canyon. In Almont, the river is running at 1,050 cfs as of this morning.

Because of this flow increase from the dam and the tributaries adding even more water, the Taylor River is substantially unfishable and extremely dangerous.

Jones Guides recommends avoiding fishing anything but the C&R section of the Taylor River until flows come down.

The East River still contains too much water to fish. Wait until flows dip below 800 before attempting to fly fish on the East.

Small creek fishing is now starting to hit its stride. Water clarity has improved in places like Spring Creek, the Tomichi, and Cochetopa Creek, and flows are currently favorable for fly fishing. We still have a long ways to go before flows and water temps are in their prime, but trout are now spread out, hungry, and on the hunt for a good meal.

Fishing on these smaller steams should improve even more when temperatures increase in the coming week, promoting more insects to hatch.

Rubber legs and heavier tungsten bead imitations are best used in water where fish are holding deep and primarily feeding on nymphs. Fish as close to a prime run or hole as possible, using a downstream position to cast towards feeding trout upstream.

Since flows are still somewhat higher than normal at this time of year on the smaller streams, we recommend sizing up one or two hook sizes to give the trout something large enough to see and target.

High-elevation trout streams are still relatively unfishable due to cold waters, high flows, and limited amounts of hatching insects. When fly fishing a small stream near Crested Butte, look for ones at lower elevations where waters have had an opportunity to warm up as they flow from the mountains.

Thanks for reading. Please stay safe, and have a great day!

Dan

Dan Jones of Jones Guides is a top fly fishing guide in Crested Butte, CO. Dan spends nearly every day all summer fly fishing in the trout streams near Crested Butte and is a wealth of knowledge regarding the fishing conditions in the area.

For more information on current fishing conditions or specific Taylor, Gunnison, or East River fishing reports, check out the Fly Fishing page or subscribe to the Jones Guides newsletter, below, for updates to your inbox.

You can find previous Taylor River and Gunnison River Fly Fishing reports here.