Crested Butte Fly Fishing Report: Navigating Wild Waters
This small freestone tributary of the East River near Crested Butte is generally about half as full during normal runoff seasons. This year is different.
Summary: Fly fishing conditions are deteriorating as the mountains begin their massive 2023 runoff. Some fly fishing can still be done, but the spots which are fishing decently are fewer and further between.
There’s no denying that spring is here, and the best Crested Butte fly fishing season is approaching as swiftly as the rivers are flowing. Unfortunately, but as expected in mid-May, the conditions are currently less favorable due to this past winter’s extraordinary snowpack.
This morning, the freestone East River breached 2,300 cfs, adding to the considerable runoff the Gunnison Basin is about to experience. The Gunnison River topped 3,000 cfs today for the first time this season and is expected to continue to push even higher in the coming weeks.
The Taylor River, our most famous local tailwater, is currently bouncing between 750 and 800 cfs in Almont and will continue to climb due to its freestone tributaries below the C&R section.
*** Anglers & River Enthusiasts Beware ***
These flows are unfavorable for fishing and can be VERY DANGEROUS for wading and floating. Some bridges on the upper Gunnison are impassable when flows are in the 2,000-2,500 cfs range (especially those with an oar rig or fishing frame). Further, high spring flows can unexpectedly wash strainer hazards (trees, logs, debris) downstream into areas that traditionally can safely be floated.
If you are unfamiliar with the Gunnison, wait to float until water levels subside later in the season.
Wading can be equally dangerous, especially in rivers like the Taylor, which contains many entrapment hazards.
If you must fly fish right now, go with a friend and wade in streams with shallow water and minimal entrapment hazards.
Given the conditions, it’s easy to feel like fly fishing isn’t possible. But don’t worry, not all hope is lost.
The ponds at Roaring Judy are beginning to fish well and will have less pressure now than later in the year. Some BIG fish are in there for those who can site-cast well. Or you can get your kicks there by catching smaller stockers. You can find a map to the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery ponds here.
Further, some smaller tributaries to the Taylor River and Gunnison River can still be somewhat productive, especially on cooler days when water clarity is not too “chocolate-milky.”
I fished in Cement Creek last night, and it appears it’s on its way to full blow-out conditions. Regardless, I was still able to turn a few heads with a light-dry-dropper rig. If the forecast for cooler, rainy weather holds, we may have a few more decent days of fishing on smaller streams. But if it continues to warm, fishing may be on hold for several weeks.
Be patient, be safe, and remember that the best is yet to come.
Thanks for reading,
Dan
This is a photo taken during my drive to town this morning. To give it all some perspective, all that snow that still cakes the Slate River valley and the surrounding mountains to the northwest still needs to melt. We’ve got some time before that happens.