Colorado Fly Fishing Updates From the Summer and Fall Season

As fall fades away and winter approaches, we can reflect on yet another busy summer season here in the Gunnison Valley. Once again, we effectively managed our anglers and water to provide a true Colorado angling experience. The last few seasons haven’t made things easy on us as we always keep the health of our resources as the top priority. Having access to large and various amounts of water certainly helps, providing us the opportunity to always put our best foot forward.

Summer Showers, Spawning, and Snowpack

Thankfully, we were fortunate to receive a late July rain cycle that gave life to our watershed! This was truly beneficial for the summer season, and has also enabled us to shift our focus to the upcoming winter season and snowpack. More than ever, we must handle our fish with care as they begin to spawn and find their winter holding grounds. Be aware of the spawning browns and brookies and avoid walking on their redds so these fish can have a strong reproduction cycle.

Where To Fish this Winter in Gunnison Valley

Anglers fishing in the Gunnison Valley should begin to focus on nymphing pools and deeper runs where trout will be settling into their winter holding grounds. The Taylor River and Gunnison River currently provide the best opportunities because of their higher water volume. Fishing will be slow in the mornings and improve as the air temperatures rise in the afternoon.

There are many great places to fish in the Gunnison Valley.

Smaller Is Better: What to Throw

Make sure you are carrying a variety of small mayfly and midge patterns, including:

Barr’s BWO Emergers size 18-22
Juju Baetis 18-22
Zebra Midge 18-20
D-Midge 18-20
Two Bit Hooker 14-18
RS2’s 18-22, Black Beauty 18-22
Micro Mayfly 16-18
Psycho Mayfly 16-18
Pheasant Tails 16-18

Streamer fishing can also be very productive this time of year, so be sure to have a few different color and size variations in your box before heading to the river!

Fly Fishing in the Dead of Colorado Winter

As the rivers begin to freeze, your angling options will become very limited. The Catch & Release (C&R) section of the Taylor River will likely be the only fishing opportunity in our valley during the middle of the winter. Technical fishing is required here so be sure to have long leaders and light tippet. Similar fly patterns will work in this gold medal stretch, but be sure to have a few mysis shrimp variations to tie on your nymph rig.

Thaw out this winter, add Chile to your fly fishing bucket list.

However you go about it, be responsible, keep fishing, and if you need to thaw out this winter come join us for an epic Eleven Angling adventure in Chile!