A Snapshot of Winter’s Impact 

As we near the beginning of the Colorado fly fishing season, the substantial snowpack from winter is bringing a lot of excitement to Gunnison Valley. We are at roughly 150% of total snowpack against our median from this time last year. This is going to provide our rivers a much-needed refresh to clear some of the debris, sediment buildup, and vegetation encroachment that has been accumulating throughout the drainage. As higher water levels immerse gravel bars and rock beds, availability of spawning habitats will increase, which is considered a major benefit for those fish that have been deprived of space in dryer years.

Gold Medal Status Updates

We’re excited to share that part of the Gunnison River and the entire 20-mile stretch of the Taylor River have been designated Gold Medal water. This means we are now home to two of the thirteen Gold Medal stretches in all of Colorado. This accolade is achieved only if there are 60 pounds of fish per acre along with at least 12 quality trout of 14 inches or greater per acre.

All the hard work that Colorado Parks and Wildlife has put forth to test the quality of these rivers over the past decade is immensely appreciated, and we feel proud to have been a part of helping maintain the health of our resource. Eleven Angling and Irwin Guides, along with many other outfitters and private local users, have prioritized respecting the safety of our watershed in a time when growing pressure and worsening conditions threatened it. It’s great to see the angling community work together, spread the word regarding conscientious decision making, and continue to make every fishing trip count.

A Look at Upcoming Flows

While runoff is unpredictable during the Colorado fly fishing season, look for conditions to settle in a bit later in the season. Here is the gauge that our fishing guides use to monitor how high the rivers are flowing before each fishing trip. We’re anticipating a large runoff, and flows to possibly grow too fast to navigate at their highest levels. As flows continue to rise, keep an eye out for any and all bridges between Almont and Riverway Park. At high water, flows can and will exceed the height of the bridges, thus inhibiting you from floating under them. That being said, a big advantage for our guests visiting Taylor River Lodge is that this river is a tailwater system, and will be the one place where flows will be somewhat controlled and hopefully manageable to walk/wade effectively.

 

 

Predicting Summer Hatches 

Once the rivers settle in, the fish will find new holding water and begin feeding on the surface. PMDs, green drakes, yellow sallies, caddis, and more will grace us with their presence, encouraging fish to sip or slash the surface and feed on adult insects. Between our 4+ miles on Tomichi Creek, various float options on the Gunnison River, and walk/wade trips on the Taylor River, you’ll have the ability to follow these hatches with our fishing guides all across the Gunnison Valley drainage. 

 

 

 

 

An Extended Float Season 

Over the course of the last several drought years, we’ve seen flows drop from Taylor Reservoir after Labor Day weekend, ending our float season earlier and shifting the focus to walk/wade excursions. However, with the surplus of snow in our local alpine basins and our “nearly” annual summer monsoons, the rivers should be in a good position to extend our float season through the fall, giving anglers the flexibility to choose their desired approach.

 

 

 

 

 

Join Eleven Angling This Summer

Needless to say, we are all very excited to see what this fishery produces for summer 2023. Stay tuned for our Colorado fly fishing reports coming in each month, which will highlight strategies, hot flies, weather patterns, and more. Conditions will shift in ways that we haven’t seen in a number of years, and this will be your place to stay up to date. Give us a call today to talk about prime availability during our Colorado fly fishing season, including the Gunnison Gorge fishing trip with Eleven Angling and RIGS Fly Shop.

BOOK YOUR STAY AT TAYLOR RIVER LODGE

 

 

 

 

By,

Elliot Manning, Colorado Angling Manager / Sales and Operations Specialist

Robert Brooks, Colorado Angling Guide