Good Morning,
Another beautiful morning in Crested Butte is underway. Temperatures continue to make an upward turn with today's fishing weather forecast in the 60's in the high country and 70's in Gunnison.
Almont Anglers weighs in with their weekly report, which is also posted at the Colorado Department of Wildlife. This report was originally posted Sunday, so it's likely that river flows have increased substaintally (check current flows at the FishCrestedButte.com USGS River Flow Page)
East River - Flows are around 900 cfs and rising, and visibility is 6-8 inches into the water. The recent weather pattern indicates the runoff is starting. The low visibility is making fishing tough. Good hatches of caddis and midges are occurring around midday and the best fishing is in the afternoon, when the river clears up a little. Nymph rigs and streamers are producing. Best-bet nymphs are caddis pupae in olive, size 14-18; stoneflies, size 10-14; Pheasant Tails, Princes and Copper Johns, size 12-18. Woolly Buggers in brown, black and olive, stripped off the bank are doing well, also.
Gunnison River (Upper from Almont to Blue Mesa) - Flows around Almont are 1,400 cfs and higher, with turbidity coming in from the East River. The best visibility is in the afternoon as the flows drop. The runoff appears to have started early this year and is making the fishing more difficult on the East and Gunnison rivers. The best bet in these conditions is a streamer rig in black, brown, olive or white. Work the banks and slower eddies, preferably from a boat because wading can be tricky with the poor visibility. Spin-fishermen should use heavier rigs and work the bottom.
Taylor River - Runoff has not affected this dam-release stretch, making the Taylor the best bet in the Gunnison Valley now. Flows in Almont are 315 cfs, clear, and holding steady. These levels are good for both float and wade fishing. Most of the insect activity is midges and caddis, with some blue-wing-olive mayflies starting to appear. Nymphing with Copper Johns, Pheasant Tails, Princes, midges, stoneflies and attractors is the most productive, along with streamers in black, brown and olive.
Featured Fish Crested Butte Guide Marc Solari has just returned from an epic spring fishing adventure. Here's his report:
"I've just returned from 2 amazing fishing and rafting trips. 2 weeks ago I was fishing the Green river below the Flaming Gorge reservoir. BWO hatch was so prolific you could barely see the water. At times so many fish were sipping it looked as though you could walk across the river on the backs of fish!
Gunnison gorge last week was beautiful. The weather cooperated giving us
pleasantly warm days and comfortable nights for camping. We had a decent BWO hatch and some top water fishing was available on seams with lesser current.
Most of our fish were taken on pheasant tail and other baetis imitators.
Generally, I would be fishing a stone pattern trailed by a beaded pheasant
sparkle.
Caddis flies began our second night and several decent trout were taken on soft
hackle and other caddis emergers. Only a few stonefly nymphs were spotted near boulder garden. It won't be long...We should be seeing more of these larger stones relocating toward the shores in preparation of their emergence the first couple weeks of June.
By the way, there are still a few openings for trips into the Gunnison Gorge but
folks wishing to take part in this incredible adventure should sign up soon
before it's too late! Contact Marc Solari 970 349 9108."
Thanks to Almont Anglers and Featured Guide Marc Solari for the reports today. Keep an eye on the increased river flows-they should continue to come up through the afternoon.
Thanks for checking in-enjoy the sunshine.
Fish-on!
Mark
We're In the Water for You Every Day!
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