The Catch Fishing Report

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Greetings Angler,

Late September brings cooler nights, blue bird clear days, and some of the white stuff up high.  Kokanee salmon are in peak run currently, with salmon in the rivers all the way up to the hatchery. They will increase in numbers over the next few weeks. September is a great time to fish for kokanee.  Enjoy this following report of current fishing conditions from Willowfly Anglers at Three Rivers Resort and Outfitters:

Check Current USGS River Flows

Taylor River:
Standard nymph patterns, including Pheasant Tails, stoneflies, caddis, Copper Johns, and Hare's Ears. Also try a Wooly Bugger - black or olive 6-8, and Western Coachman. Streamers - black, olive, white/yellow. Dry fly action with caddis and BWOs.


Taylor Catch and Release:
Small nymph and midge patterns, including Pheasant Tails 20-24, midges 20-24, and mysis shrimp 20-24. Dry fly action with small midges and BWOs 18-24.


Gunnison River:
Standard nymph patterns, including Pheasant Tails 12-22, Copper Johns 12-16, and stoneflies 6-12. Also try a Wooly Bugger - black or olive 6-8, and Western Coachman. Streamers - black, olive, white/yellow. Dry fly action with caddis and BWOs. Fishing a hopper/dropper during the day has been productive.


East River:
The East River is fishing well with both nymphs and dry flies. Dry fly action is good with caddis and BWOs. Nymphs and streamers in the fast water are also working well.


Kokanee Salmon Run:
Kokanee are a land-locked form of sockeye salmon. The run to the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery is the only all natural run in Colorado that goes to a hatchery. Each April, 2-inch kokanee fry are released from Roaring Judy into the East River. Their overnight journey takes them down the East to the Gunnison River and onto Blue Mesa Reservoir, where they typically spend two or three summers. In late August, the salmon begin their trek back to the hatchery and the run usually lasts through October. Division of Wildlife personnel spawn the salmon at the hatchery, taking 3,000,000 to 10,000,000 eggs per year. Catch and release fishing for kokanee is allowed on the Gunnison River and East River.

Contact us today to book your trip to Crested Butte and Gunnison, or call us at 970/749.5581.

Thank you for checking in today.  Thanks to Willowfly Anglers for this report.

Fish-on!

The Streaming Fish LLC
We're In The Water For You Every Day