The East Portal Road is closed in winter. Steep canyon walls define the landscape and rock climbing is only to be attempted by expert climbers. Station operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, Colorado Water Science Center, as part of the USGS National Streamflow Information Program (NSIP).. Information on water releases from Crystal Reservoir (projected releases into the Gunnison River through the Black Canyon) is available from the Bureau of Reclamation.. Current shift adjusted rating table. Fly Fishing the Salmonfly Hatch of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado. East Portal Access Routes At the roads' end you'll find the East Portal Campground. It generally reopens April 15. You have been warned. Click Trout Symbols on Map for More Fishing Information. The National Park Service uses the term "routes" since these are not designated, marked and maintained trails. Smart anglers need to be aware that there are Class III, IV, and V rapids along the Gunnison through Black Canyon, and an experienced guide and rafting captain are essential to safely navigating the turbulent waters regardless of the season you visit. East Portal Road is steep and narrow and can be especially rough going even in dry weather.You need a rig capable of making it over the rough terrain leading down to the waters just below Crystal Dam and Reservoir. Pygmy rattlesnakes, bark scorpions, and poison oak/poison ivy are everywhere along the trail. Each are shown on the map above. Tailwater fishing opportunities include nymphing with small mayfly patterns and midges. The river looks wonderful and very calm, only a few riffles. Weather @GUNNISON BASIN - Updated December 21, 2020 - 2:01am by OpenWeather. Traversing the steep plunging canyon walls that give Black Canyon its name, as little daylight reaches the canyon floor even on bright days, is not to be taken lightly. Visiting in the spring and summer has definite advantages, but you will also be dealing with extreme heat while hiking the canyon or traversing the areas above the canyon walls. Roughly 2 miles of the road are directly alongside the river and provide easy access to some amazing runs, pools and long, deep stretches of water. Click the map markers for more information about each route. Fishing within 200 yards downstream of Crystal Dam is prohibited. This season welcomes the return of the kokanee salmon run to local rivers. The East is beginning to ice over and is mostly unsafe to access due to ice. This entrance is near the upstream boundary of Gunnison National Park, and it winds its way down. Experience an unforgettable fishing adventure on this professionally guided, private, 3-day excursion. The current is strong, and the bottom is treacherous, and you need to take proper precautions. There are also three access routes from the South Rim including: Gunnison Route, Tomichi Route and Warner Route. The Gunny is a big fish river in the truest sense of the words, as the entire upper Gunnison and the lower Gunnison downstream to the Smith Fork meets Colorado Parks & Wildlife’s criteria for Gold Medal status. Access at the East Portal and North Fork Gunnison confluence (Pleasure Park) is … The best time to visit is during the salmonfly hatch in June, or as near to that time as you can get there despite the mass influx of other anglers also making the trip. The river has many long runs and deep pools, and aquatic insects are to be found just about everywhere. Low/High. Please note Winter Hours Through March 15th, 970-249-0408 FMHS Fly Fishing Club spring trip to the East Portal, Gunnison River Song - On my Mind by Lyle Lovett Also be aware that browns will continue to spawn in the Taylor River through December. Water Clarity: Gunny Green. This is a great section of river if you want to get away from the crowds of the East … It's formed by two major streams, the Taylor River and the East River, both of which are fine trout streams themselves. I wonder if it ever doesn’t look calm any more. The Gunnison River can be categorized into three sections: Upper Gunnison, Black Canyon, and Gunnison Gorge. The 2020 fishing forecast for the Gunnison River is good, and anglers should expect to catch good numbers of rainbow and brown trout from 12 to 20 inches, with the possibility of larger fish. It serves as a popular destination for anglers hoping to catch the legendary salmonfly hatch and various other insect hatches from June into late July. This section has ample public access, with very few rapids. The easiest access to the Gunnison River is to drive the East Portal Road. It's one of the most diversified trout streams in the state of Colorado. This section of river is about a mile above the famous Black Canyon … Get directions to access points, boat ramps, and real-time USGS stream flow data. Gorgeous overlooks, beautiful vistas, and hungry fish that strike at anything and everything that hits the water make it a special place to fish. Rattlesnakes and bark scorpions love sleeping bags and wading boots, so make sure to check yours carefully before using either. Further on down the road we come to the first of several fly fishermen we find in the river. About the GUNNISON BASIN The Colorado River Basin lies in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, and is home to some of Colorado's most prolific trout streams. It flows 35 miles to Almont where it meets the Taylor River to form the mighty Gunnison River. Considering its proximity, you may want to take the opportunity to spen… The Gunnison River offers several public access points (see map above) for wading, though fishing from drift boats when the waters are high is preferable. Trying to hike out with bark scorpion sting or nursing a rattlesnake bite is no joke. Access to the Red Rock Canyon is via the Warner Route. View the DIY Fly Fishing Web Map to get turn-by-turn directions to the access points shown on the map above. The Upper Gunnison begins with the confluence of the East and Taylor Rivers in Almont, Colo., and flows with a meandering mild manner to the Blue Mesa Reservoir. Use of "routes" is at your own risk. After being dammed two more times forming Morrow Point and Crystal Reservoirs, the lower Gunnison River escapes Crystal Dam and carves through one of the most breathtaking and wild chasms on earth, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and its more mellow downstream neighbor the Gunnison Gorge, before slogging toward a rendezvous with the Colorado River in Grand Junction. Please refer to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Fishing Regulations. Due to its status as a Gold Medal trout stream, the Gunnison River in Black Canyon National Park is catch-and-release only for rainbows along the entire 12-mile length of the canyon. Gunnison in Gunnison: ICE Gunnison at Almont: ICE There is also a campground immediately to the left (north) once you reach the valley floor. GOLD MEDAL & WILD TROUT WATERS - EAST PORTAL. Accessing the Black Canyon on land is no easy feat, and requires hiking through what is a substantially high desert territory. Gunnison River East Portal From Crystal dam, thru the beautiful East Portal area, flowing down thru the Black Canyon and on thru Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area … While most anglers are easily convinced to return to Black Canyon after their first trip due to the monster rainbow and brown catches, the view of the 2,700-foot canyon walls and surrounding mountains merit at least one additional trip just for the scenery. Click the map markers for additional information on how to access the river via these routes. Gunnison River. Gunnison River Tips & Resources. This designation is given to the lakes and streams of Colorado that … Gunnison River (East Portal) We decided to try some new water this weekend and I am sure glad we did! Additional River Information . If you are the adventurous type and are up for a challenge there are several "routes" to the inner Black Canyon where you will find the bigger trout. Experience an unforgettable fishing adventure on this professionally guided, private, 3-day excursion. Rain creates deep mud wallows on these roads, so you may find that you have to wait for routes to dry out a bit unless you want to get mired and stranded. Drive South Rim Road. The East Portal Road is paved, but very steep. From Crystal dam, thru the beautiful East Portal area, flowing down thru the Black Canyon and on thru Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area to the confluence of the North Fork. Wild brown trout and a mix of wild and stocked rainbow trout, along with a few cutbows (mainly in the upper river), inhabit the Gunnison River. Additionally, anglers should abide by standard Leave No Trace protocols for both personal waste and any refuse, trash, recyclables, and disposable containers they bring into the park with them. Designated a Gold Medal trout fishery, the Gunnison is one of those legendary stretches well known throughout the west by avid anglers. Designated a Gold Medal trout fishery, the Gunnison is one of those legendary stretches well known throughout the west by avid anglers. Current River Flow Updates. The Black Canyon cliffs are a geologists dream, and there are visible rock face strata over a billion years old. Also of note is the nearby Gunnison River Diversion Tunnel. Gunnison tends to get busy during the peak fly fishing months of the summer, though you will find more places to stay here than in Montrose as a rule. At the roads' end you'll find the East Portal Campground. The upper river or the Upper Gunnison is a classic freestone river that flows from the confluence of the East and Taylor rivers and into the Blue Mesa Reservoir. The views and the river are beautiful looking back toward the park. Wind. The East River - a misnomer for a real pretty river in the middle of Colorado's high country. It's not an easy trip to make.Those willing and able to make the journey down the dirt roads and hike the steep trails along the canyon walls will find that their efforts are well rewarded. 14/32. The river drains a huge part of the state of Colorado. You will need plenty of sunscreen, as much water as you can carry or a large filter bottle. From here you can fish the southern bank of the Gunnison via the Devil's Backbone route. 81401 United States, © 2020 Montrose Anglers. The Gunnison River is located in western Colorado and it is one of the largest tributaries of the Colorado river.The 180 mile (289 km) long river flows east to west and has a drainage area of 7,923 square miles (20,520 km 2) according to the USGS. For those making the effort, the fishing can be an outstanding experience. Good mayfly nymphs and emergers include Barr’s BWO Emergers, RS2s, and JuJu Baetis in sizes 18 to 22. 18 °F. Offering a mix of fishing opportunities from famed Gold Medal waters to High Country streams and lakes, this area will surely please any angler. Or if you have means to cross the river you can fish the northern bank of the river via the Northern River route. This road is extremely steep (15% grades) with hairpin curves. 309 E Main St Here, within the steep-walls of the gorge, the river offers one of the top fly fishing destinations to be found anywhere in the lower 48 states. From here you can fish the southern bank of the Gunnison via the Devil's Backbone route. There is a little over 10 more miles of public water with great fishing, mostly in the lower and middle stretch. While poison ivy and oak won't necessarily prove fatal, they do make for a miserable hiking experience. The deep canyon, over 2,000 feet in places, offers breath taking views both from the rim and the canyon floor. There are 21 miles of the Taylor River between the Reservoir and our shop where the Taylor joins the East river to form the Gunnison River. And although East Portal Road closes with the first November snows and the roads giving access to the trails descending into the Gunnison Gorge become wet and impassable, Smith Fork Trail does offer anglers excellent wintertime angling throughout the lower 4 miles of the Gunnison Gorge. Regardless of where you decide to stay, you want to look into local vacation rentals when planning your trip. There are a number of area fly shops and on-line retailers that publish Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park fishing reports. GUNNISON GORGE: This is a magical and beautiful place to fish, especially float fishing! Vehicles with an overall length (including trailer) greater than 22 feet are prohibited. The Gunnison River is seventy-eight miles long including the lakes it flows through. Fall fishing isn't too bad, though this point significantly diminishes the hatches in the year, and not nearly as rich as the midsummer salmon fly hatch. Without a doubt, this is the best thing to do on the South Rim of Black … Although the fishing season is not closed in the winter, the access road to the river is. Montrose, CO The East River begins north of Crested Butte with Emerald Lake in the central mountains of Colorado. Located two miles downstream of Crystal Dam at the bottom of Black Canyon, East Portal Campground is shaded by box elder trees. These often provide superior accommodations and locations compared to hotels and motels, and you can usually score a bargain if you book at the right time. From the entrance station on the south rim, it runs about 7 miles to its terminus at the Crystal Dam. It is the day the road to the East Portal opens. Furthermore, the crystal clear water and sweeping mountainside backdrop make your arduous journey through the canyon well worth the effort.If roughing it and off-roading followed by some high altitude hiking aren't for you, the Gunnison River through Black Canyon is a favorite stretch for floating and rafting, too. __CONFIG_colors_palette__{"active_palette":0,"config":{"colors":{"62516":{"name":"Main Accent","parent":-1}},"gradients":[]},"palettes":[{"name":"Default Palette","value":{"colors":{"62516":{"val":"var(--tcb-skin-color-0)"}},"gradients":[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing in Zion National Park, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing in Capitol Reef National Park, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing in Glacier National Park, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing in Grand Canyon National Park, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing in Lassen Volcanic National Park, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing in Yosemite National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Map and Fishing Access Sites, Best Places to Fish in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Best Time to Fish the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Black Canyon Gunnison National Park Fishing Reports, Black Canyon Gunnison National Park Fishing Regulations, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Lazily snaking through cottonwood-lined ranchland for 20 miles, the upper "Gunny" is dammed to form Blue Mesa Reservoir, the Centennial State's largest body of water. East River GUNNISON BASIN Fishing Report. Each are shown on the map above. The genesis of the famed Gunnison River is in Almont where the East and Taylor Rivers merge. This is in Black Canyon National Park. There are three primary access routes from the North Rim including: S.O.B. USGS real-time river flow information for Gunnison County The Gunnison Route, sometimes referred to as the "easiest" route, is still extremely steep, rocky and strenuous. The landlocked cousin to the sockeye salmon begins their fall journey in Blue Mesa Reservoir before running up the Gunnison River in late August. This river is the largest tributary of the Colorado River in Colorado, with a length of 180 miles, multiple hydroelectric dams, and many confluences with other bodies of water. All Rights Reserved Design by unleaded.digital, Road is Closed this time of year. Seasonal Conditions. Historical River Flow. Click the map markers for additional information on how to access the river via these routes. Fly Fishing the Salmon Run in Gunnison, Colorado Autumn in Gunnison, Colorado is a special time for anglers. The.4 miles of the Catch & Release, C & R, aka Hog Trough is the most famous and pressured. No bait is permitted, only artificial flies and lures may be used while fishing in the park. If you plan to visit during the salmonfly season though, expect to book well in advance before spots fill up. The fishing in Black Canyon is well worth the risk, but it's not worth your life. We decided to hit a tailwater on the Gunnison river under Crystal Dam. The clear, cold water of the Gunnison River is a sportsman’s and whitewater paddler’s paradise. Dry/dropper rigs are especially effective. Montrose puts you nearest to Crystal Dam and Reservoir, although the accommodations in Gunnison are a bit more diverse regarding options. Gunnison Gorge of the Black Canyon - Below Crystal Reservoir, Colorado Fly Fishing Reports & Conditions Reported by Gunnison River Expeditions Gorge continues to fish well. The river is technically open to fishing in the winter, but the frozen sections of the trail along the Gunnison and snowy conditions make navigating the terrain exceptionally difficult. The East Portal is closed for the season. Check out our interactive map of over 30,000 of the best places to fly fish in the US. The Gunnison River is accessible one of two ways, either via the East Portal Road to the river, or extreme hiking trails from the park rim road into the inner canyon. In southwestern Colorado just outside Montrose lies the Blue Mesa Reservoir on the mighty Gunnison River. Fisherman enjoy this route as a more gradual alternative into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison over the other significantly steeper routes accessed from the south or north rims of the canyon. Trailers are not allowed. For flies, here are the recommended patterns for Black Canyon:- Hopper (tan/yellow #8-12)- Quick Sight Foam Ant (black #14-16)- Woolly Bugger (olive/black #6-10)- Tunghead Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail #16-18- Bead Head Hare's Ear Nymph #16-18- I Can See It Midge Fly #8-12- Pat's rubber legs (black/brown #6-8)- TH 20 Incher (natural #8)- RS2 (gray #20)- TH Zebra Midge (black #20)- TH Zebra Midge (cream #20)- Tunghead Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail #16- Tunghead Hare's Ear Flashback #16- Globug Egg (brown #18)- San Juan Worm (brown #14)- Miller's D Midge (gray #18)- Two Bit Hooker (red #14). Flowing south from Emerald Lake, north of Crested Butte, this river makes its way to Almont, where it joins with the Taylor to create the well-known fishing haunt, the Gunnison. Finally, no matter where in Black Canyon you venture, be aware of the local flora and fauna. Since I can count the number of my blog readers on two hands I feel safe in writing this. East River is a stream located just 9.2 miles from Gunnison, in Pitkin County, in the state of Colorado, United States, near Almont, CO. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout here. Copyright 2020 DIY Fly Fishing, all rights reserved. River Information. In addition to a 9-foot rod with a six weight line (the trout get big in Black Canyon), you want to pack a pair of wading boots and a wading staff. Bed and breakfasts, traditional hotels and motels, and camping and RV parks are easy enough to find and book in and around Montrose. Draw, Long Draw and Slide Draw. A few to check out are listed below. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison River is one of the most scenic rivers in the state. Visit our DIY Guide to the Best Fly Fishing in Colorado. Use these epic resources to get ready for your adventure. The Gunnison River from 200 yards downstream of Crystal Dam all the way through Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to the North Fork is designated Gold Medal & Wild Trout Water. Or if you have means to cross the river you can fish the northern bank of the river via the Northern River route. Anglers will find open fishing among the many tributaries of the East River. Flow-999999 cfs. The National Park Service provides valuable tips on accessing the inner canyon wilderness area. Midge larva and emerger patterns in various colors, sizes 20 to 24, can be fished through winter. There are few streams here and there to try your luck further up in the Gunnison National Park, but Black Canyon is the place to fly fish. The Gunnison River in Black Canyon National Park is the 12 miles of Gold Medal and Wild Trout waters everyone travels there to visit. 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