Colorado ·
Gunnison River Fly Fishing Report - June 7, 2026
GUNNISON RIVER
ReportJUN 8 — 15, 2026
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Flow
686CFS
GUNNISON RIVER NEAR GUNNISON, CO.
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Water Temp
58.1°F
Updated 2026-06-07
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Weather
42–80°F
Partly Cloudy
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Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
Flow is 686 CFS and dropping from runoff peak with water temps at a prime 58.1°F — clarity is improving daily as the East River contribution settles. Expect slightly off-color water in the morning that clears through the afternoon, making midday and evening the sweet spots for both nymphing and dry fly action.
What's Working — Hot Flies
Tungsten Pat's Rubber Legs - Tan & Brown #6
#6
Olsen's Straggle Stone Brown Barbless #12
#12
Wiggly Worm (TBH) #8
#8
Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6
#6
Egan's GTI Caddis - Olive #12
#12
Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) Tan #20
#20
Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig - Olive #12
#12
Roza's World Spain Perdigon Barbless #18
#18
Pheasant Tail Tungsten #20
#20
Juju Baetis Tungsten #22
#22
Top Secret Baetis #16
#16
Parachute - Blue Wing Olive #22
#22
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmonfly (Pteronarcys californica) | #4–6 | Peak emergence in the canyon/gorge; adults on banks and in the air | Late morning through early afternoon |
| Golden Stonefly (Hesperoperla pacifica) | #6–10 | Strong — overlapping with Salmonfly; nymphs migrating to banks | Midday, continuing into evening |
| Caddis (Brachycentrus / Hydropsyche) | #14–20 | Active and building — midday hatches near Gunnison town; evening rises in runs and pools | Midday to dusk |
| PMD (Ephemerella inermis) | #16–20 | Emerging in mornings; spinner falls in slower water | Morning to early afternoon |
| Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis tricaudatus) | #20–22 | Moderate — nymphs active subsurface; sparse dun activity on overcast windows | Morning and late afternoon |
| Midge (Chironomidae) | #20–22 | Consistent background hatch, especially in slower tailout water | Early morning and evening |
Best Time Window
- 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Calm winds, active Baetis and PMD nymphing; sparse BWO dun activity in slower water
- 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Midday caddis hatch peaks near Gunnison town; Salmonfly/Golden Stone adults on the wing in the canyon — prime dry fly window
- 6:00 PM – Dusk: Evening caddis rise intensifies in runs and pools; wind typically eases; switch to CDC caddis emergers in the film for selective risers
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith flows at 686 CFS and dropping, the Gunnison is in a prime transition window — water is clearing daily and trout are becoming more active on the surface. Start your morning high-stick nymphing with a heavy stonefly pattern tight to the banks, then watch for the midday caddis hatch to fire and switch to a dry. The gusty afternoon winds (up to 35–50 mph Tuesday) will make dry fly presentations challenging — use that time to throw streamers across the current and strip back through the deeper runs. Focus your best dry fly effort in the calmer morning and evening windows when the wind lays down.
Main Species
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Mountain Whitefish
