What Flies to Use on the Gunnison River: A Complete Seasonal Guide
The Gunnison River is one of Colorado's most celebrated fly fishing destinations, and for good reason. This Gold Medal fishery is home to thousands of Rainbow and Brown trout per mile, prolific insect hatches throughout the year, and some of the most diverse and rewarding fly fishing in the American West.
But knowing which flies to use on the Gunnison can be the difference between a slow day and one you'll talk about for years. At Ed's Fly Shop in Montrose, we live and breathe the Gunnison River. Here's our complete seasonal guide to the flies that produce on the Gunny year round.
Understanding the Gunnison River
Before we dive into fly patterns, it helps to understand that the Gunnison River is not one fishery but several. The Gunnison Gorge, the Lower Gunnison, and the tailwater sections each fish differently depending on the time of year. Water temperature, flow levels, and local hatches all vary between sections, so always check our fishing reports at Ed's Fly Shop before heading out.
That said, there are core patterns that produce consistently across the Gunnison system season after season. Here's what to have in your box.
Winter Flies (November through February)
Winter on the Gunnison is a game of precision. Cold water temperatures push trout into deeper, slower water where they feed selectively on small, abundant insects. Midges are the name of the game.
Top Winter Patterns:
Zebra Midge (sizes 20 through 26) The single most important winter fly on the Gunnison. This simple two material midge pattern in black and red or black and silver is a consistent producer in the deep, slow runs where trout hold through the cold months.
Top Secret Midge (sizes 20 through 24) A local favorite developed specifically for Colorado tailwater fishing. The flashy bead and slim profile make it irresistible to midging trout.
RS2 (sizes 20 through 24) An incredibly versatile emerger pattern that imitates midges in the pupal stage. Fish it just under the surface film during midge hatches for excellent results.
Blue Winged Olive Nymph (sizes 18 through 22) BWOs can hatch on warmer winter afternoons, especially on cloudy days. Having a Pheasant Tail or Barr's BWO Emerger ready can pay off when you see fish starting to rise.
Pro tip: Keep your tippet light in winter. Drop to 6X or even 7X for small flies and selective fish. A natural dead drift is everything in cold, clear water.
Spring Flies (March through May)
Spring is one of the most exciting times to fish the Gunnison, especially in the pre runoff window before snowmelt muddies the water. Blue Winged Olives are the dominant hatch, and trout can be surprisingly aggressive after a long winter.
Top Spring Patterns:
Blue Winged Olive Dry (sizes 16 through 22) The BWO hatch is the signature event of spring on the Gunnison. Fish the dries on cloudy afternoons when emergence is heaviest. Parachute Adams and Sparkle Duns are both excellent choices.
Pheasant Tail Nymph (sizes 16 through 20) A timeless classic that imitates BWO nymphs perfectly. Fish it deep on a dead drift before the hatch starts, then switch to dries when you see fish rising.
Hare's Ear Nymph (sizes 14 through 18) A versatile pattern that imitates a wide range of emerging insects. Works well throughout spring as an all around searching nymph.
San Juan Worm (sizes 10 through 14) When spring runoff begins and the water comes up and colors slightly, a San Juan Worm trailed behind a heavier nymph is one of the most effective rigs on the river. Don't overlook this pattern.
Golden Stonefly Nymph (sizes 8 through 12) By mid April, Golden Stones become increasingly active on the Gunnison. Fish large stonefly nymphs deep along the bottom in faster runs and riffles.
Early Summer Flies (June)
June is when the Gunnison truly comes alive. The legendary Salmonfly and Golden Stonefly hatches hit the Gunnison Gorge in June, creating some of the most explosive dry fly fishing in Colorado. This is the hatch that anglers plan trips around months in advance.
Top June Patterns:
Salmonfly Dry (sizes 4 through 8) The Salmonfly hatch is one of the most exciting events in all of fly fishing. These large, size 4 to 8 insects trigger savage surface strikes from the biggest trout in the river. Cast large Salmonfly imitations tight to the banks from the raft and hold on.
Golden Stone Dry (sizes 6 through 10) Golden Stoneflies hatch alongside Salmonflies in June and often produce better fishing for longer. A tan or golden colored stimulator pattern is hard to beat.
Pat's Rubber Legs (sizes 6 through 10) The single most versatile stonefly nymph on the Gunnison. Fish this heavily weighted pattern deep along the bottom before and during the hatch. It produces fish year round but is especially deadly in June.
Elk Hair Caddis (sizes 14 through 18) Caddis hatches kick in right as the Stonefly hatch winds down in late June. A tan or olive Elk Hair Caddis fished in the evening is a fantastic option as the canyon light fades.
Summer Flies (July through August)
Summer brings stable flows, warm days, and some of the most consistent dry fly fishing of the year. Hoppers become increasingly important as the season progresses, and evening caddis hatches can produce excellent surface action.
Top Summer Patterns:
Hopper Patterns (sizes 6 through 12) July and August are prime hopper season on the Gunnison. Dave's Hopper, Chernobyl Ant, and Parachute Hopper patterns fished tight against grassy banks produce explosive strikes from large Brown trout. This is one of the most exciting ways to fish the Gunny all summer.
Elk Hair Caddis (sizes 14 through 18) Caddis hatches continue strong through summer. Fish the Elk Hair Caddis in tan or olive on summer evenings when you see fish rising in the riffles.
Pale Morning Dun (sizes 16 through 20) PMD hatches occur through mid summer on the Gunnison, typically in the late morning and early afternoon. A Parachute PMD or Sparkle Dun matched to the natural is a reliable dry fly choice.
Copper John (sizes 14 through 18) A heavy, flashy nymph that produces in fast moving water throughout summer. Imitates stoneflies and caddisflies and works especially well as a dropper beneath a hopper dry fly.
Stimulator (sizes 8 through 14) An incredibly versatile attractor pattern that can imitate stoneflies, caddis, and hoppers. When fish are looking up but you're not sure exactly what they're eating, tie on a Stimulator and find out.
Fall Flies (September through October)
Many experienced Gunnison anglers consider fall their favorite time of year. The crowds thin out, the canyon turns spectacular shades of gold and red, and Brown trout become increasingly aggressive as they prepare to spawn. Streamers shine in fall.
Top Fall Patterns:
Woolly Bugger (sizes 4 through 10) The classic streamer for the Gunnison in fall. Black, olive, and brown are all productive colors. Strip it through deep runs and along undercut banks to provoke aggressive strikes from large Brown trout.
Articulated Streamers (sizes 2 through 6) Large articulated streamer patterns in olive, black, or sculpin colors are deadly in fall when Brown trout are actively feeding and chasing larger prey items.
Blue Winged Olive Dry (sizes 18 through 22) BWO hatches return in fall, often producing excellent dry fly action on cloudy afternoons. Fall BWOs tend to run a bit smaller than spring, so size down to 20 or 22.
Trico (sizes 20 through 24) Trico hatches occur on the Gunnison in September and October, producing reliable surface feeding in the mornings. Small Trico spinner patterns fished in slow pools and eddies can be highly effective.
Pheasant Tail Nymph (sizes 16 through 20) As temperatures cool and hatches become more subtle, the Pheasant Tail remains one of the most consistent nymph patterns on the river. Fish it deep with split shot and a long dead drift.
Quick Reference: Gunnison River Fly Chart
| Season | Top Dry Flies | Top Nymphs | Top Streamers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | BWO Parachute | Zebra Midge, RS2 | Not primary |
| Spring | BWO Parachute, Adams | Pheasant Tail, Hare's Ear | San Juan Worm |
| June | Salmonfly, Golden Stone | Pat's Rubber Legs | Woolly Bugger |
| Summer | Hopper, Elk Hair Caddis | Copper John, Hare's Ear | Woolly Bugger |
| Fall | BWO Parachute, Trico | Pheasant Tail | Articulated Streamer |
Stock Your Fly Box at Ed's Fly Shop
All of the patterns mentioned in this guide are available at Ed's Fly Shop in Montrose, Colorado. Our team knows the Gunnison River better than anyone and can help you build the perfect fly box for your trip, whether you're fishing the Gorge, the Lower Gunnison, or anywhere in between.
Stop by the shop at 432 E Main St, Montrose, CO or shop our full selection of flies online at edsflyshop.com. Have questions about current conditions? Check our latest fishing reports or give us a call at 970-964-9991.
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