I am pleased to report that the fly fishing season in Gunnison county is ON. Small mayflies and large Drakes are everywhere. All of the river levels have come down to excellent fly fishing clarity, temperature and flows. The dam controlled rivers have even received reduced releases. Now that you CAN fish in Gunnison Country, in this issue I hope to show you where and how, a few photos of recent action and the newest drift boat in our fleet The time to fish is NOW. Contact us to book a trip soon:
Cell: (970) 901-7975
E-Mail:
Web: cbmactrout.com
E-Mail:
Web: cbmactrout.com
Sincerely,
Craig McManus
Chief Cook and Bottle Washer
C B MacTrout, LLc.
WHERE AND HOW TO FLY FISH IN GUNNISON COUNTRY
| GUNNISON RIVERWhere:The Gunnison flows 20 miles from Almont to the Blue Mesa Reservoir through mostly private property with a few public sections. Public access is mainly in the first 1 1/2 miles below the confluence from Almont through the Almont Campground and the 2 mile long Cooper Ranch/Neversink section of the Curecanti National Recreation Area next to the reservoir. How:While these two sections are accessed for walk/wade fly fishing and are currently at a good accessible level, the most productive method of fishing the Gunnison is by drift boat. You can take 2 days and float the entire river. Whether wading or floating, most fish on the Gunnison are taken by nymphing with a 2 fly method weighted to the bottom. Drakes are currently in the upper section and small mayflies are seen in the entire 20 miles. Grasshoppers are in the lower meadows. Below the surface you should use #16 American or Flashback pheasant tails, copper johns or Barr’s emergers. Parachute Adams, small stimulators, Drake Duns or Comparaduns and Shroeders Hoppers will take fish on the top. EAST RIVER Where: The East River runs unfettered from it’s source near Emerald Lake above the Town of Gothic to the confluence of the Taylor River at Almont. The flow is slightly over 400 CFS, clear and fantastic for wading. Above Gothic is public. Below Gothic and above the Town of Mt Crested Butte is a little used mile long section of public that is accessed by a 15 minute hike down into a canyon and a 522′ hike back up(that’s 52 stories for you city folks). Worth it if you can do it! The next public stretch of a mile or so is between the Veltri and Trampe ranches accessed by a 4-wheel drive road at the back of the Brush Creek Trailhead parking area. The last public fishing access is the East beside the Roaring Judy Hatchery. How: Drakes, small mayflies and caddis dominate this river. Dry/dropper is the method of choice, with the combination of a #16 Parachute Adams trailing a bead head #18 micro mayfly taking quite a few trout, large and small. A small yellow stimulator or elk hair caddis for late afternoon action is preferred. BRUSH CREEK Where: All but the first mile of Brush Creek is public(We own the lease on the first meadow. More on that later). Physical access is the problem. The two great fishing meadows of Brush creek are accessed from Brush Creek Rd, the road to Pearl Pass. This road requires high clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicles. The first meadow is approximately 7 miles up and the second several miles past that. A grand slam can be easily taken at each meadow and the upper meadow contains the beautiful Colorado Cutthroat you will ever take on a fly rod. How: Again, #16 parachute Adams, the fly of the west, with a small bead head mayfly imitation as a dropper will serve you well. TAYLOR RIVER Where: The Taylor River above the Taylor Reservoir is all public and easily accessed for walk wade fly fishing. The Taylor River below the reservoir is a patchwork of obviously private and public water easily accessed by car. The Taylor is the most difficult river bottom to wade, so make sure you have wading boots that have proper gripping soles. How: The upper section above the reservoir fishes like any small stream, using dry/dropper. The Drakes are in the lower Taylor. When sighted a Drake dun and an emerger on the top works well. Otherwise all public sections of the Taylor below the reservoir, with the exception of the C & R, responds to a stimulator or parachute Adams trailing a Copper John. Elk Hair Caddis works in late afternoon. SPRING CREEK Where: Spring Creek is accessible by road and public past the first few private miles. Just pick a spot. The meadow up top (you cannot miss it) and the beaver ponds at the end of that meadow are worth the drive.How: Small creek methods are preferred. Dry/Drop # 16 mayfly or caddis on top and a small bead head mayfly as a dropper. COCHETOPA/SAGUACHE Where: The Cochetopa/Saguache Creeks are twin creeks on either side of the Continental Divide located SE of Gunnison. 17 miles down Hwy 114 starts the big Cochetopa Park and the Cochetopa State Wildlife Area off Road NN14. The Eddysville section is 20 miles off NN14 on good dirt road and worth the drive. There is a section between that can be accessed by high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle on an unmaintained dirt road that is little known and seldom fished. I can show you where it is. Saguache Park is accessed off NN14 by good dirt road and is the most remote and spectacular fishing venue that can be accessed by vehicle. All I can say is just buy a map, camp and explore. How: Both creeks have a vibrant and active insect life. The most successful combination has been a #14 Royal Wulff trailing a #18 Copper John. Private Water Where: Most fly shops and the best guide services (including C B MacTrout) have access to some private water. Private waters allow unrushed and uncrowded, scenic and private fly fishing in usually stocked creeks and rivers. On the East River and Gunnison River, the Rocky Mountain Angling Club offers membership to all and access to the Veltri section of the East and the Trampe section of the Gunnison. A section of the Saguache is also in their portfolio.C B MacTrout has the exclusive fishinjg rights tio the last private section of Brush Creekbetween Crested Butte and Aspen and can produce a grand slam and 16″ Trout. Call us and book a trip to fly fishing paradise. For a mere $1.6 million your can fish the Wilder Ranch on the Taylor, $3.5 million for the Crystal Creek section of the Taylor and $600 thousand for the Gunnison River Bank section of the Gunnison. $50, and you can fish Brush Creek. How: The manager of the property is the best source of info. |
| A NEW BOAT AND ABOUT US |
Our #1 Guide and all around good guy has made an investment in your fishing future, designing and assembling the finest fishing platform in Colorado. Taking the best from all avaliable sources, combining fly fishing knowledge from decades of fly fishing and rafting experience all over Colorado, Graeme Roberts has built a boat that will take your fly fishing experience to a new level. Call now to book a trip down the Gunnison with Graeme. You will not be diassapointed.
C B MacTrout, LLc.
C B MacTrout, LLc.
Guided fly fishing in Gunnison, Crested Butte, Colorado, Fish Gunnison, Fish Crested Butte, Float Fish the Gunnison, Walk Wade the East River, Taylor River, Gunnison River, Brush Creek, Cochetopa Creek, Saguache Creek. Whatever fishing adventure you have in mind, C B MacTrout can provide it. Spectacular, pristine, secluded streams, creeks and rivers surrounded by majestic mountains, historic, quaint mining towns and wildlife filled wilderness. A true sportsman’s paradise only a few miles from gourmet restaurants, lodging, shops and a myriad of other outdoor activities. Show a dry fly to a high mountain Colorado Cutthroat or Brookie in a remote mountain stream, go for a 16-20″ Rainbow or Cuttbow on private water, stalk a 26″ trophy Brown, float fish the Gunnison, fish a honey hole of Kokanee Salmon or go for that elusive fly fishing “Grand Slam”. Whatever your fly fishing desires and dreams, Gunnison Country has the water to satisfy and C B MacTrout has the guides to help get you there. We can teach beginners how to enjoy a new sport, guide an intermediate angler to the next level or help point an expert to the next goal. James Taylor sang ” The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time”. Fly fishing should be part of that passage. Our goal is to see you relax and just try to catch that next fish. We’ll take care of everything else.
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