Gunnison River Hatch Chart

Hatch Charts

Master the Hatch on the Gunnison River

From Blue Mesa tailwater tricks to big stonefly strikes in the Black Canyon, here’s your full month-by-month hatch breakdown for the Gunnison River.

The Gunnison River: Colorado’s Big Water Masterclass

They don’t call it “The Gunny” for nothing. This river runs wild, carves deep, and holds browns and rainbows that are downright rude to small tippet. From the upper freestone stretches to the legendary Black Canyon and the tailwaters below Blue Mesa, the Gunnison is a multi-chapter story for every angler.

Hatches here are powerful and predictable—if you know where to look. Salmonflies bring chaos in June, BWOs get fish looking up in spring and fall, and terrestrials rule the canyon banks come summer. If you’re not matching the hatch, you’re just exercising your arm.

Top Fly Patterns for the Gunnison River

Gunnison River Hatch Chart by Month
Month	Main Hatch	Secondary Bugs	Tertiary Bugs	Guide Tip
January	Midges (#20–#24)	Winter Stones	Baetis	Focus on tailouts with deep double-midge rigs and slow drifts.
February	Midges	Winter Stones	Micro Baetis	Use zebra midges and small eggs in slower, deeper water.
March	BWOs (#18–#20)	Midges	Early Stones	Cloudy afternoons = BWO magic. Try dry-dropper rigs in riffles.
April	BWOs	Caddis (early)	Midges	Start fishing shallower seams with BWO emergers and trailers.
May	Caddis (#14–#18)	BWOs	PMDs	Skated caddis and soft hackle swings are killer near dusk.
June	Salmonflies	Caddis	Golden Stones	Foam bugs fished tight to canyon walls = explosive eats.
July	PMDs	Caddis	Hoppers	Dry-dropper season is on. Fish foam + tungsten jigs mid-river.
August	Hoppers	Ants & Beetles	PMDs	Twitch beetles in shadow lines. Fish eat aggressively late-day.
September	BWOs	Caddis	Tricos	Fish light tippet and small dries around soft seams and pockets.
October	BWOs	Fall Caddis	Eggs	Browns are pre-spawn. Egg-midge rigs and streamers = fireworks.
November	Midges	BWOs	Small Stones	Focus on slower runs. Double midges under indicators produce well.
December	Midges	Winter Stones	Baetis	Stay warm, fish slow. Small midge larva and a soft hand wins.

Top Fly Patterns for the Gunnison River

Hatch Type	Fly Patterns	Sizes
Midges	Zebra Midge, Top Secret Midge, Black Beauty	20–26
Blue-Winged Olive	Sparkle Dun, Juju Baetis, RS2	18–22
Caddis	Elk Hair Caddis, Graphic Caddis, LaFontaine Sparkle Pupa	14–18
PMDs	Barr’s Emerger, Split Case PMD	16–20
Tricos	CDC Trico Spinner, Morgan’s Midge	20–24
Golden Stones	Pat’s Rubber Legs, 20 Incher	8–12
Hoppers	Chubby Chernobyl, Foam Ant	10–14
Streamers	Sculpzilla, Thin Mint, Mini Dungeon	4–10

Seasonal Fly Fishing Tips for the Gunnison River

Hike in = reward. The deeper you go in the canyon, the less picky the fish.
Stoneflies = thunder. When they pop, throw foam with bad intentions.
Euro nymphing slays in early spring. Especially around rock gardens.
Float or wade? Do both. Drift for distance, but pull over for the pockets.
Streamers shine from late September through the first snow.

Top Fly Fishing Spots on the Gunnison River

📍 Blue Mesa Tailwater (Near Blue Mesa Dam)

Why fish here: Stable flows and cold water provide consistent midge and BWO hatches year-round. Deep pools and defined channels make it ideal for nymphing.
Best time: January–May & September–November
Map it | ⭐️ Rating: 8.5/10

📍 North Fork Confluence (Colona, CO)

Why fish here: Productive confluence with slower flows and pocket water. Expect reliable PMDs and Caddis.
Best time: June–August
Map it | ⭐️ Rating: 7.5/10

📍 Delta Spring Creek Diversion Reach

Why fish here: A spring-fed reach with reliable BWO and March Brown hatches. Great for euro nymphing and emergers.
Best time: March–May
Map it | ⭐️ Rating: 8/10

📍 Pa-Co-Chu-Puk (Ridgway State Park Area)

Why fish here: Complex structure and vegetation make this a dry-fly gem. PMDs and Caddis excel during runoff windows.
Best time: May–July
Map it | ⭐️ Rating: 8/10

📍 Red Rocks Canyon (Below Gunnison)

Why fish here: Less crowded, scenic, and loaded with structure. Excellent for fall streamer work.
Best time: August–October
Map it | ⭐️ Rating: 7/10

📍 Gunnison City Run (Downtown Gunnison)

Why fish here: Quick access, consistent flows, and great bug life. Perfect for after-work sessions and family-friendly days.
Best time: March–June, September
Map it | ⭐️ Rating: 9/10

FAQs About the Gunnison River Hatch Chart

Q: When is the best dry fly fishing on the Gunnison River?
A: June through August is ideal. PMDs, Caddis, and Tricos dominate the surface action, especially around midday.

Q: What flies should I use in winter on the Gunnison?
A: Focus on small midges—Zebra Midges, Top Secret Midges, and RS2s in sizes 20–26.

Q: Do hatches differ between upper and lower Gunnison River sections?
A: Yes. Tailwaters below Blue Mesa and in the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk area offer more consistent year-round hatches, while freestone stretches experience stronger hatches in spring and summer.

Our Latest Blog Post

Trico Spinner, South Platte River, Colorado Front Range, CDC Trico, Trico

Tymothe Meskel
August 25, 2025

Trico Tango on the South Platte: The Top-3 Fly Patterns That Trout Can’t Resist

The South Platte’s Trico Circus Few things in fly fishing are as maddening—or as magical—as a Trico hatch on Colorado’s...

River Report, Waterton Canyon, Colorado Front Range, Most Popular

Tymothe Meskel
August 25, 2025

Waterton Canyon Fly Fishing Report (Aug 22, 2025) – Trico Mornings, Terrestrial Eats, and Skinny Flows

Waterton Canyon on the South Platte River isn’t just another spot on the map, it’s a rite of passage for fly fishing...

Guides

Tymothe Meskel
August 22, 2025

Does Fly Line Color Matter in Fly Fishing?

Anglers debate a lot of things on the river—favorite flies, best spots, even how early is too early for a beer. But one...

Button

Gunnison River Hatch Chart 2025