Gunnison River
Hatch Chart 2025

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.

• 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.