Colorado ·
Gunnison River Fly Fishing Report - November 8, 2026
GUNNISON RIVER
ReportNOV 8 — 15, 2026
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Flow
378CFS
GUNNISON RIVER NEAR GUNNISON, CO.
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Water Temp
—
Updated 2026-11-07
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Weather
20–55°F
Clear
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Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
The Gunnison is running at 378 cfs with a gauge height of 1.27 ft — slightly up from last week's 345 cfs but still low and clear, making stealthy presentations essential. Expect a cold start near 21°F overnight with a sunny warm-up to 53°F Sunday afternoon, ideal for a midday BWO hatch window.
What's Working — Hot Flies
Juju Baetis Tungsten #22
22
Parachute - Blue Wing Olive #22
22
Barr's Flashback Emerger - BWO #22
22
Black Zebra Midge(TBH) #20
20
Roza's World Spain Perdigon Barbless #18 - 32
18
Egan's Silver Bullet - Baetis #14
14
Olsen's Hare's Ear Blowtorch Barbless #20 - 28
20
Tungsten Tailwater Sowbug - Rainbow #10
10
Egan's Frenchie #12
12
Wiggly Worm (TBH) #8
8
Olsen's Peacock Blowtorch Barbless #22 - 24
22
Top Secret Baetis #16
16
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) | 20-22 | Moderate | 11 AM - 2 PM |
| Midge | 20-22 | Heavy | 10 AM - 3 PM |
| Caddis (Pupae/Emerger) | 18-20 | Light | 1 PM - 4 PM |
| Scud / Sowbug | 14-16 | Moderate | All Day |
Best Time Window
- 8 AM - 10 AM: Deep nymphing with heavy sowbugs and worm patterns in pools before the sun hits the water — fish are stacked and feeding subsurface.
- 11 AM - 2 PM: Prime BWO and midge hatch window as temps climb toward 53°F — switch to small Baetis nymphs, emergers, and dry flies in the tailouts and flats.
- 2 PM - 4 PM: Afternoon midge activity remains strong; focus on slower inside seams with midge pupae patterns before temperatures drop sharply ahead of the 20°F overnight low.
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith flows at 378 cfs and gin-clear water, fish will spook easily — stay low, wade slowly, and keep your shadow off the water. Focus your morning efforts on the deeper pools and runs with a heavy sowbug or worm pattern fished tight to the bottom, then transition to small Baetis nymphs and emergers as the sun warms the water between 11 AM and 2 PM. Use a long, fine tippet (5X or 6X) and extend your leader to at least 12 feet to keep your indicator and split shot well away from spooky fish in the clear, low flows. Watch the slower inside seams and tailouts carefully for subtle surface sipping — that's where the best dry-fly action will happen during the BWO hatch.
Main Species
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Mountain Whitefish
