Fly Fishing In the Gunnison Valley

Way back when Crested Butte Colorado was a coal town. That’s part of the reason the town’s National Historic District is comprised of colorful buildings made out of wood instead of brick. It is a beautiful mountain town where locals get up early to fish the mountain rivers until mid-afternoon. Then it is time to hit the decks and patios along Elk Avenue, sitting and watching as the world goes by. Friendly and talkative, you’ll find yourself with new friends. Be careful because the next thing you know you’ll be thinking about moving there.

If you want a chance to try fly fishing for some trophy sized fish, you’ve come to the right place. Crested Butte Colorado is located in the Gunnison Valley, close to both the Taylor and Gunnison Rivers. While the Taylor is a wading river, most people raft float or dory fish the Gunnison. Because about half of the Gunnison River is on private land, the only way to get to some great water is being on the water. In Crested Butte you’ll find experienced guides who can help you put that fly right over fish you don’t even see.

The Taylor River, located about half way between Crested Butte and Gunnison, is a main branch of the Gunnison River. The upstream reservoir is the secret to the river’s success. It controls the flow of water all year round. With a consistent grade, the river has bedrock riffles and large boulders, perfect places for trout to hang out. Evening fishing is great on the Taylor River. These same water features help water insects flourish, producing large hatches of BWO, PMD and Caddis.

You can fish the Taylor like you would fish any western river. Prepare yourself for fast moving water. Waders with metal cleats and a walking stick will help you manage the rocky bottom. Don’t forget to bring a net to bring that large fish to shore. You’ll want to use 4X-5X leaders and tippets and fish whatever hatch is on the river. Some patterns that work on the Taylor include Zebra Midges, Hare’s Ears, and Psycho Princes. If in doubt what to use, any of the tackle shops in Crested Butte will be happy to tell you what worked yesterday.

As the only place in the valley for fly fishing in the winter, the Taylor River stays ice free for about one-third of a mile below the dam. A catch and release area, the fly used here most of the time is the Mysis Shrimp on a tiny tippet. If that isn’t working, try some emergers or small midges. As an experienced fly-fisherman, you know that there are times a fish will strike the most unlikely target. So if those aren’t working, try that fly that has been sitting in your tackle box for 10 years.