The Gunnison River is a tributary of the Colorado River, approximately 180 miles long, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It is the fifth largest tributary of the Colorado River.It rises in west central Colorado, in eastern Gunnison County, formed by the confluence of the Taylor and East rivers. Just past the town of Gunnison, the river begins to swell into the expanse of Blue Mesa Reservoir, a 12 mile long reservoir formed by Blue Mesa Dam, where it receives the Lake Fork of the Gunnison. Just downstream it is dammed again to form Morrow Point Reservoir, then just downstream of that dammed for the final time to form Crystal Reservoir. The reservoirs produce hydroelectric power and supply water for the surrounding areas for both municipal and irrigation use. The reservoirs are the upper part of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, one of the longest, narrowest, and deepest gorges in the world. Below Crystal Dam it begins to roar through massive cataracts and flows through the deepest part of the gorge. At the outlet of the canyon it receives the North Fork River, then downstream near Delta is joined by the Uncompahgre River. It then winds through desert canyonlands until it empties into the Colorado near Grand Junction, carrying almost as much water as the former.

The Gunnison River ranges in width from 100 to 1000 feet and 3 to 50 feet in depth. 

Fly fishing on the Gunnison River can be excellent year round with each season bringing its own special fishing experience.  As Spring arrives, fish become more active and feed more aggressively.  With low insect hatches this time of the year, subsurface action is the primary form of fly fishing.  It takes quite a bit longer for the ice to break on the upper Gunnison, but when it does, the fish start moving around a bit more.  As the Rainbows begin to spawn, the Browns really key in on egg patterns.  BIG fish can be caught this time of the year on the Gunnison.  As temperatures warm, more hatches begin and the fishing significantly picks up.  Around the first part of July, Green Drakes begin their life cycle on the river.  This hatch only lasts for a few weeks, but the actions can be some of the best.  Fish will actively take drys and LOTS of big fish can be caught.  About the same time of the year the Caddis Hatch is in full swing and provides for more excellent dry fly fishing.  

The Gunnison River is known all over the country as having one of the best Stonefly Hatches of any river.  This hatch starts near the middle of June and continues into the first part of July.  Fishing this hatch often leaves fly fisherman speechless, as the day spent fishing is like none other in the world.  If you have never fished the Stonefly hatch on the Gunnison River, you are truly missing out.  Fall brings with it some of the best fly fishing on the Gunnison River.  As the Browns begin their spawning patterns, they also become more aggressive, and on any given day, an Olive Woolly Bugger can take 18"-20" fish all day long. 

Stonefly Anglers is currently permitted through the National Park Service to fish some of the upper stretches of the Gunnison River above Blue Mesa Reservoir.  This particular stretch is one of the most productive and consistent fisheries throughout the year.  The fish-of-a-lifetime could be in your net on any given day!