Hatch-chart pattern list
Best Flies for Gunnison River (Black Canyon) (Colorado)
The Gunnison River (Black Canyon) in Colorado is primarily a wade fishery. It is a freestone fishery for Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout, with the most reliable window in May, June, September. The patterns below are matched to the hatch chart we publish for this water. They are not a live report of what other anglers caught this week.
What's hatching now
Month, insect, size, and pattern from the Gunnison River (Black Canyon) hatch chart. August is highlighted when that month exists in the chart. We do not invent a hatch that is not on the chart.
| Month | Insect | Size | Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | Salmonfly | #4-8 | Sofa Pillow |
| Golden Stonefly | #8-12 | Stimulator | |
| June | Golden Stonefly | #10-14 | Yellow Stimulator |
| PMD | #16-18 | PMD Parachute | |
| July | Caddis | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis |
| PMD | #16-18 | Sparkle Dun | |
| September | Blue-winged Olive | #18-22 | Parachute BWO |
| October Caddis | #8-10 | Orange Stimulator | |
| October | Blue-winged Olive | #20-22 | BWO Sparkle Dun |
| Midge | #24-28 | Zebra Midge |
Nymphs
Subsurface patterns matched to this river's chart and catalog. Fish them at the size the chart lists, not the size that looks good in the bin.
Dries
Dries and terrestrials for the Gunnison River (Black Canyon). If the chart says a size 18 PMD, do not start with a 12.
Streamers
Streamers and wets for stained water, banks, and low light. This is not a claim that streamers are "on" today.
No catalog patterns in this group yet. Use the hatch chart and the river guide.
Setup
4X and 5X cover most nymphing. 4X on dries until the fish get picky, then 5X. A 3.0–3.8mm tungsten on the point and a lighter dropper is a default until you see the water. Tight-line the near bank and the heads of pockets. Use an indicator only when you need to search water you cannot euro.
FAQ
- What flies work on the Gunnison River (Black Canyon)?
- Start with Stimulator and BWO Parachute, then match size to the hatch chart for the month you are standing in. The Gunnison River (Black Canyon) does not need a 40-pattern box. It needs the right size on the insect that is actually in the drift.
- When is the best time to fly fish the Gunnison River (Black Canyon)?
- The editorial window we list is May, June, September, October. That is a planning month range, not a guarantee. Shoulder months can fish well if flows and water temperature cooperate.
- Do I need a guide on the Gunnison River (Black Canyon)?
- Colorado has walk-up wade water and, on some sections, float water. A guide is worth it for a first float or a technical tailwater. A hatch chart and a gauge are enough for a first wade if you already nymph. We list local guides and shops on this page when we have them.
- Where can I see live flow for the Gunnison River (Black Canyon)?
- Open the Gunnison River (Black Canyon) river page for the USGS gauge, access notes, and the same hatch chart this fly list is built from. We do not publish other people's spots or fish counts.
- Is this a report of what's working now on the Gunnison River (Black Canyon)?
- No. Executive Angler does not publish other anglers' catches, GPS, or a crowdsourced hot fly. This page is hatch-chart patterns plus catalog flies. Presence on the river page is gauge and weather only.
Related
Gunnison River (Black Canyon)
Access, hatch chart, USGS gauge.
Colorado
Trip planning for this region.
Stimulator
Dry
BWO Parachute
Dry
Sparkle Dun
Dry
Dragonfly Anglers
RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service
Blue Quill Angler
1532 Bergen Pkwy, Evergreen, CO 80439
Bucking Rainbow Outfitters
Steamboat Springs, CO
Animas River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Arkansas River (Colorado)
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Blue River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Cache La Poudre River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.