Colorado Fishing Reports ยท Gunnison Basin
The East River meets the Taylor at Almont to form the Gunnison. Its lower miles near the Roaring Judy hatchery are a fall favorite for big browns.
Looking for the latest East River Almont river report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the East River โ Almont.
Current flows
Wind forecast
Almont fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
The gauge shows about 150 cfs, a little high after late-October rain. Dry-fly fishing is fading.
Small streamers in olive, black or yellow and a jig nymph with a midge dropper are working best. Public water is limited to the stretch around Roaring Judy, and the Roaring Judy ponds and creek reopen November 16.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Almont, bring: Mini Sculpzilla #6-8, Woolly Bugger #8, Perdigon #16-18, Zebra Midge #18-20, Chubby Chernobyl #12, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-20, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16, Squirmy Wormie #12-14.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Almont river details
| Access | Public water near the Roaring Judy State Fish Hatchery off Highway 135. Most of the river is private. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 8,000 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 213 miles, roughly 4 hours 42 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | Summer and fall |
| Fish | Brown and rainbow trout, plus fall kokanee |
| Regulations | Kokanee must be released on the East River. Some hatchery waters close seasonally. Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current rules. A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 4X to 5X tippet for streamers |
| Camping | Almont-area national forest campgrounds |
| Kids | Partly. Small public area. |
| Good to know | Know where the public water ends. Most of the river is private. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Slow and cold.
Spring
BWOs before runoff.
Summer
Caddis, PMDs and hoppers.
Fall
Kokanee run and big browns.
How to get there
Take US-285 south to Poncha Springs, US-50 west over Monarch Pass to Gunnison, then Highway 135 north to Almont.