Colorado Fishing Reports ยท Gunnison Basin
Below Crested Butte, the East River meanders through high meadows with undercut banks, small browns and brook trout, and huge views.
Looking for the latest East River Crested Butte 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 Crested Butte.
Current flows
Wind forecast
Crested Butte fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
The gauge below Cement Creek shows about 150 cfs and clear. It is getting cold up here, and fish are slowing down.
Fish the deep bends midday with a small Perdigon or Zebra Midge. Small streamers stripped along the undercut banks can turn a good brown.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Crested Butte, bring: Perdigon #16-18, Zebra Midge #18-20, Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, Parachute Adams #16-18, Woolly Bugger #8, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-20, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Crested Butte river details
| Access | Limited public access along Highway 135 and national forest stretches. Much of the meadow water is private. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 8,800 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 222 miles, roughly 4 hours 54 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | Summer and early fall |
| Fish | Brown, rainbow and brook trout |
| Regulations | Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current rules. A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 5X tippet |
| Camping | Gunnison National Forest campgrounds near Crested Butte (seasonal) |
| Kids | Yes in summer at the easy meadow spots. |
| Good to know | Check maps for public water. Most banks are private. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Frozen.
Spring
Late runoff into June.
Summer
Prime time for dries and hoppers.
Fall
Short window before snow.
How to get there
Take US-50 to Gunnison, then Highway 135 north toward Crested Butte.