Colorado Fishing Reports ยท Gunnison Basin
Below the Gunnison Tunnel the river runs through the Black Canyon and the Gunnison Gorge, Gold Medal Water reached by steep trails and float trips.
Looking for the latest Black Canyon and Gunnison Gorge 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 Black Canyon and Gunnison Gorge.
Current flows
Wind forecast
Black Canyon and Gunnison Gorge fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
Flows are low, about 200 cfs, and water is about 50ยฐF. Flash floods from side canyons have left parts of the river off-color.
Nymph a perdigon with a small emerger, such as a Flashback Baetis, Pheasant Tail jig or scud. Go bigger and brighter in stained water. Fish have been active most of the day.
East Portal Road is open, but its campground is closed because of flood damage.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Black Canyon and Gunnison Gorge, bring: Perdigon #16-18, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-18, Kaufmann', s Scud #14-16, Black Beauty #22-24, Slump Buster #6, Zebra Midge #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Egg #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Black Canyon and Gunnison Gorge details
| Access | East Portal Road in the Black Canyon, and the Chukar and Ute trails in the Gorge. Steep hikes. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 5,500 to 6,500 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 276 miles, roughly 6 hours 16 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | Spring through fall |
| Fish | Brown and rainbow trout |
| Regulations | Gold Medal Water with special flies-and-lures and rainbow-release rules. 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 |
| Camping | Gorge boater campsites with a BLM permit and the Chukar trailhead |
| Kids | No. Steep trails and dangerous water. |
| Good to know | Flows can jump after rain. Cross carefully. |
Fishing by season
Winter
East Portal Road is closed.
Spring
BWOs.
Summer
Salmonflies in late May and June, then hoppers.
Fall
Low water, BWOs and browns.
How to get there
East Portal Road starts in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The Chukar trailhead is reached from Montrose.