This SNOTEL graph shows the recent snowpack and Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) details for the Gunnison River Basin. (Click on image to enlarge.) We are well below average/normal, and sadly, we’re looking at drought conditions this summer.
A pretty wild trout with nice fins and good color. Love the red spots on brown trout. No two fish ever look the same. (Click on images to enlarge.)
Fishing the small streams prior to runoff can be a lot of fun. It’s pretty much Wooly Buggers all day long. There’s just something about being up in the mountains and catching a lot of wild trout with a 7-foot bamboo rod and not seeing another angler the entire time.
Pre-runoff streamer fishing can be great in early spring, especially for a few days after they release 2 or 3 million salmon fry in the East River so they can make their down way to Blue Mesa Reservoir. It’s just crazy good fishing.
The snow is melting in the Gunnison Valley and the rivers are rising with early runoff. Fish are keying in on stonefly nymphs and midges, and they also chasing streamers. This runoff will probably be short and sweet based on the above average temperatures we’re experiencing. Fishing will continue to be good until the rivers blow out, which could be in the next two weeks (or less).
Got out for some early season fishing over the weekend. There was a good midge hatch in the afternoon and we caught some decent fish on dry flies. Water is very low still, but with temps creeping up to nearly 60 degrees later this week, we’ll see rivers begin to rise.
Spent a few weeks in Texas and got to visit Louisiana for a few days as well. It was good to get away for part of the winter and help out Peri’s mom. Pulled the camper down and camped in the Texas Hill Country and also in Natchitoches, Louisiana. After about 5 weeks, 2 flat tires, and a cracked windshield, I am back home in Colorado and looking at a snow storm coming and below zero temps. Next year I hope to be gone for January AND February. But it’s time to ramp up for the upcoming fishing season now. Sure hope we don’t have another drought. Stay tuned.
(Check out my road trip inspired song, 18 Wheelers and Jesus.)
Got the new topper on the truck and hitched up the camper and headed south to Texas to spend a few weeks down here with Peri’s mom. It took two days and one flat tire, but it feels great to be in 70 degree weather while it’s 15 below zero in Gunnison. It was also good to melt the glacier off the camper. Happy camper.
A major winter storm dropped between 14 and 16 inches of snow here in Taylor Canyon last night. This is a view of the Taylor River just down the hill from the house. Winter is here!
