the Gunnison River

The Gunnison River is formed by the confluence of the East and Taylor Rivers at the little town of Almont, 10 miles north of Gunnison. This upper stretch of the Gunnison, from Almont to Blue Mesa Reservoir, is approximately 24 miles long with multiple access points including 6 put-in/take-out ramps. Floating this stretch in an inflatable raft is the best way to cover the water as there are intermittent stretches of private property. The upper Gunnison has abundant hatches of Stoneflies, Caddis, Blue Winged Olives, Green Drakes, and Pale Morning Duns. This stretch is home to large Rainbow, Brown, and Cutthroat trout as well as Cuttbows, a rainbow and cutthroat hybrid.

Every fall the upper Gunnison sees the biggest run of Kokanee Salmon in the state. An estimated 2 million salmon make their way from Blue Mesa Reservoir up to the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery on the East River where they were once reared.