Gunnison River: Town Section

Gunnison River: Town Section — Fishing Report for April 26, 2026

Quick Stats

Flow: 267 CFS | Trend: Rising | Fishability: Good | Weather: Chance rain and snow showers transitioning to afternoon thunderstorms, high 54°F

The Bite

Overcast skies and cool, unsettled weather today are setting up one of the better dry fly windows of the spring. BWO hatches on the Gunnison Town water thrive under exactly these conditions — flat light, mild temps, and a damp atmosphere that keeps the bugs on the surface longer. Expect the hatch to build between noon and 2 PM and potentially run well into the late afternoon before the thunderstorms push through. Watch the sky and get off the water before lightning arrives, but that midday-to-early-afternoon window could be genuinely excellent.

At 40°F, water temps are right at the lower edge of active feeding, but fish should respond well as the day warms and bug activity increases. Flows have climbed about 14% in the past 24 hours and are sitting at 267 CFS — still comfortable to wade and well within the ideal range. With basin snowpack at just 12% of normal, this year's runoff pulse will be shorter and milder than average, which is actually good news: the fishable window should extend a bit longer than a typical late April, and the river is unlikely to blow out hard. That said, it is still rising, so enjoy the clarity while it holds.

Midges will likely be active earlier in the morning alongside the BWO buildup. A midge cluster or Griffith's Gnat can be worth having on while you wait for the Baetis to show. Keep an eye on the water surface — when you start seeing consistent sipping in the flat water near Town Park, it's time to switch to a BWO dun.

What to Fish

• BWO Sparkle Dun #18-20 — Top dry fly choice for the afternoon hatch; fish it on a drag-free drift through the flat, slow-moving water
• BWO Comparadun #18 — Slightly lower profile than the Sparkle Dun; try this when fish are being selective in calmer pools
• Griffith's Gnat #18 — Covers the midge cluster activity in the morning before the BWOs build
• Juju Baetis #20 — Subsurface option when fish are keying on emergers just below the film
• Pheasant Tail #18-20 — Reliable nymph anchor for the morning; fish it through the riffles and mid-depth runs
• Black Stonefly Nymph #14-16 — Worth trailing as a point fly through the riffles on warmer midday stretches

Tactics & Rigging

For the afternoon dry fly window, rig a single BWO Sparkle Dun or Comparadun on 5X or 6X fluorocarbon and focus on the flat, slower water near Town Park. Present the fly well upstream of any rising fish and let it ride the current untouched — these fish in calm water will refuse anything with drag. If you're not seeing consistent risers yet, a dry-dropper setup works well: use the Griffith's Gnat as your indicator fly with a Juju Baetis or Pheasant Tail dropped 16–18 inches below on 6X. The Gnat floats well enough to support a small beadhead dropper and covers both feeding zones simultaneously.

For morning nymphing before the hatch develops, run a Pheasant Tail on point with a Black Stonefly Nymph trailing 14 inches above through the riffles. Use enough split shot to tick the bottom and keep your drift natural through the seams. Euro-nymphing is particularly effective here given the low gradient and moderate current — tight-line contact through the gravel runs will find fish that aren't yet looking up.

Access & Logistics

Town Park and the Western Colorado University stretch offer easy, walk-in access with good parking. Wading is straightforward at current flows — felt-soled waders or wading boots with studs are plenty for this water. Thunderstorms are possible by mid-to-late afternoon, so plan your exit accordingly and keep an eye on the western sky. Verify current regulations with CPW before fishing.

Stop by The Willowfly Anglers for flies, local intel, and to support the shops that keep these fisheries healthy.

Looking Ahead

Flows will continue a gradual rise through the week as daytime highs hold in the mid-50s, but Tuesday's mostly sunny forecast and the basin's historically low snowpack suggest this won't be a dramatic runoff — more of a slow, manageable climb. Fish the overcast days early in the week for the best BWO action; the window is still open, but it won't be for long.