An Angler’s Paradise (adjacent . . .)
Montana. Kamchatka. Belize. Alaska. Mongolia. Patagonia. For the angler, each name evokes thoughts of a fly fishing paradise, doesn’t it? Well, if you’re unfamiliar with Western Colorado, you may want to add it to your list. Colorado's Grand Valley sits adjacent to nothing less than world-class fisheries, and while there isn’t a trout stream flowing right through the middle of town, anglers can be wadered up and on the legendary waters of the Gunnison, Colorado, Roaring Fork, Flying Pan, and Uncompahgre Rivers in next to no time.
Healthy brown trout are eager to take hopper patterns on the banks of the lower Gunnison River in late summer.
The Gunnison River, home to the jaw-dropping Black Canyon and the even more legendary Pteronarcys, or salmonfly hatch, each spring is the closest thing to “home waters” Grand Junction, CO can lay claim to.
A motivated angler can be from their front door to the parking lot at the Pleasure Park outside of the town of Delta, where the North Fork and main stem of the Gunnison meet, in an hour. The hike up the canyon along the main stem is a study in the beauty of the desert mountain west, and while it certainly doesn’t look like a classic trout stream, these are designated Gold Medal waters (hosting 60 pounds of trout per acre and at least twelve 14” or larger trout per acre).
Suffice to say, in the time it takes to listen to one and a half good podcasts, you can be hooked up with a sizable rainbow or brownie in a magnificent setting. The Gunnison River is technically a tailwater, with multiple dams and reservoirs along its length, but it fishes more like a freestone stream. Big bugs, streamers, hopper eats, and the mind-blowing biomass of the salmonfly hatch make the “Gunni” an incredible year-round fishery close to home.
Delta is also home to a titan of the fly tying industry, Whiting Farms, where chickens are bred for their valuable genetic hackle feathers that grace flies worldwide.
Pteronarcys californica, the Giant Salmonfly, is a famed hatch on the Gunni. These bugs regularly exceed two inches in length and a well-presented pattern (below) is hard for trout to resist!
A well-presented pattern of Pteronarcys californica, or the Giant Salmonfly, is hard for trout to resist along the Gunnison River. Learn to tie your own or order your supply here.
The mighty Colorado River, while it flows through town and meets the Gunnison River at the “Grand” Junction, is a trout anglers dream from its headwaters high in the Rocky Mountains down to the nearby towns of Silt and Rifle.
Stunning views and easy access along the I-70 corridor make the “Collie” a beautiful place to stop and throw a couple of casts. It’s also easily floated with an experienced river guide, opening up a number of otherwise inaccessible runs.
This river is not necessarily known for its quantity of fish, but rather for the exceptional quality of Rainbow, Brown, Cutthroat, and Cuttbow trout, Rocky Mountain Whitefish, and other native species. It is not rare to net multiple fish over 20 inches in a day, and every one of them will have shoulders, too.
Caddis, stoneflies, and streamers are often successful patterns, but tying on tiny and shiny flies is the name of the game during the winter months, when the fish feed primarily on midges.
Chunky rainbow trout are sure to get anglers excited on the Mighty Collie!
Glenwood Springs, just an hour and change from Grand Junction, is where the Roaring Fork River meets the Colorado River. While access on the “Fork” is somewhat limited due to private property laws in the state, the number of ferocious brown trout in it is not. On no other body of water are there feistier, more clever trout, and even the 12-15” fish will strain your rod.
There are larger fish in the Roaring Fork as well, but every one is guaranteed to put a smile on your face, regardless of size. Caddis and drakes are the famed hatches on the Roaring Fork, and the Mother’s Day Caddis hatch is not to be missed. In the fall, streamer fishing is fast and furious, especially from a raft or drift boat!
Western Colorado trout have some truly splendid coloring.
Upstream from Glenwood Springs in the town of Basalt, Colorado the Frying Pan River makes its way down from Reudi Reservoir. The drive is worth it just for the views and a chance to see bighorn sheep in the red rock river canyon, but crowds can make for some shoulder-to-shoulder conditions, especially in the upper stretches where genuine tailwater hogs reside in low, clear water.
These fish have grown fat on the mysis shrimp introduced to the reservoir above as food for kokanee salmon, and are extremely wary. If you’re looking for solitude, stop at any of the lower pullouts and throw a few tight loops. There are plenty of fish to be had throughout the entire stretch, just be sure you’re on public property!
Tailwater fisheries offer year-round fly fishing opportunities in every direction.
To the south of Grand Junction, Colorado the Uncompahgre (Un-com-PAH-ray) is our other massive fish-bearing tailwater, located high in the majestic San Juan Mountains. It flows in to and out of Ridgway Reservoir, and is a must stop on the way to Telluride. It fishes well year-round, and a number of guides exclusively take clients there to hunt for true leviathans.
You may only get one shot at these hogs with exceedingly fine tippet and the tiniest of flies, but you’ll never forget the experience. Guides have become so stealthy and focused in their pursuit they’re known to sight fish from aluminum ladders (you read that right!) for the giant denizens of Pa-Co-Chu-Puk (the Ute name for Cow Creek) Park below the dam.
Trout live all throughout the “Unc,” so don’t ignore access points all along the river. You never know what you might hook into through town in Montrose, just an hour from Grand Junction. Montrose is also home to both the legendary Scott Rods and Ross Reels, now a part of Mayfly Outdoors, which also features brands like Abel and AirFlo. Mayfly Outdoors recently opened a 41,000 square-foot facility on the river right in town that is a must-see. The “Unc” also has a number of ADA access points, encouraging and allowing anglers of all abilities to enjoy the river.
Big cutthroat/rainbow trout hybrids (Cuttbows) can be found . . . if you know where to look!
Those, of course, are just the closest rivers to Grand Junction, Colorado for trout anglers. Drive a little farther and you’re on the Green River in the Flaming Gorge outside of Vernal, Utah.
To the south, the chunky trout of the San Juan tailwater in northern New Mexico can be tricked in to mouthing a midge pattern.
The Eagle, Taylor, Rio Grande, Animas, Blue, White, and a number of other incredible rivers surround the Grand Valley, lending their waters to the farming and ranching communities on the Western Slope and their trout to anglers’ nets every so often.
The Continental Divide keeps the population centers and their accompanying fisherfolk on the front range of the Rockies for the most part, allowing Grand Valley anglers the opportunity to explore miles and miles of unpressured waters. Between the rivers are myriad creeks teeming with small native trout that are eager to rise to a well-presented dry on a hot summer afternoon.
Of course, there’s the stillwater opportunities, too. Just to the east of the Grand Valley towers the imposing Grand Mesa, home to over 300 (yes, 300) lakes and reservoirs.
From the expansive Vega State Park to hundreds of high mountain lakes, the Grand Mesa is home to fish that will stretch your species count. Populations of tiger trout, grayling, golden trout, and splake accompany the brookies, cutthroats, rainbows, and browns on the Mesa. Warmer lakes on the south slope are home to panfish, bass, and walleye.
Drive a little further south and monster lake trout can be had out of Blue Mesa Reservoir near the mountain town of Gunnison, or follow its resident population of kokanee salmon as they run up the river to spawn.
Our incredible western waters are fed from snowmelt, so runoff in the spring is time to steer clear of dirty and dangerous water. Fortunately, this is when Grand Junction shines as a fishery. We are home to one of the greatest (in this author’s humble opinion) carp fisheries in the country.
Targeting these invasive species, especially on the fly, is a true test of patience, stealth, presentation, fish fighting ability, and patience. Oh. I already said patience? Well, trust me, it requires a lot! Our local waterways, lakes, and ponds are home to some behemoth common carp that have picked up nicknames like golden bones (for their similarity to bonefish of the saltwater flats), mud missiles, and swamp donkeys.
Hooking in to a one of these spooky beasts on a fly rod is a lot like hooking in to a Mack truck with a mind of its own, and nothing will help you hone your sight fishing or presentation skills like targeting these “trash fish.” Western Anglers, our local fly shop (and one of the guide services I work for) hosts an annual “Carpocalypse” fishing tournament to encourage anglers to try their hand at landing these armored fish, which can be fooled into eating crawdad, damsel- and dragonfly nymphs, and other common stillwater patterns.
Massive carp can be stalked and caught on the fly in many ponds, lakes, and the rivers through Grand Junction.
Speaking of Western Anglers, our shop is tucked away on Grand Junction’s charming Main Street, and is the only full-service local fly shop. Guided trips to private stillwater ranches, the Grand Mesa, and local rivers can and should definitely be booked there.
Friday afternoons at the shop tend to become a social event, featuring impromptu fly tying demos, tall fish tales, and requisite cold beverages. You can call the shop at 970-244-8658 for up-to-date river reports, or stop by 413 Main Street with a cold six-pack and make some new friends. Ask to book with me while you’re there!
Other local guide services of good repute are Black Canyon Anglers (970-835-5050) whose experienced guides are pros at running the famed Black Canyon of the Gunnison on multi-day raft trips. I’m proud to work with the fine folks at Black Canyon Anglers, and certainly hope you’ll make the trip of a lifetime to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison with me — book early for the salmonfly hatch!
A guided trip or two on local waters is always a great way for anglers new to the area to learn the rivers and lakes, as well as get plugged in to the community. Don’t forget to join the local Trout Unlimited chapter, Grand Valley Anglers, when you get settled in — new members are always welcome, and conservation efforts blended with social events are the best way to meet your newest fishing buddies.
See you out there!
