• Elevation drop:Features a 560 foot descent from the 5,960 ft. elevation trailhead.
• Trail Mileage: 1.1 Miles of a fairly easy livestock-friendly trail.
• Description: The Chukar trail head is reached by an arduous 7-mile dirt road, accessed from Peach Valley Road, via Falcon road after leaving Hwy 50 just south of the one and only traffic signal in Olathe. NOTE: Avoid this road during and immediately following heavy rain or wet snowfall. It's a long walk out! Once you park in the day use parking area and register, head down the trail a mile or so to the river. The trail has a series of step downs, some of rock and some of timbers in some of the steeper areas. This trail gets pounded by anglers, hikers and livestock, and is pretty dusty most of the time, with road apples as a common trail feature (from stock that haul in the rafts and gear for float trips). Chukar Trail is the "Put-In" for the entire commercial fleet, and the bulk of the private boat and kayak trips that navigate the canyon.
• Time: Guides in Chaco Sandals may fly down the trail in minutes, but mere mortals should allow 20-30 minutes down and 30-60 minutes coming out. As with all the trails, common sense suggests hydrating well at the river and on the way up. I strongly recommend that you have some Gatorade, or at least a jug of water waiting for you in your truck, SUV, or in shade outside of your vehicle. There is no water at any of the trailheads! Also avoid coming out in the heat of the day if possible to keep from overheating.
• Fishing Opportunities: This whole area is great Browns. Stoneflies, PMDs & Yellow Sally hatches are excellent in this area in mid to late June. Typically Browns love the rocky edges and undercuts, and Rainbows prefer the more aerated water, but during the hatch trout can hang out along the edges and walls waiting for floating female Stoneflies. This area is jumping with day hiking anglers and boaters during the Stonefly Hatch. Camping is pretty limited down in the gorge and fills quickly. **

• Elevation drop: A 800 foot descent from the 6,100 ft. elevation trailhead.
• Trail Mileage: 1.5 Miles
• Description: This trail is a good trail, but moderately difficult, due to the last half mile and the tricky rocky descent at the bottom that makes use of all your appendages, and maybe your butt too. There has been a vintage rope in place that can provide some assistance. Use at your own risk. Think twice before bringing small kids down this trail.
• Time: Allow 30 to 60 minutes to get down to the river, and probably an hour or more coming back up. As with all of these trails, common sense suggests hydrating well at the river and on the way up. I strongly recommend that you have some Gatorade, or at least water waiting for you in your truck, or in shade outside of your vehicle. There is no water at any of the trailheads! Also avoid coming out in the heat of the day if possible to keep from overheating.
• Fishing & camping opportunities: Immediately upstream of the trail is Bobcat Rapid. While this can be crossed at certain flows, you know your own limits**. Most anglers head downstream towards the Duncan Trail. There is plenty of water in this area, with plenty of structure for Browns and Bows. Prime Stonefly water as well. There are two hiker camps in this section, the rest are for boaters. Check the river maps.

• Elevation drop: A 840-foot descent from the 6,160 ft. elevation trailhead.
• Trail Mileage: 1.5 Miles
• Description: Moderately Difficult, mostly the last half mile. This is my personal favorite. After you register, take the trail to the old road until the trail eventually hooks left. This next section is one I call the "Super Highway", as it parallels the canyon, and you can cruise down this trail as it passes through the Pinion and Juniper trees. (This section is also a welcome stretch of trail on the way out, as you get your legs and lungs back!). The trail changes color and darkens and the pebbles make for interesting footing. Once you roll through the gully and top out on the overlook, the work begins. Pick your way down the trail through the talus and scree, until you hit the old mine shaft. While the trail appears to drop off on the right, hug the slope and STAY LEFT(unless you've been this way before- you'll understand) By staying left and hugging the wall you'll find the correct trail and it will take you up to a "Vista Point", giving you a beautiful view up river towards Bobcat Trail, and downstream, towards Buttermilk Rapid. Stay left as you descend the rest of the way. There are multiple ways down however, some more hazardous than others. For a fun variation on the way out, climb up the gully all the way up to a void the plod up the talus and scree section.
• Time: You can cook down this trail in 25 minutes or less if you hustle, but a more sedate pace of 35-45 minutes and 45-70 minutes coming out. As with all of the trails, common sense suggests hydrating well at the river and on the way up. I strongly recommend that you have some Gatorade, or at least water waiting for you in your truck, or in shade outside of your vehicle. There is no water at any of the trailheads! Also avoid coming out in the heat of the day if possible to keep from overheating.
• Fishing Opportunities: Lots of fishing for Browns and Rainbows from this trailhead. Prime Stonefly waters in June, with lots of riffles and runs, especially in the Ute Park area. There is some nice water heading up to Bobcat as well. **You can also access Ute Park from this trailhead either by crossing downstream of the trail at the gravel bar by the Big Rock on river left. Not a good idea above flows of 800 or more! Cross at your own risk. OR, a second choice to get into Ute Park exists and is a difficult "up and over" high altitude trail that is accessed on river left, by going downstream from the Duncan trail as far as you can go-- to the dead Juniper tree-- at which point the climb "up and over" begins, thus the term. There is exposure on this route, so use extreme caution. There are four hiker camps in the Duncan trail area.

• Elevation drop: A 1,200 ft. descent from a 6,500 ft. elevation trailhead.
• Trail Mileage: 4.5 Miles
• Description: This is an Intermediate or Moderately difficult trail, mostly due to its length. Miles afoot or on horseback at altitude, with loads can add to the difficulty and time in and out of the canyon. While the trail is well graded for livestock, there are a couple of switchbacks that horse rides may feel more comfortable by walking the switchbacks, as livestock can get a little skitterish here. There are 4 Hiker Campsites in Ute Park, and one designated livestock campsite in upper Ute Park, the rest are for floaters and boaters. As with all of the trails, common sense suggests hydrating well at the river and on the way up. I strongly recommend that you have some Gatorade, or at least water waiting for you in your truck, or in shade outside of your vehicle. There is no water at any of the trailheads! Also avoid coming out in the heat of the day if possible to keep from overheating.
• Time: Allow 1.5 to 2 hours down the trail and 2 to 3 hours hiking out.
• Fishing Opportunities: Ute Park offers some of the finest runs and riffles, island holes, deep troughs and wide-open spaces on the river. This stretch is home to hungyy Browns, Rainbows, and the occasional Cut Bow. The aerated rocky water is also home to the Big Stonefly nymphs, and the highly oxygenated waters spawn the hatches the Gunnison River is famous for, while providing the wading angler excellent access to an amazing amount of water without being "walled or cliffed out". There are several points bold anglers can cross at flows up to about 800 CFS. Many float trips camp in the Ute Park region and fishing clients get our and fish this area on foot, spending quality time wade fishing the riffles, runs and pools. Note: This area probably has the highest population of both walk in anglers and camping anglers during the month of June, so don't be surprised to see a crowd in here during hatch periods!

• Elevation drop:Features a 560 foot descent from the 5,960 ft. elevation trailhead.
• Trail Mileage: 1.1 Miles of a fairly easy livestock-friendly trail.
• Description: The Chukar trail head is reached by an arduous 7-mile dirt road, accessed from Peach Valley Road, via Falcon road after leaving Hwy 50 just south of the one and only traffic signal in Olathe. NOTE: Avoid this road during and immediately following heavy rain or wet snowfall. It's a long walk out! Once you park in the day use parking area and register, head down the trail a mile or so to the river. The trail has a series of step downs, some of rock and some of timbers in some of the steeper areas. This trail gets pounded by anglers, hikers and livestock, and is pretty dusty most of the time, with road apples as a common trail feature (from stock that haul in the rafts and gear for float trips). Chukar Trail is the "Put-In" for the entire commercial fleet, and the bulk of the private boat and kayak trips that navigate the canyon.
• Time: Guides in Chaco Sandals may fly down the trail in minutes, but mere mortals should allow 20-30 minutes down and 30-60 minutes coming out. As with all the trails, common sense suggests hydrating well at the river and on the way up. I strongly recommend that you have some Gatorade, or at least a jug of water waiting for you in your truck, SUV, or in shade outside of your vehicle. There is no water at any of the trailheads! Also avoid coming out in the heat of the day if possible to keep from overheating.
• Fishing Opportunities: This whole area is great Browns. Stoneflies, PMDs & Yellow Sally hatches are excellent in this area in mid to late June. Typically Browns love the rocky edges and undercuts, and Rainbows prefer the more aerated water, but during the hatch trout can hang out along the edges and walls waiting for floating female Stoneflies. This area is jumping with day hiking anglers and boaters during the Stonefly Hatch. Camping is pretty limited down in the gorge and fills quickly. **

• Elevation drop: A 800 foot descent from the 6,100 ft. elevation trailhead.
• Trail Mileage: 1.5 Miles
• Description: This trail is a good trail, but moderately difficult, due to the last half mile and the tricky rocky descent at the bottom that makes use of all your appendages, and maybe your butt too. There has been a vintage rope in place that can provide some assistance. Use at your own risk. Think twice before bringing small kids down this trail.
• Time: Allow 30 to 60 minutes to get down to the river, and probably an hour or more coming back up. As with all of these trails, common sense suggests hydrating well at the river and on the way up. I strongly recommend that you have some Gatorade, or at least water waiting for you in your truck, or in shade outside of your vehicle. There is no water at any of the trailheads! Also avoid coming out in the heat of the day if possible to keep from overheating.
• Fishing & camping opportunities: Immediately upstream of the trail is Bobcat Rapid. While this can be crossed at certain flows, you know your own limits**. Most anglers head downstream towards the Duncan Trail. There is plenty of water in this area, with plenty of structure for Browns and Bows. Prime Stonefly water as well. There are two hiker camps in this section, the rest are for boaters. Check the river maps.

• Elevation drop: A 840-foot descent from the 6,160 ft. elevation trailhead.
• Trail Mileage: 1.5 Miles
• Description: Moderately Difficult, mostly the last half mile. This is my personal favorite. After you register, take the trail to the old road until the trail eventually hooks left. This next section is one I call the "Super Highway", as it parallels the canyon, and you can cruise down this trail as it passes through the Pinion and Juniper trees. (This section is also a welcome stretch of trail on the way out, as you get your legs and lungs back!). The trail changes color and darkens and the pebbles make for interesting footing. Once you roll through the gully and top out on the overlook, the work begins. Pick your way down the trail through the talus and scree, until you hit the old mine shaft. While the trail appears to drop off on the right, hug the slope and STAY LEFT(unless you've been this way before- you'll understand) By staying left and hugging the wall you'll find the correct trail and it will take you up to a "Vista Point", giving you a beautiful view up river towards Bobcat Trail, and downstream, towards Buttermilk Rapid. Stay left as you descend the rest of the way. There are multiple ways down however, some more hazardous than others. For a fun variation on the way out, climb up the gully all the way up to a void the plod up the talus and scree section.
• Time: You can cook down this trail in 25 minutes or less if you hustle, but a more sedate pace of 35-45 minutes and 45-70 minutes coming out. As with all of the trails, common sense suggests hydrating well at the river and on the way up. I strongly recommend that you have some Gatorade, or at least water waiting for you in your truck, or in shade outside of your vehicle. There is no water at any of the trailheads! Also avoid coming out in the heat of the day if possible to keep from overheating.
• Fishing Opportunities: Lots of fishing for Browns and Rainbows from this trailhead. Prime Stonefly waters in June, with lots of riffles and runs, especially in the Ute Park area. There is some nice water heading up to Bobcat as well. **You can also access Ute Park from this trailhead either by crossing downstream of the trail at the gravel bar by the Big Rock on river left. Not a good idea above flows of 800 or more! Cross at your own risk. OR, a second choice to get into Ute Park exists and is a difficult "up and over" high altitude trail that is accessed on river left, by going downstream from the Duncan trail as far as you can go-- to the dead Juniper tree-- at which point the climb "up and over" begins, thus the term. There is exposure on this route, so use extreme caution. There are four hiker camps in the Duncan trail area.

• Elevation drop: A 1,200 ft. descent from a 6,500 ft. elevation trailhead.
• Trail Mileage: 4.5 Miles
• Description: This is an Intermediate or Moderately difficult trail, mostly due to its length. Miles afoot or on horseback at altitude, with loads can add to the difficulty and time in and out of the canyon. While the trail is well graded for livestock, there are a couple of switchbacks that horse rides may feel more comfortable by walking the switchbacks, as livestock can get a little skitterish here. There are 4 Hiker Campsites in Ute Park, and one designated livestock campsite in upper Ute Park, the rest are for floaters and boaters. As with all of the trails, common sense suggests hydrating well at the river and on the way up. I strongly recommend that you have some Gatorade, or at least water waiting for you in your truck, or in shade outside of your vehicle. There is no water at any of the trailheads! Also avoid coming out in the heat of the day if possible to keep from overheating.
• Time: Allow 1.5 to 2 hours down the trail and 2 to 3 hours hiking out.
• Fishing Opportunities: Ute Park offers some of the finest runs and riffles, island holes, deep troughs and wide-open spaces on the river. This stretch is home to hungyy Browns, Rainbows, and the occasional Cut Bow. The aerated rocky water is also home to the Big Stonefly nymphs, and the highly oxygenated waters spawn the hatches the Gunnison River is famous for, while providing the wading angler excellent access to an amazing amount of water without being "walled or cliffed out". There are several points bold anglers can cross at flows up to about 800 CFS. Many float trips camp in the Ute Park region and fishing clients get our and fish this area on foot, spending quality time wade fishing the riffles, runs and pools. Note: This area probably has the highest population of both walk in anglers and camping anglers during the month of June, so don't be surprised to see a crowd in here during hatch periods!

- Epic

The Red Rocks, Warner area was on fire for adult stones on Monday and Tuesday. Take a hike! -- Alan Carmichael

- Great

Launched at Chukar on Wednesday 16th. Spent the first 3 days in the gorge, and 2 more days in the Pleasure Park area. We fished until dark on the 20th. Fishing on Salmon flies worked the entire 5 days. Some of our sessions we would rate as Epic. Yellow Sallys and Caddis worked as well during parts of the day. Droppers below the dry was a sure thing. It became a game of putting on your weird looking stones to see what they would take. We fished long days, and caught the largest number of bigger size fish ever. It was a good one. -- Paul Warner

- Poor

Hiked down Warner route last Tuesday afternoon and saw a decent number of fliers. By Thursday afternoon the sky was THICK but no egg layers! It's about to go off down there! -- Paul Howe

- Great

Oops I thought I rated it great at Pleasure Park. -- Bob Stewart

- Epic

Fished hard on the 9th in Ute Park, caught fish but worked hard. No fish on top, all sub surface. Hiked out Ute and fished Pleasure Park on the the 10th. Picked up 15-20 fish mostly subsurface but several on big dries. A great day. In my opinion Ute park needs several more hot days to get the bugs flying and the fish looking up. -- Bob Stewart

- Good

Fresh report from a 1 day trip though. They fished dry stones, with not many takers. Finally started picking them up in lower Ute, and on down they had a lot of fun. -- Alan Carmichael

- Good

Floated from Smith Fork to Pleasure Park on 6/5. Saw a fair number of adult salmon flies, and it appears that the hatch is just getting underway. Saw quite a few nymphs trying to hatch also. Fish would not take a salmon fly imitation on top. Had terrific nymphing though with caddis and PMDs. -- Curt Kerrick

- Fair

A few flying Adult Stones have been sighted at the forks. Come on, lets rock! -- Alan Carmichael

- Poor

Hiked in Duncan on 6/25 and came out early on 6/27. Aforementioned flows have made this nearly useless if you're wading. I'm sure the floaters are having better results. Caught 3 fish between 2 people in 2 days of HARD fishing. Bugs everywhere and had a nice stone hatch on Thursday night but nothing stonefly worked - nymph or adult. No fish looking up. Not sure what they're looking at because we threw the entire box at them. Stones, sofa pillows, Yellow Sallies, Caddis.....nothing. Great hike in and solitary camping though. -- Bill Wosilius

- Great

On the west side, near power lines. Lots of adult flying, some started landing on water about 10am, but not a lot. Some fish taking the adults, but not a frenzy. Caught a 19" bow and a few decent browns on a dry stone. Sallies came off real heavy around 11 - 12, then PMD shortly thereafter. Caught fish on dries of all of the above. Caddis were coming off too. Surface activity slowed about 1pm so I returned to work. Kept 1 brown and ate him for dinner. yum yum. -- darin hinton

- Great

Went down Chukar on the Solistice, camped at Margaritaville and fished up from there. Came out today, fished nothing but big ugly dries for two days, didn't raise any bows, but lots and lots of brownies and big ones too. Should get even better from here. -- Ethan Hurley

- Good

Fished the Gunni yesterday on the west bank from the parking lot up to the cliffs. The fishing was pretty consistent all day the fish were taking stonefly patterns in orange and yellow, no natural Stoneflies on the water, the larger fish seemed not to be fooled, so many flashes and rejection rises all day. -- Jacob Kirby

- Great

We hiked out of Warner Point on Saturday after 3 great days of fishing. Browns and Bows keying on large nymphs - stones with caddis and scud droppers. Fish were hugging the grass lines and deep pools. Stones were in the trees and the air but did not see any risers. Four of us had the river to ourselves and caught a lot of big fish. -- B L

- Good

Hiked into Duncan early Saturday morning. Stones everywhere and flying by 10 am. Water is a bit high and the fish were not keying on stones too much. There were a few females on the water, but few takers. Wind came up and forced fish down. Nymphing w/ stones produced well. Every fish was full and as firm as a well-inflated football. Give it a day or two. -- Ty Churchwell

- Good

Finally, anglers are picking up hungry trout with Dry Stones, as the warm sky was filled with adults Saturday morning. This should be the weekend for the Forks, then on into Ute Park! YeeeHa! -- Bob Burk

- Good

Guides are reporting good fishing from the Forks up to Smith Fork, with flyers and a few fish taking them. The stone nymph fishing is good all through the canyon, with some excellent caddis hatches that are most productive. Fish the edges with dry stones and dry a dry dropper with caddis or light stone nymph. -- Alan Carmichael

- Good

A guy came in to the shop and gave a verbal report that he saw a lot of stones in the bushes...that was on Wednesday. -- Alan Carmichael

- Good

Look for higher flows each day until the 6th when they should stabilize at around 3000 cfs. Fish the edges! -- Alan Carmichael

- Epic

Looks like flows will stay around 2,000 cfs at least through mid June, depending on the weather. This will possibly pust the hatch back a bit, with cooler water but it should be great. The hatch is awesome at this water level, fish the edges and walls, great bank fishing. Plan your trip now, call us for info! Al, Cimarron Creek 970 249-0408 -- Alan Carmichael

- Poor

No good report, Just can't wait for the STONES!!!! its may 19th my birthday and all I want is some dry action on great big stones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NOT FAR..... -- Chad Beaton

Nymph Patterns: Sizes 4-6

Kaufmann Black Stone, Girdle Bug, Bitch Creek, Dorsey Rubber Leg Stone, Titanic Stone, Peacock Wooly bugger, Half Back.  **Note: Bead head or non-beaded versions are all good!

Adult Patterns: Sizes 4-6

Improved Sofa Pillow, Orange Stimulator, Fluttering Stone, BC Stone, Foamulator Stone, Chernobyl Stone, Morris Stone

Nymph Patterns: Sizes 8-10

Kaufmann Golden stone, Half back, 20 incher, Befus Wired Stone, Gold Bead Epoxyback Biot Stone

Adult Patterns: Sizes 8-10

Improved Golden Stone, Yellow Stimulator

Nymph Patterns: Sizes 10-14

Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear, Rubber Legged Hare’s ear, Half back

Adult Patterns: Sizes 10-14

Little Yellow Sally, Befus Slow Water Sally, Hott butt caddis, Headlight Sally

The Stonefly and "Stonefly Hatch" are some of the most amazing things about the Black Canyon of the Gunnison River.  It is one of the most prehistoric aquatic insects on earth, which puts it in good company with the geologic history and cutting action of the Gunnison River as it cuts through eons of time in the Black Canyon National Park and through the Gunnison Gorge.

In terms of trout and what they eat, imagine that with a single, slashing bite of a Stonefly like the Pteronarcys Californica, a fish has just eaten an equivalent meal of a hundred mayflies, or perhaps a several hundred midges!! That’s just in one bite-- Imagine if you will that that same trout has a stomach and throat full of these critters, and that bugs are literally coming out its gills.  That glutton of a fish just took your #6 Sofa Pillow!  It’s no wonder that this hatch supplies a significant amount of its protein in a relatively short three-week span of gorging on migrating nymphs, then on egg laying females.

There are 4 main species of stoneflies that hatch out in the Black Canyon, each with its own Latin name of course.  But, lets cut to the chase.  From a pattern standpoint we have the the Salmon Fly,the Golden Stone and the Yellow Sally.

The big buzz for us as at the fly shop is the Pteronarcys Californica or what we call the Salmon Fly, Willow Fly, or Giant Stonefly.  This "Rock Cow" lives under rocks and in cracks in and around riffles and runs, wherever there are significant amounts of oxygen generated. They can be 1.5" to 2.25" in length, and like cows, are herbivores which eat decomposed plant mater, vegetation, and algae.  The Golden Stones, Perlid species like the Hesperoperla pacifica and Classenia Sabulosa, while somewhat smaller, are voracious predators and are extremely aggressive, even taking fingerling trout nearly their own size and piercing them with their sword like mandibles to kill them and then eat them. The Golden Hatch is not near as popular a draw for trout that their big cousins are. In general, Stoneflies have an exoskeleton much like grasshoppers.  They grow by shedding this exoskeleton, growing larger during their molt, at which point the exoskeleton hardens again.  By the time the migration occurs, a mature stonefly nymph will have gone through as many as 50 "instars" or molts in a 3 to 4 year span. Stoneflies are for the most part poor swimmers, and while they crawl easily between and under rocks, they mostly drift clumsily downstream.  "Behavioral  Drift" occurs when the river currents move them downstream to find a new home.  "Catastrophic Drift" occurs when there is a river blowout, a flash flood, or huge, flushing flows, in which case the nymphs are dislodged from their homes and unintentionally tumble downstream where they relocate.  By the way, don’t confuse abandoned, molted husks floating in the water as floating stones!  These are in the water a lot of the time.

At three to four years old, the mature stonefly nymph gets the urge to migrate ashore.  This annual phenomenon is dependent on flows, a temperature of between 50-52°, and phase of the moon (not as important).  This normally occurs in early to mid June.  In recent drought years where we’ve had low flows during the winter and little or no flushing flow/runoff the hatch has started as early as the end of May.  In "high water", cold-release years like 2008, it was well into the third week of June!  A "normal" start date would be for nymphs to begin to migrate to shore towards the first week of June in mass.  You will normally have a small hatch early, like "advance scouts" checking out the terrain, but it’s the "Invasion of Normandy" that we’re looking for.  Checking under rocks in the river’s edge can tell you a lot about where the process is, just prior to emergence or to see if there is another wave due to emerge. It is this "migration phase" that creates some of the most epic large-nymph fishing opportunities you’ll ever have, and you’ll get it by fishing deep troughs, and fast water right on the edge of highly aerated portions of the river.  You may not want to even get your feet wet, because you’ll be standing where you should be fishing!

When people call into the shop they want to know about “the hatch�.  “When’s the Hatch gonna be?�  Check out the video “The Hatch� as an appetizer for a taste of the action, or watch “Bugs of the Underworld� by Ralph Cutter to watch the process unfold. .  Unlike Caddis and Mayflies, this hatch is done out of the water.  The real process begins as the mature nymphs crawl ashore late at night, where they latch onto grass, rocks, twigs, willows, trees, or whatever else they can lock onto and cement their forked feet to. Some anglers have reported that Yellow Sallies Water hatch, so keep and eye out for this.

Once their feet are locked on target, The nymph begins its transformation, as a slit appears behind the head and well down through their wing pad region, allowing the Adult Stonefly—head intact-- to wriggle out of its nymphal “shuck� and once out of its submarine like case the wings start to dry in preparation for flight.

Most of this action takes place in the middle of night, and the newly exposed and shivering adults will hunker down for the night.  You’ll find them in the grasses, bushes and willows next to the stream, waiting for the warmth of day and first rays of sunlight to warm them up.  Once they get warmed up and revved up they’ll start flying and take to the air, sometimes in mass..  It’s at this point that fly fishers get pretty excited.  There are bugs literally everywhere-- in the bushes, in the grass, in the air, on their hats, crawling up their legs and shorts, down their necks, on their sunglass cords and hats—and to think, we waited a whole year for this!  If you’re not fishing, you are going to want to get back away from the water, or you’ll be incredibly annoyed.

However, first day post emergence can be one of the most frustrating day of fishing you’ll ever have.  Trout, freshly gorged on nymphs that were migrating shoreward the night before are sated and full.  Their bellies are fat, lumpy, bumpy and distended.  They have no interest in looking up to the surface and going though the effort of chasing after food. They’ve had their fill, and it takes a good part of a day or longer to digest their feast.

In the mean time, all those flying Adult stoneflies have begun to find each other.  Males swarm all over the females to fertilize her and the eggs she is carrying.  As you look in the trees and bushes you’ll see clumps, or balls of gyrating stoneflies in the midst of a mating “orgy�, for lack of a better word. This keeps them busy for another day of so.

Finally for the angler, the fertilized female says, “Enough, gotta go!�, and she flies out to the river to lay her eggs, or “oviposit� them by dipping the end of her abdomen, now full and dripping with heavy, sticky eggs through the surface of the stream so the eggs can sink to the bottom.  Many times this is the last thing she ever does. GULP!

When the females hit the water in sufficient quantities, and trout have begun to get hungry again, its “Game on!�  The females flap their wings and dab their eggs on the water and create a Feeding Frenzy of epic proportion.  Normally sedate, controlled eaters, the Browns, Rainbow and Cutt-bows of the Gunnison River throw all caution to the wind, or waves, and slash at these bugs.  It’s not uncommon to see Sandstone Grottos and rock walls with splash marks on them as greedy trout await egg laying Stoneflies or bugs that drop off of the walls. (defensively, they let go and drop when birds or danger approaches)

It’s this “Feeding Frenzy� that most anglers are talking about when they ask about the hatch.  The best feeding times are early morning to about 11, and it can shut off like a light switch.  While trout may switch to PMDs, Golden Stones, and Yellow Sallies, the morning feeding period is mostly over in terms of the Big Stones. You’d better switch to another type of dry, or a nymph.   If you’re hanging around all day, or camping out, some evenings you’ll get another shot at it.  Wind and cold really put them down, literally.  They don’t tolerate cold well and they are poor flyers to boot.  Look up in the sky.  If it glistens with thousands of shiny winged bodies, all is well.

One good thing is that fish have a memory.  Sometimes, weeks later, they will still hit orange strike indicators out of habit.  We also love the stonefly hatch because while it’s a blast when you hit it just right, it also gets trout looking up towards the surface.  This bodes well for the next hatches: the Golden Stone hatch (fair interest), Yellow Sallies and the PMD hatch (good to high interest).  Then hopper season is just around the bend.  What a great bug, what a great river!!

Click For Stonefly Info / Patterns

Stoneflies

Click For Mayfly Info / Patterns

Blue Winged Olives (BWO)

Pale Morning Duns (PMD)

Red Quills

Click For Caddis Info / Patterns

Caddis