East River Fly Fishing Report
East River at Almont. Guides and local shops report an ideal wade-fishing window of roughly 100–400 cfs (RiverReports). Live gauge data below updates automatically.
What's swimming in the East River
Reach-specific guidance below distinguishes Roaring Judy from Gothic headwaters and Almont. No current species-specific catch probability is established.
- American Fly Fishing describes wild Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout in the Roaring Judy public reach, with Brook Trout in the upper river around Gothic. The upper-river species description does not establish Brook abundance at Almont (American Fly Fishing).
- CPW identifies a September–October returning Kokanee run at Roaring Judy. This is a seasonal migration, not year-round salmon availability; hatchery ponds and raceways are not river fishing recommendations (CPW Roaring Judy).
- From the upstream hatchery property boundary to the Taylor confluence, artificial flies and lures only and taking Kokanee prohibited. The hatchery outlet-to-downstream-property-boundary section is closed August 15–October 31; that is not a closure of the entire East River. Check current signs and operational restrictions (CPW 2026-effective rules).
- CPW’s 2023 Gold Medal designation covers the Taylor below Taylor Park Reservoir and the Gunnison from Almont to Twin Bridges. That designation does not extend upstream into the East River (CPW Gold Medal designation).
Rivers and creeks that flow into the East River
5 hold fish on Colorado Parks and Wildlife's records, listed from the headwaters down. Open one for where to fish and its rules.
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Rustler Gulch Creek Cutthroat and brook trout
Where to fish
National forest stretch
About half a mile up the creek · Forest Road 7317.3C, high-clearance
About it
It joins the East River about 6 miles NW of Mount Crested Butte. It flows year-round.
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Copper Creek Brook trout
Where to fish
Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area
CPW access point · Difficult access
About it
It joins the East River about 4 miles NW of Mount Crested Butte. It flows year-round.
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Brush Creek Brook trout
Where to fish
Gunnison National Forest
CPW access point · Difficult access
About it
It joins the East River about 3 miles SE of Mount Crested Butte. It flows year-round.
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Slate River Brown, rainbow and brook trout
Where to fish
Gunnison National Forest
CPW access point · Medium access · Stocked with catchable trout
About it
It joins the East River about 6 miles SE of Crested Butte. It flows year-round.
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Cement Creek Brown, cutthroat and brook trout
Where to fish
Gunnison National Forest
CPW access point · Medium access
About it
It joins the East River about 7 miles SE of Crested Butte. It flows year-round.
Show 7 more named tributaries (no CPW fish data)
These also flow straight into the East River. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has no fish data for them; some may still hold fish.
- Quigley Creek
- Rock Creek
- Perry Creek
- Deer Creek
- Farris Creek
- Granite Creek
- Alkali Creek
Species and special rules are Colorado Parks and Wildlife's. Statewide rules apply everywhere. Before you fish, check land ownership, CPW's current regulations and its temporary closures for drought and low water.
How we pick these
Species are CPW's records from its Fishing Atlas. A creek missing from this list may still hold fish; CPW simply has no record for it. The list runs in the order each one joins the East River, from the headwaters down, and "joins" names the nearest town to where it does on the same side of the mountains: a Census place, or a town with its own post office. Flow is how USGS maps each channel, not a live reading.
Special rules are the ones CPW writes for each creek in its Fishing Atlas. Rules CPW writes for the river itself, such as closures around a creek's mouth, are not repeated on the creek, and no directions lead into water CPW closes all year.
A national forest stretch is one that both the Forest Service's and BLM's ownership maps show as national forest for at least half a mile of the creek, with a road on the Forest Service's motor vehicle map within 500 feet; directions go to that road. Maps can be wrong and road seasons change. Away from CPW access points, check land ownership before you fish.
Getting to the East River
- Roaring Judy State Fish Hatchery and Unit, CPW, 14131 N. Hwy 135, Almont -- 783-acre wildlife area with stream and pond fishing; adult kokanee visible near the ponds in Sept./Oct. (CPW). Public access is prohibited one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise; the portion east of Hwy 135 is closed Dec. 1–Apr. 30; dogs must stay leashed at all times (CPW Chapter W-9).
- Roaring Judy Hatchery boundary downstream to the Taylor River confluence: artificial flies and lures only, 2-fish/12-inch maximum, kokanee prohibited. Hatchery outlet to the southern Roaring Judy boundary: fishing prohibited Aug. 1–Oct. 31 to protect staging kokanee, a rule in place since 2001 (CPW special regulations).
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What’s hatching on the East River
9 insects, from the published hatch charts of 1 fly shop, guides and fishing sites. Tap an insect to see where its dates come from. Every river, month by month →
MidgesApr 1 – May 24 and Oct 1 – Nov 24 · hook #14–202 sources
StonefliesMay 1 – Jul 8 · hook #4–181 source
Where these dates come from:
- Fly Shack “Stoneflies (various)”: May 1 – Jul 8 · #4-18
CaddisJun 1 – Sep 24 · hook #10–221 source
Where these dates come from:
- Fly Shack “Caddis (various)”: Jun 1 – Sep 24 · #10-22
Pale Morning Duns (PMD)Jul 1 – Aug 8 · hook #14–181 source
Where these dates come from:
- Fly Shack “Pale Morning Dun”: Jul 1 – Aug 8 · #14-18
Blue-Winged Olives (BWO)Jul 16 – Sep 24 · hook #14–201 source
Where these dates come from:
- Fly Shack “Blue Winged Olive”: Jul 16 – Sep 24 · #14-20
Green DrakesJul 16 – Aug 24 · hook #10–121 source
Where these dates come from:
- Fly Shack “Green Drake”: Jul 16 – Aug 24 · #10-12
Hoppers & terrestrialsJul 16 – Sep 24 · hook #8–201 source
Where these dates come from:
- Fly Shack “Terrestrials (various)”: Jul 16 – Sep 24 · #8-20
Red QuillsJul 16 – Aug 24 · hook #14–181 source
Where these dates come from:
- Fly Shack “Red Quill”: Jul 16 – Aug 24 · #14-18
Streamers & baitfishSep 1 – Nov 8 · hook #2–101 source
Where these dates come from:
- Fly Shack “Streamers (various)”: Sep 1 – Nov 8 · #2-10
Some sources list only months, not days, so treat the dates as a guide and check conditions before you go.
8 fly pairings from real fishing reports
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Fly shops on the East River
East River fly fishing questions
What is a good flow (cfs) to fish the East River?
Guides and local shops report an ideal wade-fishing window of roughly 100–400 cfs on the East River (RiverReports). TroutTips shows the live current reading against this range so you can check before you go.
Is the East River designated Gold Medal water?
No, the East River does not currently carry Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Gold Medal water designation.
What flies work on the East River?
TroutTips tracks 8 fly pairings reported specifically on the East River, each tied to a season and a real source. See the Fly Pairings section on this page for the full list.
Are there fly shops near the East River?
Yes, Dragonfly Anglers, Crested Butte Angler guide this river. See the Nearby Fly Shops section on this page for details.