Any Info On Colorado River Systems

[jdmidwest]

Time to pick some brains and see if anyone on here has been to the Gunnison River or the Arkansas River in Colorado. I have some friends that hunt in the area around Salida each year and have access to a trip to that location. I have read articles about the Gunnison in the fall and I know that the Arkansas is a world class river, but I would like some personal feedback on the matter from locals to compare to what we have around here. I would either be going for a drop off and camp for a week from a certain location or rent a car and fish the area while everyone else hunts for the elk.

[AZ_Trout]

It's been a couple of years since I've been in the area.

Either North of Salida - upstream on the Arkansas by Buena Vista can bee very good - I think the fly shop is Arkansas Anglers. Also on down stream from Texas Creek to Parkdale can be good.

I'd go north and over to Harrsel and fish the Dream Stream between Spinney Res and Eleven Mile Res - section of the So Platte River system.

Another choice would be north of Gunnison to Altmont - where the Egale and Taylor Rivers come together. Also all the way to the start of the Taylor - just below the dam at Taylor Resv. BIG fish - SMART fish - But BIG - a lot of mysis shrimp.

Hope this helps

[Aeronikl]

I can highly recommend the Arkansas, above and below Salida. I have a friend who guides in the area for ArkAnglers, and right now he prefers below Salida. He lives in Hartsel, so in addition to the Arkansas, I've also fished the "Dream Stream" with him, but my favorite trip is hiking-in to wade from shore on sections of Spinney, where the fishing is excellent with streamers for large rainbows, cuts and cutbows. He also fishes at Antero, recently reopened. Here's a fish from this summer at Antero. I think you'll enjoy any of the places mentioned. Good Luck

[Don]

Dang Aeronikl,

Is that you in that pic? That's quite a slob of a trout!

Don

[flyfishmaster]

jdmidwest,

I go to Colorado every year for one week to fish. The Arkansas is a good river and you will be able to catch a decent number of fish. I have never fished "Gunny" yet since it is quite a drive from our base camp.

You are going at one awesome time to hit the South Platte River, below Spinney Reservoir also called the "The Dream Stream". At this time large brown trout and Kokanee Salmon are entering the river and egg patterns are very effective, with a dropper.

I talked to a friend of mine, Pat Dorsey (one of the premier guides in Colorado) over the weekend. He said Spinney is hot right now with big fish entering in the river everyday to spawn.

A guide is not required to fish there, but this is also one on the busiest time of the year on the Dream Stream so it would best to go during the week.

Here is a link to Pat's fishing reports:

http://www.bluequillangler.com/stream_print.html

[AZ_Trout]

If you were going to hire a guide - I would HIGHLY recommend Pat Dorsey!

Pat is one of the nicest guys, and in my opinion the best guide I've ever been with. You would be hard pressed to find anyone who knows the area waters any better than Pat. I'm sure many other guides are excellent, but I'd always give Pat a call.

[jdmidwest]

Lots of great info, I am starting to do research on them as we speak. Looking for campsites that are open after 10/1. Found one that is $22 per night for a tent, Yuk! Will check out the other places. I still have not confirmed that I have a way out yet, may have to wait till next year.