East River
Fly fishing the East River near Crested Butte, Colorado, a Gold Medal freestone with wild browns, rainbows and a fall kokanee run.
- 49 miRiver length
- JulBest season
- 3Game fish
- 15Access points
In the FlyFishFinder appAbout the East
The East River is a high alpine stream that flows through the valley near Crested Butte and joins the Taylor River at Almont to form the Gunnison. It is Gold Medal water with clear flows, willow banks and deep, slow bends that hold big wild fish.
The fish are brown trout and rainbow trout. In fall, kokanee salmon run up from Blue Mesa Reservoir, and trout key in on their eggs. Unlike the neighboring Taylor, the East is a natural freestone that rises and falls with snowpack.
Much of the river runs through private ranches, so public water is limited. Know where you are and keep to marked access. Spring Creek, the Slate River and Cement Creek are nearby options when the East is busy.
Peak insect hatches come in July and August. Pale morning duns, green drakes, salmonflies and golden stoneflies all show up, and late summer belongs to hoppers. The kokanee run draws anglers in late September.
Check the current Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations. Some stretches have their own rules.
East River below Cement Creek near Crested Butte, CO
Is the East fishing today?
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Nearby gages
- Coal Creek above McCormick Dtch at Crested Butte, CO3.4 mi away Not reporting USGS 09111250
- Elk Creek at Coal Creek above Crested Butte, CO7.4 mi away Not reporting USGS 09110990
- Ohio Creek near Baldwin, CO11.6 mi away Not reporting USGS 09113500
- Taylor River at Almont, CO14.2 mi away Not reporting USGS 09110000
- Taylor River below Taylor Park Reservoir, CO17.1 mi away Not reporting USGS 09109000
- Taylor River above Trail Creek near Taylor Park, CO17.9 mi away Not reporting USGS 09106800
- Ohio Creek above mouth near Gunnison, CO18.8 mi away Not reporting USGS 09113980
- Taylor River at Taylor Park, CO19.2 mi away Not reporting USGS 09107000
No gages that close. Try a wider radius.
See every gage on the map and today's top 10 rivers in the free appData from the U.S. Geological Survey. Recent readings are provisional and may be revised.
Fish you'll catch
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Hatching in November
What's on the water in the Gunnison watershed this month, and the fly to match.
All 11 hatches this year
Light bars show the season and dark bars the peak. The ringed month is this month.
Tips for fishing the East
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Respect private land
Much of the East runs across private ranches. Use public access points and do not cross fences or banks without permission.
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Fish the bends
Big fish hold in the deep, slow bends under willows. Approach low and quietly.
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Plan around runoff
The river rises with snowpack. Wait until it drops and clears before you expect good dry fly water.
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Carry hoppers and egg patterns
Hopper Juans work in late summer. Egg patterns catch trout feeding behind the kokanee in fall.
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Look at the neighbors
The Taylor River, Slate River and Cement Creek are close and make good backup plans.
Every access point on the East, in your pocket.
- 15 mapped access points, with parking and put-ins
- Today's Fishability score, so you fish the day that lines up
- 7-day flow and water-temp trends for every gauge on the river
Rivers near the East
East River FAQ
What is the best time to fly fish the East River near Crested Butte?
July and August are best for hatches. Late September is the kokanee run, when trout feed on eggs.
Where can I fly fish the East River in Colorado?
Near Crested Butte and down toward Almont. Public access is limited, so use the app map to see mapped access points.
Can you wade the East River?
Yes in many places once runoff drops. Keep an eye on the flow and on private property boundaries.
What flies work on the East River?
Sulphur parachutes, hoppers and egg patterns are local favorites, and the hatches include pale morning duns, green drakes and stoneflies. The FlyFishFinder app shows what is hatching and working on the East River today.
What fish are in the East River?
Brown trout, rainbow trout and kokanee salmon.
Are there special rules on the East River?
Some sections have special rules and much of the river is private. Check current Colorado regulations before you go.
