The Black Canyon of the Gunnison

[BeanMan]

My baby Brother, my next door neighbor growing up, and I spent yesterday hiking in and out of Tomichi Point in the Black Canyon. This makes the 32 year in a row we’ve gone into the canyon together. Fishing was great but we didn’t catch anything over 18”. It was good to see that Rainbow trout seem to be making a comeback.

 

[Bluehair]

On my list....I am ashamed that I have lived here for almost 30 years and not done it. I like fishing pitchers.

 

[eelgrass]

Sounds like a pretty special place Hasbean. My cousin and I used to hike down into the Tuolumne River canyon to trout fish here in California. There is nothing like fishing for wild trout.

 

[BeanMan]

We usually spend the night, or even better two nights. NPS, in it’s infinite wisdom, is not allowing overnight stays in the canyon due ToCovid-19 for ‘safety reasons’. We were the only ones in the bottom and we drove to the canyon in the same car, go figure.

 

[DeerMadness]

Beautiful Beanman. I always hike to lakes but have had a trip like that in my mind for a long time.

 

[BeanMan]

Here are some my Brother just sent me.

 

[rmanwill]

Awesome Fred. Thanks for sharing your adventure and the awesome photos.

 

[elkassassin]

Nice Beaner!

What other Breeds of Trout Inhabit the River?

 

[BeanMan]

Nice Beaner!

What other Breeds of Trout Inhabit the River?

It’s mostly Brown trout but the rainbows are making a comeback. 30 years ago you could fish for two days and catch a couple of browns. When whirling disease got introduced it switched to 99% browns. The newer whirling disease resistant strain of Rainbow is starting to change that, about 20% Are rainbow now.

 

[elkassassin]

I See!

How Big do the Browns get in that River?

 

[BeanMan]

24-25” Is the biggest, given the remoteness and being a tailwater fishery one would think they could be bit larger.

 

[DesertRanch]

That brings back great memories. In the late 80’s a couple buddies and I hiked in and fished for a few days. Thanks for the great pics. I’ve kicked around Montrose and Dove Creek some. It’s sure pretty country

 

[elkassassin]

Hey Bean!

Is there Special Regulations on the River?

 

[Homer]

On my list....I am ashamed that I have lived here for almost 30 years and not done it. I like fishing pitchers.

great bait presentation bluehair....but I'm not biting...

 

[BeanMan]

That brings back great memories. In the late 80’s a couple buddies and I hiked in and fished for a few days. Thanks for the great pics. I’ve kicked around Montrose and Dove Creek some. It’s sure pretty country

You can’t keep any rainbows and I think you can keep 4 browns. Fly and lures only.

Oops, I was replying to bobcat

 

[elkassassin]

So?

If a Big Ole Night Crawler hit the Water?

 

[BeanMan]

Well, you really don’t need them to catch lots of fish, Rapalas, spoons, crocodiles, etc work really well.

Plus, we do tune ups for scoundrels

 

[Bluehair]

great bait presentation bluehair....but I'm not biting...

If only I was a better baiter and not just an amateur.

 

[elkassassin]

LOL!

Well, you really don’t need them to catch lots of fish, Rapalas, spoons, crocodiles, etc work really well.

Plus, we do tune ups for scoundrels

 

[Gadjet]

Looks like a great trip! It’s really cool that you and your brother have been able to keep up the tradition for so long!

 

[BeanMan]

Looks like a great trip! It’s really cool that you and your brother have been able to keep up the tradition for so long!

We plan to go again in three weeks. Inner canyon camping opens up tomorrow.

 

[hawkbill]

Beautiful pictures and adventure. Thanks for sharing

 

[BeanMan]

One of the many honeyhole fishing spots

 

[Tomichi]

Long ago I would pack a raft in CHUCKER. And rig it. The boss would hike the clients in and do a three day 2 night cast and blast . See Chuckers beach it and hunt them. Id ride out with the stock...Packed camps in the Ute trail for fish outfitters out of Crested Butte they killed them when they hit a hatch... Thats a great option book years ahead. I know packers still run stock for them. It is pretty damn special down in there.

 

[BeanMan]

Long ago I would pack a raft in CHUCKER. And rig it. The boss would hike the clients in and do a three day 2 night cast and blast . See Chuckers beach it and hunt them. Id ride out with the stock...Packed camps in the Ute trail for fish outfitters out of Crested Butte they killed them when they hit a hatch... Thats a great option book years ahead. I know packers still run stock for them. It is pretty damn special down in there.

Damn special, I’ve been down first the Monument and now NPS routes more times than I can remember but I’ve yet to go down any of the BLM trails. I guess I should. Hatch is gearing up too.