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Not sure what to bring for your trip? Well take the guesswork out of what flies you will need on our local waters with a custom fly assortment for our local rivers. Custom assembled for where and when you will be fishing!
The Quality Water section of the San Juan River below Navajo Reservoir is arguably the best trout river in the world. The San Juan offers big fish…lots of them, and you can catch them 365 days a year! Need a guide?
| Water Conditions | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
SAN JUAN RIVER NEAR ARCHULETA, NM
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Steady, dropping to 350 cfs on October 305h | The Flows will be dropped to 350 cfs on October 30th.
Fishing has remained good in spite of the work being done on the dam. Water clarity is good, and fish are looking to eat midges and baetis nymphs and dries, worms, and the occasional streamer. Colder weather with rain is moving in, so flows could discolor for a day or so, but fishing should remain good through the late fall, even with dry fly fishing. |
Junk: Mop flies, San Juan Worms, Eggs, Annelids in 18-22.
Midges 20-26: Black Flash Midge Pupa, Tav’s Big Mac, Bling Midge, Grey and Olive Midge Pupa Midge Dries: Griffith Gnat 18-22, Bunny Midge 20-24. BWO Nymphs: Foam Wing RS-2s 20-24, Killer May 20-24, Juan’s Sniper Baetis 22-24, Juan’s Jedi Master 22-24, All Flavors of WD-40s #20-24. BWO Dries #20-24: BWO Extended Body, Barr’s Vis-A-Dun, Juan’s Smoke Jumper Baetis. |
One of the last free-flowing rivers in the state of Colorado, the Animas is a unique and rare treasure. With the newest and one of the best Gold Medal Water sections in Colorado, the Animas is a river that should be on your list of places to fish. Need a guide?
Check out our weekly updated Animas Lunch Report too!
| Water Conditions | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rising with rain | Late fall may be the best time of year to be on the Animas. You may catch a few of the newly stocked cutthroat trout, cuttbows, or perhaps a 24″ brown trout. It’s a mixed bag of good fishing that you don’t want to miss.
Deeper running nymph rigs will be your best friend, but streamer fishing has gotten good, so look to huck the meat bro. Keep an eye on the flows with rain, it may rise and blow out with late fall rains. |
Nymphs: Pheasant tails 18-20, Hydropsyche Caddis nymph 14-16. Splitback BWO Nymph 18-22, Juan’s Jedi Master 20, Juju Baetis 18-20, Charlie Craven’s Lil Bit 18-20, Disco Midge 18-20, Rainbow Warrior 18-22, Pats Rubberlegs 8-12.
Dries: Griffith Gnat 18-22. Parachute Adams 18-22, Juan’s Smoke Jumper Baetis 18-20. Streamers: Sculpinator, El Sculpito, Mini Dungeon, Sparkle Minnows, Galloup’s Butt Sump, |
Flowing through Pagosa Springs on its way to Navajo Reservoir, the “upper” San Juan is a good freestone river with good caddis and stonefly hatches.
| Water Conditions | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
SAN JUAN RIVER AT PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO
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Falling but flows are up with rain | Fall on the Upper SJ can be marked by beautiful views and shots at good fish. Nymphing will be the best way to find fish, but don’t discount a streamer either. Flows are a little higher for this time of year, so fish will be happy. Watch for Baetis and Midge hatches too. | Nymphs: Prince nymphs 12-16, Pat’s Rubberlegs 4-8 or Jigged Pats 8-12, Black and Copper Copper Johns 12-16, 20 Incher 10-14, Deep Cleaner Nymph 10.
Dries: Parachute Adams 16-20, Amy’s Ant 10-14, BWO Extended Body 18-20, Juan’s Smoke Jumper Baetis 18-20. Streamers: Buggers 6-8, Mini Dungeon, Pine Sculpin 6-10. |
Spilling out of the Weimunuche wilderness, this classic trout stream offer good dry fly opportunities and a surprising diversity of fishing opportunities and a surprising diversity of fish. Duranglers also has some outstanding guided private water on the Piedra!
| Water Conditions | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
PIEDRA RIVER NEAR ARBOLES, CO.
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Falling but up with rain | Who would have thought we would have so much water on the Piedra in almost November! Fish will have moved from the fast pocket water to deeper holes and buckets and will be stacked in thick. Get your deep nymphing gear ready and when you find one fish, stay for the next 20. | Nymphs: Duracell Jig 12-14, Orange Crush 14-16, Prince nymphs 10-16, Runt Stone Golden 12-16, Pat’s Rubberlegs 6-12, 20 Incher 10-14, Pheasant Tails 16-20,
Streamers: Buggers, Mini Dungeons. |
The section below Vallecito Reservoir is bordered by private property on both sides for its entire length below the reservoir, you can only fish it if you are lucky enough to own property on it OR you take a guide trip with Duranglers! The section above the Vallecito requires a 3 mile hike into the Weminuche Wilderness.
| Water Conditions | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
LOS PINOS RIVER NEAR IGNACIO, CO
29 cfs out of the dam |
Rising above Vallecito, dropped below. | It’s Fall on the Pine. Upper reaches have been fishing well and may be worth a hike until too much snow shows up. Flows have bumped with recent rains. Nymph rigs will be the go-to, but don’t discount streamers either.
Below the dam, fishing will be tough with low winter flows. |
Nymphs: Prince Nymphs 12-16, Brown Wired Stone 10, Copper John 12-18, Pats Rubberlegs. Pheasant Tails 16-20, Pickpocket 12-16, Duracell Jig 12-16, and other Euro Nymph Jigs 10-16. San Juan Worms.
Streamers: Buggers, Mousketeer, Mini Dungeon. |
The Dolores River below McPhee Reservoir doesn’t get allocated enough water to blossom into the river it should be, but still remains a good river Keep an eye on the little water it is getting and remember every drop counts!
| Water Conditions | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
DOLORES RIVER NEAR SLICK ROCK, CO
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Steady | Late fall on the lower D. Have small dries such as Baetis (aka BWOs) and Midges. Small mayfly and midge nymphs too. Fishing can be pretty darn good if you hit right though.
Make sure to have a few streamers too. |
Nymphs: Killer Mayfly 20-24, Pheasant Tails 18-22, Black Flash Midge Pupa 18-22, Tav’s Big Mac Pupa, RS-2 18-22, Splitback BWO Nymph 18-22, Juan’s Slim Shady 20-24.
Dries: Extended Body BWO 18-22, Smoke Jumper Baetis 18-22, Parachute Adams 18-22, Parachute, Sproat Midge 20-24, Bunny Midge 20-24, Griffith Gnats 18-24. Streamers: Buggers, Peanut Envy, Sculpzilla. |
This freestone river spills out of the high country and through a beautiful forested canyon. The limited access on the river should not be a deterent in exploring this great river.
| Water Conditions | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rising | Rain is bumping the flows up in the Upper Dolores. Fishing will be decent for a few more weeks with nymph rigs and streamers. A small dry/dropper setup may find a few fish as well. | Nymphs: Prince Nymphs 14-18, Copper John 12-18, Pheasant Tails 16-20, Pickpocket 12-16, Duracell Jig 12-16, and other Euro Nymph Jigs 10-16.
Dries: Parachute Adams 12-18, Stimulators 12-16, Amy’s Ant 10-14, Chubbies 12-16, Elk Hair Caddis 10-14, Little Hopper Juan 12. Buggers. |
The Rio Grande is a classic western river. It is a great dry fly river with one of the best Salmonfly hatches in Colorado. The flow is partially controlled by a dam, but the many tributaries add significant flow during spring and wet weather. Need a guide?
| CFS | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
| 104 CFS (30 Mile)
444 CFS (Wagon Wheel) |
Rising | We have seen a pretty good bump in flows this fall, making for some great Baetis and streamer floats going on.
If you don’t have a boat, don’t worry, wade fishing is good too with hatches of BWOs. It will get real cold this week, so full nymph rigs will find them in the deeper water when nothing is rising. |
Nymphs: Prince nymphs 12-18, Runt Stone Golden 12-16, Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, 20 Incher 10-14, Flashback Pheasant Tail 14-20, Blowtorch Jig 14-16, Hydropsyche Caddis nymph 14-16. Splitback BWO Nymph 18-22, Juan’s Jedi Master 20, Juju Baetis 18-20.
Streamers: Sculpinator, El Sculpito, Mini Dungeon, Sparkle Minnows. |
The difficult fly fishing on the Florida River will not be attractive to every angler, and beginners should take some time to hone their skills on other rivers before going there. Those who are willing to put in the necessary effort to discover its scenic wonders, as well as its secret trout holes, will be amply rewarded with much more than wild trout.
| CFS | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41 CFS above
11 CFS (Below Lemon) |
Rising above, dropping below | Flows are rising with rain above Lemon, and fish may be looking for deeper winter lies.
Below Lemon, flows are dropped to winter levels and fish may be spooky. |
Nymphs: Copper Johns 14-20, Hare’s Ear 16-18, Prince nymphs 10-16, Czechmate 14-16, Flashback Pheasant Tail 16-20, Duracell Jig 12-16.
Streamers: Buggers, Skully Bugger, Kreelex, Flash Fry.
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Fishing Durango Colorado is very numerous and diverse. There is, of course, the famous San Juan River below Navajo Dam along with the larger freestone rivers like the Animas, Piedra, and Dolores. But there are also more small mountain streams than can be fished in a lifetime.
| CFS | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | Falling/Low | It is snowing this week and Creede, CO is expecting 0 degree temps. Do you really think you are still going to go fish a creek? Have at it, but fishing may be tough. Try a nymph and good luck. | Dries: Parachute Adams, Humpy’s, Wulffs, 16-20, Rio’s Dry Humper 12-16, Stimulators 14-16, Amy’s Ant 14, Chubbies 12-16. Ants and Beetles!
Nymphs: Zebra Midge 18-20, Micro May 16-20, Pheasant Tails 18-20. |
Flowing out of the “hip” town of Telluride, the San Miguel is a small river/ large stream that offers some great fishing and pretty good access.
| Water Conditions | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bugs |
|---|---|---|---|
SAN MIGUEL RIVER NEAR PLACERVILLE, CO
|
Dropping, higher with rain though | Fishing is slowing down with the recent rains and cooler temps, but fishing is not a lost cause. Cold fish still need to eat, just get the food to them…meaning add some weight! Attractor nymphs, caddis larva, and mayfly nymphs are a good choice. You can fish a hopper/dropper, but expect most fish to be on the dropper.
Maybe try a streamer too! |
Nymphs: Prince nymphs 10-16, Runt Stone Golden 12-16, Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, 20 Incher 10-14, Flashback Pheasant Tail 14-20, Blowtorch Jig 14-16, San Juan Worms.
Dries: Parachute Adams 18-22, Griffith Gnat 16-22. Streamers: Buggers 6-8, Mini Dungeon, Pine Sculpin 6-10. |
Our local lakes and ponds hold an abundance of trout, pike, bass, and many other species of gamefish. Need a guide?
| CFS | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
| n/a | Rising | Read our Beginner’s Guide to Stillwater Fishing!
Fall on our lakes can be a great time for finding bigger-than-average trout as well as pike. Trout can be caught on nymphs, leeches, and streamers Pike fishing has been good with pike looking to eat before winter. Bass fishing is slowing down. |
Pike: Yard Sale, Engler’s Pike Fly, Nayat Pike Fly, EP Pike Fly,
Trout: Chironomids, Scuds, Guide’s Choice Hares Ear, Balanced Leech, Simi Seal Leeches. Bass: Belly Scratcher Minnow, Mardi Craw, RIOs Cray Cray, Meat Whistle. Carp: Belly Crawl Nymph, Carpnasty, Carp Crack, Damsel Nymphs, Carp Hybrid |
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison River offers one of the greatest wilderness/fishing experiences in the lower 48. The river has a good population of rainbows and brown and some of the best hatches around. Every angler should put our three-day float on their “places to fish before I die” list! Need a guide?
| Water Conditions | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
GUNNISON RIVER BELOW GUNNISON TUNNEL, CO
|
Bumped up | Flows just bumped so fishing bigger nymphs and streamers may be called for with higher flows.
Otherwise, fall fishing on the Gunny has been good. mayflies are out, so be stocked up with a good assortment of nymphs and dries. Streamer fishing on the Gunnison is also a fantastic way to catch some bigger fish this time of year. |
Nymphs: Pheasant tails 18-20, Hydropsyche Caddis nymph 14-16. Splitback BWO Nymph 18-22, Juan’s Jedi Master 20, Juju Baetis 18-20.
Dries: BWO Extended Body 18-20, Parachute Adams 18-22, Juan’s Smoke Jumper Baetis 18-20. Streamers: Sculpinator, El Sculpito, Dungeons, Galloup’s Barely Legal, Galloup’s Butt Sump. |
The newest tailwater fishery in the state. The Unc. (we like to call it) has two faces. The overly manicured part of the river is a little like fishing at Disneyland. The “wild” section is a real river.
| Water Conditions | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER BELOW RIDGWAY RESERVOIR, CO
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Recently bumped | Flows just bumped so, the fish may spread out a little more. Mayflies are a good choice, but midges will come into play as well.
Go small with nymph rigs and dries…or just say screw this and throw a bugger and have fun. |
Annelids in 18-22. San Juan Worms, Egg patterns, Bunny Leeches 8-12 in White, Grey, Olive, Black.
Midges 20-26: Black Flash Midge Pupa, Tav’s Big Mac, Bling Midge. Dries: BWO Extended Body 18-20, Parachute Adams 18-22, Juan’s Smoke Jumper Baetis 18-20. Nymphs: Foam Wing RS-2s 20-24, Killer May 20-24, Juan’s Sniper Baetis 22-24, Juan’s Jedi Master 22-24, Juan’s Olive Slim Shady 20-24. |
