Updated 7/16/2026

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San Juan River in New Mexico

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?

Real-Time River Data

Les and Lysa on the San Juan with a Big rainbow trout

Water Conditions	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
SAN JUAN RIVER NEAR ARCHULETA, NM Temperature: 51.8 ° F Streamflow: 859 ft³/s Gage height: 4.45 ft USGS	Bumped Up	The San Juan has been bumped up to just over 1000 cfs, and the fishing has been good in certain areas. Wade fishing above T-hole has been good, and is a great place to start. Fish have been turned on to midges. With recent rains, we also saw a good ant fall earlier this week, with fish looking up. Streamer fishing mornings and evenings has also been good.	Baetis Nymphs 20-24: Tav’s Thread Body Baetis, Tav’s Thread Body Baetis, RS-2s (foam and regular wing) Midges 22-26: Black Flash Midge Pupa, Tav’s Big Mac, Bling Midge, Grey and Olive Midge Pupa. Dries: Griffith Gnat 16-22, Bunny Midge 20-24, Para Ant #14-16, RIO’s Black Big Boned Caddis #12-14, Glo Ant #12-16, CFO Ant #12-16 Streamers: Circus Peanut, Dungeons, Mini Loop Sculpin, Sparkle Minnows.

Animas River

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!

Real-Time River Data

Water Conditions	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
ANIMAS RIVER AT DURANGO, CO Temperature: 70.34 ° F Streamflow: 277 ft³/s Gage height: 2.43 ft USGS	Low/little bumps with rain	CPW has asked for a voluntary closure after 12 noon on the Animas in town. Please refrain from fishing the Animas after noon as water temps are getting hot and it can kill fish if they are hooked. Morning fishing with small nymph rigs is the go-to. Small Tricos may be hatching late mornings, and Terrestrials may start blowing into the river as well.	Nymphs: BH Hare Golden Stone 10-12, Prince Nymph 14-18, Czech Mate Caddis 14-16, Caddis Emergers 14-16, Perdigons 14-18, Pheasant Tail #18-20, Drowned Trico #20-22, Juan’s Slim Shady #20-22 Dries: Duranglers Peacock Caddis #14-18, Chubbies #12-16, Para Ant 12-16, Glo Ant 12-16 Streamers: Small Buggers, Sculpin Snack, Hare Sculpin.

San Juan River in Colorado

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.

Real-Time River Data

Water Conditions	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
SAN JUAN RIVER AT PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO Temperature: 70.34 ° F Streamflow: 27.1 ft³/s Gage height: 3.79 ft USGS	Low	CPW has asked for a voluntary closure after 12 noon on the San Juan in town. Flows are really low, with small bumps with some rain. Imma be real with you cheif, this is not the best time to be fishing the main upper San Juan. Go fish the high country creeks instead.	Nymphs: Pat’s Rubberlegs in 10-12, 20 Incher Stone #8-12, Pheasant Tail #16-18, Blowtorch #14-16, Duracell #14-16, Frenchies #16-20. Dries: Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, Duranglers Peacock Caddis #12-16, Chubbies #12-16, Stimulators 12-16, Parachute Adams 10-18.

Piedra River

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!

Real-Time River Data

Water Conditions	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
PIEDRA RIVER NEAR ARBOLES, CO. Temperature: 70.34 ° F Streamflow: 20.0 ft³/s Gage height: 0.46 ft USGS	Falling, low!	It’s a low-water time of year; you need to watch those water temps! If it’s above 67, stop fishing! Early morning fishing until about 11 is about the only time to fish. Throw a dry fly with a moth-looking profile.	Nymphs: Pat’s Rubberlegs 10-12, Pheasant Tail and variations 16-20, Prince Nymphs 12-16, Duracell Jig 12-14, Runt Stone Golden 12-16. Dries: Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, Duranglers, Spruce Moth 10-14, Stimulators 12-16, Para Madam X 12-14, Tan Chubbies #12-16, Parachute Adams #12-16

Los Pinos River

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.

River Data Below Vallecito

River Data Above Vallecito

Water Conditions	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
LOS PINOS ABOVE VALLECITO RES Temperature: 70.34 ° F Streamflow: 43.6 ft³/s Gage height: 3.33 ft USGS LOS PINOS RIVER NEAR IGNACIO, CO Temperature: 70.34 ° F Streamflow: 2.55 ft³/s Gage height: 1.19 ft USGS 576 cfs out of the dam	Falling	Above Vallecito, flows are low, but rain is bumping it a little. Fishing is best in the mornings and evenings. Put on your walking shoes and get after it. The further you hike, the better the fishing will be. Dry/droppers with attractors and terrestrials are your best bet right now. Below, the flows are still up, and fishing will be good. Heavy nymphs and dries should pick up some fish for you.	Nymphs: Pat’s Rubberlegs in 8-12. Jigged Pat’s Rubberlegs #10-12, 20 Incher Stone #8-12, Pheasant Tail #16-18, Duracell Jig 12-14, Orange Crush 14-16, Prince nymphs 10-16, San Juan Worms. Dries: Parachute Adams 12-16, Stimulators 10-14, Para Madam X 12-14, Chubbies #10-14, Amy’s Ant 12-14, Fat Albert 6-12. Buggers and leeches.

Dolores River Below McPhee

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!

Real-Time River Data

Rob Schmidt Lower Dolores River Duranglers

Water Conditions	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
DOLORES RIVER NEAR SLICK ROCK, CO Temperature: 70.34 ° F Streamflow: 122 ft³/s Gage height: 4.95 ft USGS	LOW and on fire.	The Lower Dolores is closed due to the Ferris Fire. Don’t even think about it.	Dries: Parachute Adams 18-24, Griffith Gnat 18-22, Extended Body BWO 18-20, Sparkle Dun 18-20, Bunny Midge #22-24, Sproat Midge #22-24 Nymphs: Brown or Olive Micro May #16-20, Killer Mayfly #18-22, RS2 #18-24, Juan’s Slim Shady #18-20, Pheasant Tails 16-24, Flash Midge Pupa #18-24, Scissorbill Special #22-24

Dolores River Above McPhee

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.

Real-Time River Data

Water Conditions	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
DOLORES RIVER AT DOLORES, CO. Temperature: 70.34 ° F Streamflow: 230 ft³/s Gage height: 3.00 ft USGS	Falling but bumping up with rain	Dry/droppers above McPhee, Chubbies, or high-floating attractors with a good beadhead dropped below will be a good go-to rig from Dolores to Rico and above. With the rain, ants and terrestrials are a great option; have a few on hand. Get out early and watch for afternoon showers.	Dries: Parachute Adams 14-20, Royal Wulff 10-16, Stimulators 10-12, Chubbies 8-12, RIOs Big Boned Caddis 12-16, Humpy #12-16. Nymphs: Hare’s Ear Nymph 10-16, Pheasant Tails 14-18, Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, 20 Incher Stone 10-14, Prince Nymphs 14-18, Pickpocket 12-16, Duracell Jig 12-16, and other Euro Nymph Jigs 10-16.

Rio Grande

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?

Wagon Wheel River Data

Thirty Mile River Data

CFS	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
57 CFS (30 Mile) 150 CFS (Wagon Wheel)	LOW	Sad to say, but nymphing will be your best option, but ants or moth terrestrials may get a rise or two. Second best option is a dry/dropper. Get off the water by noon to help preserve this fishery, as water temperatures are getting higher than 66, which can stress fish. You will probably have to be a bit technical with your rigging.	Dries: Chubbies 12-16, Stimulators 12-16, Para Madam-X 12-16, Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, Duranglers Peacock Caddis #12-16, Parachute Adams 10-16, Spruce Moth 10-14, Parachute Ant 12-16. Nymphs: Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, 20 Incher Stone 10-14, Pheasant Tail and variations 14-18, Prince Nymphs 10-16, Copper John #12-16.

Florida River

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.

Below Lemon River Data

Above Lemon River Data

Andy McKinley Duranglers Flies and Supplies Creeks Florida

CFS	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
16.2 CFS above 178 CFS (Below Lemon)	Falling	Above Lemon Reservoir, the flows have been bumped with rain, which is much needed. Attractor dry/dropper setups are the starter, but keep an eye out for caddis and PMD hatches. Below Lemon, if it’s single-owner private water: fish big dry/droppers like chubbies and Copper Johns. If you happen to be fishing a stretch of water that is accessed by 800 other owners (all of whom have 5 additional fishing friends), then you are fishing the most pressured water in the county. You have to be technical: small, heavy nymphs. These are educated stockers like the San Juan River. Go small with your rig.	Nymphs: Prince nymphs 14-18, Runt Stone Golden 12-16, Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, 20 Incher 10-14, Pheasant Tail 14-20, Blowtorch Jig 14-16, Tungsten OCD Caddis #14-16, Zebra Midge #18-20, Rainbow Warrior #18-20, Jig VRib Mayfly #18-20. Dries: Parachute Adams 14-20, Royal Wulff 10-16, Stimulators 14-16, Chubbies 14-16, RIOs Big Boned Caddis 12-16, Vis-a-Dun PMD #16-20.

Creeks of the San Juans

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.

Colorado-Cutthroat-Fly-Fishing-San-Juan-Mountains-Duranglers.jpg

CFS	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
N/A	Falling/Bumping with Rain	Creeks are low but fishing well. Flows are bumping a little bit with rain, and most have remained cool. Attractor dries are your best option; cut off that dropper.	Attractor Dries: Parachute Adams 14-20, Royal Wulff 10-16, Stimulators 14-16, Chubbies 14-16, RIOs Big Boned Caddis 12-16, H&L Variant #14-18.

San Miguel

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.

Real-Time River Data

Water Conditions	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bugs
SAN MIGUEL RIVER NEAR PLACERVILLE, CO Temperature: 70.34 ° F Streamflow: 121 ft³/s Gage height: 4.34 ft USGS	Falling/little bumps with rain	Wade fishing is in full swing right now. Dry/dropper setups are picking up lots of fish, but if you are not finding fish midday, you may want to rig up a full nymph rig. Watch for hatches of caddis and small mayflies.	Dries: Parachute Adams 12-16, Royal Wulff 10-16, Stimulators 14-16, Chubbies 14-16, RIOs Big Boned Caddis 12-16. Nymphs: Prince Nymphs 14-18, Copper John 12-18, OCD Caddis Larva 14-16, Runt Stone 12-16, Pickpocket 12-16, Duracell Jig 12-16, and other Euro Nymph Jigs 10-16.

Lakes/Reservoirs

Our local lakes and ponds hold an abundance of trout, pike, bass, and many other species of gamefish. Need a guide?

Vallecito Reservoir (Pike, Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Lemon Reservoir (Trout, Kokanee Salmon)
Navajo Reservoir (Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Carp, Trout, Catfish)
Puett Reservor (Pike, Smallmouth Bass)
McPhee Reservoir (Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Crappie, Walleye, Bluegill)
Pastorius Reservoir (Bass, Trout, Panfish)
Echo Lake (Bass, Crappie, Sunfish, Trout)
Summit Reservoir (Largemouth and Smallmouth bass, Trout, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Crappie)
Totten Reservor (Pike, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Bluegill, Crappie)
Haviland Lake (Rainbow and Brook Trout)
High country lakes (Trout)
Lake Nighthorse (Rainbow and Brown Trout, Kokanee Salmon)

CFS	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
n/a	Falling	Read our Beginner’s Guide to Stillwater Fishing! Summer lake season is here and in full effect. Trout fishing on lower elevation lakes is slowing with warm weather, but the high country has been good with dries, leeches, and nymph rigs Bass and carp fishing is good, and will remain awesome through the summer.	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, Callibaetis nymphs and dries Bass: Belly Scratcher Minnow, Mardi Craw, RIOs Cray Cray, Meat Whistle, poppers. Carp: Belly Crawl Nymph, Carpnasty, Carp Crack, Damsel Nymphs, Carp Hybrid

Gunnison (Black Canyon)

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?

Real-Time River Data

Water Conditions	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
GUNNISON RIVER BELOW GUNNISON TUNNEL, CO Temperature: 70.34 ° F Streamflow: 263 ft³/s Gage height: 1.69 ft USGS	Dropping	PMDs are accounting for some great dry fly fishing right now. If you are not find rising fish, go deeper with a dry/dropper or even full nymph rig.	Dries: Chubbies 12-16, Stimulators 12-16, Para Madam-X 12-16, Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, Duranglers Peacock Caddis #12-16, Parachute Caddis 14-18, Extended Body PMD 16-18, PMD Vis-A-Dun 16-18, Parachute Adams 10-16, Rusty Spinner 12-16 Nymphs: Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, 20 Incher Stone 10-14, Pheasant Tail and variations 14-18, Prince Nymphs 10-16, Copper John #12-16, Czech Mate Caddis 14-16, OCD Tung Caddis Emerger 14-16.

Uncompaghre

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.

Real-Time River Data

Water Conditions	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER BELOW RIDGWAY RESERVOIR, CO Temperature: 70.34 ° F Streamflow: 101 ft³/s Gage height: 2.05 ft USGS	Steady	Lighter tippet, smaller flies, and stealth. Don’t rush, move slowly, and pick your drifts wisely through deeper holes. Flows are rising, and fish are becoming a little more active. Watch out for Caddis hatches! An attractor nymph such as a worm or leech, followed by a small bug is a good move.	Dries: Parachute Adams 14-20, Griffith Gnat 18-22, Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, Duranglers Peacock Caddis #12-16, Parachute Caddis 14-18, Chubbies #8-14, PMD Vis-A-Dun 16-18. Nymphs: Brown or Olive Micro May #16-20, Killer Mayfly #18-22, RS2 #18-24, Juan’s Slim Shady #18-20, Pheasant Tails 16-24, Juan’s Sniper Baetis 22-24, Flash Midge Pupa #18-24, Caddis Emergers 14-18, Perdigons 14-18, OCD Caddis 14-16. Split Back PMD 16-20.