Duranglers July Monthly Report – Terrestrial Time
Admit it; there is no feeling quite like tying on a giant, gaudy, brightly colored, foam and deer hair covered monstrosity. Any fish that would eat such a fly is worth the pursuit. August marks the beginning of terrestrial time on the majority of Colorado waters, and the Durango area is no exception. Hoppers, crickets, ants, beetles…make sure you have a good assortment in your box. Many anglers (and guides) opt for the hopper/dropper set up when fishing our local rivers as it is one of the best ways to cover two areas of the water column quickly.
Hoppers begin to show up in droves on the San Juan River tailwater below Navajo Dam this month. Strangely enough, most anglers will still opt for the bobber and nymph rig. If you see hopping bugs, fish em! The San Juan is flowing at 650 cfs right now so a lot of water area is fishable. We are also seeing lots of grasshoppers showing up on the banks of the Animas, Dolores, Rio Grande, Piedra, and Los Pinos. Keep an ample supply on hand for whenever the situation calls for it. You don’t want to be stuck without a favorite hopper when you come upon a grassy undercut bank!
High altitude fly fishing is also in full effect here in the San Juan Mountains. This time of year often sees some of the most beautiful cutthroat trout brought to the net. Lime, Cascade, Hermosa, Vallecito, the Upper Los Pinos, and the upper Piedra are all fishing great for beautiful high country trout.
Make sure to keep an eye on the weather this month. Late summer storms can move in quick and have the potential to blow out a river pretty quick. The water tends to clear up fast however…but if you hear thunder, it’s best to find shelter.
No matter where you opt to wet a line this month, make sure to call or stop in the shop for the most up-to-date report!
Insects and Natural Food Sources
If you have any questions on a specific river; please call the shop for more info. 970-385-4081
- · San Juan River, New Mexico – Midges, annelids, aquatic worms, scuds, Leeches, Flying Ants, BWO Nymphs, baitfish in the lower waters, hoppers.
- · Animas – Caddis nymphs and dries, stonefly nymphs, PMDs, Tricos, Sculpins, Crayfish, Aquatic Worms, Hoppers.
- · Upper San Juan – Terrestrials and Hoppers, Caddis, Mayfly Nymphs, PMDs, Aquatic Worms, stonefly nymphs, baitfish.
- · Rio Grande – Terrestrials and Hoppers, Stonefly nymphs, Caddis, PMDs, Sculpins and Baitfish.
- · Piedra River & Williams Creek – Hoppers, Stonefly nymphs, Caddis, PMDs, mayfly nymphs.
- · Los Pinos River – (Below Dam) – Hoppers, Mayfly Nymphs, Caddis, baitfish, PMDs, Aquatic Worms, leeches.
- · Dolores River Above Reservoir, Los Pinos Above Reservoir – Stonefly Nymphs, PMDs, Streamers, Caddis, Terrestrials.
- · Dolores River (Below Dam) – Terrestrials and Hoppers! PMDs, BWO’s, Caddis.
- · High Country Lakes and Streams – Small leeches, chronomids, midges, Terrestrials, Moths.
- · Local lakes – Leeches and baitfish for trout and Bass. Chronomids, Callibaetis, Dragonflies, Damselflies, Crayfish,
Recommended Fly Patterns
San Juan River:
- · Midges: Size 24-30 – Black Midge Pupa, Big Mac, Desert Storm, WD-40, Jujubee Midge, Midge Clusters, Duranglers Adult Midge, Griffith’s Gnat, Red Hot
- · Baetis: Size 20-26 – Juju Baetis, Thread Body Baetis, RS2, Pheasant Tail, BWO Vis-A-Dun, Parachute Adams, Brown Baetis Nymph
- · Annelids: Red Sparkle Worm, Red and Orange annelids, Squirmy Wormy, Chamos Leech, SJ Worm in Red, Brown, Pink, and Orange
- · Scuds: Ray Charles, Grey Flashback Scud, Olive Flashback Scud
- · Leeches and Streamers: Size 8-14 – Olive, Blood Leech, and White Simi- Seal Leeches, Bunny Leeches, Buggers, Goat Leech
- · Terrestrials: Glitter Ant 14, Black Stimulator size 14-16, Sweetgrass Hopper 8-12, Parachute Hopper 8-12
- · Caddis Dries – Duranglers Peacock Caddis, EZ Caddis, EC Caddis, Foam Body Caddis
Animas, Piedra, Upper San Juan, and SW CO rivers:
- · Stonefly Nymphs: Size 6-16 – 20 Incher, Pats Rubberlegs, Sparkle Stone, Hairy Stone, Dirty Bird
- · Yellow Sallies: Size 14-16 – Yellow Stimulator, Rubber Leg Stimulator
- · Caddis Nymphs: Size 12-18 – Caddistrophic Pupa, , Hares Ear, Cased Caddis, Bubbleback Caddis, GTI Caddis
- · Mayfly Nymphs 14-20: Pheasant Tail Nymph, Rubberlegs Hare’s Ear, Brown Baetis Nymph, Juju PMD, RS-2, Trico Nymph
- · Mayfly Dries: Size 16-22: PMD Vis-A-Dun, PMD Silhouette Dun, Trico Spinner
- · Caddis Dries – Duranglers Peacock Caddis, E-Z Caddis, Parachute Caddis, X-Caddis
- · Sculpin Patterns – Black and olive Sculpzilla, Circus Peanut, Wool Sculpin, The One Sculpin, Near Nuff Sculpin
- · Crayfish Patterns – Magnum Super Bugger, Meat Whistle, Near Nuff Crayfish, Cray Cray Nabber, Barry’s Carp Bitter
- · Streamers – Black and Olive Krystal Buggers, Josh’s Ziwi, Circus Peanut, Cheech Leech, Double Gonga, Snot Rocket
Rio Grande:
- · Stonefly Nymphs: Size 2-14 – Hairy Stone, Pats Rubberlegs, Sparkle Stone, Prince Nymph.
- · Caddis Nymphs: Size 12-18 – Caddisstrophic Pupa, Cased Caddis, GTI Caddis
- · Mayfly Nymphs 14-20: Red and black Copper John, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Hare’s Ear
- · Mayfly Dries: Size 16-22: PMD Vis-A-Dun, PMD Silhouette Dun, Trico Spinner
- · Yellow Sallies: Size 14-16 – Yellow Stimulator, Rubber Leg Stimulator, Yellow Chubby Chernobyl
- · Caddis Dries – Duranglers Peacock Caddis, EZ Caddis, Parachute Caddis, X-Caddis
- · Streamers – Krystal Buggers, Sculpzilla, Circus Peanut, The One Sculpin, Meat Whistle, Cheech Leech, Josh’s Ziwi
Lower Dolores:
- · Mayfly Nymphs: Pheasant Tail Nymph, Juju Baetis, Brown Baetis Nymph, Juju PMD, Brown Baetis Nymph
- · Midges: Size 18-24 – Flash Midge Pupa, Disco Midge, WD-40, Griffith Gnat, Biot Midge Dry, Adult Midge
- · Caddis Dries – Duranglers Peacock Caddis, EZ Caddis, Parachute Caddis
- · PMD Dries – Barr’s PMD Vis-A-Dun, PMD Cripple, Parachute Adams
- · Yellow Sallies: Size 14-16 – Yellow Stimulator, Rubber Leg Stimulator, Yellow Chubby Chernobyl
- · Hoppers: Sweetgrass Hopper, Dry Muddler, Charlie Boy Hopper, Tantrum Hopper
- · Streamers: Simi Seal Leeches, Buggers, Snot Rocket
Lakes
- · Trout – Sowbugs, Leech patterns, chronomids, small baitfish and streamers, Simi Seal Leeches, callibaetis nymphs and dries.
- · Smallmouth bass – Meat Whistle, Grim Reaper Bass Fly, Clouser Minnows, Poppers
High Country:
- · Attractor dries: Humpies, Stimulators, Royal Wulff, Royal Chubby, H&L Variants
- · Attractor nymphs: Prince, Hares Ear, Pheasant Tails, Soft Hackle Wet Flies, Dirty Bird
- · Small streamers such as buggers and Simi-Seal Leeches
Plan for this summer by checking out our guide to fly fishing the high country!
