Duranglers December Fishing Report – The Weather Outside

It’s cold. Snow is dropping and wind is blowing. The weather outside is frightful…or at least mildly unpleasant. We get it, fishing may be one of the last things on your mind. (Skiing may be first). With dropping temps, make sure to layer up and have a good jacket to keep you warm on the water or when digging your vehicle out of a foot of snow.

If you happen to be one of the brave ones to pursue winter trout, may this fishing report be to your benefit! Happy Holidays.

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’s, baitfish.
· Animas – Caddis nymphs, Midges, Sculpins, Aquatic Worms, Mayfly Nymphs.
· Upper San Juan – Midges, Aquatic Worms, stonefly nymphs, baitfish, Mayfly and Caddis Nymphs.
· Rio Grande – Stonefly nymphs, Midges, Sculpins and Baitfish, Mayfly and Caddis Nymphs.
· Piedra River & Williams Creek – Stonefly nymphs, Caddis nymphs, Midges, Mayfly Nymphs.
· Los Pinos River – (Below Dam) – Mayfly Nymphs, baitfish, Midges, Aquatic Worms, leeches.
· Dolores River Above Reservoir, Los Pinos Above Reservoir – Stonefly Nymphs, Mayfly and Caddis Nymphs, Streamers, Midges.
· Dolores River (Below Dam) – Midges, Mayfly Nymphs, Sculpins and Baitfish.
· High Country Lakes and Streams – Frozen Over
· Local lakes – Frozen over

Recommended Fly Patterns

San Juan River:

· Midges: Size 24-30 – Black Midge Pupa, Big Mac, Zebra Midge, WD-40, Jujubee Midge, Midge Clusters, Duranglers Adult Midge, Griffith’s Gnat,
· Baetis: Size 20-26 – Juju Baetis, Thread Body Baetis, RS2, Pheasant Tail, BWO Vis-A-Dun, Bat Wing Emerger, 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 Black Simi- Seal Leeches, Bunny Leeches, Buggers, Goat Leech

Animas, Piedra, Upper San Juan, and SW CO rivers:

· Stonefly Nymphs: Size 6-16 – 20 Incher, Pats Rubberlegs, Sparkle Stone, Dirty Bird
· 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 BWO, RS-2, Trico Nymph
· Midge Nymphs: Size 18-22: Jujubee Midge, Black Midge Pupa, Big Mac Pupa, Zebra Midge
· Midge Dries: Griffith Gnat, Stuck in the Shuck Midge, Mole Fly, Duranglers Adult Midge
· Sculpin Patterns – Black and olive Sculpzilla, Circus Peanut, Wool Sculpin, The One Sculpin, Near Nuff Sculpin
· 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
· Midge Nymphs: Size 18-22: Jujubee Midge, Black Midge Pupa, Big Mac Pupa
· Midge Dries: Griffith Gnat, Stuck in the Shuck Midge, Mole Fly, Duranglers Adult Midge
· 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
· Streamers: Simi Seal Leeches, Buggers, Snot Rocket

Lakes

· Trout – Sowbugs, Leech patterns, chronomids, small baitfish and streamers, Simi Seal Leeches. Barry’s Carp Bitters

High Country:

The end of the High Country season has come. Plan for next year by checking out our guide to fly fishing the high country.