Duranglers February Fishing Report – Late Winter Fly Fishing

Duranglers February Fishing Report – Late Winter Fly Fishing

Has cabin fever set in yet?  It would be understandable if it has.  We have seen a lot more snow and days where temps have not gone above freezing.  We have not seen a winter like this in a while.  This is a good thing of course; it means we will have a lot more water to float in July.

In the interim, what is it you are doing to satiate your fly fishing cravings?  Are you tying lots of flies?  We sure are.  Making plans for a warmer getaway, filled with tropical drinks and saltwater fish?  We are doing that too!  But we have also been honing our winter fishing skills our local San Juan and Animas rivers.

We are seeing the lake turn over effect on the San Juan and visibility has been around 2-3 feet.  That is not to say the fishing is off!  The fishing on the San Juan has actually been quite good with leeches, annelids, San Juan worms, and of course midges.  With the lake turn over and a bump in flows, food sources get stirred up.  Even though the water may look off color, don’t be afraid to fish it.  A SJ worm/midge pupa combo would be a good go-to right now.

Contrasted with consistency of the San Juan is the sometimes puzzling Animas river.  While it can be difficult to figure out at times, we have seen some lights out days on the river recently.  You may want to keep an eye on the forecast and watch for days that should get above freezing.  Fish have been hanging deep but will eat well presented caddis and midge pupa patterns on warmer days.  It should be noted that “well presented” means “with lots of weight”.  We have also seen a good amount of larger fish taken on dark streamers fished dead drift or on the swing with a slow twitch retrieve.

No matter where you fish this month, make sure to call or stop in the shop for the most up-to-date report!  Even if you plan on a trip to the tropics!

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 20-28 – Black Midge Pupa, Big Mac, Zebra Midge, WD-40, Jujubee Midge, Midge Clusters, Duranglers Adult Midge, Griffith’s Gnat, Mole Fly
• · 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
• · Trout Egg Patterns: Size 12-16 – Pink, Yellow, Peach, Cream
• · 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, Black Copper John.
• · 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, Meat Whistle.

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:

Our high country is under feet of snow and ice.  You could always strap on some cross country skis or a pair of snow shoes and make the trek to some open water.  Or you could just plan for next year by checking out our guide to fly fishing the high country.