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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steady | Flows have just been dropped to about 700cfs, which is a fantastic wade or floating flow. Terrestrial fishing can be good this time of year with ants, crickets, and hoppers. Tie on a big dry fly and just see what happens before you go small.
With cooler, overcast days, be on the lookout for rising trout. BWO and midge hatches have been showing up. Otherwise, your trust small San Juan nymph rig will be the ticket |
Annelids in 18-22. San Juan Worms, Egg patterns.
Midges 20-26: Black Flash Midge Pupa, Tav’s Big Mac, Bling Midge. Dries: Griffith Gnat 18-22, Bunny Midge 20-24, Black Glitter Ant, CFO Ant 12-16, Black Stimulators 14-16, Black Voo Doo 10-14. BWO 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, Pheasant Tail 22-24, Baetis CDC Emerger 18-20. BWO Dries: Baetis Smoke Jumper 22-24 BWO Parachute 20-22, BWO Film Critic 20-22. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bumped a little with rain | Cooler September days call for BWO hatches in the afternoons on the Animas, and if you are lucky the fish will even eat on top. Otherwise, watch for fish to be feeding on emergers.
Terrestrials are still around, and a dry/dropper is not a bad idea at all. Streamer time is just about here as well. Watch for rains that can dirty the Animas. If so, fish a worm or stonefly nymph. |
Nymphs: Prince Nymphs and variants 14-18, Napoleon Jig 14-18, RIO’s Raindrop 14-16, TBH Jig Caddis 14-18, Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, San Juan Worms.
Terrestrials: Morrish Hopper 8-12, More-or Less Hopper 8-10, Sweetgrass Hopper 8-14. Mayflies: BWO Vis-a-Dun 16-18, Parachute Adams 16-22, Splitback BWO Nymph 18-22, Pheasant Tails 18-22, Olive and Red Micro Mayfly 16-20, Juan’s Slim Shady 20, Killer Mayfly Brown and Olive 18-20, Rainbow Warrior 18-20. Streamers: Mini Sculpin, Sparkle Yummy, Cheech Leech, Dungeons, Circus Peanut. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falling/bumping with rain | Water may bump and discolor with rain, but it’s still Dry/Dropperman’s world on the upper Juan for a few more days. Start out with a terrestrial pattern and a smaller dropper. Watch for hatches of BWOs and Caddis.
With cooler weather, it may be prudent to fish a full nymph rig, or even string up your Euro rod. Streamers too! |
Nymphs: Prince nymphs 12-16, Pat’s Rubberlegs 6-12 or Jigged Pats 8-14, Black and Copper Copper Johns 12-16, 20 Incher 10-14, Pheasant Tails 18-22, RS-2 18-20, Rainbow Warrior 18-22, RS-2 18-20, San Juan Worms, Barr’s Graphic Caddis 16-18, TBH Jig Caddis 14-18, Elk Hair Caddis 14-18, EC Caddis 16-18.
Hoppers/Attractors: Morrish Hopper 8-12, Chubbies 10-16, Sweetgrass Hopper 8-14. BWOs: BWO Vis-a-Dun 18-22, Parachute Adams 16-22, Pheasant Tails 18-22, Killer Mayfly Brown and Olive 18-20. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dropping, bumping with rain | Fall on the Piedra can be hit or miss depending on rain. Flows will bump, but fishing will pick back up on the drop.
If nothing else, stonefly nymphs are your best friend, and this can be a great time to fish a Euro setup. Watch for hatches of BWOs and small caddis. Terrestrials may still be out in the lower reaches |
Nymphs: Prince nymphs 10-16, Runt Stone Golden 12-16, Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, 20 Incher 10-14, Flashback Pheasant Tail 16-20, Soft Spot Jig 12-16, Jigged Pats 8-12, Duracell 12, Napoleon Jig 14-16.
Dries: Mr. Miller 12-14, Chubbies 14-16, Stimulators 14-16, Amy’s Ant 12-14, BWO Vis-a-Dun 18-20, Parachute Adams 16-22, |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
563 cfs out of the dam |
Dropping above but bumping with rain, Steady Below | Below the dam, fishing will be pretty good. Fish your favorite nymph rig with worms, leeches, attractor nymphs, and scuds.
The upper is fishing well when you can find fish, but you may need a stealthy nymph rig approach. With warmer days, dry/droppers may be a good option. Do not forsake a streamer in the fall. |
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.
Olive and Grey Scuds 14-16, Ray Charles, etc. Chubbies, Amy’s Ant, and Stimulators 12-16, Morrish Hopper 8-12. Parachute Adams and Rocky Mountain Mints 14-16. Streamers: Thin Mint, Cheech Leech, Mini Sculpin, Sparkle Yummy. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recently dropped | Wadeable flows at about 50 cfs out of the dam.
Fishing has been mediocre. Close to the dam is where a lot of fish congregated with such low flows over the past few years, however, there are reports of stocking. Hopper/Dropper combos are a go-to but watch for good BWO hatches. |
Nymphs: Killer Mayfly 20-24, Pheasant Tails 18-22, Rainbow Warrior 18-22, Black Flash Midge Pupa 18-22, Tav’s Big Mac Pupa, RS-2 18-22, Zebra Midge 18-20, Splitback BWO Nymph 18-22, Olive and Red Micro Mayfly 16-20, Juan’s Slim Shady 20-24.
Dries: BWO Vis-a-Dun 16-18, Parachute Adams 16-24, Para BWO, Smoke Jumper Baetis 18-22, 10-14 Chubbies, Panty Dropper Hopper 8-12, Morrish Hopper 8-12 Streamers: Buggers, Sculpzilla, Peanut Envy, Mouseketeer. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falling, bumping with rain | The upper Dolores is fishing good, but bumping with rain. A classic freestone on the upper, fish a dry dropper when temps are warm
Fishing close to the town of Dolores has been ok, but expect company. The upper reaches are fishing well for a variety of trout with dries, nymphs, and even streamers |
Nymphs: Prince Nymphs 14-18, Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, Duracell 12-16, Rainbow Warrior 18-22, Pheasant Tail 16-20.
Dries: Chubbies, Amy’s Ant 12-16. Parachute Adams and Rocky Mountain Mints 14-18, Simulators 14-16, Elk Hair Caddis 14-18, Hippy Stomper 14-16 Buggers and streamers in olive, black, white. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 68.8 CFS (30 Mile)
226 CFS (Wagon Wheel) |
Dropping but bumping with rain | It’s Fall wadin time up here on the Rio.
This time of year, your dry fly options are going to be mostly BWOs, but a possibility to fish hoppers and terrestrials as well. Rio Grande streamer fishing is always a good September/October plan dudes. |
Hoppers/Attractors: Morrish Hopper 8-12, More or Less Hopper 8-10, Chubbies 10-16.
Dries: 16-22 Parachute Adams and Guide Chute Hares Ear 16, BWO Film Critic 18-20, Baetis CDC Emerger 18-20. Nymphs: Prince nymphs 10-16, Runt Stone Golden 12-16, Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, 20 Incher 10-14, Flashback Pheasant Tail 14-20. Streamers: Buggers, Sculpzilla, Peanut Envy, Mouseketeer, Cheech Leech, Dungeons, Circus Peanut. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 CFS above
149 CFS (Below Lemon) |
Falling/watch for rain bumps | Below the dam, the flows are dropping, but it’s not low quite yet. Fishing can be good with nymphs and streamers. Watch for Baetis hatches
Dry Dropper combos are a good idea in fast water. This is great Euro nymphing water if you have access in the private reaches below Lemon. Above, temps will be getting cooler and fish will be looking for more nymph type meals. |
Nymphs: Copper Johns 14-20, Hare’s Ear 16-18, Prince nymphs 10-16, Runt Stone Golden 12-16, Flashback Pheasant Tail 16-20, Duracell Jig 12-16. Midge Pupa
Dries: Chubbies 14-16, Amys Ant 12-14, Stimulators 14-16, 16-22 Parachute Adams. Buggers and streamers in olive and black. Sculpzilla. |
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 | September is archery season in the high country, so if you are reading this you might be a hunter. Dry droppers on our high country creeks with an emphasis on smaller droppers. It’s getting colder so fish may not hammer a dry fly like they did a month ago, but it sure is pretty right now. | 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. HC Lakes: Scuds, LeechesFoam Damsel, Ultra Damsel Nymph. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dropping, but bumping with rain | Flows are a good wadable level, get after it! This is a beautiful river in the Colorado high country and offers some fantastic fall fishing
Dry/droppers are your go-to friend. Watch for hatches of Mayflies and Caddis. The occasional terrestrial/chubby dry/dropper rig could never hurt Fish a heavy nymph rig in the deepest sections. |
Nymphs: Prince nymphs 12-18, Pat’s Rubberlegs 10-12, 20 Incher 12-14, Rainbow Warrior 18-22. Copper Johns 14-20.
Dries: Chubbies, Amy’s Ant, or Stimis in 12-16. Olive or Gold Dry Humper 12-16. Parachute Adams 14-20, Para BWO 18-20, Smoke Jumper Baetis 18-22. |
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!
Lakes in higher elevations are fishing decent for trout for a few more weeks. Bass and Carp fishing is still going but slowing down…which just means that pike and trout fishing is going to get awesome again. |
Pike: Engler’s Pike Fly, Hollow Point Pike Fly, EP Pike Fly, Roamer Pike Fly.
Trout: Chironomids, Scuds, Duracell Jig, RIO’s Gold Jigger. Bass: Belly Scratcher Minnow, Mardi Craw, RIOs Cray Cray, Meat Whistle, Bass Popper, Covert Mission. Carp: Barry’s Carp Fly, Damsel Nymphs, Cicada and Ant Patterns 10-16. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steady | Flowing clear but watch for discoloration with rain. Mayfly and caddis hatches continue onward
This is classic hopper water in September, which can be fished closer to the edges. If nothing else, don’t fear using a large stonefly nymph rig to find a trout. |
Nymphs: Pats Rubberlegs 8-10, Duracell Jig 12-16, Barr’s Graphic Caddis 14-16, Rainbow Warrior 18-22
Caddis: TBH Jig Caddis 14-18, Prarie Dog Pupa 14-16, Elk Hair Caddis 12-16, Peacock Caddis 14-16, EZ Caddis 14-18. PMDs/Mayflies: PMD Vis-a-Dun 16-18, Parachute Adams 14-20, Trio Spinner 20-22 PMD Hairwing Dun 16-18, Splitback PMD Nymph 16-20, Pheasant Tails 18-22. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dropping | Flows are dropping, so its time to keep it sneaky.
Mayflies have been very productive by nymphing and dry fly fishing. |
Mayfly Nymphs: Thread Baetis, Jujubaetis, Split Back PMD, Killer Mayfly 18-24. Juan’s Sniper Baetis 20-24. Green Drake Nymph 10-12.
12-16 Parachute Adams or Rocky Mountain Mint. Green Drake Film Critics 12. |
