Updated 1/6/2022

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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!

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

Water Conditions	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
SAN JUAN RIVER NEAR ARCHULETA, NM Water Temp: 39.2 ° F Flow: 397 ft³/s Water Level: 2.84 ft USGS	Recently Increased	Dry fly fishing may be holding on in the afternoons so have a few midge clusters and single dries. If no risers are showing, the standard leech/annelid winter combo is the move.	Midges 22-26: Black Flash Midge Pupa, Sidewinder Midge Pupa, Olive Midge Pupa, Tav’s Big Mac, CDC Midge Dry, Parachute Adams in 18-24. Griffith Gnat #12-22 Annelids in 18-22 BWOs (nymphs for now) Pheasant Tail 20-22, Brown Baetis Nymph 20-24.

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?

Real-Time River Data

Water Conditions	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
ANIMAS RIVER AT DURANGO, CO Water Temp: 37.04 ° F Flow: 153 ft³/s Water Level: 2.17 ft USGS	Dropping/Low	This is the coldest time of year, so keep in mind that trout metabolisms have slowed and they are not moving much to eat. The formula is simple though: small nymphs fished in the deepest holes, with enough weight. Oh, and you have to basically hit the trout on the nose to get them to eat.	Nymphs: Prince nymphs 14-18, Brown Baetis Nymph 18-22, Killer Mayfly Nymph 18-22. Rio’s Rain Drop 14-16, Rainbow Warrior 18-22. Midges 18-22: Black Flash Midge Pupa, Disco Midge, Tav’s Big Mac, CDC Midge Dry, Bunny Midge Dry, Parachute Adams in 18-24, Griffith Gnat #18-22.

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 Flow: 61.5 ft³/s Water Level: 3.54 ft USGS	Low	Winter flows and small bugs is the name of the game. A favorite attractor nymph followed by a midge pupa is a good choice.	Nymphs: Prince nymphs 10-16, Pat’s Rubberlegs 6-12 or Jigged Pats 10, 20 Incher 8-10, Napoleon Jig and other Euro Nymph Jigs 10-16. Midges 18-22: Black Flash Midge Pupa, Disco Midge, Tav’s Big Mac, CDC Midge Dry, Bunny Midge Dry, Parachute Adams in 18-24.

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. Water Level: 0.85 ft USGS	Frozen	Frozen, wait for spring.	Nymphs: Prince nymphs 10-16, Runt Stone Golden 12-16, Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, Flashback Pheasant Tail 14-18, Duracell Jig 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 Water Level: 3.49 ft USGS LOS PINOS RIVER NEAR IGNACIO, CO Water Level: 1.26 ft USGS About 8 cfs out of the dam.	Low and frozen	Don’t fish now, you have ice or no flows.	Nymphs: Prince Nymphs 12-16, Brown Wired Stone 10, Copper John 12-18, Pats Rubberlegs. Pheasant Tails 16-20, Pickpocket 12-16, Rio’s Rain Drop, and other Euro Nymph Jigs 10-16.

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

Water Conditions	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
DOLORES RIVER NEAR SLICK ROCK, CO Flow: 1.50 ft³/s Water Level: 2.96 ft USGS	Low and icy	Frozen and low, low and frozen. Gate is closed below the dam.	Small midge rigs…nymphs or dries.

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. Water Level: 2.46 ft USGS	Frozen	Frozen	Nymphs: Prince nymphs 10-16, Runt Stone Golden 12-16, Flashback Pheasant Tail 14-18, Duracell Jig 12-16. Dries: Griffith Gnat 18-22. Buggers, mouse patterns, or your favorite smaller streamers.

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
1.22 CFS (30 Mile) 280 CFS (Wagon Wheel)	Cold and Icy	Do you like ice fishing?	Nymphs: Prince nymphs 10-16, Runt Stone Golden 12-16, Flashback Pheasant Tail 14-18, Duracell Jig 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

CFS	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
7 CFS above 10 cfs (Below Lemon)	Frozen	Low and ice	Nymphs: Copper Johns 14-20, Hare’s Ear 16-18, San Juan Worms, Jigged Frenchies, Prince nymphs 10-16, Runt Stone Golden 12-16, Flashback Pheasant Tail 14-18, Duracell Jig 12-16.

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	Ice	Frozen and covered in snow. If you know of a secret spot that gets some sun, go get em!	Dries: Parachute Adams, Humpys, Wulffs, 16-20, Rio’s Dry Humper 12-16, Stimulators 14-16. Nymphs: Attractor dries sizes 14-18: Bead Head Prince Nymphs, Pheasant tails, Hare’s Ears.

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 Water Level: 3.91 ft USGS	Dropping	Lower flows, smaller bugs. Fish will be in deeper pools. You know the drill for December and if you don’t, maybe find a tailwater like the Unc.	Nymphs: Copper Johns 12-18, Hare’s Ear, Zebra Midge 18-20, BHFB Pheasant Tails 14-18, Guide’s Choice Hairs Ear 12-16. SJ Worms.

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
Ice	Frozen dude	Most will be frozen Vallecito and Lemon are frozen Navajo is cold but you may find an eager pike on warmer days.	Ice fishing time: jig nymphs, scuds, leeches, nymphs!

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 Flow: 315 ft³/s Water Level: 1.82 ft USGS	Steady	Small bugs right now. BWOs and midge nymphs. Get your weight right and fish deeper holes and slots	Nymphs: Two-Bit Hooker 16-18, Frenchie 14-16, Napoleon Jig 14-16, Pat’s Rubber Leg 8-12, Prince nymphs 10-14, Graphic Caddis, McPhail Caddis Pupa, Deep 6 Caddis Pupa.

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 Flow: 45.8 ft³/s Water Level: 1.80 ft USGS	Low	Midge and baetis nymphs a must. It’s the classic winter formula here in Colorado, but make sure to have some leeches and SJ worms too. Water is low, so be super stealthy.	Midges 18-24: Sidewinder Midge Pupa, Tav’s Big Mac, Jujubee Midge. Midge Dries: Duranglers Adult Midge, CDC Biot Midge, Midge Dry. San Juan Worms, Red, Wine, Orange. Red and Orange Annelids, and Chamois leeches. Thread Baetis, Jujubaetis, Split Back PMD. BWOs Nymphs: Pheasant Tail 20-22, Killer Mayfly 20-24, Brown Baetis Nymph 20-24. Napoleon Jig 18, Split Back BWO 18-22.