Updated 11/21/2023

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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

Zak on the San Juan Brown Trout Streamer

Water Conditions	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
SAN JUAN RIVER NEAR ARCHULETA, NM Water Temp: 42.62 ° F Flow: 320 ft³/s Water Level: 2.98 ft USGS	Steady	Flows are just below 350 cfs, safe to say winter flows are here. With colder fall days, you can often find good dry fly fishing around with small midge hatches. San Juan nymph rigs are the go-to with no risers. A bunny leech/midge or annelid combo is a fantastic all winter combo. Of course, don’t fear winter streamer and trout spey fishing.	Annelids in 18-22. San Juan Worms, Egg patterns, Bunny Leeches 8-12 in White, Grey, Olive, Black. Midges 20-26: Black Flash Midge Pupa, Tav’s Big Mac, Bling Midge. Dries: Griffith Gnat 18-22, Bunny Midge 20-24. 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. Streamers: Galloups Mini Flatliner, White Rabbit Leech, White/Olive Finnese Changer, Karl Malone Trout Spey Streamer.

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?

Check out our weekly updated Animas Lunch Report too!

Real-Time River Data

Water Conditions	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
ANIMAS RIVER AT DURANGO, CO Flow: 110 ft³/s Water Level: 2.10 ft USGS	Falling	Flows are low, so trout will be more concentrated in likely holding water. With colder weather, proper presentations are a must. Full nymph rigs have been our choice with a caddis larva and mayfly or midge nymph combo. Watch for hatches midday, and if you get frustrated, throw a Chubby just to see what happens. With warmer days, fish a Euro rig or heavy nymph setup in faster heavier water. Streamer fishing may have a good showing as well.	Nymphs: Prince Nymphs and variants 14-18, RIO’s Raindrop 14-16, TBH Jig Caddis 14-18, Czechmate 14-16, Hydropsyche Caddis nymph 14-16, Olive Cased Caddis 16-18. Splitback BWO Nymph 18-22, Pheasant Tails 18-22, Micro Mayfly 16-20, Killer Mayfly Brown and Olive 18-20, Grey and Brown RS-2 20-22. Zebra Midge or Poison Tung 18-22, Rainbow Warrior 18-20, Disco Midge 18-20, Black Midge Pupa 18-20. Streamers: Mini Sculpin, Sparkle Yummy, Cheech Leech, Autumn Splendor, Circus Peanut, Butt Sump, RIO’s Gold Jigger.

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: 46.0 ft³/s Water Level: 3.47 ft USGS	Falling	Low flows, cold weather. Get your nymph rigs a-going. Bobber rigs, euro rigs, even euro streamer rigs. Watch for hatches of midges to get fish moving to eating emergers or dries.	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. Midges: Zebra Midge or Poison Tung 18-22, Disco Midge 18-20, Black Midge Pupa 18-20. Streamers: Mini Sculpin, Buggers, RIO’s Gold Jigger, Autumn Splendor.

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: 0.92 ft USGS	Dropping	Fall on the Piedra can be a pretty fantastic streamer fishing option. Otherwise, stonefly nymphs are your best friend. As it gets colder, fish concentrate in deeper sections and can be found grouped together. Ice is going to start showing in the box canyons, so plan accordingly	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, Blowtorch Jig 10-18. Streamers: Olive, Black, or White Buggers, Mini Sculpin, Complex Twist Bugger, Butt Sump.

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: 3.30 ft USGS LOS PINOS RIVER NEAR IGNACIO, CO Flow: 6.48 ft³/s Water Level: 1.36 ft USGS 8 cfs out of the dam	Dropping	Below the dam, flows have been dropped extremely low and fishing will be hard. The upper is fishing well when you can find fish, but you may need a stealthy nymph rig approach. 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. Streamers: Thin Mint, Cheech Leech, Mini Sculpin, Sparkle Yummy.

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

Rob Schmidt Lower Dolores River Duranglers

Water Conditions	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
DOLORES RIVER NEAR SLICK ROCK, CO USGS	Steady	Wadeable flows at about 40 cfs out of the dam still. 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. Fish a streamer, or a small nymph rig with mayfly and midge imitations	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. Streamers: Buggers, Sculpzilla, Peanut Envy, Mouseketeer.

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: 2.24 ft USGS	Falling	The upper Dolores is fishing decent but cold days are here. A classic freestone on the upper, nymph rigs this time of year will be best. The upper reaches are fishing decent, but watch for cold days to bring about frozen banks soon.	Nymphs: Prince Nymphs 14-18, Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, Duracell 12-16, Rainbow Warrior 18-22, Pheasant Tail 16-20, Zebra Midge 18-22. Buggers and streamers in olive, black, white.

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
0.07 CFS (30 Mile) 86 CFS (Wagon Wheel)	Dropping hard	Fishing will be getting hard with each colder day that passes. Low flows are here, with banks starting to freeze. Find a deep hole and nymph it while you can. A streamer may not be a bad idea either.	Nymphs: Prince nymphs 10-16, Runt Stone Golden 12-16, Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, 20 Incher 10-14, Flashback Pheasant Tail 14-20, Zebra Midge 18-20; Streamers: Buggers, Sculpzilla, Peanut Envy, Mouseketeer, Cheech Leech, Dungeons, Circus Peanut.

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

Andy McKinley Duranglers Flies and Supplies Creeks Florida

CFS	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
4 CFS above 7 CFS (Below Lemon)	Low	Below the dam, the flows have been dropped and fish will be spooky. Small bugs and long leaders are your friends. Small nymph rigs or dry/droppers are a go-to. Above, temps will be getting cooler and fish will be looking for more nymph-type meals as they go into winter mode.	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: Parachute Adams 18-24, Griffiths Gnat 18-22.

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	Falling	It’s getting colder and the high country is winding down. Small dry/droppers are a good option, but expect snow and ice to make things impassible in the next month or so.	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.

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: 4.20 ft USGS	Dropping	Flows are at a good wadable level, but late fall is bringing colder overnight temps. Ice is starting to form. Expect nymphing to work the best this time of year, and it couldn’t hurt to break out the Euro rod.	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.

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
n/a	Falling	Read our Beginner’s Guide to Stillwater Fishing! High country lakes are slowing, but fishing good with deeper nymphs/streamers. Expect ice to show up soon. Pike fishing can be good this time of year before the freeze Bass is slow. Trout fishing will be good until ice. Lake nymph setups and streamer/sinking links can produce lots of fish.	Pike: Engler’s Pike Fly, Hollow Point Pike Fly, EP Pike Fly, Roamer Pike Fly. Trout: Chironomids, Scuds, Duracell Jig, RIO’s Gold Jigger, Balanced Leech. 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.

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: 624 ft³/s Water Level: 2.74 ft USGS	Dropped	Flowing clear and low, fish may be spooky, so approach and wade accordingly. Watch for hatches of BWOs, but if nothing else, don’t fear using a large stonefly nymph rig to find a trout. Streamers on the fall Gunny can be amazing	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. Mayflies: Parachute Adams 14-20, Splitback PMD Nymph 16-20, Pheasant Tails 18-22. Streamers: Buggers, Sculpzilla, Peanut Envy, Mouseketeer, Cheech Leech, Dungeons, Circus Peanut.

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: 44.1 ft³/s Water Level: 1.81 ft USGS	Dropped	Flows have been dropped to winter flows, so it’s time to keep it sneaky and go smaller on the flies. Mayflies and midges are productive right now. An attractor nymph followed by a small nymph or emerger is a good-go to	Annelids in 18-22. San Juan Worms, Egg patterns, Bunny Leeches 8-12 in White, Grey, Olive, Black. Midges 20-26: Black Flash Midge Pupa, Tav’s Big Mac, Bling Midge. Dries: Griffith Gnat 18-22, Bunny Midge 20-24. 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.