Updated 6/15/2022

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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

Water Conditions	Rising/Falling	Fishing Conditions	Patterns/Bug
SAN JUAN RIVER NEAR ARCHULETA, NM Water Temp: 56.84 ° F Flow: 515 ft³/s Water Level: 3.11 ft USGS	Bumped up finally	It’s about time, but the flows on the San Juan have been bumped up to 500 CFS. It may take a day or two for fish to get used to the newly expanded habitat but this will make for better fishing in the long run. Midges, Baetis, annelids, and the standard small fare are still your go-to, but should we get rain over the next few days, have ants…	Midges 18-24: Black Flash Midge Pupa, Disco Midge, Olive Midge Pupa, Tav’s Big Mac. RS-2s 20-24, Pheasant Tails and Killer Mayflies 18-24. Annelids in 18-22. San Juan Worms, Egg patterns. Parachute Adams in 18-24, BWO CDC Comparadun 18-22, Extended Body BWO 18-22. Glitter Ant 16, Duranglers Peacock Caddis 12-16, Black Chubby 14-16

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: 61.88 ° F Flow: 702 ft³/s Water Level: 3.00 ft USGS	Falling	It’s go-time for the Animas. After runoff, be thinking caddis for the rest of summer! It seems mornings and evenings are making for the best dry fly fishing. Watch for smaller hatches of drakes or PMDs, should we get some cloud cover. Rain on the forecast may require you to throw big nymphs or streamers if the water raises or discolors.	Dries: Duranglers Peacock Caddis 12-16, Elk hair Caddis 14-18, Big Boned Caddis 14-16, Parachute Adams 12-16, Hare Wing Green Drake 12, Guide Chute Hare’s Ear 12-14. Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, Orange Psycho Prince and standard prince nymphs 14-18. McPhail Caddis, Barr’s Graphic Caddis 14-16, Czechmate Caddis 14, Rio’s Raindrop. 14-16. Streamers: GD Sculpin Snack, Kreelex, Mini-Dungeon, Sculpzilla, Sculpinator.

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: 283 ft³/s Water Level: 4.63 ft USGS	Falling	Low flows and lots of tubers will make fishing in town difficult at midday. Get out at dawn or dusk for some caddis or small stonefly dry action. Head up to the east or west forks throughout the day and fish attractor dries or dry/dropper combos! Rain on the forecast may change all of this.	Dries: Chubbies, H&L Variant, Wulffs, Parachute Adams 14-16. 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.

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. Flow: 408 ft³/s Water Level: 1.94 ft USGS	Falling	Flows are low and very wadeable right now. Fishing will be good. Dry/droppers are a good go-to, start out with a chubby and stonefly nymph or something to that degree. Hatches of small stones, as well as Drakes or PMDs, may bring fish up from the depths. Heavy rains anticipated this weekend could blow out the lower Piedra, so think upper reaches should this happen.	Dries: Chubbies 12-14, Rocky Mtn Mint 14-18, Mill Creek Golden 12, Nymphs: Prince nymphs 10-16, Runt Stone Golden 12-16, Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, Flashback Pheasant Tail 14-18, Duracell Jig 12-16. Black and Olive buggers.

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 Flow: 160 ft³/s Water Level: 3.90 ft USGS LOS PINOS RIVER NEAR IGNACIO, CO Flow: 3.53 ft³/s Water Level: 1.30 ft USGS About 649 cfs out of the dam.	Falling above, steady below	Below the dam, fishing is good with nymph rigs and the occasional mayfly hatch. Above Vallecito, fishing has been fishing on the ole Pine…one day you may think there are no fish, the next it’s lights out! Expect plenty of traffic on this popular backpacking trail and make it an overnight or two to push further and escape the crowds. Watch for rains to bump 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. Chubbies 12-16, Hippy Stomper 12-14, Rocky Mtn Mint 14-18, Parachute Adams 12-18, Missing Link 14-16, Elk Hair Caddis 12-16.

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: 11.9 ft³/s Water Level: 3.33 ft USGS	Steady	Flows are steady Eddie at 26 CFS. Hoppers will be out and be prepared for mayfly hatches. A good-searching setup is a foamy hopper with a small bead-head mayfly dropped below. Streamers too!	Nymphs: Brown Baetis Nymph 18-22, 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. Dries: Parachute Adams in 14-22, BWO CDC Comparadun 18-22, Pink PMD Hairwing Dun 16-18, Griffith Gnat #18-22. Hoppers: Lil Hopper Juan 12-14, Morrish Hopper 10-14, Sweetgrass hopper 8-12. Streamers: GD Sculpin Snack, Kreelex, Buggers, Meat Whistle.

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. Flow: 361 ft³/s Water Level: 3.17 ft USGS	Falling	Flows are still up a little which is really good, but fishing has been fantastic from the reservoir to the headwaters. Depending on the section you are fishing will probably determine the best bugs…but a dry dropper with a Stimi or the like will be a good searching pattern.	Nymphs: Prince nymphs 10-16, Runt Stone Golden 12-16, Flashback Pheasant Tail 14-18, Duracell Jig 12-16. Dries: Chubbies 12-16, Amy’s Ant 8-12, Mini Foamulator 10-12, Hippy Stompers in all sizes and colors, Yellow or Royal Stimulators 12-16. Streamers: RIOs Cray Cray, Buggers, Peanut Envy, Sculpzilla.

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
118 CFS (30 Mile) 340 CFS (Wagon Wheel)	Falling	Flows are low right now, but fishing has been good with solid bug hatches. With rain in the forecast this weekend, we are hoping for a good bump in flows to rejuvenate the river. Remember, Clouds=mayflies. There are a few smaller brown and golden stones still flying around, but drakes are where it’s at. Pray for rain, but get out the wading boots just in case.	Dries: Christensen Salmonfly #8, Chubbies 12-16, Norm Woods Special or Stimulators 10-14, Duranglers Peacock Caddis 12-16, Elk hair Caddis 14-18, Big Boned Caddis 14-16, Parachute Adams 12-16, Hare Wing Green Drake 12, Guide Chute Hare’s Ear 12-14, Rocky Mountain Mint 14-16. Nymphs: Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, 20 Incher 8-10, Prince nymphs 10-16, Runt Stone Golden 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
35 CFS above 219 cfs (Below Lemon)	Falling above, Steadybelow	The flows above are solid. Attractor dry/dropper combos are clutch, but watch hatches of small mayflies. Be sneaky. Below, flows are pushy but clear and steady, so nymphs are in order. This is perfect Euro Nymphing water, so if you have access just like everyone else at Edgemont, get after it! Watch for hatches of caddis and mayflies.	Nymphs: Copper Johns 14-20, Hare’s Ear 16-18, San Juan Worms, Jigged Frenchies, Orange Crush, Prince nymphs 10-16, Runt Stone Golden 12-16, Flashback Pheasant Tail 14-18, Duracell Jig 12-16. Chubbies 10-14, Elk Hair Caddis 12-16, Parachute Adams 14-18, Guide Chute Hares Ear 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	Dropping	Creek season is now! Get out and fish everything. High country lakes too. Attractor dries are in, cut off that dropper!	Dries: Parachute Adams, Humpy’s, 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. Small buggers and Simi Seal leeches with rain!

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 Flow: 229 ft³/s Water Level: 4.65 ft USGS	Dropping	Now is the time. Water is clear and there is plenty of pocket water to hit here. This is classic Colorado summer water, so a dry/dropper is about perfect. Hatches of caddis and small stones will bring fish up.	Dries: Chubbies 12-14, Rocky Mtn Mint 14-18, Mill Creek Golden 12, Parachute Adams 14-16, RIO’s Big Boned Caddis 14-16. Black and Olive buggers. Nymphs: Copper Johns 12-18, Orange Crush, 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
Rising	Rising	Navajo is rocking. Pike fishing has been good, but bass, and carp are feeding. Vallecito and Lemon are fishing really well for trout. Pike and bass fishing are also doing well, though pike may be tapering off. Most other lakes are fishing really well, especially our high country lakes.	Pike: Engler’s Pike Fly, Hollow Point Pike Fly, EP Pike Fly, Roamer Pike Fly. Trout: Buggers, small baitfish, and leeches. Chironomid rigs Bass: Belly Scratcher Minnow, Mardi Craw, RIOs Cray Cray.

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: 334 ft³/s Water Level: 1.89 ft USGS	Rising	Low flows, but for now, fishing is good. Salmonflies are moving upriver, but hatches of BWOs and Caddis will be around so have a few small dries too dries!	Dries: Christensen Salmonfly #8, Chubbies 8-12, Norm Woods Special or Stimulators 10-16, Duranglers Peacock Caddis 12-16, Elk hair Caddis 14-18, Big Boned Caddis 14-16, Parachute Adams 14-20. Nymphs: Two-Bit Hooker 16-18, Frenchie 14-16, Napoleon Jig 14-16, McPhail Caddis Pupa, Deep 6 Caddis Pupa, Prince nymphs 10-16, Runt Stone Golden 12-16, Flashback Pheasant Tail 14-18, Duracell Jig 12-16. Streamers: Buggers, Sculpzilla, Sparkle Minnow, Mini-Dungeon, Peanut Envy.

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: 271 ft³/s Water Level: 2.50 ft USGS	Steady	Water is steady and fish are finding spots to hide from you. Small bugs are still your friend, but a larger attractor nymph like SJ Worms or Leeches, followed by a small mayfly or midge nymph has been good. Watch for hatching mayflies and caddis.	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.