Updated 7/28/2021

Click on the river tabs below to expand the fishing conditions and report.
Contact Duranglers for up to the minute information

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: 57.92 ° F Flow: 392 ft³/s Water Level: 2.93 ft USGS	Recently dropped, but blowing out with rain	Flows have been dropped, but afternoon rains have been causing fluctuations and clarity changes. When off-color, fish bigger flies such as leeches, SJ Worms, annelids, ants, and terrestrials. Midge hatches may bring fish up, but it’s a lot more fun to fish bigger dries such as ants, crickets, and hoppers. If clear and sunny, fish smaller.	Midges 20-26: Black Flash Midge Pupa, Sidewinder Midge Pupa, Tav’s Big Mac, CDC Midge Dry, Bunny Midge Dry, Sproat Midge. Parachute Adams in 18-24. Annelids in 18-22 Terrestrials: Black Chubby 12-16, CFO Ant #14-16, Splitsville flying ant 14-18, Psycho Ant #8, Hopper Juan, Sweetgrass Hopper 10-14. Small buggers and leeches in dark colors: brown and black.

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: 63.32 ° F Flow: 576 ft³/s Water Level: 2.91 ft USGS	Rising with Rain	We have seen a lot of rain the past few weeks and it’s caused some big flow bumps and clarity issues. This is indeed impacted the fishing currently, but more water means decreased water temps and better fishing into the late summer! Hopper season has arrived so a hopper/dropper is key	Nymphs: Prince nymphs 14-18, Split Back PMD 16-20. Rio’s Rain Drop 14-16. #14-18 Olive Czechmate Graphic Caddis, McPhail Caddis Pupa, Deep 6 Caddis Pupa. Dries: 14-16 Chubbies, 14-18, More-or-Less Hopper 8-12, Morrish Hopper 8-12, Hopper Juan, Sweetgrass Hopper 10-14. PMD Extended Body Dun, PMD Pink Hairwing Dun, Para Adams 16-20.

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: 128 ft³/s Water Level: 3.89 ft USGS	Falling slowly Watch out for rain events to bump flows.	Solitude on the river in town Pagosa is limited to the first and last hours of the day. Expect lots of tubers and swimmers. Midday will be the busiest on the river. PMD Mayflies, caddis, and even terrestrials are out. Dry dropper setups are best.	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. Dries: 10-14 Yellow Stimulator, Smaller Chubbies, PMD Extended Body Dun, PMD Pink Hairwing Dun, Para Adams 16-20.

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: 187 ft³/s Water Level: 1.42 ft USGS	Coming down, but bumping back up with rain.	Rains have been causing bumps in flow and dirty water, so watch out for changes in flows. First thing in the morning, dry flies. Moth, terrestrial, and caddis patterns are a good bet. Dry droppers with smaller stoneflies are a good option.	Nymphs: Prince nymphs 10-16, Runt Stone Golden 12-16, Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, Flashback Pheasant Tail 14-18, Duracell Jig 12-16. Chubbies, Stimis, and the like in your favorite color, size 12-16. Moth imitations 10-12…

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: 166 ft³/s Water Level: 3.92 ft USGS LOS PINOS RIVER NEAR IGNACIO, CO Flow: 1.83 ft³/s Water Level: 1.20 ft USGS About 500 cfs out of the dam.	Falling, watch for rain events to bump flows above Below, flows are being dropped	Below, flows are being dropped. A dry dropper is a good starter setup, but you still may have to go deep with a nymph rig. Above, dry/droppers…do you need anything else really? If you do, a stonefly and mayfly nymph rig in the deepest water, or throw a mouse during the first and last lights of day. 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, Rio’s Rain Drop, and other Euro Nymph Jigs 10-16. Dries: 10-14 Yellow Stimulator, 12-16 Elk Hair Caddis, 12-16 Chubbies in tan, brown, black, and royal.

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: 9.81 ft³/s Water Level: 3.25 ft USGS	Low	CPW has asked for a voluntary closure on the lower Dolores due to the extremely low flows and hot temps. Don’t go fish here.	Mouse pattern for the rattlesnakes because you should not be fishing for trout right now.

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: 225 ft³/s Water Level: 2.84 ft USGS	Bumping up with rain	The upper Dolores drainage is fishing solid. Dry dropper all day err day… or maybe just a dry. Watch for hatches of caddis, PMDs, and moths. Rain events can blow it out.	Nymphs: Prince nymphs 10-16, Runt Stone Golden 12-16, Flashback Pheasant Tail 14-18, Duracell Jig 12-16. Dries: Chubbies and Stimis in 12-16, Moth Imitations 12-14, Para Adams 14-18, Rio’s Dry Humper 12-16, More-or-Less Hopper 8-12, Morrish Hopper 8-12,

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
140 CFS (30 Mile) 430 CFS (Wagon Wheel)	Falling Watch for rain events to bump flows	Flows have been bumped up a bit with rain. Nymphing is, unfortunately, most productive, but it may not hurt to try a terrestrial such as an ant or hopper. Get out early and get off early to keep these fish safe! Watch for hatches of PMDs, Caddis, and Moths.	Nymphs: Prince nymphs 10-16, Runt Stone Golden 12-16, Flashback Pheasant Tail 14-18, Duracell Jig 12-16. Dries: Chubbies and Stimis in 12-16, Moth Imitations 12-14, Para Adams 14-18, Rio’s Dry Humper 12-16, CFO Ant #14-16.

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
77 CFS above 76.9 cfs (Below Lemon)	Dropping	Above Lemon, the flows have dropped and fishing is good, but watch for the rain to bump the flows. Dry droppers are a solid bet but watch for trout to key in on PMD and small drake mayflies. Below Lemon, the flows are higher and fishing is good. Fish pocket water with nymphs and streamers or a dry/dropper setup.	Nymphs: Copper Johns 14-20, Hare’s Ear 16-18, San Juan Worms, Jigged Frenchies, Prince nymphs. Dries: Rio’s Dry Humper 12-16, Amy’s Any 12-14, Hippy Stomper 12-16, Chubbies 14-16, Extended Body PMD 16-18, Para Adams 12-20.

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	Creek season is here, but the rain has caused a few to blow out in the afternoons. It’s a good thing because it means our creek season will last longer.	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 Flow: 224 ft³/s Water Level: 4.65 ft USGS	Dropping	Flows are pretty solid right now for this high country river. Don’t overthink it too much: dry/droppers on your favorite 4 weight and have fun!	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. Dries: 12-16 Yellow Stimulator, 12-16 Elk Hair Caddis, 14-16 Chubbies.

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
Opening up!	All lakes are open for you to fish hoss.	Temps on our freestones are getting a bit hot so now is the time to fish a lake!!! Bass and carp fishing is ON FIRE and the high country lakes are fishing great too.	Trout: Balanced Leeches 8-14, Chironomids 10-12 Scuds 18, Damselfly Nymphs and dries 12. Callibaetis nymphs and dries 12-14. Pike: EP Pike Fly, Engler’s Pike Fly. Dougie’s Perch, The Roamer Pike Fly. Bass: Olive, white, black, fire tiger colors of buggers, poppers, and steamers. Clousers, Low Fat Minnow, Trailer Trash Gurgler, Drop Dead Minnow. Carp: Barry’s Carp Fly, Carp Bitter, Dry fly patterns such as flying ants, cicadas, and hornets (seriously)

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: 664 ft³/s Water Level: 2.77 ft USGS	Steady	If you want to catch more fish, put on the nymph rig and fish deep with weight. If you want to catch fish like a well-adjusted person who isn’t all about numbers and actually likes to have fun, fish a dry. PMDs, Caddis, and some Yellow Sallies are out and about. Fish a dry/dropper for the best of both worlds.	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. Dries: Yellow Stimulators 12-16, Mill Creek Golden 12, Parachute Caddis 14-18, Elk Hair 12-16. PMD Extended Body Dun, PMD Pink Hairwing Dun, Para Adams 16-20.

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: 435 ft³/s Water Level: 2.82 ft USGS	Recently increased	The small bugs will still work, but flows have been bumped so make sure to try some bigger stuff like leeches and SJ worms with the midge and mayfly nymphs. Watch for Caddis in the afternoons! Or, put on a streamer or bugger!	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. Caddis: 14-18 Duranglers Peacock Caddis, Parachute Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis.