Updated 6/24/2020

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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: 51.44 ° F Flow: 843 ft³/s Water Level: 3.67 ft USGS	Steady	The San Juan River Quality Waters below Navajo Dam are OPEN!! Standard Juan fare such as Annelids, midges, BWOs, Leechs, worms, scuds, and eggs are in order. Try out a streamer for giant browns lurking in the depths in the mornings. The first monsoonal rains will bring the ants!	Midges 18-24: Black Midge Pupa, Sidewinder Midge Pupa, Tav’s Big Mac. BWOs: BWO Film Critic 20-22, Juan’s Sniper Baetis 20-24, Smoke Jumper Baetis 20-22, Baetis Comparadun 20-22. San Juan Worms: Red, Wine, Orange. Red and Orange Annelids. Egg Patterns. Trout Parr, Buggers, Dirty Hippy, Sheila Sculpin are all good streamers to throw too.

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: 59 ° F Flow: 531 ft³/s Water Level: 2.87 ft USGS	Falling	We are in the full tailout of runoff and the ends of the Animas float season are coming soon…but they are not over yet. Streamers and hoppers in the mornings, caddis in the evenings, and nymph rights throughout the day. Watch for PMDs to start showing in the late morenings too. Get after it!	Nymphs: Prince nymphs 10-16, Copper Johns 12-18, Pat’s Rubberlegs. Stimulators 12-14, Duranglers Peacock Caddis 14-16, Elk Hair Caddis 14-18. Streamers: Mini Flatliner, Mini Dungeon, Mini Peanut Envy, Cheech Leech, Lunch Money, Meat Whistle.

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: 67.8 ft³/s Water Level: 3.53 ft USGS	Dropping and low	The pubic access in town looks much like a beach, so the further you get from the hot springs and downtown, the better. Watch for hatches of PMDs in the mornings and caddis in the evenings.	Pat’s Rubberlegs, 20 Incher, Sparkle Stone, Atomic Stone, Brown Wired Stone in sizes #8-12. Copper johns, Rainbow warrior, Micro stones, pheasant tails. Stimulators 12-14, Duranglers Peacock Caddis 14-16, Elk Hair Caddis 14-18, OCD Caddis Pupa 14-16.

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: 62.3 ft³/s Water Level: 0.98 ft USGS	Dropping	The bottom dropped out on the Piedra flows, coupled with fire closuers with the Sand Creek Fire, and things could be dicey over here. Fishing above Williams into the upper reaches would be a better idea right now.	Nymphs: Pat’s Rubberlegs, ,Sparkle Stone, Trout Retreiver, 20 incher stone, Brown Wired Stone, sizes #8-12. BH Copper John, Psycho Prince, Hot Wire Prince, Prince Nymph, #14-18. Attractor dries on the upper reaches: Small Chubbies 14-16, Wulffs, H&L Variant, Elk Hair Caddis. Moth Patterns…

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: 86.8 ft³/s Water Level: 3.60 ft USGS LOS PINOS RIVER NEAR IGNACIO, CO Flow: 0.64 ft³/s Water Level: 1.13 ft USGS	Steady below/Dropping above	It’s about that time for the upper Pine. The upper reaches get hammered inside the Wilderness boundary so if you want solitude, keep walking another 10 miles. Dry Droppers will be a solid choice Below, flows are above 600 cfs and fishing is pretty good close to the banks with nymph rigs.	Nymphs: Prince Nymphs 12-16, Brown Wired Stone 10, Copper John 12-18, Pats Rubberlegs. Pheasant Tails 16-20, Zebra Midge 18-22, SJ Worms. Tungsten CDC FB Pheasant Tail 14-16, Two Bit Hooker 16-20, Juan’s Sniper Baetis 20. Attractor dries on the upper reaches: Small Chubbies 14-16, Wulffs, H&L Variant, Elk Hair Caddis. Moth Patterns…

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: 30.7 ft³/s Water Level: 3.73 ft USGS	Steady	Fishing has picked up on the lower D! Mayflies as per usual in the size 14-20 range. Hoppers too. Watch out for rattle snakes. The Lower D can offer technical fishing, so be ready with long leaders, light tippet, and possibly small dry/dropper rigs.	Mayfly Nymphs 14-20: Tav’s Fluff Baetis, Tungsten CDC FB Pheasant Tail, Two Bit Hooker, Brown Baetis Nymph. PMD Splitback Nymph. Mayfly Dries: BWO Film Critic 18-22, Smoke Jumper Baetis 18-22, Baetis Comparadun 18-22. Hoppers: Morrish Hopper, Lil Hopper Juan, Sweetgrass Hopper.

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: 101 ft³/s Water Level: 2.36 ft USGS	Falling	If you were to fish the upper Dolores and it’s tributaries, now would be the time! Dries and hopper dropper rigs are a must.	Nymphs: Prince nymphs 10-16, Copper Johns 12-18, Hare’s Ear, Pat’s Rubberlegs, Pheasant Tails. Attractor dries such as chubbies, H&L, Amy’s Ant, Stimulators 12-14, Duranglers Peacock Caddis 14-16, Elk Hair Caddis 14-18, and ants and beatles!

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
247 cfs(30 Mile) 541 cfs (Wagon Wheel)	Dropping	The big bugs have come and gone…but that does not mean they are not eating on top! Small stones, Drakes, Caddis, and PMDs are out. Expect lots of company, we got word from Todd in Littleton that there are lots of boats on the Rio because everyone from Littleton and the rest of the front range is driving down to float the Rio. Just remember it’s like complaining about the lines at the post office: you are not required to stand there, but you do anyway.	Nymphs: Prince nymphs 10-16, Copper Johns 12-18, Hare’s Ear, Pat’s Rubberlegs. Mill Creek Golden, Smaller Chubbies, H&L, Stimulators 12-14, Duranglers Peacock Caddis 14-16, Elk Hair Caddis 14-18. Drakes 10-12: Green Drake Parawulff, Guide Chute Hare’s Ear, Green Drake Film Critic.

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
43.8cfs (Above Lemon) 185 cfs (Below Lemon)	Low and dropping above/steady below	Yep! The Florida is good these days. Below, the Florida is a great fisheable flow. This water is a Euro nympher’s dream. Fish the likely pocket water with a nymph rig or dry dropper. Above, dry droppers until you realize you don’t need that dropper…and cut it off!	Nymphs: Partridge and Peacock 14-16, Copper Johns 14-20, Hare’s Ear 16-18, San Juan Worms, Jigged Frenchies, Prince Nymphs in all sizes and varieties. Dries: Chubbies, Amy’s Ant, Hippy Stomper, Stoneflies 14-16

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 time is now! You could go check out Lime or Cascade or Hermosa…but just remember they are accessed by the road. Any amount of hiking will get you to much more interesting places.	Dries: Parachute Adams, Foam Ants, Humpys, Wulffs. Nymphs: Prince Nymphs, Copper Johns, 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: 174 ft³/s Water Level: 4.45 ft USGS	Dropping	It’s that time! A little high but will drop quickly. Dry droppers all day homie!	Nymphs: Bitch creek nymph, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Copper Johns, Pheasant Tails, Hare’s Ear, and Prince Nymphs, Two Bit Hooker. Attractor dries: Small Chubbies 14-16, Wulffs, H&L Variant, Elk Hair Caddis.

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
Open	Open!	Pike, trout, bass, crappie, horray! Our local lakes are fishing good. Navajo is fishing good for carp and bass. Vallecito and Lemon have had good trout fishing and pike is still good at Vallecito. McPhee, Puett, Totten, and Pastorious are all options among a few hundered around here. High country lakes are open and starting to fish well.	Trout: Buggers, Small Parachute Adams, Leeches, Chronomids. 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. Lunch Money, Low Fat Minnow, Trailer Trash Gurgler, Drop Dead Minnow. Carp: Barry’s Carp Fly, Carp Bitter, Hare’s Ear Nymph 10

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: 637 ft³/s Water Level: 2.73 ft USGS	Coming up	It’s time for the summer sessions on the Gunny! Dry droppers seem to be best with caddis, yellow sallies, and mayfly nymphs. If you can find fish up in the column, fish some depth with a nymph right or streamer in the mornings.	Gold and brown Chubbies 12-16, Stimulators 12-14, Duranglers Peacock Caddis 14-16, Elk Hair Caddis 14-18. BH Copper John, Psycho Prince, Prince Nymph, #14-18, Frenchie 12-14. Pheasant Tail 14-16, Two Bit Hooker 16-20, Juan’s Sniper Baetis 20. Streamers: Buggers, Mini Dungeon, Lunch Money.

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: 299 ft³/s Water Level: 2.61 ft USGS	Steady	Flows are up and fish will be less skittish, but small mayflies are still the ticket. Small streamers may land you some stockers too! Preasentation is key.	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. RS-2 Foam Wing Emerger #20-24, Killer Mayfly #22-24, Brown Baetis Nymph #20-24 Buggers, Mini Peanut Envy, Lunch Money.