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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!
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?
| Water Conditions | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
SAN JUAN RIVER NEAR ARCHULETA, NM
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Dropped | The San Juan is clearing up nicely with an off green color right now. Fishing has remained good and is getting better. Bugs are showing, and fish have been feeding good in the mornings and evenings. Dry fly fishing is also an option with these hatches in the afternoons and evenings.
Streamer fishing is also an option. |
Baetis Nymphs 20-24: Tav’s Thread Body BaetisTav’s Thread Body Baetis, Pheasant Tails, RS-2s (foam and regular wing)
Midges 22-26: Black Flash Midge Pupa, Tav’s Big Mac, Bling Midge, Grey and Olive Midge Pupa. Dries: Griffith Gnat 16-22, Bunny Midge 20-24, Extended Body BWO 20-22 Streamers: Mini Peanut Envy, Baerly Legal, Circus Peanut, Mini Articulated Trout Slider. |
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!
| Water Conditions | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rising | Well, folks, runoff has finally arrived and the Animas is going up today. It is hard to say how long runoff will last, but it probably won’t be too long.
Caddis hatches have been showing up, with fish tuning into dry flies when conditions are good. There have also been a few salmonflies around. Your best option is to fish the edges during runoff with large nymphs, dry/droppers, or a streamer. Fishing will be harder this time of year. |
Nymphs: BH Hare Golden Stone 10-12, Pat’s Rubberlegs 4-8, Prince Nymph 10-16, TB 20 Incher 10-12.
Dries: Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, Duranglers Peacock Caddis #12-16, Rogue Foam Salmonfly #4-6, Chubbies #6-10. Streamers: Scuplinator, Dungeons, Sparkle Minnow, Sculpzillas. |
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.
| Water Conditions | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
SAN JUAN RIVER AT PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO
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Rising | It’s in runoff mode. Fishing won’t be easy with rising water. Fish a stonefly nymph rig under an indicator or on a euro setup. Don’t overcomplicate it right now. If you see fishing rising, have a few caddis dries or even a big stonefly dry. Watch for the peak of runoff as the downslope will have better fishing. | Nymphs: Pat’s Rubberlegs in 4-8. Jigged Pat’s Rubberlegs #10-12, 20 Incher Stone #8-12, Pheasant Tail #16-18, Blowtorch #14-16, Duracell #14-16, Frenchies #16-20
Dries: Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, Duranglers Peacock Caddis #12-16, Rogue Foam Salmonfly #4-6, Chubbies #6-10. Streamers: Mini Peanut Envy, Baerly Legal, Circus Peanut, Mini Articulated Trout Slider. |
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!
| Water Conditions | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rising | Rising with runoff and will be dirty. Flows may not be high for long, and once they start dropping, fishing will start popping.
Have lots of stonefly nymphs as well as a few dries if fish are looking up. Caddis are also in the system, so caddis pupa, emergers, and dries would be good to pack |
Nymphs: Pat’s Rubberlegs 6-10, 20 Incher Stone 10-14, Pheasant Tail and variations 16-20, Prince Nymphs 14-18, Duracell Jig 12-14, Orange Crush 14-16, Prince nymphs 10-16, Runt Stone Golden 12-16
Dries: Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, Duranglers Peacock Caddis #12-16, Rogue Foam Salmonfly #4-6, Chubbies #6-10. Streamers: Scuplinator, Mini Loop Sculpin, The One Sculpin, Sparkle Minnow, Black Buggers #4-8. |
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.
| Water Conditions | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
LOS PINOS RIVER NEAR IGNACIO, CO
656 cfs out of the dam |
Rising | Above Vallecito, flows are coming up, and the water will be cold. Fishing might be tough now, but give it a week or two, and it should be coming into shape at the beginning of June.
Below, the flows have been bumped up. Nymph fishing will be your best bet, but don’t discount a dry fly either.
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Nymphs: Pat’s Rubberlegs in 8-12. Jigged Pat’s Rubberlegs #10-12, 20 Incher Stone #8-12, Pheasant Tail #16-18, Duracell Jig 12-14, Orange Crush 14-16, Prince nymphs 10-16, San Juan Worms.
Dries: Parachute Adams 18-24, Griffith Gnat 18-22, Extended Body BWO 18-20, Sparkle Dun 18-20. Buggers and leeches. |
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!
| Water Conditions | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
DOLORES RIVER NEAR SLICK ROCK, CO
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LOW | Bummer sauce, the flows below McPhee have been dropped to 5 cfs. They are going to bump them up every week for a day or so, but with this drought, flows will remain low all Summer. Fishing will be difficult over time at these flows. Fish hoppers or small bugs if you are over here.. | Dries: Parachute Adams 18-24, Griffith Gnat 18-22, Extended Body BWO 18-20, Sparkle Dun 18-20, Bunny Midge #22-24, Sproat Midge #22-24
Nymphs: Brown or Olive Micro May #16-20, Killer Mayfly #18-22, RS2 #18-24, Juan’s Slim Shady #18-20, Pheasant Tails 16-24, Flash Midge Pupa #18-24, Scissorbill Special #22-24 |
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.
| Water Conditions | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rising | Runoff mode is here. Fishing will be tough with higher water for a week or two, but it will probably drop quickly, and when it does, fishing will pick up. This is a favorited dry/dropper water. | Dries: Parachute Adams 14-20, Royal Wulff 10-16, Stimulators 10-12, Chubbies 8-12, RIOs Big Boned Caddis 12-16.
Nymphs: Hares Ear Nymph 10-16, Pheasant Tails 14-18, Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, 20 Incher Stone 10-14, Prince Nymphs 14-18, Pickpocket 12-16, Duracell Jig 12-16, and other Euro Nymph Jigs 10-16. |
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?
| CFS | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
| 713 CFS (30 Mile)
1290 CFS (Wagon Wheel) |
Rising | Nymphs: Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, 20 Incher Stone 10-14, Pheasant Tail and variations 16-20, Prince Nymphs 14-18, Copper John #14-18 Duracell Jig 14-16.
Dries: Extended Body BWO 18-20, Sparkle Dun 18-20. Streamers: Scuplinator, Mini Loop Sculpin, The One Sculpin, Sparkle Minnow, Black Buggers #4-8. |
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.
| CFS | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 CFS above
193 CFS (Below Lemon) |
Rising | Above Lemon Reservoir, the flows are higher and cold with runoff. Below Lemon, the flows have finally been bumped up. Flows will be fast, so get your heavy nymphs out and fish the pocket water. There may be mayflies and caddis coming off as well. A dry/dropper is a good rig on this water. | Nymphs: Prince nymphs 12-18, Runt Stone Golden 12-16, Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, 20 Incher 10-14, Flashback Pheasant Tail 14-20, Blowtorch Jig 14-16, Tungsten OCD Caddis #14-16, Thrift Shop Caddis #14-16.
Dries: Parachute Adams 14-20, Royal Wulff 10-16, Stimulators 14-16, Chubbies 14-16, RIOs Big Boned Caddis 12-16. Extended Body BWO 18-20, Sparkle Dun 18-20.
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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.
| CFS | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | Rising | Hate to say it, but creek fishing is almost upon us. Some will be a bit cold, but fishing an attractor dry, and a dropper is a good way to start finding fish. | Attractor Dries: Parachute Adams 14-20, Royal Wulff 10-16, Stimulators 14-16, Chubbies 14-16, RIOs Big Boned Caddis 12-16.
Nymphs: Hares Ear Nymph 14-18, Pheasant Tails 16-20, Zebra Midge 18-20, Micro Mayfly 16-20. |
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.
| Water Conditions | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bugs |
|---|---|---|---|
SAN MIGUEL RIVER NEAR PLACERVILLE, CO
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Rising | Flows are rising with runoff and fishing got pretty good, but we should see flows drop with colder weather over the next week. Nymph rigs with a small stonefly, followed by a mayfly or midge, is a good choice. |
Dries: Extended Body BWO 18-20, Sparkle Dun 18-20, Parachute Adams 14-20, Royal Wulff 10-16, Stimulators 14-16, Chubbies 14-16, RIOs Big Boned Caddis 12-16. Nymphs: Prince Nymphs 14-18, Copper John 12-18, Pheasant Tails 16-20, Pickpocket 12-16, Duracell Jig 12-16, and other Euro Nymph Jigs 10-16. |
Our local lakes and ponds hold an abundance of trout, pike, bass, and many other species of gamefish. Need a guide?
| CFS | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
| n/a | Rising | Read our Beginner’s Guide to Stillwater Fishing!
Springtime lake fishing for trout has been quite good recently. Streamers on sinking lines, as well as Chronomid nymph rigs have been finding good trout. Watch for hatches of Callibaetis mayflies Pike fishing is here, and should remain for another month or so. Bass fishing has also been picking with warmer weather. |
Pike: Yard Sale, Engler’s Pike Fly, Nayat Pike Fly, EP Pike Fly,
Trout: Chironomids, Scuds, Guide’s Choice Hares Ear, Balanced Leech, Simi Seal Leeches, Callibaetis cripple Bass: Belly Scratcher Minnow, Mardi Craw, RIOs Cray Cray, Meat Whistle. Maybe a popper? Carp: Belly Crawl Nymph, Carpnasty, Carp Crack, Damsel Nymphs, Carp Hybrid |
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?
| Water Conditions | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
GUNNISON RIVER BELOW GUNNISON TUNNEL, CO
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Recently Dropped | Nymph fishing with bigger nymphs is the best first option, a smally mayfly nymph or dry is good to have on hand
Fishing a stonefly nymph, followed by a smaller mayfly nymph, is a good combo to find a lot of fish. Streamers also. |
Nymphs: Killer Mayfly #18-22, RS2 #18-20, Egg patterns, Juan’s Slim Shady #18-20, Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, 20 Incher Stone 10-14, Pheasant Tail and variations 16-20, Prince Nymphs 14-18.
Dries: Parachute Adams 18-22, Extended Body BWO 18-22. Streamers: Scuplinator, Mini Loop Sculpin, The One Sculpin, Bank Robber Sculpin, Rainbow Yummy. |
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.
| Water Conditions | Rising/Falling | Fishing Conditions | Patterns/Bug |
|---|---|---|---|
UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER BELOW RIDGWAY RESERVOIR, CO
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Dropped a little | Lighter tippet, smaller flies, and stealth. Don’t rush, move slowly, and pick your drifts wisely through deeper holes. Flows are rising, and fish are becoming a little more active. Watch out for BWO hatches! An attractor nymph such as a worm or leech, followed by a small bug is a good move. | Dries: Parachute Adams 18-24, Griffith Gnat 18-22, Extended Body BWO 18-20, Sparkle Dun 18-20, Bunny Midge #22-24, Sproat Midge #22-24
Nymphs: Brown or Olive Micro May #16-20, Killer Mayfly #18-22, RS2 #18-24, Juan’s Slim Shady #18-20, Pheasant Tails 16-24, Juan’s Sniper Baetis 22-24, Flash Midge Pupa #18-24. Buggers #6-12 in olive, white, or black. Simi Seal Leeches. |
