Durango August Fly Fishing Report
August is here, and with it a fishing forecast we have not seen in the past few years. Thanks to the extended monsoonal rains (that are still happening with ferocity), our local waterways are seeing a good amount of water coming into August. This is fantastic news for those planning a fishing trip in the Durango area this month.
Because of our monsoon rains, the water temps have been keep down while the water levels have been kept at a higher flow. This has caused fish to feed throughout the day and not seek cover from the scorching summer sun. Local rivers are still producing great hatches of Caddis and PMDs and our high country is currently lights out fishing. Terrestrial season has begun and trout are looking to chow down on some meaty hoppers. Make sure to check out our our frequently updated Durango Area River Reports page before you head to out!
Insects and Natural Food Sources
If you have any questions on a specific river; please call the shop for more info. 970-385-4081
- · San Juan River, New Mexico – Blue Winged Olives, Midges, annelids, aquatic worms, scuds, eggs, Leeches, Caddis, PMDs, Hoppers, and Ants.
- · Lower Animas – Caddis, PMDs, Sculpins, Fingerling Rainbow Trout, Crayfish, Mice, Hoppers, Stonefly Nymphs.
- · Upper San Juan – Stoneflies, Caddis, PMDs, Sculpins.
- · Rio Grande – Stoneflies, Caddis, PMDs, Green Drakes, Brown Drakes, Mice.
- · Piedra River & Williams Creek – Stonefly nymphs and dries, Caddis, PMDs, Green Drakes, Cicadas.
- · Los Pinos River – (Below Dam) – Midges, PMDs, Caddis, Baitfish & Leeches, Mice.
- · Dolores River Above Reservoir, Los Pinos Above Reservoir – Stoneflies, Ants, Beetles, Hoppers, Caddis, Baitfish.
- · Dolores River (Below Dam) – HOPPERS! PMDs, Caddis, Midges, BWO’s, and watch out for Rattlesnakes!
- · High Country Lakes and Streams – Hoppers, Ants, Beatles, Moths, Mice, bugs…things that look like bugs…High country trout are not too selective so make sure to have lots of attractor dry flies. Damsel flies, Chronomids, and Callebaetis in lakes.
Recommended Fly Patterns
San Juan River:
- · Midges: Size 20-30 – Flash Midge Pupa, Red Big Mac, WD-40, Zebra Midges
- · Baetis: Size 20-14 – Juju Baetis, Thread Body Baetis, Barr’s Baetis Vis-A-Dun, BWO CDC Emerger, RS2
- · Annelids: Red Sparkle Worm, Red annelids, Chamos Leech, SJ Worm in Red, Orange, Pink, and Tan
- · Terrestrials: Small hoppers such as a Dry Muddler, Yeager’s 409, Sloan’s Paralyzer, Sponge Spider, and Amy’s Ant.
- · Scuds: Size 14-18 – Olive and Tan
- · Leeches: Size 8-14 – Olive, Brown and Black Simi- Seal Leeches, Bunny Leeches, and Buggers
Animas, Piedra, Upper San Juan, and SW CO rivers:
- · Stonefly Nymphs: Size 2-14 – 20 Incher Stone, Prince Nymph, Pats Rubberlegs, Little Black Sloan, Sparkle Stone
- · Hoppers: Tan Hopper, Parachute Hopper, Morrish Hopper, McKnight’s Sweetgrass Hopper.
- · Caddis Nymphs: Size 12-18 – Caddisstrophic Pupa, , Hares Ear, Cased Caddis, Sparkle pupa and Sparkle emerger
- · Caddis Dries: Size 12-18 – Duranglers Peacock Caddis, E-Z Caddis, Clownshoe Caddis, Small Stimulators
- · PMDs: Size 14-18 – Juju PMD, CDC Comparadun PMD, PMD Vis-a-Dun
- · Streamers: Mr. Hankey Mouse, Josh’s Ziwi, Circus Peanut, Conehead Wool Sculpin, The One Sculpin
Rio Grande:
- · Stonefly Nymphs: Size 2-14 – 20 Incher Stone, Pats Rubberlegs, Sparkle Stone.
- · Hoppers: Tan Hopper, Parachute Hopper, Morrish Hopper, McKnight’s Sweetgrass Hopper.
- · Caddis Nymphs: Size 12-18 – Caddisstrophic Pupa, Cased Caddis, Sparkle pupa and Sparkle emerger
- · Caddis Dries: Size 12-18 – Duranglers Peacock Caddis, E-Z Caddis, Black Mom’s Day Caddis, Clownshoe Caddis
- · Mice: Mr. Hankey Mouse, Mouseketeer
Lower Dolores:
- · Caddis Nymphs: Size 12-18 – Caddisstrophic Pupa, Cased Caddis, Sparkle pupa, and Sparkle emerger
- · Caddis Dries: Size 12-18 – Duranglers Peacock Caddis, E-Z Caddis, Clownshoe Caddis
- · BWOs: Pheasant Tail Nymph, Juju Baetis, BWO Vis-a-Dun, Snowshoe Dun
- · PMDs: Size 14-18 – Juju PMD, CDC Comparadun PMD, PMD Vis-a-Dun, Brown Nymph
- · Hoppers: Size 8-12 – Tan Sweetgrass Hopper, Green Morrish Hopper, Tantrum Hopper, Dry Muddler, Yeager’s 409, Grillo’s Pool Toy
High Country:
Any attractor patterns will work. Have Humpies, Royal Wulffs, Stimulators, Elk Hair Caddis, Neversink Trude, or Parachute Adams on hand in sizes 10-16. Try a mouse pattern if you are so inclined… If you must go under, a size 8-10 olive bugger, Copper Johns, Pheasant Tails, and other bead head nymphs always work. These fish are not too selective. For lakes fish Simi-Seal Leaches, Callebaetis nymphs and dries, Adult Damselflies, Foam Damselflies, Ultra Damsel Nymphs, and dragonfly nymphs as well as ant’s and beetles.
