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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 has been dropped, but is still off color, but fishing has remained good and is getting better. Bugs are showing, and fish have been feeding well in the mornings and evenings. Dry fly fishing is also an option with these hatches in the afternoons and evenings with midges and BWOs.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falling | Runoff is subsiding a bit slower, which is nice for now
Caddis hatches are still coming off in the evenings and fish may be ready to eat a dry. With weather and water temps, PMDs could be showing up soon as well. Think of it this way: early morning is for streamers. Late morning through the afternoon nymph rigs or dry/droppers. Evenings are for dries |
Nymphs: BH Hare Golden Stone 10-12, Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, Prince Nymph 12-16, Czech Mate Caddis 14-16, Caddis Emergers 14-16, Perdigons 14-18, OCD Caddis 14-16. Split Back PMD 16-20.
Dries: Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, Duranglers Peacock Caddis #12-16, Parachute Caddis 14-18, Chubbies #8-14, PMD Vis-A-Dun 16-18. 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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Falling | Flows are dropping quickly, but fishing should remain good for a bit. Nymphing will be the best option, but if fish are rising, put on a dry!
It’s summer, so hatches of caddis, small stones, drakes, or even PMDs may be showing. |
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, Chubbies #10-14, Stimulators 12-16, Parachute Adams 10-16. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
PIEDRA RIVER NEAR ARBOLES, CO.
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Falling | Flows are dropping quickly. Fishing is good with dry/droppers.
Have lots of stonefly nymphs and a few dries. Fish are ready to eat! |
Nymphs: Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, 20 Incher Stone 10-14, Pheasant Tail and variations 16-20, Prince Nymphs 12-16, Duracell Jig 12-14, Runt Stone Golden 12-16.
Dries: Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, Duranglers Peacock Caddis #12-16, Stimulators 10-14, Para Madam X 12-14, Chubbies #10-14. 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
622 cfs out of the dam |
Falling | Above Vallecito, flows are dropping, and fishing will be getting good. Put on your walking shoes and get after it. The further you hike, the better the fishing will be. Dry/droppers are your best bet right now.
Below, the flows are still up, and fishing will be good. Nymphs and dries should pick up some fish for you. |
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 12-16, Stimulators 10-14, Para Madam X 12-14, Chubbies #10-14, Amy’s Ant 12-14, Fat Albert 6-12. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falling | Runoff is subsiding, and fishing will be getting better every day on the upper Dolores.
This is a favorite dry/dropper water with beautiful scenery. Grab your favorite attractor dry flies and smaller droppers and get after it! |
Dries: Parachute Adams 14-20, Royal Wulff 10-16, Stimulators 10-12, Chubbies 8-12, RIOs Big Boned Caddis 12-16.
Nymphs: Hare’s 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 165 CFS (30 Mile)
357 CFS (Wagon Wheel) |
Falling | Dries: Chubbies 12-16, Stimulators 12-16, Para Madam-X 12-16, Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, Duranglers Peacock Caddis #12-16, Parachute Caddis 14-18, Extended Body PMD 16-18, PMD Vis-A-Dun 16-18, Parachute Adams 10-16, Rusty Spinner 12-16, Green/Brown/Grey Drakes 10-14.
Nymphs: Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, 20 Incher Stone 10-14, Pheasant Tail and variations 14-18, Prince Nymphs 10-16, Copper John #12-16. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43 CFS above
198 CFS (Below Lemon) |
Falling | Above Lemon Reservoir, the flows dropping and the exploratory angler may be rewarded with a trout or two in this rough and tumble country.
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 | Falling | Flows will be a touch high, but creek fishing is here. Get after it while we still have some water and hope for rain.
Check out Hermosa, Lime, or Cascade for some options. |
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
|
Falling | Runoff is almost over, but flows are still a touch pushy. Nymph fishing has been best until the water warms up a bit, when you should be putting on a dry/dropper!
Watch for hatches of caddis, small stones, and mayflies. |
Dries: Parachute Adams 12-16, 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, OCD Caddis Larva 14-16, Runt Stone 12-16, 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!
Summer lake season has arrived. Trout fishing will be best in the higher-elevation lakes, or in the mornings and evenings further down in elevation. Pike may be good for a few weeks, but will slow down with warmer water. Bass and carp fishing is getting good, and will remain awesome through the summer. |
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 nymphs and dries Bass: Belly Scratcher Minnow, Mardi Craw, RIOs Cray Cray, Meat Whistle, poppers. 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
|
Recently raised | Dry dropper time folks. Get after it with caddis and small stonefly dry droppers and have a ball. | Dries: Chubbies 12-16, Stimulators 12-16, Para Madam-X 12-16, Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, Duranglers Peacock Caddis #12-16, Parachute Caddis 14-18, Extended Body PMD 16-18, PMD Vis-A-Dun 16-18, Parachute Adams 10-16, Rusty Spinner 12-16
Nymphs: Pat’s Rubberlegs 8-12, 20 Incher Stone 10-14, Pheasant Tail and variations 14-18, Prince Nymphs 10-16, Copper John #12-16, Czech Mate Caddis 14-16, OCD Tung Caddis Emerger 14-16.
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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
|
Steady | 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 Caddis hatches!
An attractor nymph such as a worm or leech, followed by a small bug is a good move. |
Dries: Parachute Adams 14-20, Griffith Gnat 18-22, Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, Duranglers Peacock Caddis #12-16, Parachute Caddis 14-18, Chubbies #8-14, PMD Vis-A-Dun 16-18.
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, Caddis Emergers 14-18, Perdigons 14-18, OCD Caddis 14-16. Split Back PMD 16-20. |
