The Uncompahgre River located in Western Colorado is still one of Colorado’s best-kept secrets.
Even with articles in Fly Fisherman Magazine, you can still have days where the river yours in late fall through winter. The Uncompahgre River starts high in the San Juan National Forest, through the town of Ouray, Ridgway, and Montrose where it joins the Gunnison River in Delta, Colorado.
One of the best stretches, though there are many sections that are being improved throughout the region worth exploring, is within Ridgway State Park. A tailwater section below Ridgway Reservoir, Pa-Co-Chu-Puk is a productive year-round fishery that produces giant trout to challenge the most seasoned angler.
With winter months ranging in the 30’s-40’s, you are fishing Midges and Small Baetis nymphs. During spring the Stone Fly nymphs start to get active and Caddis are starting to pop. Summer weaves into throwing a Dry/Dropper rig and transitions into Hopper madness from July-Sept.
Special to July, the Uncompahgre River has one of the best Green Drake hatches in the state and few fisherpeople know. This abundant hatch delivers large Drake’s in the #10’s while the fish go nuts for them. The Drake’s come off in the morning around 10 a.m. and transition right into the afternoon Pink Cahill hatch. The Pink Cahill’s are one of the most consistent hatches we have ever seen. They start to come off at 1 p.m. every day so be prepared to make the switch. Green Drakes in the morning and Pink Cahill’s all afternoon – not a bad day.
The Uncompahgre River in Western Colorado has something for everyone, if chasing 30 plus inch fish is your game this tailwater has it or if throwing dry flies all day is up your alley, the Uncompahgre River in Western Colorado is for you. Join us in this stunning setting a the base of the San Juan Mountain range.
