Cimarron
UPDATED: 09/30/2022
The FORKS OF THE CIMARRON: EAST-MIDDLE-WEST: If you love chasing wild fish in small rivers, this is your place. At an elevation of 9,600 feet, each fork is located in their own high alpine valley. All three have an abundance of pocket water, small pools, and riffles, all coupled with exceptional views. Great hatches can be expected throughout the summer and into fall. These rivers are a dry fly fisher's dream and are also great for Tenkara.
Happening Now: Fishing well around the storms, just make sure you have you rain gear on hand. The lake is really low and with the mud its inaccessible. They have also closed down the camping areas so only dispersed remains. The water in the streams is looking great and with our cooler night time temps fish are happy and eating well. Still some surface activity on small beetles , BWO, and caddis but dropping a nymph below is the most productive.
Most Productive:Hopper dropper for the win right now. The forks are getting lower so look to fish the middle or east fork and hitting the pocket water as you move upstream.
Water Clarity: Clear to colored depending on rain
Recommended Gear: 9' to 12' Tenkara rods or shorter and lighter fly rods in the 2 to 4-wt. range work best.
BIG CIMARRON: This section of the Cimarron is below Silver Jack Reservoir and offers several miles of uninterrupted and remote fly fishing opportunities. Technically this is a tailwater but it doesn't fish like one. When flows are below 60 cfs, shallow dry/dropper rigs are the rule. However, for the deeper pools or during higher flows, deep nymphing will produce the biggest fish. Casting can be tight, with lots of vegetation and limited trails along the river, so be prepared to "earn it" in order to access this section.
Happening Now: Lake level is dropping and with that comes muddy water on this section. Fishing has slowed down with the color but if you really wanted to fish this area think worms and bright nymphs.
Most Productive: Small atractor Dries with droppers about 2 feet down.
Water Clarity: Cloudy But Fishing
Recommended Gear: Nymphs under a small indicator, use 3 to 4-wt. fly rods with a soft/slow dry fly action. Also, 13' Tenkara rods with a stiffer 6.4 action or better will work well.
Flow Information
Dry Flies (Dry/Dropper Rigs): Elk Caddis #14-18, Humpy #14-12, Fat albert beetle # 14, Para Adams #16-20
Nymphs: Two bit hooker #16-18, Pheasant Tail #16-18, Depth charge Worm #16, Blowtorch #16, Bird of Prey #14, He Man #16
Cimarron River Map
Gunnison
UPDATED: 09/30/2022
EAST PORTAL: The East Portal is located at the upper end of the Black Canyon inside the Black Canyon National Park. This is the only access point into the Black Canyon in which you can drive directly to the river, and is subject to seasonal closures. Once you are down on the Gunnison River you are surrounded by towering granite walls some as high as 2,000 feet. The East Portal is a classic western tailwater, and a gorgeous place to visit.
Happening Now: Water clarity is back to "Gunni Green" with good viability. Fish are settled into the feeding lanes in the faster runs and off shelves. Nymphing has been the most productive, leading with a Scud or egg fly and trailing off smaller mayfly emergers and atractors. Streamers are also a great way to search for active fish.
Most Productive:Single Dry fly to rising fish during the hatch but nymphing has been the most productive. Still look to drop a flashy mayfly nymph or stone below. Scuds are also a great option when water levels change so make sure you have a few orange scuds if your headed this way.
Water Clarity: Clear
GUNNISON GORGE: This is a magical and beautiful place to fish, especially float fishing! Most famous for the Salmon Fly hatch in May/June. This is a great section of the river if you want to get away from the crowds of the East Portal or lower sections around Pleasure Park. The only access to the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness section is by hiking one of the four trails or a Three Day Float Fishing Trip with RIGS.
Happening Now: Fishing well with even through the storms. Water has some color to it but still good viability for hopper dropper and streamers.
Water Clarity: Gunni green to cloudy
Recommended Gear: A 9' to 10' 6-wt. fast-action fly rod, with a high sensitivity large arbor reel and solid drag system, will give you the stopping power to fight big rainbows and browns. Heavier tippet in the 2x to 4x range can always be fished in the "Gunny Green" waters and will be needed especially when float fishing the technical waters.
Most Productive:Fish hoppers up top and drop flashy nymphs below, things like worms, stones, and flashy mayfly nymphs. On any over cast day i would bring out the streamer rod and fish the fast runs and the head of pools and work your way down through it. Fish are starting to look for smaller patterns as we move into the fall.
Happening Now: After all the Rain we has this last month this section of the river is looking great. Water is still cloudy but good viability and water temps have stayed low. Fishing has been consistent, we are catching fish on Dries, nymphs, and streamers almost every day we are out. As the day temp starts to drop over the next few weeks fish should be looking for some BWO adults on the surface but for now is mostly all nymphing with emergers.
Recommended Gear: 5 and 6-wt. fly rods, 9' to 9' 6" with a matching fly line and a reel with a good drag system for fighting big fish.
Most Productive:We have been seeing dry dropper fishing through the day. Fishing a single hopper tight to the bank youll find some fish willing to rise but the dropper set up is still the most productive, Streamers have also been picking up some good fish and lots of chases on the cloudy days.
Water Clarity: Clear with some color in the water due to the rains
Flow Information
Dry Flies: Para adams #16-22, Elk caddis #16, Upbeat Beatis #20
Nymphs: Rainbow Warrior Jig #16, Tung Fire Jig #16, Jig Perdigon (All Colors) #16, Kryptonite Caddis # 16, Depthcharge worm #12, Squirmy worm #12
Streamers: Montana Mouthwash Olive or White #6, Dirty Hippy Platte (Single or Double), She Demon Brown #6, Baby Gonga (Gray or Rainbow) #8.
Gunnison River Map
San Miguel
UPDATED: 09/30/2022
SAN MIGUEL: The stretch of the San Miguel just downstream of Telluride meanders through meadows and trees, and provides a prime example of a Colorado freestone river. The river changes a few miles downstream with some bigger and faster water. Pocket water is abundant with a few long runs and deep pools. In the summer, fishing both tight to the banks as well as around cover can produce solid fish.
Happening Now: Keep an eye on the rain and the flows this week as it may spike with the rain and become muddy. Fish have been active on the surface and below. We are seeing caddis and BWO on the surface through the day but with the colder mornings fish arnt looking up until about 11. Nymphing has been good with small emergers and caddis nymphs. I have also been throwing small streamers if im looking to cover alot of water. Keep an eye out this next week we are going to get some rain and may see a day where its blown out but it has been clearing up fast.
Recommended Gear: This river is perfect for lighter weight rod fly rods in the 3 to 4-wt. range and also Tenkara rods. Tenkara rods are best from 12' to 13' in length and 6:4 (medium) flex. A floating Tenkara line will allow you to fish dry flies with ease.
Most Productive:Dry Dropper rigs will be your best friend. Scale down the dry a little to something closer to what's hatching. Caddis or small Chubbies in size 14 have been my go to with a pheasant tail trailed off the back about 2 to 3 feet.
Water Clarity: Clear with some color from the rain but clears up fast
Flow Information
Dry Flies: Skinny Chubby #12-14, Elk Caddis #14, Goddard Caddis #12/16, Extended body BWO # 16-20
Nymphs: Rainbow Warrior #16, Pheasant Tails #16, Copper John #16-18 Red, Psycho Prince #16-18 Purple or Blue, Demon Midge #18, Two Bit Hooker (All Colors) #14-18, San Juan (Red, Purple, or Pink) #12
Streamers: Wolly Bugger #10, Autumn Splendor #6
San Miguel River Map
Uncompahgre
UPDATED: 09/30/2022
UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER AT PA-CO-CHU-PUK: "Pa-Co-Chu-Puk" or just Paco, is the section of the Uncompahgre River that lies inside Ridgway State Park and is a fly fisherman's dream. It is one of the best tailwaters in the state and holds fish well over 10 pounds. Paco offers easy access for beginners or those with mobility issues and is a year-round fishing destination with great hatches throughout the year. This is one of the best places to throw dry flies during summer. July through September can be on fire with Caddis, Green Drake and PMD hatches!
Happening Now: Flows are at a great level the fish plenty of water for the fish to hold in. Stealth is starting to play a bigger roll when fishing so try to make longer casts and stay out of the water if you can. BWO's and midges are the main bug right now so go small and fish light tippet. We have been getting a few fish on eggs but trailing off the smaller flies is still the go to.
Recommended Gear: 5 and 6-wt. fly rods, 9' to 9' 6" with a matching fly line and a reel with a good drag system for those big fish.
Most Productive: Nymphing smaller Midges and Baetis. We have been throwing small Worms and Leeches, but Midge emergers are most productive.
Water Clarity: Cold and clear.
UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER Down River: The river downstream of Paco holds a good population of healthy Browns and Rainbows as it winds its way all the way through the city of Montrose. There are a few access points as you head north; the first being Billy Creek; otherwise, starting in the town of Montrose running all the way towards the airport on the North end. The fish are still pressured with a smaller average size, but large fish can always surprise you.
Happening Now: Flows are up for the summer in town as the tunnel is back on. Heavy nymphs under a chubby has been fishing very well. We have been catching fish both below and on the surface, and seeing some really healthy fish coming out of this section
Recommended Gear: 4, 5, and 6-wt.fly rods, 9' rods in either 4wt or 5wt through the fall and winter months. switch to a 6wt rod as the Gunnison tunnel opens back up in the spring.
Most Productive: Nymphing with heavy but smaller nymphs, eggs, worms, and leeches. Trail off BWO nymphs and midge larva or pupa to be the most effective out there. Focus on the banks, shelves, and deeper slower holes to find fish.
Water Clarity: High and stained.
Flow Information
Nymphs: Matt's Hell Razor Leech #12, Mayer's Mini Leech #16, , Massacre Midge #18-24, Foam Wing Emerger #20-26,Jedi Master olive #24, Demon Midge #18-22, Matt's Mighty Midge #18-22 Red or Blue, Epoxy BWO #22, Pure Midge #20-22 Black, Two Bit Midge #20 Olive
Streamers: Montana Mouth Wash, Dirty Hippie, Fortune Cookie
Uncompahgre River Map
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The best in Southwest Colorado Fly Fishing, plan your trip with RIGS
If you are planning on fishing in Colorado this year, RIGS “Reel Time” fishing report includes up to date information on conditions, flows, flies, a hatch guide, weather, maps and more. RIGS Colorado fishing report is regularly updated and provides all the information you need for fly fishing on the Gunnison River (Black Canyon National Park & Gunnison Gorge), San Miguel River, Uncompahgre River & Cimarron River. Fishing in Colorado has never been better, especially in the Southwestern part of the State. For more information on the region’s top fly fishing destinations along with the best Colorado fishing report, come by in person or visit RIGS Fly Shop online. We are located in the heart of the San Juan Mountains in historic downtown Ridgway within one hour of Ouray, Telluride, Montrose, and Silverton Colorado. If you are fishing in Colorado, the RIGS fish report will keep you up to date on all of the happenings in the region.
Hunting and Fishing Licenses are available at RIGS Full Service Fly Shop. However, we encourage you to purchase Fishing & Hunting Licenses Online prior to your trip to save time and hassle. When purchasing a Division of Wildlife License, the State requires your driver’s license or id, social security number, height, weight, and phone number.
*PLEASE NOTE: In order to legally fish in the State of Colorado, anyone 16 years or older must possess a valid Colorado State Fishing License. Fishing licenses can be purchased at our Full-Service Fly Shop, or you can conveniently purchase them online through the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website. The cost of the fishing license is not included in trip prices. Licenses can be purchased for periods of one day or more.
