Cimarron
UPDATED: 05/12/2022
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: Winter is setting in making the high country inaccessible as the roads to this are are not maintained in the winter. As spring approaches and the roads open back up we will keep you in the loop.
Most Productive:Ice and snow covered roads have this area closed off for the winter. Look to head to the lower Gunnison or to Paco for great winter fishing.
Water Clarity: Ice.
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: Winter is setting in making the high country inaccessible as the roads to this are are not maintained in the winter. As spring approaches and the roads open back up we will keep you in the loop.
Most Productive: Ice and snow covered roads have this area closed off for the winter. Look to head to the lower Gunnison or to Paco for great winter fishing.
Water Clarity: Ice.
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):
Nymphs:
Cimarron River Map
Gunnison
UPDATED: 05/12/2022
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: East portal is OPEN!! the road has been opened on 4/29/22 this year. Water is still cold so think small flies still, midges, BWO nymphs and scuds.
Most Productive: Nymphing with small flies in the deeper runs. Its still cold so not much happening on the surface but fish should be hungry and willing to eat with a good drift
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 as spring creeps in, warmer days have been the best but we are finding fish is the storms as well. Water is cold and clear, smaller attractor nymphs ( BWO and midges Size 18-24) and worms or small stoneflies have been finding some fish as well. Fish are looking for easy meals this time of year and getting a good drift will find you some fish.
Water Clarity: Clear.
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:Nymphing the deeper slower water where the fish are hold up for the colder months will find you some. Think winter and small. Midges, small stoneflies and Mayflys with be the main food this time of year.
Happening Now: The north fork of the Gunnison is running high and Muddy making everything below pleasure park unfishabel. Heading upstream of the confluence youll find clear water and active fish. Fish are starting to move around and away from the deeper water and moveing up on shelves during the heat of the day matching up with the BWO hatch in the early afternoon. Nymphing in the moring and switching to dries as you start to see fish later in the day.
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:Deep nymph rigs, with worms and stoneflies with BWO emergers. Trying to hit the water during the warmest part of the day will be the most productive.
Water Clarity: Clear with Great visability
Flow Information
Dry Flies: May Day #19 BWO, Brooks Sprout Baetis #20 BWO, Mole Fly #20 Olive or Brown, Eri'c Midge #22 Hi Vis
Nymphs: Worms Pink or Red #10, Rainbow Warrior Jig #16, Tung Fire Jig #16, Jig Perdigon (All Colors) #16, Demon Midge #18-22, Top Secret Midge #20-24, Mighty Midge Red or Blue #18-22.
Streamers:Fish are holding deep so slow down your retrieve to almost a dead drift if you're looking to throw some meat. 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: 05/12/2022
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: We are starting to see some good activity in the water water and more fish. Water is still coming down very cold so fishing lower and plan on fishing mid day to afternoon for the best action.
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:Light nymph rigs with small midges trailed off a small atractor like a worm or small stonefly
Water Clarity: Stained
Flow Information
Dry Flies: Melting Pot Midge #20 Purple, Brooks Sprout Baetis #20 BWO
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: 05/12/2022
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 have come back down and fish are still getting settled in. Smaller flies are still the best bet but leading with a leach, cranefly or worm is the best option. As this high water drops back to normal levels we should see the BWO's start to hatch and some fish looking up.
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 Larvae/Pupa 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: The Gunnison Tunnel has been turned off and flows through town are much more similar to Paco. The time to fish town is now!! Nymphing the deep water with Stonefly nymphs and eggs as well as Jig flies are producing some nice fish but it's always worth throwing a smaller BWO or Midge of the back for more variety.
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, Span Juan Worm #16 Red & Pink, Barr's Cranefly #12, Massacre Midge #18-24, Foam Wing Emerger #20-26, Soft Hackle Emerger #18-20 Gray, Matt's Neon Nightmare Midge #18-22 Pink or Orange, Matt's 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.
