SAN MIGUEL RIVER

Fishing report

CURRENT CONDITIONS

SAN MIGUEL RIVER

Last Update: November 4, 2024


The San Miguel River with its near endless public access (25+ miles) from its headwaters near Telluride, heading northwest to its confluence with the Dolores, beckons walk wade anglers to explore one of Colorado's last freestone (undammed) trout streams. Only 30 minutes from Ridgway, the San Miguel is a dry fly fishing paradise. With numerous insect hatches, you will find stoneflies, caddis, pale morning dun, blue winged olives and midges on your angling adventure. San Miguel anglers encounter steady river gradient, coupled with great stream clarity, abundant pocket water and some nice deep buckets and pools.

Happening Now
Weather has been hitting this area hard so keep an eye on the water leves and we head into the next storm this coming week. There will be a window between the storms were water should drop and fishing can resume but this area is starting to slow down. Try dropping off some caddis pupa and flashy mayfly nymphs as water clears this week and you'll find'em. If your still seeing some cloudy water putting on a worm pattern as your dropper is the move.

Recommended Fly Patterns
Hi-Vis Skinny Chubby #14, Neversink Caddis #14-16, Tung Micro Worm #16, HDA Fav Variant #14, Two bit hooker #16-18. Mini mopsicle #18

Discharge, cubic feet per second: 66.8 ft3/s

Discharge, cubic feet per second: 66.8 ft3/s

See Streamflow on USGS

HANDPICKED

FLIES FOR THE SAN MIGUEL RIVER

RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service SAN MIGUEL River Hatch Chart ©

Hatch-Chart—San-Miguel-River

TIPS FOR

THE SAN MIGUEL RIVER

While Summer and Fall are the best seasons to target fly fishing the San Miguel River, don’t discount early Spring for getting a line wet. Winter fly fishing near Telluride is best discovered at lower elevation rivers like the Uncompahgre or Lower Gunnison. “Keep moving” is the motto on the San Miguel River. With over 25 miles to pick from and quick access to multiple stops, don’t walk up on other groups or try to compete for water. Instead, explore alternate locations not to overfish any one section.

Weather on the San Miguel should not be discounted. Don’t forget you are in Colorado above 7000 feet, and weather changes quickly in high-elevation canyons like the San Miguel. So be prepared for potential flash floods and sudden shifts in temperature and weather. Consider moving upstream to locate clear water above tributaries brining in off-colored water.

Fly Fishing Gear & Equipment for the San Miguel River:

  • 3 weight to 5 weight, 7’6” to 11’ moderate action Fly Rods with WF floating fly lines are ideal for high sticking pockets or presenting drag free drifts in fast riffle water or controlled drifts near tight vegetated banks.
  • 6x to 5x leader & tippets will cover most situations. Consider shorter length leaders to turn over small attractor dry flies with a dropper in tight quarters, or slightly longer leaders to present small dry flies with improved accuracy and drag free drifts.
  • Core dry flies for match the hatch, small attractor flies, small jigged nymphs and plenty of terrestrials are essential in the San Miguel. Visit the Fly Shop for a curated selection of proven and successful fly patterns ideal for the specific drainage and time of year you are visiting.
  • Small poly yarn indicators for the occasional deep pool, and dry fly flotant or dry shake for combating turbid waters. *Don’t forget your net for proper catch and release fish handling.
  • Backcountry essentials like a quality rain jacket, day pack, bug spray, and plenty of packable food and water for a full day of exploration.
Today

Weather icon

Mostly Sunny

Temperature: 39° F

Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Weather icon

Partly Cloudy

Temperature: 11° F

Partly cloudy, with a low around 11. East wind around 5 mph.

Friday

Weather icon

Chance Snow Showers

Temperature: 40° F

A chance of snow showers after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 40. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Friday Night

Weather icon

Chance Snow Showers

Temperature: 19° F

A chance of snow showers before 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. South southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Saturday

Weather icon

Mostly Sunny

Temperature: 46° F

Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph.

Saturday Night

Weather icon

Mostly Clear

Temperature: 16° F

Mostly clear, with a low around 16.

Sunday

Weather icon

Sunny

Temperature: 50° F

Sunny, with a high near 50.

Sunday Night

Weather icon

Mostly Clear

Temperature: 19° F

Mostly clear, with a low around 19.

Veterans Day

Weather icon

Sunny

Temperature: 52° F

Sunny, with a high near 52.

Monday Night

Weather icon

Mostly Clear then Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Temperature: 26° F

A chance of rain and snow showers after 5am. Mostly clear, with a low around 26.


GUIDED TRIPS

LEARN THE RIVER WITH AN EXPERT

RECOMMENDED SAN MIGUEL GEAR