SAN MIGUEL RIVER
Fishing report
CURRENT CONDITIONS
SAN MIGUEL RIVER
Last Update:
Happening Now
Recommended Fly Patterns
HANDPICKED
FLIES FOR THE SAN MIGUEL RIVER
RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service SAN MIGUEL River Hatch Chart ©
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.
Partly Cloudy
Temperature: 18° F
Partly cloudy, with a low around 18. South southeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday
Partly Sunny
Temperature: 53° F
Partly sunny, with a high near 53. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Cloudy
Temperature: 29° F
Cloudy, with a low around 29. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Washington's Birthday
Mostly Cloudy
Temperature: 55° F
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Rain And Snow Showers
Temperature: 25° F
Rain and snow showers after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. South southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Tuesday
Snow Showers
Temperature: 39° F
Snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Chance Snow Showers
Temperature: 20° F
A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Wednesday
Snow Showers
Temperature: 37° F
Snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Snow Showers
Temperature: 10° F
Snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Thursday
Snow Showers Likely
Temperature: 32° F
Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.