UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER
Fishing report
CURRENT CONDITIONS
UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER
Last Update:
Happening Now
Recommended Fly Patterns
HANDPICKED
FLIES FOR THE UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER
RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service UNCOMPAHGRE River Hatch Chart ©
TIPS FOR
THE UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER
The Uncompahgre River starts high above Ouray Colorado with many small creek tributaries before is flows through Ridgway and into Ridgway State Park Reservoir. After the tailwater section at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk, the Uncompahgre river moves through Colona, Montrose and then joins the Gunnison River outside of Delta.
Uncompahgre River Tailwater Section: Consider sight fishing to target a specific fish vs. blind casting. First locate a feeding trout, stalk to an ideal casting location, then select the appropriate fly based on feeding behavior and accurately present the fly – first cast. Since there can be additional fishing pressure in the Ridgway State Park and the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk area over summer months, make sure to select quality technical fly patterns to target specific hatches or to present small tailwater nymph patterns.
Uncompahgre River Montrose Section: (Winter vs. Summer). Powerful seasonal irrigation flows (April – September) are diverted from the Gunnison Tunnel and contribute to Uncompahgre River just upstream of the City of Montrose, bringing heavily increased releases and swift currents to the city section for a majority of the fishing season. You’ll have to focus fishing tight to the banks to avoid swift waters and be careful attempting to wade this section during summer irrigation season. *More stable and fishable river levels are found upstream towards Ridgway and the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground area.
Fly Fishing Gear & Equipment for Uncompahgre River:
- 5 weight to 6 weight, 8’6”’ to 11’ Fly Rods with WF floating fly lines are ideal for presenting small delicate dry flies, high stick nymph drifts on tight seams, or vegetated banks and open meadow situations.
- 6x to 5x leader & tippets (fluorocarbon for nymphing and monofilament for dries) will cover most situations on the Uncompahgre, as fly patterns are often small and fish a bit leader shy. Consider shorter length leaders to turn over dry flies in tight quarters or to present dry dropper rigs with better accuracy.
- Core dry flies for match the hatch, tiny midges and emergers for selective fish, ants beetles and leaches are essential Paco flies, while larger patterns are fished downriver. Visit the Fly Shop for a curated selection of proven and successful fly patterns ideal for this specific drainage and time of year you are visiting.
- Small natural colored poly yarn indicators for spooky fish and light take detection on small midges and emergers, and good variation in split shot size to dial in depth for selective fish in feeding lanes. Plus, plenty of dry fly floatant and dry shake for longer delicate drifts and small dry fly presentation.
- Remember essentials like a rain jacket, day pack, bug spray, and packable food and water for a day’s exploration of this unique tailwater fishery. *Don’t forget your net for proper catch and release fish handling.
Rain And Snow Showers Likely
Temperature: 43° F
Rain and snow showers likely before 2pm, then a slight chance of thunderstorms and rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 43. North wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tonight
Rain And Snow Showers Likely
Temperature: 28° F
Rain and snow showers likely before 7pm, then patchy fog and rain and snow showers likely between 7pm and 9pm, then patchy fog and a chance of rain and snow showers between 9pm and midnight, then patchy fog and a chance of rain and snow showers between midnight and 2am, then patchy fog and a slight chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 28. North northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Temperature: 46° F
Patchy fog before 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. North wind 0 to 5 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly Clear
Temperature: 22° F
Mostly clear, with a low around 22. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph.
Partly Sunny
Temperature: 53° F
Partly sunny, with a high near 53. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night
Mostly Cloudy
Temperature: 30° F
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Temperature: 55° F
A slight chance of rain showers after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55.
Monday Night
Rain And Snow Showers
Temperature: 30° F
A slight chance of rain showers before 11pm, then rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Snow Showers
Temperature: 42° F
Snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Tuesday Night
Snow Showers Likely
Temperature: 24° F
Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
