UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER

The Uncompahgre River or “The Unc” for short, offers year round fly fishing opportunities, particularly productive on tailwater sections below Ridgway Reservoir. Tailwater access begins with Ridgway State Park and the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground area, locally known as “Paco.” Spring Summer and Fall are the best times of year on the tailwater, while wintertime offers a chance to move downstream and fish more urban sections of through the City of Montrose. Paco offers easy access for beginners or those with mobility issues, while challenging the most seasoned anglers with its noteworthy larger size selective resident trout.

Happening Now
Pa-Co-Chu-Puk has been holding at a solid, consistent flow over the last several weeks. Ridgway Reservoir is still full, and with releases staying steady, we do not expect much change in flow for a while. Those stable tailwater conditions have helped keep the fishing predictable, with fish settling into dependable feeding lanes and responding well to clean presentations. Caddis activity continues to be a factor, and PMD activity has started to pick up as well. We are seeing more fish looking for easy meals near the surface, especially during better hatch windows and lower-light periods. Caddis pupae, emergers, PMD nymphs, and smaller mayfly patterns have all been productive choices, with dry-dropper rigs becoming more useful when fish are willing to move up in the water column. Recent rain events have also helped mix things up. After moisture moves through the area, small worm patterns have been getting attention and make a great attractor fly. Fishing a small worm above a caddis emerger, PMD emerger, or general mayfly dropper has been a strong approach when the water has a little extra color or when fish need something more noticeable to key in on. Fishing has been a bit more technical this season due to an ongoing state management program at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is evaluating whether the wild fish population can sustain the fishery without supplemental stocking. As part of that effort, this section has not been stocked since 2024, with plans to continue that pause through 2028. There are additional components to the program as well, so anglers with questions or comments are encouraged to reach out to Eric Gardunio at eric.gardunio@state.co.us. .

Recommended Fly Patterns
Massacre Midge #20-22,Demon Midge Red #22, Kryptonite Caddis #16 Tan,Jedi master #20-22 Tan-Olive, Mini Leech #14 Black, BTS Green Drake #14, Goddard Caddis #18, Sitting Duck Caddis #16

See Streamflow on USGS

HANDPICKED

FLIES 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.

GUIDED TRIPS

LEARN THE RIVER WITH AN EXPERT