Fly Fishing Tips and Approaches for Western Colorado
As the crisp air of late autumn sets in and the leaves have changed color, it’s easy to think your fly fishing season is winding down. But for dedicated anglers, fall and winter offer unique opportunities to stay on the water. Whether you’re fishing the Uncompahgre, San Miguel, or Gunnison River, these fly fishing tips and tricks will help you make the most of colder-weather fly fishing.
How to Approach High Altitude Tailwaters – Uncompahgre River at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk (Tailwater Fishing Year-Round)
The Uncompahgre River at Paco (short for Pa-Co-Chu-Puk) benefits from tailwater conditions, meaning water temperatures remain relatively consistent year-round due to dam releases, keeping it fishable through the winter. To extend your season, follow these essential tips:
- Stay Warm with Proper Layering
Even at 7,000’ in elevation, fishing continues at Paco but layering is crucial to staying comfortable during colder months. Start with high-quality socks to keep your feet warm and layer your clothing from there. If your feet stay warm, you’re much more likely to enjoy your day on the water. - Go Stealthy
With lower water levels in the fall and winter, fish become more concentrated and sensitive to their surroundings. To avoid spooking them, it is crucial to use a lighter tippet (5x-7x) and smaller flies. Most winter fishing happens subsurface and your summer indicator may be too large. Try switching to a yarn indicator like Rainy’s TelStrike for a softer landing that won’t disturb the fish. Also, use a 90 degree leader system are a way to present small flies subsurface with minimal disturbance. Micro split shot is another handy tool to perfect your sink rate and presentation.
Advanced Hint: Try three or four tiny sized split shots vs one big split shot to make micro adjustments from hole to hole to find what depth the trout are holding. Remember, in colder months your sink rate and drift need to be in combination to the meet the trout where they are holding because they don’t move far to take them. - BUGS? There are no bugs in Winter, right?
Even though the larger insects are gone, smaller bugs like midges and Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) are still active and more cold tolerant. Some top fly patterns for the Uncompahgre include the Massacre Midge, Demon Midge, Two Bit Midge, Barr’s Emerger BWO, and Spanflex Worm. Remember to size down your flies for more success during the winter months.
Prime Fall Fishing at High Altitude – San Miguel River (Tips for Success on Freestone Rivers)
The San Miguel River offers excellent fall fishing with cooler mornings and warmer days. Although it ices over in the depths of winter, autumn is prime time to enjoy this river. Here’s how to optimize your fishing on the San Miguel during the fall:
- Don’t Rush Out Early
Cold nights mean colder mornings, and fish are more active as the day warms up. Remember fish are dependent on water temp for their own internal temperature. Give the sun time to warm the water, and fish during the warmest part of the day for better results. Dress for extremes by layering with a combination of warm weather gear like a sun shirt but make sure to bring your puffy while temperatures change it is cold in the shade. - Target the Deeper Pools
As water levels recede, fish naturally move into deeper pools and holes. Don’t waste time fishing in the shallows where they were during the summer. Focus your efforts on deeper sections where fish congregate in cooler weather. - Rigging for Success
Fall still sees insect hatches, so don’t leave your dry flies at home. A Dry-Dropper rig with a smaller dry fly like a Caddis or Parachute Adams and a Bead Head Caddis or BWO as the dropper works well. For streamers, try using smaller sizes (8-10) like a Woolly Bugger. As winter approaches, nymphing with a small indicator rig is effective for reaching fish in the deeper pools. Want a quick selection to get on the water? Preorder our Handpicked Fly Selection on our online store and we will have it waiting.
Streamer Fishing – Gunnison River (Fly Fishing Tips Do’s and Don’ts for Big Browns)
The Lower Gunnison, like the Uncompahgre, is a tailwater river, providing fishing opportunities year-round. As the agricultural growing season ends and flows lower, the Gunnison still has more fishable water than many other regional rivers. Here’s how to tackle this river in the colder months:
- Browns & Spawning – Important Etiquette – Mind the Redd
The Gunnison has a healthy population of both brown and rainbow trout, but fall is for the browns as they prepare to spawn. It is important to pay attention and looking for trout beds, which are light patches of clean gravel where fish have cleared areas to lay eggs. Avoid wading through or fishing to these beds (redds). You may also see fish holding in these beds, do not fish to them, it is tempting but this will cause unnecessary stress. Let them be and fish in other areas of the river to protect the future brown trout population. - Target Aggressive Browns
During the spawn, brown trout become more aggressive, making it an ideal time to fish large streamers. Size up from your normal 5wt to a 6wt or 7wt rod with a sinking line or leader. Some favorite streamers include the Baby Swim Coach, Mini Dungeon, and Two Tone Dungeon. - Be Prepared for Weather Changes
Fall weather can be unpredictable, so check the forecast before heading out. Prepare by layering your gear, starting with a sun hoody, adding a fleece or puffy jacket, and finishing with a rain jacket or windbreaker. Being ready for sudden weather changes will help you stay on the river longer.
Want to learn more about these fly fishing tips and techniques? Book a trip with one of our professional fly fishing guides and learn the fall and winter fly fishing techniques that will expand your fly fishing season. Fly fishing through the colder months can be incredibly rewarding on our regional waters. With the right gear, techniques, and knowledge, you can enjoy fishing these rivers year-round. We also offer our concierge fly shop experience to get you in just the right gear. Just remember to stay warm, fish smart, and always be prepared for the weather!