Spring Trips
SPRING TRIPS
Our spring fly fishing season starts with the Vernal Equinox, approximately mid-March through mid-June, but can vary year to year depending on weather events, daily air temperatures and snowpack. With longer days, daily water temperatures begin to rise, signaling increased insect and trout feeding activity.
Access
As temperatures rise and snow begins to melt, SW Colorado fly fishing trips start to open but can also be affected by run-off. There is an amazing pre-runoff window where fly fishing is phenomenal right before some of the rivers succumb to the muddy waters of peak runoff. Luckily, there are still wonderful tailwater fisheries at lower elevations that fish outstanding in the spring that are impervious to water clarity issues. Ask our reservation team what rivers are fishing best during your visit.
Advantages
Spring sees fewer people on the water, increasing air and water temperatures, and a chance to hit “first tracks” on the river sections after the cold winter months. The thaw of riverbanks brings insect life back to the river, changing river levels and triggering new food sources, like early baetis, midge, caddis and stoneflies hatches become staples for hungry early spring season trout. Colorado high country stays cold and snow-covered in the spring. Still, our access to a diversity of regional fisheries, including lower elevation sections like Lower Gunnison River, allows our guests excellent spring fly fishing opportunities.
Timing
Spring fly fishing charters or excursions near Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, Montrose and Grand Junction, Colorado, on prime sections of the Uncompahgre River, Gunnison River: Gunnison Gorge / Black Canyon, San Miguel River are offered daily. Choose from half-day, full-day, multiday, walk-wade or float fishing on fly fishing rivers within one hour or less of our Fly Shop in Ridgway. *Spring flight schedules into Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ), a half hour from our shop, are available on all major air carriers due to services at Telluride Ski Resort: Town of Telluride and Mountain Village, and other popular destinations including Gunnison Crested Butte, Ouray, and Silverton Colorado.