Rio Grande, CO Fishing Report

The river is unlocking and the fish will be responding. Water temperatures are very low and the fish will be friendly but lethargic. Stonefly nymphs and larger attractor nymphs should be productive. Streamer flows are around the corner. Bombing big gaudy streamers for lunker browns.

Fly Fishing on the Rio Grande is fantastic. We can offer a great half day float or wade. Fish are reacting very well to cooler water temps. Hatches are consisting of our colder water bugs. Bwos, pmds, midges, and terrestrials are all fishing well.

Fly Fishing on the Rio remains strong. The monsoon season rains arrived just in time to revive the Rio. The river is still very floatable and fishing well. The river has gone off color at times but the streamer fishing was great. Coloration is good now and we are seeing the fish return to the surface to feed. Hoppers, caddis, pmds, bwos, etc. have fished well. Call now to book your float trip on the Rio Grande.

3/8/13

Winter conditions, river is mostly frozen!  Conditons should imporve by the end of March.

Box Canyon to Creede, CO.:

They had stepped down & leveled out the flows out of the reservoir at easily wadable flow, I’m guessing in flow / out flow control now, with snow melt or lack of snow melt.  Upper river is clear, and fishable but cold air & water temps, will be tough fishing at first, especially early in the morning. Nymphing will produce the best with some streamer action where possible. Big Browns moving about the river in spawning migrations.

CFS: 49

Creede to South Fork, CO. :

The Rio is on a slow drop and clear- good color, at floatable flows and nymphing has been producing best for now.... Streamer fishing has slowed down with the lower clearer water and colder air & water temperatures.  Big browns being caught & good numbers of fish on nymph rigs. These floatable flows this time of year, added color and big browns moving about in spawn/post-spawn/pre-winter feed mode equals big browns on big flies, on big gear.

CFS: 270

South Fork to Del Norte, CO.:

The Lower Rio Grande below South Fork to Del Norte, is full & floatable, holding level at just above average flows for this time of year and good color to a little cloudy. As the flows started dropping and clearing after the storms stopped fishing had been off the hook, Big Streamers for Big Browns and floating in October, doesn’t happen too often or last too long but when it does it is Awesome.! Fish are now keying in more on nymphs than streamers with the lower, clearer, colder water. But still getting a few bigger fish on streamers.

CFS: 422

The South Fork of the Rio Grande, CO.:

The South Fork of the Rio Grande:  Is  at average flows for this time of year and has good color.  With last week’s push of more flow, color and cooler water temps. and cold nights & mornings nymphing will be your best technique. Big fish being caught out of this little river.

CFS: 77

 NOTE:"Please do Not fish for spawning fish! Brook Trout and Brown Trout are in pre-spawn, full spawn, or just entering post-spawn.  If you see two trophy sized trout parred up on a redd just admire their size & beauty and walk away. Ultimately you are saving the lives of possibly hundreds of fish you will have the chance to catch in the future by leaving those two fish to continue to finish their spawning ritual." "Please be careful wading around too much this time of year too, especially in gravelly side channels, tailouts and heads of pools, these are usually places fish make redds and spawn. If you see clean depressions in the gravel, or what looks to be a pile or pit of clean gravel please avoid wading through it." Thank You

Rio Grande River, CO.:

After a week or so of No Rain or Snow and perfect weather, water & fishing conditions are ideal and fishing has been Great! September & October have been a wonderful months of fishing in this area. And yet once again just as all our water dropped to average or just below average and clear, we have a large system of rain & snow pushing through last week . This year has been working out great with weather & water conditions.

Rio Grande is at full floatable flows, and good color to cloudy depending on s which section. Fishing has been excellent the last few days, nymphing, and streamers mostly, but lower in the drainage still have some dry fly fishing with sporadic hatches of BWO’s & PMD/PED’s possible and fish are still used to eating terrestrials.

Box Canyon to Creede, CO. :

They had raised & leveled out the flows out of the reservoir, I’m guessing in flow / out flow control now, with snow melt.  Upper river is clear, and fishable but a drastic push of water and cold air & water temps, will be tough fishing at first, especially early in the morning. Nymphing will produce the best with some streamer action where possible. Big Browns moving about the river in spawning migrations.

CFS: 87

Creede to South Fork, CO. :

The Rio is holding fairly level and clear- good color, at full floatable flows and good streamer fishing action for now.... But, as this storm system ended and the river started dropping/falling streamer fishing has been Excellent, always is in these conditions. Big browns being caught on streamers and good number of fish on nymph rigs. These floatable flows this time of year, added color and big browns moving about in pre-spawn/pre-winter feed mode equals big browns on big flies, on big gear.

CFS: 339

South Fork to Del Norte, CO. :

The Lower Rio Grande below South Fork to Del Norte, is full & floatable, holding level at just above average flows for this time of year and good color to a little cloudy. As the flows started dropping and clearing after the storms stop fishing has been off the hook, Big Streamers for Big Browns and floating in October, doesn’t happen too often or last too long but when it does it is Awesome.!

CFS: 485

Beaver Crk, Park Crk., Pass and the South Fork of the Rio Grande, are at full above average flows, but clear!  Nymphing will produce best in the South Fork and Beaver, Park and Pass are a little smaller & shallower, dry/dropper is the best technique.

The South Fork of the Rio Grande River, CO. :

The South Fork of the Rio Grande:  Is  at above average flows for this time of year and has good color.  With last week’s push of more flow, color and cooler water temps. and cold nights & mornings nymphing will be your best technique. Big fish being caught out of this little river.

CFS: 126

Rio Grande River, CO.

Box Canyon to Creede:

They had raised & leveled out the flows out of the reservoir, I’m guessing in flow / out flow control now.  Upper river stays clearer, and may fish sooner but a drastic push of water and cold air & water temps, will be tough fishing.

CFS: 172

Creede to South Fork, CO.:

The Rio is on the rise and cloudy, at good floatable flows and good streamer fishing action for now.... But may blow out at anytime we’ll have to wait and see. But, as this storm system moves out and the river starts dropping and falling streamer fishing should be Excellent, always is in these conditions. Had some good reports so far from the last two days of big browns being caught on streamers so far.  These floatable flows this time of year, added color and big browns moving about in pre-spawn/pre-winter feed mode equals big browns on big flies, on big gear. I’ll keep you posted, may be amazing.....

CFS: 422
 

South Fork to Del Norte, CO.:

The Lower Rio Grande below South Fork to Del Norte, is floatable, murky, and still rising. Fishing was good yesterday and today, but may blow out soon. I’ll keep you posted, but as the flows start dropping and clearing after these storms stop fishing should be off the hook, Big Streamers for Big Browns and flowing in October, doesn’t happen too often or last too long but when it does it is Awesome.!

CFS: 632

The South Fork of the Rio Grande River, CO.:

The South Fork of the Rio Grande:  Is  at Well Above average flows, and murky. Blown Out, Not Fishable! But with the push of more flow, color and cooler water temps. and cold nights & mornings nymphing will be your best technique once it becomes better fishing conditions, which usually happens before most area rivers, and/or close to the reservoir.

CFS: 294

Rio Grande River, CO.

Box Canyon to Creede:

They had stepped down & leveled out the flows out of the reservoir at good wading flows & clear.  Upper river is fishing well.Some  Dry Fly Fishing. Few sporadic hatches, BWO’s, golden stones, and terrestrial action. but colder night & water temps. nymphing will be your most consistent technique.

CFS: 48

Creede to South Fork:

The Rio is on a steady drop/fall, and clear, good wading flows, barely floatable.  
Good Dry Fly fishing , some micro caddis, goldens & BWO’s hatching, and fish are on terrestrials more though. Nymphing the deeper fast pools & runs during the heat of the day or when the sky clear & bright, is also producing fish and extending the day’s fishing. Streamer Fishing was much better with added flow & color, but may extend with the cooler weather & water and the Brown trout are getting into pre-spawn, pre-winter feeding mode.


CFS: 199
 

South Fork to Del Norte:

The Lower Rio Grande below South Fork to Del Norte, is floatable, good color, and on a slow fall. Fishing early morning or later evening was producing best, but lower river did cool down,and cooler weather, fishing is has come back around down lower. Mainly throwing big dries & droppers, some small hatches, and terrestrials working best. Hitting the fastest & deepest waters with nymphs and streamers throughout most of the day is really producing a lot of bigger fish, but dry fly fishing has extented to an all day event with th cooler water & weather.

CFS: 296

South Fork of the Rio Grande:

The South Fork of the Rio Grande:  Is  below average flows, and good color. Some decent Dry fly fishing, PMD’s, BWO’s  goldens, & yellow sallies hatching. Plus good terrestrial action, ants & hoppers. With cooler water temps. and cold nights & mornings nymphing will be your best technique early in the day.
The Guides & shop staff fish the South Fork often and with great success Grand Slams, good numbers, and nice fish. Dry / Dropper and Nymph Fishing.

CFS: 49

Dropping flows and a lower release have made the upper river from Creede to South Fork more wadable especially the box canyon above Creede. Fishing below South Fork is slower than the upper river. Baetis hatches have been sporadic but if you find one you'll see fish coming up to the surface. Still some caddis, PMD's, and golden stones fly around although terrestrials seem to be getting a lot of attention.

Rio Grande River, CO.

Box Canyon to Creede:

They had stepped down & leveled out the flows out of the reservoir at good wading flows & clear.  Upper river is fishing well.Some  Dry Fly Fishing. Few sporadic hatches, BWO’s, golden stones, and terrestrial action. but colder night & water temps. nymphing will be your most consistent technique.

CFS: 59

Creede to South Fork:

The Rio is on a steady drop/fall, and clear, good wading flows.  
Decent Dry Fly fishing , some micro caddis, goldens & BWO’s hatching, and fish are on terrestrials more though. Nymphing the deeper fast pools & runs during the heat of the day or when the sky clear & bright, is also producing fish and extending the day’s fishing. Streamer Fishing was much better with added flow & color, but may extend with the cooler weather & water and the Brown trout are getting into pre-spawn, pre-winter feeding mode.


CFS: 216

South Fork to Del Norte:

The Lower Rio Grande below South Fork to Del Norte, is barely floatable, good color, and on a slow fall from last week's push of weather. Fishing early morning or later evening was producing best, but lower river did cool down,and cooler weather, fishing is has come back around down lower. Mainly throwing big dries & droppers, some small hatches, and terrestrials working best. Hitting the fastest & deepest waters with nymphs and streamers throughout most of the day is really producing a lot of bigger fish.

CFS: 281

The South Fork of The Rio Grande River:

The South Fork of the Rio Grande:  Is  below average flows, and good color. Some decent Dry fly fishing, PMD’s, BWO’s  goldens, & yellow sallies hatching. Plus good terrestrial action, ants & hoppers. With cooler water temps. and cold nights & mornings nymphing will be your best technique early in the day.
The Guides & shop staff fish the South Fork often and with great success Grand Slams, good numbers, and nice fish. Dry / Dropper and Nymph Fishing.

CFS: 57

Dropping flows and a lower release have made the upper river from Creede to South Fork more wadable especially the box canyon above Creede. Fishing below South Fork is slower than the upper river. Baetis hatches have been sporadic but if you find one you'll see fish coming up to the surface. Still some caddis, PMD's, and golden stones fly around although terrestrials seem to be getting a lot of attention.

Box Canyon to Creede:

They had stepped down & leveled out the flows out of the reservoir at good wading flows & clear.  Upper river is fishing well. Dry Fly Fishing! Some hatches, caddis and stones, and terrestrial action.

CFS: 64

Creede to South Fork:

The Rio had blown up some from the last rains, but on a slow fall at floatable flows(rafts), good color-cloudy, and getting better.  
Dry Fly fishing has really picked up, some micro caddis, goldens & pmd’s hatching, and fish are on terrestrials more daily. Getting some Big Browns on Some Big Dries!!! MICE! And Nymphing the deeper fast pools & runs during the heat of the day or when the sky clear & bright, is also producing fish and extending the day’s fishing. Streamer Fishing has been getting better with added flow & color, and overcast skies.


CFS: 257

South Fork to Del Norte:

The Lower Rio Grande below South Fork to Del Norte, is floatable, cloudy to good color, and on a slow fall from recent push of weather. Fishing early morning or later evening is producing best, lower river did cool down,with daily rains and cooler weather, overcast skies, fishing is has come back around down lower. Mainly throwing big dries, some small hatches, and terrestrials working best. Then hitting the fastest & deepest waters with nymphs and streamers in the heat of the day.

CFS: 332

The South Fork of The Rio Grande River:

The South Fork of the Rio Grande:  Is barely below average flows, and with recent rains adding some volume, good color and cooler water temps. Good  Dry fly fishing, PMD’s,  goldens, & caddis hatching. Plus good terrestrial action, ants & hoppers. With a push of extra cooler, more colored water after a storm nymphing will be your best technique.
The Guides & shop staff fish the South Fork often and with great success Grand Slams, good numbers, and nice fish. Dry Fly Fishing, & Dry Droppers

CFS: 59

We have forecasts of rain the rest of the week in South Fork and in Pagosa Springs, at perfect timing as our waters were falling to below average flows, gin clear, and warming too much. This has been a Great water year so far and still working out well. Please Call either WCA Fly Shops for the most up to date Information as conditions are changing again daily.
Pagosa Springs: (970)264-1415
South Fork: (719)873-1414

Dropping flows and a lower release have made the upper river from Creede to South Fork more wadable especially the box canyon above Creede. The upper Rio and the streams around Pagosa Springs have the best fishing going! Still good reports of caddis on this section with afew golden stones and hoppers in the mix. Baetis hatches have been sporadic but if you find one you'll see fish coming up to the surface. The water is fairly clear and fishing is very good, with most action on dry flies.

Rio Grande River, CO.

Box Canyon to Creede, CO.:

They had stepped down & leveled out the flows out of the reservoir at good wading flows & clear.  Upper river is fishing well. Dry Fly Fishing! Some hatches, caddis and stones, and terrestrial action is getting better.

CFS: 80

Creede to South Fork:

The Rio had blown up some from the last rains, but on a slow fall at floatable flows(rafts), good color-cloudy, and getting better.  
Dry Fly fishing has really picked up, some micro caddis, goldens & pmd’s hatching, and fish are on terrestrials more daily. Getting some Big Browns on Some Big Dries!!! And Nymphing the deeper fast pools & runs during the heat of the day or when the sky clear & bright, is also producing fish and extending the day’s fishing.

CFS: 261

South Fork to Del Norte:

The Lower Rio Grande below South Fork to Del Norte, is floatable w/ rafts, cloudy to good color, and on a slow fall from recent push of weather. Fishing early morning or later evening is producing best, lower river did cool down,with daily rains and cooler weather fishing is has come back around down lower. Mainly throwing big dries, some small hatches, and terrestrials working best. Then hitting the fastest & deepest waters with nymphs in the heat of the day.

CFS: 333

The South Fork of The Rio Grande:

The South Fork of the Rio Grande:  Is getting low and clear, but starting to come back up from recent rains the past few days.  Dry fly fishing yellow sallies, PMD’s,  goldens, & caddis hatching. Plus good terrestrial action, ants & hoppers. With a push of extra cooler, more colored water after a storm nymphing will be your best technique.
The Guides & shop staff fish the South Fork often and with great success Grand Slams, good numbers, and nice fish. Dry Fly Fishing, & Dry Droppers

CFS: ?

We have forecasts of rain the rest of the week in South Fork and in Pagosa Springs, at perfect timing as our waters were falling to below average flows, gin clear, and warming too much. This has been a Great water year so far and still working out well. Please Call either WCA Fly Shops for the most up to date Information as conditions are changing again daily.
Pagosa Springs: (970)264-1415
South Fork: (719)873-1414

Dropping flows and a lower release have made the upper river from Creede to South Fork more wadable especially the box canyon above Creede. The upper Rio and the streams around Pagosa Springs have the best fishing going! Still good reports of caddis on this section. Green and gray drakes are waning as are the PMD's, but some good baetis hatches have been bringing fish up to the surface. The water is fairly clear and fishing is very good, with most action on dry flies.

Dropping flows and a lower release have made the upper river from Creede to South Fork more wadable. The upper Rio and the streams around Pagosa Springs have the best fishing going! Still good reports of stoneflies and caddis on this section. Green and gray drakes are in the mix and we are seeing more PMD's every day. The water is fairly clear and fishing is very good, with most action on dry flies.

Water flows have dropped to around 400 cfs at Del Norte and 300 at Wagon Wheel Gap, both below the long-term average. The water generally is clear, except after rain. Anglers have reported good success by floating the river and on the Coller State Wildlife Area

Dropping flows and a lower release have made the upper river from Creede to South Fork more wadable. The upper Rio and the streams around Pagosa Springs have the best fishing going! Still good reports of stoneflies and caddis on this section. Green and gray drakes are in the mix and we are seeing more PMD's every day. The water is fairly clear and fishing is very good, with most action on dry flies.