Rio Epic Guide Reports - Spirng 2019



Fly fishing guide and fishing reports for the San Juan and other streams of Southwest Colorado. If the reports don’t seem up to date please refresh your browser. If that doesn’t do it just drop us a line and ask how the fishing is. Plus that will remind us to refresh the reports.
Links to snowpack maps and river flows below.



SAN JUAN - Quality Waters
New Mexico



Flows: dirty, but getting better
338 CFS


The San Juan, especially the Quality Waters, offers the most consistent spring angling. Nymphs and streamers are king, but there has been some dry fishing.


Hatch: Dirty water bugs have been best producers but midge and BWOs continue to work. Anillids have been very consistent. Midge pupa/larva, anillids, eggs, white and black leeches, Rainbow trout streamers!


Forecast: Conditions should improve over the next few days. See below . . .



SAN JUAN - Lower River
New Mexico



Flows: low/clearing slightly
338 CFS



The lower Juan is waking a little right now. Streamers are turning some heads and nymphs can fool a fish here and there. Visibility is not great but better than it was.


Hatch: Some BWOs and midges


Forcast: Should be sweet this year once she clears. See below for more info about flows from Navajo Dam.



San Juan - near Pagosa
Pagosa Springs



Flows: stained
1000+ CFS and on the rise



The upper Juan is up an very muddy. As spring runoff continues flows will be up and stained.


Hatch: Random caddis and may fly


Forcast: With a solid snowpack we are looking at a normal float season on the upper this year that might last longer than a few days!



San Juan Flow News April 2019



From Susan at the BOR (via email) March 30 2019

The turbid water is coming straight out of the dam- not due to the repairs going on. We think it may be the turbid water in the Pine and Piedra making its way through the old thalweg under the reservoir. After the main outlet works is back online we will raise the release to 400-500 for the next month or so. There is a likelihood of 5 days at 5,000 cfs at end of May or early June. Timing will depend on the Animas peak. - Susan





Pine - below Vallecito
SW Colorado



Flows: Releases have begun!
300-400 CFS (April/May)



The Pine is has bumped with good fishing. The spring flush has been completed and the fish are on the hunt.


Hatch: Midges mostly


Forcast: Flows will bump to summer numbers (500-675) later in May. Pine news below...



Rio Grande - below 30 Mile
Creede & Southfork



Flows: Clear and cold
500+ CFS



The Rio Grande is open and flows are close for floats. Streamer time! The first bugs typically start in April with BWO and tiny stones. The salmon flies should show around mid June with the emergence starting downstream of Southfork.


Hatch: BWOs


Forcast: With a solid snowpack we are looking at a long and fun season on the Rio.



Rio Grande - Upper
SW Colorado



Flows: Cold and still lots of snow
no CFS reported



The upper Rio is still snowed over in most spots


Hatch: none at this time


Forcast: Looking to be a great season with all the snow.





Dolores River
Below McPhee



Flows: Cold and low
40 CFS



Dolores is fishing slow with cold and low flows. Otters have been raising heck on the lower "D" trout.


Hatch: Midges and maybe a few BWOs


Forcast: Hopefully we will get a spring/early summer spill from the reservoir.



Upper Dolores
Dolores to Rico



Levels: Spring flows/clear to stained
120 CFS



Dolores is fishing OK depending on flows and clarity. Streamers and nymphs are best.


Hatch: BWOs


Forcast: Hopefully we will get a spring/early summer spill from the reservoir.



Piedra
SW Colorado



Flows: Open, cold and clear
80-120 CFS



The Piedra is looking good this season. Solid spring fishing with stone fly nymphs, BWOs and caddis.


Hatch: few BWO, micro stones, midges


Forcast: Looking to be a great season on the Piedra with the snow up there.



Pine River Flow News April 2019



Dolores flow new:


There is talk of a release from McPhee reservoir. Here is a link to the Dolores River Water Conservation Districts website regarding releases from the dam.


Dolores River



Animas River
Durango



Flows: Mud - sludge & post fire silt
300+ CFS



Due to the 416 Fire up the Hermosa drainage the has been some nasty color in the water making visibility very poor. Some fish continue to be caught, but numbers are way down.


Hatch: Midges and maybe a few BWOs


Forcast: It will take a few wet years to help heal the Animas post the 416 wild fire.



Regional Lakes
SW Colorado



Levels: Open and Ice melting
levels are low



The larger lower Elevation lakes are open with fishing. Other lakes at elevation are iced over.


Electra: Ice

Vallecito: Mix of open water/ice

McPhee: Mix of open water/ice

Navajo: Open

Nighthorse: Closed


Forcast: Solid snowpack should help fill low lake levels and reservoirs.



Mountain Creeks
SW Colorado



Flows: Still lots of snow up there



Most mountain streams are still in winter mode. The trout are hunkered down, waiting for the spring melt.


Hatch: none


Forcast: With a solid snowpack we are looking at a solid mountain stream season all through the summer and fall!



Southwest Fly Fishing Guide Service


durango | creede | southfork | silverton | navajo dam | pagosa springs | dolores
Rio Epic: 970-259-0484
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