Fishing Season: Spring/summer through fall

Cimarron River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

RIGS Fly Shops & Guide Service's Tip of the Week

Fall is settling into the high country, bringing cooler days, crisp nights, and vibrant foliage along the river. Water levels are running low, but the fishing remains excellent. Dry-fly action has slowed with fewer hatches, though trout are still opportunistic and will rise to caddis and small mayfly adults throughout the day. Most feeding activity is happening subsurface, so a dry-dropper rig remains the go-to setup. Downsizing droppers to size 16 or smaller has been key. Nymphing continues to produce consistently with classic patterns like Pheasant Tails and Hare’s Ears. The fish aren’t overly selective right now—as long as you’re fishing small, you can rotate through a variety of patterns with success.

Directions open in app

Map of Cimarron River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

RIGS Fly Shops & Guide Service

5-Day Outlook as of 9/23/25

The weather is looking rainy so keep an eye out for afternoon thunderstorms heading into this week.

Techniques & Tips as of 9/23/25

Dry Dropper with a foam dry and a weighted nymph below will let you hit the pockets where fish are holding. If fish are actively rising, switch to either a Caddis or BWO dries.

Current Conditions as of 9/23/25

Great water levels and Active fish.

Local Species Available Spring/summer through fall

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    Cutthroat

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    Brook Trout

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    Rainbow Trout

RIGS Fly Shops & Guide Service's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Stimulator N/A
Elk Wing Caddis N/A
Bead Head Brassie™ N/A
Tunghead Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail N/A
TH Cased Caddis N/A
Micro Egg N/A

Stimulator

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Item #0928

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RIGS Fly Shops & Guide Service's Recommended Gear

Description: About Cimarron River

High Alpine fishing at its best! The Cimarron River offers endless fishing for Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat, and Brook Trout. As one of the most beautiful settings in Colorado, the Cimarron high country offers rare opportunities for solitude, native fish, and remote access. If you’re looking for a real Colorado backcountry experience, it doesn’t get any better than this. The Forks of the Cimarron include the West Fork, Middle Fork, and East Fork, and each offer an exceptional high-country angling experience. These small freestone streams provide miles of access, with riffles and pools, and plenty of trout. In addition to the Forks, the Big Cimarron includes a three-mile tailwater stretch below Silver Jack Reservoir. Large boulders and deep pools provide excellent habitats for large high-country trout. Summer through fall is the best time to fish the high country. After the snow melts and the Forks settle down, anglers can enjoy fishing dry flies at 9,600 feet with beautiful mountain scenery as the backdrop. After the summer mayfly fade, it’s all about hoppers. Throwing dry flies and hopper patterns at native and wild trout is tough to beat!

Nearest Airport:

Montrose Regional Airport

Bait Recommendations:

Foam Dry flies (Hoppers, chubbys, ants) as well as stimulators and caddis dry flies. Bead head nymphs (pheasant tails, copper johns, smaller perdigons).