Fishing Season: Spring/summer through fall

Cimarron River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

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

Spring has arrived early this year, and the Cimarron is expected to open up sooner than usual. That said, access is not quite there yet, as snow still remains in shaded sections of the road and higher-elevation areas are holding onto winter conditions. Looking ahead over the next couple of weeks, a cooler stretch of weather is expected, with freezing overnight temperatures likely in the high country. This will slow the melt for the time being, but we’ll continue monitoring conditions closely as this cold snap moves through. Stay tuned for updates, and keep checking back as access and fishing conditions continue to improve.

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 4/14/26

We are almost there! The last bit of snow on the road is melting, but we are still a couple of weeks out.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/14/26

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 4/14/26

Ice, Ice, Baby!

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 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).