Description: About Dolores River
The pristine Dolores River in the southwest corner of Colorado starts as a series of small feeder streams at 10,200 ft near Lizard Head Pass.
It runs through the town of Rico all the way to Dolores, over 48 miles in all, where it is then dammed up at McPhee Reservoir. The Dolores is classic, small stream pocket water with occasional pools and rocky runs. It has varied mayfly, stone fly and caddis activity with the latter being pre-dominant. Terrestrials are also prevalent with grasshoppers and beetles working well from spring through fall. Streamers, mainly wooly buggers, can be effective in the high water of June and early July. Five species of trout are available ranging from rainbow, brown, brook, cutthroat and cutbows. Also present are sculpins and kokanee that run into the river from Mcphee. The Dolores has state designated stocked sections, but there are an abundance of "wild" fish. From Rico up to the headwaters the river is mostly public. From Rico on down, much of the river is private but there are still many sections not posted that are open to the public. Dry-dropper rigs work well from spring to fall with top fly sizes in the 10 to 14 range depending on time of year and water levels. Droppers in size 16 work well early and range on down to 20 as the season progresses. Popular dry flies include elk hair caddis, stimulators, parachute adams, royal coachman (and Wulfs) and all types of grasshoppers. Most bead-headed droppers will work, including copper johns (all colors), pheasant tails, and hare's ear nymphs. Emergers work well from late summer into fall. Hatches do occur, but are difficult to cue on due to the fast flowing, gradient nature of the upper Dolores. Many of the tributaries, including the West Fork, the East Fork and Bear Creek are also worth exploring. Winter fishing is slow to non-existant due to low water and ice.
The Dolores below McPhee offers 12 miles of water that is easy for anglers to find their own piece of river. Below the dam, the river flows through a wide sandstone canyon bordered by rock cliffs. It is a user-friendly stream with easy wading, low gradients, and plenty of room to work into position and make a cast. There is not much pocket water on the river, but it has many shallow riffles and slow turns. During low summer flows, holding water is scattered, and the angler will have to cover a long section of river in the course of the day.
Nearest Airport:
Durango Airport
Hatches:
Terrestrials, Caddis, mayflies
Best Time to Fish:
Mornings and afternoons
Best Stretch:
Below Rico to Dolores (a lot of private), Above Rico to Lizard Head, Below McPhee Dam
Best Access:
Below McPhee, in town Dolores, around and above Rico to Lizard Head.
