Fishing Season: April-October

Rio Grande - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

32

Duranglers Flies and Supplies's Tip of the Week

It has been a weird winter: warm, then cold, then warm, now cold again. Looking at lows of -10, so expect some ice on the river. Fish lower down in the drainage and swing some streamers, or go deep with a stonefly/small midge or mayfly nymph rig.

Directions open in app

Map of Rio Grande

5-Day Outlook as of 2/16/26

It's a little warmer right now, but we will start to see a string of storms this week that could bring some much-needed moisture and cool the Rio down a bit.

Techniques & Tips as of 2/16/26

Nymphing! Fish a stonefly nymph with a smaller mayfly or attractor close to the bottom. Water temperatures are going to be cold should you find open water

Local Species Available April-October

  • Fish Icon

    Trout

Duranglers Flies and Supplies's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
TH 20 Incher tan 10
Prince Nymph Natural 10-16
TH Rubber-Legged Bugger Black, Olive 6-8
Gold Bead Hare's Ear Nymph Natural 12-16
Pat's Rubberlegs Brown 8-12
RS-2 grey 18-20
Bead Head Brassie™ Copper 18-20
Bead Head Barr Emerger Olive 18-20
Simi Seal Leech Black 8
Caddis Larva Olive 14-18

TH 20 Incher

Big trout can't resist these deadly stonefly nymphs.

2.99

Item #5E3E

Buy Now

Duranglers Flies and Supplies's Recommended Gear

Description: About Rio Grande

Head waters of the Rio Grande River. This is a freestone river with an abundance of large bugs, including stoneflies, drakes and blizzard caddis hatches during the early summer. Late summer sees pmd's and terrestrials. Most of the river consists of riffle/ runs and pocket water (traditional western river). There is approximately 90 miles of fishable trout water beginning at the headwaters 30 miles above Creede, Colorado, continuing downstream to Del Norte, Colorado. Approximately 50% of this water is public with the lower 20 miles being gold metal waters. Plenty of public put-in's for boater, with the floating season normally lasting from mid April thru July.

Nearest Airport:

Alamosa, Co.

Hatches:

Midges, Mayfly Nymphs, Stonefly Nymphs

Best Time to Fish:

12-4

Best Stretch:

creede down stream

Best Access:

coller