Fishing Season: April-October

Rio Grande - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

52

Duranglers Flies and Supplies's Tip of the Week

With low flows, float fishing can be technical, so be careful, but wade fishing can pick up as the flows drop

Directions open in app

Map of Rio Grande

5-Day Outlook as of 5/21/26

Cooler days and nights ahead, along with rain and possibly snow. This will slow down runoff for a bit longer and hopefully sustain our poor snowpack

Techniques & Tips as of 5/21/26

Streamers and nymphs continue to produce the best. There have been some sporadic caddis hatches with a few fish looking up so having some dries is in your best interest.

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
Stimulator Royal 8-14
Double Bunny Black, Olive 6-8
Elk Wing Caddis Natural 12-16
Pat's Rubberlegs Coffee 4-8
Duranglers Peacock Caddis Peacock 12-16
Sparkle Dun Copper 18-20
Sedgehammer Olive 18-20
Black Flashabugger Black 4-8
Prairie Doggin Pupa Green 14-16

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:

Stonefly Nymphs, Caddis nymphs, BWOs, Mayfly Nymphs,

Best Time to Fish:

10-4

Best Stretch:

creede down stream

Best Access:

coller